Towing Mac26x California to Texas

[Tom McCormack]

I'm buying a Macgregor 26x and want to do alot of cross country travelling with it. I'd appreciate any advice on any of the following topics:
1.Is the standard stock trailer up to towing thousands of miles? What should I examine to make sure the trailer that comes with the boat is in good repair and capable of long distance hauling? If not, does anyone have any suggestions for an upgrade with a source in Southern California?
2.When towing for mulitple days, how does one know where to stop for the night? Will the rig fit into a standard size RV park space? Anyone have any experience parking in Walmart? Rest Areas? Truck Stops? National or State Forests?
3.Does anyone get towing insurance? From whom?
4.Does anyone have a favorite Trip Planner App that would work well for trailering the boat and living out of it as an RV between bodies of water?
Looking forward to your experiences and advice
Tom Cormack

 

[williamtl]

I can only speak to my 26D.

The original trailer has taken me from near Cincinnati, Oh to
Chicago
Sardis Lake, MS (twice)
Higgins Lake, MI
Out and back to east Fork Lake, OH which is where I have a slip in the summer for the past three years, plus when I pull the boat.

I pull it with an F250 super duty which is way overkill. The truck was sized to pull a small tractor that is double plus the weight of the boat. Most times don’t realize the boat is back there, so use the cruise to keep the speed down. Not always successful.

I think somewhere along the way, a PO changed from 13” to 14” wheels, but I am not sure about this.

Have a spare tire. Make sure the spare is at the proper pressure. The tires I’ve had have had blowouts after four years.

I’ve made sure to top off the bearings, but have not repacked them. I do check for heat buildup every time I stop. I also have a pull off spot 1 mile from the house. I always stop there, check the tiedowns and the hubs.

Regarding your questions:
1. Yes it will according or at least mine has. Any rusted areas are circumspect. Can’t help with SoCal.

2. This depends somewhat on your skills. I try to be sure that I don’t get in a tight spot. I find this trailer a lot harder to back than my dual axel with the tractor on it. I have taken it to Wally World and state parks, but not to camp in. I just park in the outer lots and make sure I have clearance to pull out. Rest areas/truck stops: I findthe truck side works perfect and have always gotten either amused or friendly looks from the trucking crowd.

3. Yes, definitely. Through my primary insurance (Erie). I think you can also get it through BoatUS, but I believe the actual underwriter is one of the big insurance cos’. Reading on the forums, I do believe it will pay to shop around.

4. Can’t help with this as mine is not setup to be easy to get into when the mast is down. At least not yet.

All that said, I will be changing to a dual axle Magictilt trailer I got for free. Free trailers are just as free as free boats I’ve learned.

Glad to answer any other specific questions this brings up.

 

[Tom McCormack]

Thank you for the insights. His reward helpful!

 

[Jimmy]

Boat trailer wheel bearings should be pulled inspected and repacked every year or before it sits for winter storage

 

[Sumner]

MacGregor has use a lot of different trailers under their boats over the years so not sure what you have. Saying that we pulled our 26 S from Utah to Canada when we first bought her with the single axle trailer. I then...

.... added a second axle and a third bunk. I feel their stock trailers, at least the early ones, were made to get the boat to a local lake and back with the boat pretty empty. We carried much more in the boat than that. The two axle trailer pulls a lot better than when it was single axle. Doesn't move around as much and now has disc brakes on the added axle where the single axle didn't have brakes. I'd fill the boat up as if to take a long trip and take one at least a hundred miles or so in varying conditions and see what you think. The 26X is even a heavier boat than our S and if it has a single axle you are probably right at the weight limits of that axle and the tires.

We have stayed at Walmart and parks in the boat. Some parks are leery as their insurance covers RV's that have a more traditional layout as far as getting out in case of a fire and also are setup with hookups for waste disposal. We have had some let us stay and others that wouldn't let us.

Have fun with the new boat,

Sumner
=================================================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

 

[williamtl]

Boat trailer wheel bearings should be pulled inspected and repacked every year or before it sits for winter storage

Who knew?

