Hello Everyone, I just purchase a 272LE and had a friend with a large truck haul it to where I live in Wyoming. I plan on tinkering on it until next summer and then I plan on buying a vehicle to haul it wherever I decide to go (the Sea of Cortez is on the list). I just thought I would pose the question to some of you that may also trailer this size boat and might give me some insight on what is adequate. Thanks, Capt_Ron
Recommend towing vehicle for a 272LE
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Questions
Capt. Ron: I am not too familiar with the O'day 272 so I have a few questions: Is this boat designed to be trailerable? Does it have a dedicated trailer? Does the trailer have brakes on both (or even three) axles? What is the gross weight, boat+trailer, equal? Will you travel through lots of mountainous terrain? I suppose that if the boat is trailerable at that size I'd go for at least a three quarter ton big block diesel vehicle with low hours on the truck or, even better, a new one. I imagine that this isn't a fifth wheel trailer so I'd have a pretty sturdy set of springs on the truck and a dependable set of brakes which can be controlled by activating the vehicle brakes or by the controller in the cab. I'd want that type of trailer brake controller because if the trailer starts to sway you can straighten it out by activating the trailer brakes only with the controller in the cab. Kelsey-Hayes has such a model. I had one in my Suburban when I hauled a 23 footer (5,0000 lbs GVW) on a car hauler. Wyoming to the Sea of Cortez; how far is that? Good fortune to you, and fair winds.
Capt. Ron: I am not too familiar with the O'day 272 so I have a few questions: Is this boat designed to be trailerable? Does it have a dedicated trailer? Does the trailer have brakes on both (or even three) axles? What is the gross weight, boat+trailer, equal? Will you travel through lots of mountainous terrain? I suppose that if the boat is trailerable at that size I'd go for at least a three quarter ton big block diesel vehicle with low hours on the truck or, even better, a new one. I imagine that this isn't a fifth wheel trailer so I'd have a pretty sturdy set of springs on the truck and a dependable set of brakes which can be controlled by activating the vehicle brakes or by the controller in the cab. I'd want that type of trailer brake controller because if the trailer starts to sway you can straighten it out by activating the trailer brakes only with the controller in the cab. Kelsey-Hayes has such a model. I had one in my Suburban when I hauled a 23 footer (5,0000 lbs GVW) on a car hauler. Wyoming to the Sea of Cortez; how far is that? Good fortune to you, and fair winds.
I'd go bigger than 3/4 ton...
The 272 is a big boat and, in my opinion, falls more into the category of "transportable" than trailerable. Technically, it is illegal to trailer it in most states without a permit since it has a beam of 9 ft., but since it is only that wide at it's widest point I'll bet no law enforcement agencies take much notice. But we are talking a really heavy rig. The boat has a displacement in excess of 5000 lbs with nothing in it and there is the weight of a large trailer in addtion to that. I think one should be looking at vehicles with a tow capacity of 8000 lbs or more, probably something like a medium duty truck with dual rear wheels or one of the largest pick-ups, they type that are configured for towing those "fifth-wheel" trailers. There may be some more specific information around on the web if you scour for it. There is a member of the TSA that tows a 272 from somewhere in the midwest to Lake Huron's North Channel for the TSA's annual event there. There was a 272 for sale in Oregon about 9 months ago on a trailer and the photos included with the ad showed the tow vehicle being used, I just don't remember what it was. Either of those contacts might be able to give you some useful advice based on their experience. Good luck with your new boat!
The 272 is a big boat and, in my opinion, falls more into the category of "transportable" than trailerable. Technically, it is illegal to trailer it in most states without a permit since it has a beam of 9 ft., but since it is only that wide at it's widest point I'll bet no law enforcement agencies take much notice. But we are talking a really heavy rig. The boat has a displacement in excess of 5000 lbs with nothing in it and there is the weight of a large trailer in addtion to that. I think one should be looking at vehicles with a tow capacity of 8000 lbs or more, probably something like a medium duty truck with dual rear wheels or one of the largest pick-ups, they type that are configured for towing those "fifth-wheel" trailers. There may be some more specific information around on the web if you scour for it. There is a member of the TSA that tows a 272 from somewhere in the midwest to Lake Huron's North Channel for the TSA's annual event there. There was a 272 for sale in Oregon about 9 months ago on a trailer and the photos included with the ad showed the tow vehicle being used, I just don't remember what it was. Either of those contacts might be able to give you some useful advice based on their experience. Good luck with your new boat!
Stop in at your local FORD store.
Waiting for you will be their trailer tow guide. It is full of good useful information and is free. Once you pick your suitable model you will need to deal with the launch ramp. So 4X4 would be real handy. The larger the boat the farther down the ramp you will need to get. Then there is the drop-off factor as there is usually a drop at the end of the concrete and some are deeper than your tires are tall.
Waiting for you will be their trailer tow guide. It is full of good useful information and is free. Once you pick your suitable model you will need to deal with the launch ramp. So 4X4 would be real handy. The larger the boat the farther down the ramp you will need to get. Then there is the drop-off factor as there is usually a drop at the end of the concrete and some are deeper than your tires are tall.
General Response on 272LE
The boat is trailerable and has a 6' extendable tongue. It has surge brakes not electric and the boat weighs around 5400 lbs empty and the trailer is stout and is probably 1000 to 1500 lbs. If you figure an additional 20% weight for a loaded boat and 1500 for the trailer we are looking at 7800 bls. or so. It's probably downhill to the Sea of Cortez but you can't get out of Wyoming without a few good hills and if I want to get back it's uphill. I did see on in a picture on the back of a Suburban. Dave K. I think your right about the "transportable" rating. Thanks to all of you for your responses. Capt_Ron
The boat is trailerable and has a 6' extendable tongue. It has surge brakes not electric and the boat weighs around 5400 lbs empty and the trailer is stout and is probably 1000 to 1500 lbs. If you figure an additional 20% weight for a loaded boat and 1500 for the trailer we are looking at 7800 bls. or so. It's probably downhill to the Sea of Cortez but you can't get out of Wyoming without a few good hills and if I want to get back it's uphill. I did see on in a picture on the back of a Suburban. Dave K. I think your right about the "transportable" rating. Thanks to all of you for your responses. Capt_Ron
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