I got bit by the sailing bug, took a sailing course at the local college on a Shark, got my PCOC (Pleasure Craft Operator Card), did my research and am looking for a Hunter 23 wing keel. While looking I'm stocking up on things that don't come with the boat. Todays item: When your boat is sitting level on the trailer and hitched to your tow vehicle, how high off the ground is the drawbar? I want to buy one with the correct drop. Failing a perfect fit, is it better to have the bow a little low or a little high? And what size ball? Obviously I'm hoping there is a standard in these trailers. Thanks
drawbar height for H23?
- Thread starter Brian Scott
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Drawbar
Get an adjustable drawbar. Your local RV dealer will be able to advise you. A lot depends on your vehicle suspension and the tongue wt of your trailer. There is some more info on towing at this link that you may find useful http://kobernus.com/hunter260/travel/travel.html
Get an adjustable drawbar. Your local RV dealer will be able to advise you. A lot depends on your vehicle suspension and the tongue wt of your trailer. There is some more info on towing at this link that you may find useful http://kobernus.com/hunter260/travel/travel.html
Wait until you get the boat and trailer
The ball mostly used for a small boat trailer is 1 7/8. Make sure you get one rated for 5,000 lbs. I have calculated the approximate weight of a 23H and trailer to be around 3,100. The good news is that at that weight your towing specs do not need to be exact to safely tow short distances at moderate speed. Make sure the tow vehicle is at least a 6 cylinder. Stand on your tow vehicle bumper and notice how many inches it goes down. Your tow vehicle should go down a similar distance when you hitch up the trailer. Connect the lights and make sure they work; brake lights, turn signals and tail lights. Before going on long trips make sure you have the load balanced on the trailer, that you have the adequate drop or raise on the drawbar, that your tongue weight is within recommended guidelines. Check the condition of the leaves springs, wheel bearings and tires. If you can find a trailer with two axles it would be better for distance trailering. The bearings and tires temperature would be lesser as the load would be resting on two more points. That trailer would also induce less sway than a single axle. But for that boat do not be surprised if all you can find is a single. Good luck and wait till you have the boat before investing money in towing stuff.
The ball mostly used for a small boat trailer is 1 7/8. Make sure you get one rated for 5,000 lbs. I have calculated the approximate weight of a 23H and trailer to be around 3,100. The good news is that at that weight your towing specs do not need to be exact to safely tow short distances at moderate speed. Make sure the tow vehicle is at least a 6 cylinder. Stand on your tow vehicle bumper and notice how many inches it goes down. Your tow vehicle should go down a similar distance when you hitch up the trailer. Connect the lights and make sure they work; brake lights, turn signals and tail lights. Before going on long trips make sure you have the load balanced on the trailer, that you have the adequate drop or raise on the drawbar, that your tongue weight is within recommended guidelines. Check the condition of the leaves springs, wheel bearings and tires. If you can find a trailer with two axles it would be better for distance trailering. The bearings and tires temperature would be lesser as the load would be resting on two more points. That trailer would also induce less sway than a single axle. But for that boat do not be surprised if all you can find is a single. Good luck and wait till you have the boat before investing money in towing stuff.
Doesn't the trayler come with the boat???
I don't trailer so shoot me if this is a dumb statment. How did the previous owner get the boat to the water. Perhaps he will not have a use for the trailer once that you own the boat.
I don't trailer so shoot me if this is a dumb statment. How did the previous owner get the boat to the water. Perhaps he will not have a use for the trailer once that you own the boat.
Thanks for the responses
George-The adjustable drawbar sounds like a good idea. Benny-The tow vehicle is a Silverado with tow package so no problems there. Some of the boats I'm looking at are a couple hundred miles from me so if I find one I like I'd like to be ready to move it. Bill-The drawbar connects the trailer to the hitch receiver. Not a dumb statement so no shooting. Thanks all
George-The adjustable drawbar sounds like a good idea. Benny-The tow vehicle is a Silverado with tow package so no problems there. Some of the boats I'm looking at are a couple hundred miles from me so if I find one I like I'd like to be ready to move it. Bill-The drawbar connects the trailer to the hitch receiver. Not a dumb statement so no shooting. Thanks all
If you are new to trailering
Have your rig checked out by a trailer shop or someone knowlegable in trailers. The trailer should be level when hitched to your tow vehicle. If you can't get it level I always like to see it a little high at the hitch, this allows for loading down your vehicle. The tongue weight is important, it should be 10% of the total trailer weight. Too light and the trailer will want to waggle back and forth and will be unstable, especially under heavy braking. 99% of boat trailers use a 2" ball not 1 7/8". Bennys right about getting one rated for 5000 lbs, thats class III hardware. Sounds like you have a capable towing vehicle, just remember to check your rig often and have it serviced annually.
Have your rig checked out by a trailer shop or someone knowlegable in trailers. The trailer should be level when hitched to your tow vehicle. If you can't get it level I always like to see it a little high at the hitch, this allows for loading down your vehicle. The tongue weight is important, it should be 10% of the total trailer weight. Too light and the trailer will want to waggle back and forth and will be unstable, especially under heavy braking. 99% of boat trailers use a 2" ball not 1 7/8". Bennys right about getting one rated for 5000 lbs, thats class III hardware. Sounds like you have a capable towing vehicle, just remember to check your rig often and have it serviced annually.
I tow my H23 with a 1997 Silverado 4X4
Brian with a class III hitch. I’m at work at present, but believe it has a six inch drop. Check with a local rental outfit, you may be able to rent an adjustable hitch to use with your receiver to pick-up your boat, then measure and purchase the correct drop. Bob S/V Miss Lisa
Brian with a class III hitch. I’m at work at present, but believe it has a six inch drop. Check with a local rental outfit, you may be able to rent an adjustable hitch to use with your receiver to pick-up your boat, then measure and purchase the correct drop. Bob S/V Miss Lisa
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Great forum and quick answers. Reudi-Not new to trailering but it's been a few years. B Noble-Couldn't find a 6 inch drop today. Will look into rentals per your suggestion. Thanks
Great forum and quick answers. Reudi-Not new to trailering but it's been a few years. B Noble-Couldn't find a 6 inch drop today. Will look into rentals per your suggestion. Thanks
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