Tongue weight estimates?

[Nick70]

I’ve got a 2006 260DA, 496, generator, 40 gallons of gas, maybe 10 of water..sitting on a Triple axle. I was just reading another post and someone mentioned that setup would have a light tongue weight (I’m guessing because of the triple axels). The post was from 2016 so, I figured best to ask fresh. I’m estimating total weight, trailer included around 9500lb. planning on moving the boat from Boston to NC. Possibly using my own truck. 2011 Escalade EXT.
Possible not probable. It’s rated for 8300lb, and a light tongue weight of just under 600lbs if I remember correctly. So, it’s a push right off the bat.
But it’s got plenty of power..maybe a trans cooler and a new hitch may do the trick

 

[Lazy Daze]

Unfortunately, I think this is a no-go. Your actual weight is going to be closer to 11K to 12K. My 260DA came in close to 10K and your 260DA is about 1,500lbs heavier (heavier boat and bigger engine).

If you were going around the block, sure. But the biggest mistake novice trailer boaters make is assuming it's all about power. It's more about braking and the truck being able to CONTROL the load during an emergency braking/swerve maneuver. The Escalade is nice vehicle - but it's too lightweight for this job.

Options... Borrow a properly equipped 3/4 ton truck... rent one... hire it out.

 

[DWABoat]

Lazy Daze,

I fully agree with you that an Escalade is not meant to tow heavy loads. I think this is a no-go as well.

I think the estimates of the boat/trailer weight are a little over. I think more likely everything around 10ish, including trailer. That truck is a luxury ride, not a towing truck.

 

[JimT]

There is no way to know. Dumb post.

 

[scoflaw]

Go for it,the triples don't need a lot of tongue weight. A good trailer can hold its own in the braking dept.It will be the sudden moves and swerving that will get exciting.

Report back. Interested in the feedback

 

[Nick70]

The possible light tongue weight had me considering it. but I think I’ll have it done professionally. Not worth the headache.

 

[Nick70]

There is no way to know. Dumb post.

Was just a question tough guy.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I think the estimates of the boat/trailer weight are a little over. I think more likely everything around 10ish, including trailer.

Not an "estimate" I weighed mine on a scale. His boat/engine is heavier.

Nick, I think you made a good (safe) choice! Some guys will refuse to listen to sound advice because they don't think "it" will happen to them and "I'll be fine".

 

[DWABoat]

Not an "estimate" I weighed mine on a scale. His boat/engine is heavier.

Nick, I think you made a good (safe) choice! Some guys will refuse to listen to sound advice because they don't think "it" will happen to them and "I'll be fine".

Lazy,
How much over “dry weight” did you find you were when on the scale?
Just curious. I have a 280 with twin V6’s with dry weight of 8500 per SR.
On the RV side, all day to add 1500 to dry. Since trailerable boats don’t typically carry as many household goods but add a trailer, I am curious to see what starting and ending was.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Lazy,
How much over “dry weight” did you find you were when on the scale?
Just curious. I have a 280 with twin V6’s with dry weight of 8500 per SR.
On the RV side, all day to add 1500 to dry. Since trailerable boats don’t typically carry as many household goods but add a trailer, I am curious to see what starting and ending was.

I think you're right that the amount of household goods may be less with a boat - but at the same time, that difference, based on how much those things weigh, probably isn't a huge amount. But... we need to add in weight of the various tanks... gas, water, hot water, holding tank... don't forget batteries (could be similar to an RV, though) and any options (some years, for some boats, an arch was an option, too), along with engine upgrades. It adds up faster than most think.

My 260DA had a dry weight of 6,200 (the newer model is 7,500). I forget the exact amount it was on a scale, but I know it was north of 9,500. A friend had the same boat, but with a 454 instead of the 350 like mine and he had his weighed and said he was right at 10,000. We both had galvanized trailers - a little shy of 2,000lbs. I've seen some others on this forum, with the '05-'09 260DA saying they were well into the 11K range, too.

Another side note regarding trailering is that many SUV/truck manufacturers state that their rated max trailer weight is based on one person in the truck. Anything else added to the truck is supposed to be subtracted. In my opinion, which is barely worth 1-1/2 cents, it's best to stay under 80% of max for regular trailering.

 

[boatman37]

Mine is a Crownline so different animal here but my dry weight on our 250 is listed as 6600lbs but when I weighed it the boat and trailer was 8750lbs. I know the trailer is 1300lbs because if the manufacturers statement of origin so the boat was about 7450lbs. This was with all tanks empty but life jackets, anchor, dock lines, batteries, etc were all in the boat.

 

[DWABoat]

So, looking at the actual weights of your boats, if a boater added 3000lbs to dry, it should be near actual weight.
Of course I know it is a small sample size, lots of variables, and always best to find a scale somewhere, take a day off work, and weigh it.
I went about it by starting at dry weight and carefully adding all the component items it put on the boat in detail- even down to my tool kit weight.
For my 8500 dry, I increased for dual engine, added all the options and gear one at a time, and landed on 12,000 lb total weight.
As such, when I selected the truck to pull it, I got a trailer rating of 14,500 lbs along with enough GVWR and Combined WR to handle it all.
Thanks for confirming I am probably reasonable close.

So Nick, good call on backing off towing that big boat with that vehicle.