Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > General Discussion > General Boating Discussion
Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not? >

Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

Notices

Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

Thread Tools
 
Old 02-24-2005, 10:38 PM
  #11  
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
 
CignificantOther's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Metairie, LA
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

I tow my Top Gun sitting on a steel Myco with a standard hitch. The truck is a Dodge 2500 diesel, not a dually. Approximate total weight is 14,500....(big engines and # 6 drives). No problems with handling, its all in distributing the load correctly.
CignificantOther is offline  
Old 02-24-2005, 11:10 PM
  #12  
Forum Regulator
VIP Member
 
Sydwayz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 23,878
Received 1,251 Likes on 544 Posts
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

I don't hold my hydraulic steering lines together with plastic zip-ties.

I am not going to half-ass my towing setup either.

The only reason I will consider another truck (1-ton dually) is for a diesel engine and mileage.
Sydwayz is offline  
Old 02-24-2005, 11:28 PM
  #13  
Registered
 
BigSilverCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Joplin, Mo
Posts: 2,630
Received 64 Likes on 26 Posts
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

I have towed my boat with and with out weight distribution and i will always use them
BigSilverCat is offline  
Old 02-24-2005, 11:39 PM
  #14  
Registered
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: atlantic city, NJ
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

Get that and do not forget to get more insurance...
Byrdman is offline  
Old 02-25-2005, 05:36 AM
  #15  
Registered
 
East Coast B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

Distribution for boat trailers with surge brakes. I've found that if the rig is setup correctly and you have enough truck for the job, you don't have to go this route. A lot depends on how often, how far and what terrain your towing with what vehicle. Good Luck and be safe!!! Here is a link for bars for surge brake boat trailers.

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/boat.html
East Coast B is offline  
Old 02-25-2005, 01:11 PM
  #16  
BBB
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

32 baja with ram 2500, often travel up and down 6% grades. I also have surge brakes but I installed a line lock from summit and I energize it before going down big hills to keep the boat from pushing the brakes on.works great and if you do need to make an emergence stop, just flip a switch and there ya go
BBB is offline  
Old 02-25-2005, 04:19 PM
  #17  
Registered
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Indy, St. Louis, LOTO
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

Originally Posted by CObarry
What do I really need to safely tow? BTW, I'm not towing much or very far; the boat will be on a lift most of the time, but I'll probably pull it out every now and then to have it worked on.
If that is all you plan to tow it, then simply go with a solid metal receiver insert with a quality 2 5/16 ball, and drive as slow and cautious as Granny on Sunday. Also make sure the trailer brakes are in good repair.

If you plan to drive to TN and retrieve the boat, then you need to do more, but no reason to bore you with that at this point.

When's the boat coming home?
Chart is offline  
Old 02-25-2005, 04:27 PM
  #18  
Registered
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Indy, St. Louis, LOTO
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

Question for those who've towed with and without WD, and claim to love it: Why?

What does it contribute to the ride if the airbags on the truck make everything level without them? This is a sincere question, and I'm not looking for the insurance angle, nor the "legal" angle, as the word "legal" is not really applicable here. There are no laws being broken.
Chart is offline  
Old 02-25-2005, 04:54 PM
  #19  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
CObarry's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LOTO 7MM
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

Originally Posted by Chart
If that is all you plan to tow it, then simply go with a solid metal receiver insert with a quality 2 5/16 ball, and drive as slow and cautious as Granny on Sunday. Also make sure the trailer brakes are in good repair.

If you plan to drive to TN and retrieve the boat, then you need to do more, but no reason to bore you with that at this point.

When's the boat coming home?
It's getting picked up on 3/24 and delivered bright and early 3/25. I'm having it shipped as I just don't want to spend the time myself going there and back. 3/25,26,27 I'm going to see how much fuel I can burn, weather permitting...
CObarry is offline  
Old 02-25-2005, 06:29 PM
  #20  
Registered
 
Primal Instinct's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?

Have '01 Yukon XL 3/4 ton w/ 4.1 diff., 8.1 litre...no problem pulling my '38 Cig on a manning trailer and I do not have the weight dist bars...although they look like a good idea that I will look into.

Highly recommend electric brakes...IMHO they are a huge improvement over surge brakes...

Every year I pull my boat from Michigan to Florida and everytime I have had to really get on the brakes its been the first 10 miles on flat straight road (lots of traffic lights and idiots)...it's also really handy to have electrics if you ever pull through areas with long downhills...
Primal Instinct is offline  


Quick Reply: Towing question...weight distributing hitch or not?


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.