Towing Questions

fishstu · #1 02-20-2006, 03:20 PM

I am a complete newbie to trucks and towing a 20-foot boat.

My boat is a 20 Seacraft on an Alum Loadmaster dual axle Trailer model 19.21.6, Kodiak disc brakes on one axle with a TITAN model 60 surg-o-matic hydraulic brake actuator.

My tow vehicle is a 2005 Toyota Tundra double cab, V-8 with factory fitted tow package (wired 7-pin plug, heavy-duty tow hitch, and 130-amp alternator.

I found an Electric Brake Controller Connector harness in the glove box. Do I need an Electric brake controller, what are the advantages in having one?

Is it a good idea to fit rear adjustable air shocks and what are the advantages/disadvantages to fitting disc brakes on the second axle- more braking I know but does a 3000 lb load need it and is it one more thing to go wrong?
Do brake-flushing kits work well and would you recommend fitting one to my rig?

I tow 200 plus mile and would like to hear experienced boat towers recommendations to make my rig as safe as possible.

Many Thanks

TUGBOAT · #2 02-20-2006, 03:54 PM

Fishstu, I pull My 20 MA which is Heavier than Normal with a 97' Jimmy 4.3 V6- lock diff. 3:42 gears. Nothing else added except for Fac.towing as You have. The P/U 's are lighter in the rear which may make You Adjust the Tounge weight if You slip at the Ramp.Trick; 2nd Gear barley give it gas just to start rolling. Apply slight emergency brake pressure if its slippery,as long as the rear wheels don't slip she'll come out slow. The Tandem axle trailer will pull much easier. DO NOT USE Electric brakes,Problems will start happening. Surge brakes are all You need & on one set of wheels. If You have a Complete S.S. Brake setup(As Rolls Axles) You do not need to flush,Although I do spray them. Air shocks;You will just have to see how it looks & tows to determine if You need to add air shocks,again the tandem helps greatly with the load.The electric brake contoller is Great for campers,horse - utility trailers etc. They can be adjusted to stop the load as Your putting the truck brakes on. Surge Brakes;You will have to Run an extra wire from Your Reverse light(Usually lt. green or lt. blue) to the trailer.This will allow You to back up.Otherwise the weight/surge will cause the brakes to come on .You can buy a 5 wire harness or just add a slip connector. Tug
200 Miles !!!!! Get a spare tire & Axle lifter ! or the Tow insurance,Which usually You'll have it fiXed by the time They show up!

ocuyler · #3 02-20-2006, 04:31 PM

Capt. Brad knows his stuff and you will be wise to accept his input. I think your truck is ideal for your rig if properly set-up with 5% to 7% tongue weight and level. You could climb the Rockies with that rig. Have fun and good luck!

Trayder · #4 02-21-2006, 10:13 PM

Brad is dead nuts on.

That truck is more than capable of towing your 20 SeaCraft. It is a fantastic vehicle. My fishing buddy has had 2, one extended cab and now a crew cab. he regularly towed his 27 Contender cuddy with it, It was a tad hairy but did get the job done.

The flush kit is more for "drum" brakes.

Does this mean we will see you here in Newport this summer??

Ikan Besar · #5 02-21-2006, 10:33 PM

I have the exact same trailer as well as a SeaCraft 20' that is likely as heavy as any 20' on this site when full of fuel. Your tow vehicle is more appropriate than mine (Jeep Cherokee) and I've towed two SeaCraft's roundtrip from Miami to NC and never felt like I needed more vehicle or trailer (maybe wished I'd bought a lesser trailer but that's another story).

-you'll be fine

NoBones · #6 02-21-2006, 10:47 PM

One more suggestion, check out the local Coast Guard Aux.
in your area. Not only do they teach boating skills but also
towing. I see people on the road with the safety chains on wrong, no spare tire, lights out, etc. The best one ever was on a trip to the Keys on the Turnpike, with some moron towing a 30ft Fountain with a Jeep CJ-7. It was pulling it at 75mph.
Good luck with the new rig, you will be fine.
See ya, Ken

Ikan Besar · #7 02-21-2006, 11:29 PM

Quote:

The best one ever was on a trip to the Keys on the Turnpike, with some moron towing a 30ft Fountain with a Jeep CJ-7. It was pulling it at 75mph.

It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand

In all seriousness, my dad in California loaned me his CJ-7 once and I refused to drive it on the freeway. Anything over about 45mph in a Jeep (Wrangler, CJ5/7/etc) is sketchy. They weren't designed for that. Before y'all jump on my case, I'm on my eighth Jeep product and have had them in the family since I was 3. My first was a '47 CJ2A so don't get all teary eyed on me

On the turnpike at 75mph? - how many empty Corona bottles were in the back?!

P.S. this does not underscore how much I appreciated the loan of a certain black Jeep Wrangler from a close friend in Key West over the past year

dcobbett · #8 02-21-2006, 11:19 PM

fishstu,

I'm not the person you need top talk to regarding the safety aspects of towing, but I dragged my 20 back from cenrtal PA, along coastal CT (Rt 95) and into Boston on a Friday afternoon/evening with my 2002 Tundra V8 and never felt I needed more truck.

Bigshrimpin · #9 02-22-2006, 06:59 PM

Fish - You won't even feel the boat behind that truck!!

#10 02-22-2006, 10:31 PM

Most every truck/towing vehicle has a manufacturers rating for towed trailers. Also on the title for the boat ,at least in texas, it has the weight of the hull as it came from the factory, the outboard weight is easily found online and the weight of the trailer should also be listed on the trailer title. I would agree that you should have no problem towing with the combo you described, I pull my 23cc with twin 150's 150 gal's of fuel all the gear etc. with our 2wd ford expedition up and over the Galveston causway at freeway speeds {60-65} no problems. Good luck.