Issues with Trailering a 270

[Richard Gottlieb]

My wife and I have recently purchased a 2000 Hunter 270 (i.e. a 260 w/ bulb-wing keel and Inboard Diesel) as well as the trailer that goes with it. We expect delivery in about two weeks and are *VERY* excited about it. However, I have never owned a trtailerable sailboat before. I own a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT with a towing package that allows for towing about 7,400 lbs. which should be sufficient for the 270 in terms of weight. My questions for the group are these:1. What size draw bar and ball do I need for the 270's trailer?2. Do I need to upgrade the hitch with a "weight-distributing" attachment to the hitch?3. What makes of equipment does the group recommend as being durable and (relatively) easy to use?I await (with baited breath) the collective wisdom of the group. Thanks.Richard N. Gottlieb

 

[Russell]

You Should be fine

I pull my 240 with a Dodge Dakota 4x4. You should be fine with your stock set up. I say this because even though your boat will be heavier, you have a tandem axle trailer. I would take a look at your Durango backed up against your trailer before buying the draw bar. Just to make sure that you get the right drop. As far as the sway or distribution device, I think with your 360 you should be just fine.Russells/v Summer Luvin'

 

[Dean Eiland]

Hitch

I'd bet you a dime you will need a 2" ball hitch. I would agree with Russell you should not need a weight distribution set up. Most people today use a reciever hitch set up, custom for your towing vehicle. My hitch reciever is kind of high so I have a drop of about 2".Good luck, it sounds like fun.Dean

 

[Les]

270 Trailering issues

First of all, congratulations on your recent purchase! We took delivery of our 2000 260 last August, with specs similar to yours and ordered the trailer with surge brakes on both axles. I'm glad that someone asked a question that I can respond to as I am usually the one asking a lot of questions. You will need a 2 5/16" ball with an 8,000 lb rating, the receiver hitch needs to be Class 4, and if you need a drop-hitch make sure it is rated for 8,000 lbs. We weighed our boat and trailer on the State scales and it weighed 8,000 lbs and was transferring 800 lbs tongue weight to the trailer hitch. Little heavier than the brochures state. We pull this boat with a Ford F250 4x4, 460 engine; the truck handles it quite well, but it takes all the power it has to get the job done, as we have quite a few mountain passes in So. Oregon that we have to pull over. It appears that your Durango will handle this boat with the proper hitch and ball combination. When you take delivery of your boat, it would be wise to measure the mast height from the ground at the rear of the boat. At the end of the mast where the light is located is near legal height. Good luck, have fun, and if you have any questions about launching and retrieving it feel free to ask.Les Halls/v "Kyrie"

 

[Al Oertle]

WIDE LOAD

CHECK WITH YOUR STATE D O T FOR OVERSIZE HAULING PERMIT. LEGAL WIDTH IN ALL 48 STATES IS 8'6" I BELIVE THE 270 IS 8'11".I HAUL OVERSIZE LOADS FOR A LIVING AND I HAVE BENN SHUT DOWN FOR 2"OVER LEGAL LIMITS.

 

[Dave Condon]

270

The weight of the boat is 5000 lbs. Depending on the triler and equipment, figure another 2000 lbs at best. I would rechechk the 270 on a trailer at 8000 pounds as this seems too high. If you have brakes on both axles, great. You talk of anti sway bars. Boats that are low on the trailer with a dual axle, do not reallly need it. With the 270, try it and if you have alot of sway then you might want to consider it but do check that you are not tongue light. IS your trailer by Perforjmance?Legally, you are ok up to 8'6" on interstates and in most states too. There are some with an 8' width limit on state roads. If you are a commercial hauler with commercial tags, for hire, signs on the side, etc., then those fellows have alot of requirements to include going through the scales. They are more subject to being checked.An individual using a personal car and personal tags on trailers are not scrutinized like the commercial haulers.Also, you do not have to go through scales. I have yet to hear of anyone owning a 26 or 260 ever getting a ticket to include myself. In fact, I go all the time to pick up my boats but again, I am not for hire and do not go through the scales as I am private too.Crazy Dave.I would prefere traveling late at night as less traffic and it is safer with a wide load.