370SS short distance trailering and launching


kai330

kai330

Member
I'm curious what everyone is using to trailer and launch their 370SS and comparable boats with.

We're loving the 330SS but looking at bigger now. We've driven a 370SS and it will be our next boat.

We store it about 12 non-highway miles from the launch ramp so there is no long distance trailering in the plans.
 
I had a triple axle trailer specially built by Ron's trailers in Oregon, Ohio. It cost me around $8,500. I did it primarily so I could work on my it over the winter at my warehouse and store it in a building I have near Petoskey. So the pay back if you look at it that way isn't too bad. There is no way you could ramp in on and off it in my view. You need a hoist. And I have it professionally moved. The height with the radar off is barely legal to the arch. With its weight you need a minimum of a 1 ton pickup.
 

Attachments

  • 2013-10-09 13.26.29-1.jpg
    2013-10-09 13.26.29-1.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 77
  • 2013-10-09 15.46.29-1.jpg
    2013-10-09 15.46.29-1.jpg
    900.1 KB · Views: 47
  • 2013-10-09 13.27.25-1.jpg
    2013-10-09 13.27.25-1.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 43
I trailer my boat and I launch it at the ramp. I towed it with a Chevy 3500 HD Dually (06), Freightliner Sportchassis, Chevy 2500 HD, and Dodge 3500 dually (2011). We launch my boat at the marina with an 06 F250 6.0L. The launch ramp is right next to the marina.

When I was towing regularly, I bought the Freightliner and it towed it great. Felt very comfortable with the set up. With the 06 Chev Dually, I did not feel comfortable on the highway, therefore I got the FL. In town, taking it 5-10 miles, I used the 2500 HD and that did just fine. You take your time and drive the speed limit on the road, the truck will do the job just fine. We launch with a 3/4 ton truck and it does it without issue.

For longer distance, either a medium duty or the Dodge 3500 dually is the ticket. My Sportchassis was awesome, but it cost $100k. I towed the boat to San Diego from Phoenix (400 miles) last July with the Dodge. It did excellent. If I was buying a truck today to tow my boat, I'd buy the Dodge. It's $50k less than the FL and it fits in a garage.

My boat is 45' long on the trailer (extended swim platform) and 14' 2" tall.

Weight of boat on trailer is 22-23k.
 
Kai330. Only 13'6" is legal without a permitted route. Do you really want the stress of moving the boat and buying a expensive truck ? Find a buddy with a big truck, there are plenty of them out there and give him 200 to 400 bucks every time you move it. You'll be miles ahead. You're a boater not a hauler !
 
I forgot to mention I have to remove my radar dome to get it under 13'6. I did make a quick release plug for the radar wires.
 
Hey machinepirate,

I hadn't thought about the height. Fortunately there are no bridges between the storage barn and the launch and the storage barn has a huge, high door.

I don't mind the trailering and launching thing. I use a borrowed truck right now with the 330SS and much prefer to do it on my own schedule rather than arranging a set time to have someone else do it. Besides, there is a definite cool factor that goes with trailering something that big to the ramp!

We figure the truck will also serve as an RV trailering vehicle when we get more retired than we are now and have more time to travel. Of course, I'm going backwards in the retirement game by adding more hours and going full-time in my retirement part-time job. Of course, the extra $$ will go straight to the truck fund.

Now I get to spend the winter stalking a truck!
 
Also keep in mind that if your load is over the legal height, You will be responsible for any wires you take down.
 
You can get under 14' if you unbolt the radar. I know my measurements really we'll because of storing the boat indoors. Most doors were14' high and with the radar unbolted and set aside the mount, I had about 1.5" to spare on a 14' opening.
 
machinepirate said:
That is correct. Easy to make up a quick disconnect setup too
Click to expand...

At one point, I had the mount that flipped so I could flip the radar forward and it would clear the 14' door by about 1/2 inch.

I took it off when I moved the boat to San Diego though.
 
Also like machine pirate in made a quick disconnect but for my tracvision. I take that off when on the trailer under the cover.

With the right trailer and bunk setup and with the radar off, you may be able to get to 13'9 or so. I'm comfortable at anything under 14.
 
Gurryman said:
Also keep in mind that if your load is over the legal height, You will be responsible for any wires you take down.
Click to expand...

I'd probably fry myself. My heirs will pay the bill!
 
machinepirate said:
I had a triple axle trailer specially built by Ron's trailers in Oregon, Ohio. It cost me around $8,500. I did it primarily so I could work on my it over the winter at my warehouse and store it in a building I have near Petoskey. So the pay back if you look at it that way isn't too bad. There is no way you could ramp in on and off it in my view. You need a hoist. And I have it professionally moved. The height with the radar off is barely legal to the arch. With its weight you need a minimum of a 1 ton pickup.
Click to expand...

What size axles, wheels and tire combination did you go with? I'm currently in the process of upgrading my triple axle steel gooseneck trailer from 18k to either 21k or potentially 24k. Weighed combination and boat/trailer came out to 18,700 lbs with 1/3 fuel, 2/3 water and 1/4 waste. Figure pulling weight will be around that... with fuel stop closer to the lake bring another 1k for the shorter distance. I'm debating going the 21k route since the axles would stay the same just heavier springs and brakes, with 17.5 wheels/16-18 ply tire for additional strength (28k total tire capacity) with the stress/flex that occurs when turning. Would appreciate anyone thoughts and experience trailering.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top