Towing a 32'

[Blackdawg]

What is the approximate combined boat/motors/trailer weight of the 32' with the usual rigging? Not looking for specific weight but wondering if it's more like 9-10kish or 11+k total.
Just wondering if a beefy half ton is enough truck or if a heavy duty is needed for highway towing. I'm guessing a heavy duty is required.

Thanks.

[sbc737]

I believe the empty weight boat motor trailer is about 9000 add full fuel to that could be 11000 plus other gear.

I towed mine light from forida to ct and back with a 2008 tundra rated for 10,500. It did fine except about 6 miles a gallon and stopping every 120 miles or so.

[Blackdawg]

Ok, thanks. That's a long pull you did. Sounds like it can occasionally be towed light at ~9,000 lbs with proper half ton set up. I hear you on the gas mileage! Mine gets 8 towing a 23 :(

[SirFer]

I asked Richard this question and he said that a 32' weighs 10,000 without fuel. I hold 325 gallons so that's roughly another 2,500lbs-ish. Plus rigging and you're looking at more like 13,000. I definitely wouldn't do it with a half-ton and probably wouldn't do it with anything less than a dually but that's me.

[DCG]

last july I bought an '06 34 w/ twin Suzuki 250, 380 gallons of fuel, 3 axle trailer, 08 dodge 4x4 diesel 4 door shortbed -fishing and diving gear for 3 for a month in Cudjo (two 120 qt coolers jammed w/ filets) - scale slip showed 19,080#

I pulled a 23 Seahunt (6,500# boat & trailer) from SC to Cudjo - cruise control @ 65 and never downshifted. got 19+ mpg.

Pulled the YF back from Miami - got just over 10 mpg @ 65 (no cruise control...)

surge brakes on all tires a must - keep them flushed and wd-40 every use.

be careful of how much room you leave in front of you approaching a stop - someone will always cut in.

[billythekid]

you can easily drag a 32 with 2500 gas truck . I drag my 34 with trips and full of fuel with my 2500 dodge gas. With new brakes they have on the trailer it stops alot nicer than surge brakes.

[fishman 77]

Is you dodge a dually?

Can you pull a 36' with triple 300 Verado's using a 2005, 2500 Dodge 4X4 short bed with the Cummins? Its not a dually.

At Yellowfin I see they use that semitruck. Don't want to invest in one of those.....

[Signalizer]

2500 is a 3/4 ton truck not a 1 ton dually. I would think that if BTK is pulling a 34' with trips with a gas engine truck that the diesel is more than capable of pulling your 36' with trips.

[swiseuf]

Just remember, there are bunch of vehicles that have the hp/tq to pull that weight, but few can actually consistently stop it safely. Brakes and suspension are more important than most folks give credit for.

[mikeym]

i couldnt imagine over $200k of mine on the hitch of a vehicle that MIGHT pull and stop it...

[t-bone]

Pulled my 36 with trips with a F-250 diesel and a chevy 2500hd diesel all over. With the kodiak disc brakes that come on the YF trailers they pretty much stop the truck when set up correctly. A dually is more stable and a better choice over long distances but don't go thinking you need a F-750 to pull it down the street.

[billythekid]

I dont drag it up and down the east coast but 80 miles is no problem. Electronic brake controller actaully stops the truck. I invested in a Aluminum rear end cover, deep aluminum trans pan(holds 3 extra quarts) and trans temp gauge. I also have a 2008 Ford F350 deisel that is better off the line, but when you get the boat moving they tow the same. My hauler who towed my Yellowfin back to the factory 4 times and many others uses a Ford excursion diesel

[TwentyFourSeven]

When possible you should always two with a dually and electric/hydraulic brakes. Surge brakes suck and will push you through an intersection one day when the roads are wet. If you have to suddenly stop with surge brakes you are screwed. Don't screw around when it comes to towing, its a dangerous thing to do on the highway. I like to be over sized on everything including tires.

[24YFBB]

Remember that towing is usually not the issue its the stopping and control that are the issue

[Blackdawg]

Was that 10k just dry weight of boat/motors only or boat/motors/trailer? I'm not concerned with fuel weight. I have a rule about not towing hundreds
of gallons of fuel around. I know there are a lot of variables besides numbers but if this
combo is
around 10k light(i.e. no fuel/no ice) it can be towed for relatively short distances with properly set up trailer/half ton imo. I real
ly don't want a heavy duty truck but if the combo is approaching 11k then more than half ton is required.

[SirFer]

"the boat is 10,000 with motors and options
full of fuel + 2345
add rigging
thanks richard"

That's Richard's e-mail directly quoted. I guess if you had empty fuel tanks you might be able to do it with a 1/2 ton... But as others have said it's not pulling power that's most important, it's stopping and 10-11k seems pretty heavy for a 1/2 ton to stop. Sure it can be done, but I wouldn't trust it without leaving like a mile of space between me and the car in front of me. I'm still considering getting a trailer for my 32' and none of the vehicles in my current line-up could handle it so I'm going to need something new. It may be overkill, but I'm looking pretty much exclusively at 1-ton dually diesel trucks. The newest models are very well setup and I'd be very comfortable towing with them. Pretty sure all of the big 3 come with integrated brake controllers and both the Dodge and Ford at least come with diesel exhaust brakes. In addition, the Ford offers trailer sway control which senses if the trailer starts to sway and selectively applies the brakes on all 4 (well 6 on a dually) wheels to get it back under control. Like I said, they're probably overkill but I don't care simply for the peace of mind they provide. But that's just my opinion and I have no towing experience beyond jetskis so take it for what it's worth.

[JustLivin]

I have towed heavy and light loads up and down the east coast, and I'll be the first to say it's much more reassuring to have an over-sized towing vehicle. I have pulled with 1/2, 3/4 and mostly a 1-ton dually, and next year when I buy a yellowfin (hopefully 32 or 34 with forward seating), the only thing that will be pulling it will be a 1-ton dually. I'd never in a million years pull a 10K pound load with a 1/2 ton truck (despite mfg claims that they are capable). The first time you're in windy conditions or the need for a sudden stop, you'll understand. I'm sure a 3/4 ton could get it done, but I just like the extra stability that a dually provides and the stiffer suspension of the 1-ton. Just one person's opinion.

[Ken T]

I believe the empty weight boat motor trailer is about 9000 add full fu, el to that could be 11000 plus other gear.

I towed mine light from forida to ct and back with a 2008 tundra rated for 10,500. It did fine except about 6 miles a gallon and stopping every 120 miles or so.


I would think the 32 would be heavier than that, I just weighed my new 29' yesterday, boat, motor trailer and 75 gallons of gas, 9500 #. thats 8680 on the tires and 820# on the jack. well balanced and pulls good with Ford F250 V10.

Ken

[The Deep End]

Pull my 31 to the Keys a few times a year with my 4x4 F250 diesel....can't even feel it back there. Gotta love a Ford.
Agree that pulling is easy, stopping is the important part. Train yourself to drive at least 10 car lengths in front of your truck.
Hell, its Florida...better make it 15.

Mike