 

[THECUSCUS]

I would definitely agree with Sumner on adding the second axle and brakes. I've made the trek from Maryland to the Keys twice with my dual axle trailer with no problems (knock on wood as trip #3 is planned for April 2019). The second axle gives you more stability and in the event of a tire blowout or bearing failure, you will not be in a very bad situation. I bring along an extra bearing set, tools to replace it, spare hub, a grease gun, a jack for the trailer and of course at least one spare tire. I've slept in the boat in truck stops, but finding a hotel is much more comfortable. I haven't had any problems finding enough room in their parking lots for the "rig", there is always bus, camper or back lot parking. Join Boat US, if you don't already belong, and get the additional trailer towing coverage.

 

[Tom McCormack]

All of these posts have been very helpful! THANK YOU! Can anyone recommend a place in Southern California (like south of Fresno down to San Diego) to buy a new or good used 2 axel trailer for the Mac26x?

 

[Freedom77]

Just started reading this post. Hauled Freedom (she turned 40 last year), as far north as San Juans in British Columbia, As far south as Ensenada, Mexico, As far east as Lake Powell, Utah and all points in between. Have single axle trailer with no electric trailer brakes. Spare tire and wheel + extra lug nuts. Stayed overnight in RV parks along the way. Every time we stopped, 2-4 hours, would check securement of hitch setup, tire pressure, lug nuts, (losing a wheel at 50 MPH can ruin your day) trailer lights, bearings to see if they were HOT! Make sure rigging is secure. Check with your insurance carrier on coverage. If you feel more secure with dual axle, Lots of trailer manufacturers in SoCal. MacGregor used to supply Trail-Rite. Don't know if they're still in business.

 

[Tom McCormack]

Freedom77, Thank you for your real life advice. I do worry about losing a wheel. But, you certainly have put in the miles! Your precautionary measures sound good. I'm glad to hear you have stayed in RV Parks. What do you use to tow your boat? I use an extended van which itself is 20ft long. I figure that makes my total lenght 50ft. How long is your rig? Can most RV parks handle the length. When you launch your boat, do most launch ramps allow you to leave your rig at the launch ramp even if you are going to be out on the water for several days, or even a week or more? Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Freedom77]

I, now, tow with a standard 6 cylinder Dodge van. Before that a Ford station wagon. Would disconnect from hitch at RV park, jack level and support rear of trailer. Also packed a 6 ft ladder. Depending on rules at ramp you may be able to leave car and trailer. Need to check on each one. Some have dry storage area for a fee. Half the fun is getting there. BTW, If you haven't, put Catalina on the bucket list. We used to drop anchor there every year for a week. Cruisin', Snoozin, and Boozin.

 

[Tom McCormack]

Thank You Freedom77! All that is very helpful. Half the reason I'm getting a sailboat is to get to Catalina. My parents owned boats when I was a kid. First a 21ft Champion (very seaworthy- fin keel, healvy lead bulb) -- my dad had me, my mom and 2 sisters sailing from San Diego to Channel Islands and out Catalina and Santa Cruz. Good Times. So, I was hoping the Mac26x would be good enough to revisit those times. was to spend some time at Catalina. I had been wondering how well the Mac26 handled crossing the channel to Catalina. And if you have any more advice on that trip, or others, I would love more stories. Like which ramp did you launch at? What coves to do you stay at? Anchor or mooring? etc. Thank You for the RV camping tips. You give me confidence to tow all over the country. Looking forward to hearing any more you feel like sharing.

 

[Freedom77]

It's been many years since we sailed to Catalina. Used to launch at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro early morning. 22 miles to Avalon. Don't know what parking arrangements are like now. Can also launch at 7th street bridge, Long Beach. By afternoon the winds can pick up to 25++. They call it Hurricane Gulch! Got knocked down with chute up once. Set compass due south and allowing for drift and current you should end up at Long Point, about 4 miles west of Avalon. If you call far enough in advance you can rent a mooring can in the harbor. $$??. Take a tour of the Casino. Beautiful. West of Avalon is Cat Harbor and Emerald Bay where you can also rent a can. Went to Santa Cruz, Fry's Harbor a couple of times. Launch at Santa Barbara. 26 miles +/-. San Francisco and the Sacramento Delta are also great. I miss the ocean. Good sailing my friend. P.S. What part of Texas are you going? If you ever get to Lake Mead drop me a message.