Trailer for 240 DA

[Dez]

Hello everyone, recently joined the forum and will be finalizing the purchase of our 2008 240 Sundancer within a week. Am currently looking for a trailer, we trailer about 5 miles to the ramp, and the trailer manufacturers are trying to sell me 10000 lb trailer. What capacity trailers is anybody towing their 240 with?
I figured:

Boat 5600
Gas 300
Water 160
Batteries/anchors 300
Other stuff 300
= 6660
I think this is being conservative. I would think a 7000# trailer would be fine? I'd appreciate any comments.


Thanks, Dave

 

[davidh82]

I have a 2010 Sundancer 240 and my trailer is a magic-tilt that I believe is rated for 7000 pounds and was purchased new about 2 or 3 months ago.

When I purchased the boat and trailer together I wasn't given the option of one capacity rating or the other, but when I took delivery the salesman told me it was rated for 7k.

That being said, I have not had any issues trailering whatsoever. As long as the trailer is properly fit to the boat and your hitch-ball sites at the right height it should be fine.

I see that you're in Bradenton, FL. I bought this particular trailer from magic-tilt in Pensacola, have you talked to them? I don't know if they sell directly to the public, might need to go through MarineMax like I did.

Good luck and congratulations on the new boat!!

 

[Dez]

Hi David, I have called our local Magic Tilt dealer and they want about 1K more than I can get a custom built for. Might be a good idea to call marine max and ask what trailer they recommend for the 240.

Thanks! Can't wait to pick it up.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Just for comparison purposes, I have a 2006 260 DA w/ gen on a 10k trailer and have no issues. My boat is quite a bit heavier than yours. One place you might reach out to is Boattrailersdirect.com. They are located in Plant City and do a good job at a fair price.

Bennett

 

[andy k]

I had a shorelandr 10k lbs for my 260da. The trailer had a carring capacity of 8k lbs. I thought this trailer was a little light for my boat. I would try to find a trailer with a capacity of 8000 lbs if I were you. Weight adds up: food, gas, water, holding tank, gear, clothes can all add up.

 

[Westie]

There are lots of custom trailer manufactures in Florida. I bought mine from Real-Extreme and am very happy with it.
I have a 2001 260 DA that has a dry weight of 6200 lbs. On the trailer and ready to go I have a total weight of around 9000 lbs including the aluminum trailer. Things add up quick.
My previous boat was on a Magic-Tilt trailer and it was no where near as good as the trailer from Real_extreme.

 

[alwhite00]

my 250 is around 8,600 loaded and ready for the lake with fuel and freshwater - that is with the trailer. weighed it on a local grain scale.

 

[CliffA]

if the trailer suspension and capacity do not closely match the overall boat weight the boat will have a very rough ride when it is pulled. since you are only going 5 miles to and from the ramp that may not be a big deal, but if you ever decide to make a long haul it could be a problem. if the suspension is too stiff the boat can be pounded by the rough conditions of the highway such as pot holes. this pounding could be enough to shake things loose and possibly cause spider web cracking in the gelcoat.

IMO the trailer suspension should be matched to the overall weight of the boat to insure a smooth ride.

cliff

 

[Dez]

Thanks for all the replies, decided to go with a 8300 lb capacity trailer. ACE, made in Gibsonton, FL.

 

[islandhopper00]

Good choice, I bent the 7000lb trailer that came with my boat, changed to a 8400lb trailer and have had no issues since.
I weighed my boat and trailer at a truck stop once, when I had it loaded for a trip. The boat and trailer weighed 8400lbs still hooked to the truck. So tounge weight was not included in that weight. The trailer is about 1000lbs. Oh, and the gas tank was low, about 1/4 tank, and the water tank had maybe 5 gallons in it. I try to tow any distances with the gas tank level low for weight savings, same with the water tank.

 

[davidh82]

Good choice, I bent the 7000lb trailer that came with my boat, changed to a 8400lb trailer and have had no issues since.

Where did the trailer bend? That's got me a bit worried about my trailer, however I do remember them saying that this trailer had upgraded i beams. What differentiates an 8400 lbs from a 7000 lbs trailer?

 

[islandhopper00]

The difference between my 7000lb and 8400lb trailer is the axle load carrying capacity (actually the 8400lb is a torsion axle but you understand), and the I beam is bigger. 4in on the 7000lb, 5in on the 8400lb.

My 7000lb trailer started bending at the point where the I beams are bent inward, to attach to the tounge. I noticed it when the boat was off the trailer, but the i beams were still deflected (bent). I have a theory why the trailer bent. I have/had the bow pads, that support the weight of the hull forward, in addition to the bunks that support the weight under the hull. I removed the "bow pads" and just let the bunks support the weight of the boat alone. In addition to the more stout trailer, I think this has helped the weight distribution to be on the bunks verses the trailer tounge, so that the weight is carried by the trailer and axles, instead of the tounge.

 

[Dez]

Been working on a few things on the boat over the holidays. Maintenence stuff, the boat is in great condition but not used much. Replacing exhaust, water pumps, hoses, plugs, etc. Also adjusted trailer. I have my port bunk set up just to the outside of the A/C water intake. Is this how anyone else has their bunks positioned? I think if I move inside of the water intake the boat will sit too high with less of a cradle. My trailer has 2 main bunks and the flat bow bunks up front.
Thanks,

 

[islandhopper00]

I'll look at my bunks and report back. I'll take a pic also.