Third axle
- Thread starter Meriachee
- Start date
Looks great.
How wide is the boat? Have you been pulling permits or winging it? Don't worry, I won't tell.
How wide is the boat? Have you been pulling permits or winging it? Don't worry, I won't tell.
States vary as to laws regulating widths and lengths but most importantly required permits for wide or over length loads.
First with a three axle trailer, do not attempt to turn sharply as you will eventually cause
the steel in radial tires to separated. I assume you have a spare on the rim.
Of course the width has been mentioned as states vary for example it is legal in NC for loads up to 9' 11" are legal during the day without a wide load permit needed. Generally other states will accept what is legal as long as the tow vehicle and trailer are both taged for the same state but as to width, not sure. I would highly suggest that you contact the states that you are going thru as you will have to have a wide load permit per state.
As for overhang, again it depends on the state. Generally anything with an overhang of 6 feet from the back on the trailer has to be flagged or lights. Some states will not allow anything over that at night. What you have to be very careful is the over hang of a mast on the rear. Although 6 feet I was fine but a couple of more feet, the cops never bothered me but did once when the overhang was 14 feet. Again it will depend on the state you are going thru as to their requirments.
Again states vary but most will require with a permit in place that you have to go thru the weigh scales. I can attest to that being stopped a time or two.
As for the straps seen in the photo, I would highly suggest that two more be applied to keep the boat from shifting forward or backwards and trust me on this as I have seen it and experienced that in the beginning as a dealer. Take a strap around the forward cleats and come backwards. Take another strap from the stern cleats and go forward
First with a three axle trailer, do not attempt to turn sharply as you will eventually cause
the steel in radial tires to separated. I assume you have a spare on the rim.
Of course the width has been mentioned as states vary for example it is legal in NC for loads up to 9' 11" are legal during the day without a wide load permit needed. Generally other states will accept what is legal as long as the tow vehicle and trailer are both taged for the same state but as to width, not sure. I would highly suggest that you contact the states that you are going thru as you will have to have a wide load permit per state.
As for overhang, again it depends on the state. Generally anything with an overhang of 6 feet from the back on the trailer has to be flagged or lights. Some states will not allow anything over that at night. What you have to be very careful is the over hang of a mast on the rear. Although 6 feet I was fine but a couple of more feet, the cops never bothered me but did once when the overhang was 14 feet. Again it will depend on the state you are going thru as to their requirments.
Again states vary but most will require with a permit in place that you have to go thru the weigh scales. I can attest to that being stopped a time or two.
As for the straps seen in the photo, I would highly suggest that two more be applied to keep the boat from shifting forward or backwards and trust me on this as I have seen it and experienced that in the beginning as a dealer. Take a strap around the forward cleats and come backwards. Take another strap from the stern cleats and go forward
Although it appears you are in Canada, I would check the laws there as well. I did go into Canada transporting in and out a time or two and if I recall, there were laws too regarding weights, widths and so on. However that was 20 years ago. As for Mexico, that is a total different story and no I refused to haul in that country.
Thanks Dave, we've been trailing for over 20 years and are quite familiar with the requirements here in the (soon to be) frozen north. Quite possibly more familiar in fact than the average badge toting rent-a-cop that the province has employed these days.
Thank you for responding back. Some areas are lax but being on the east coast of the U.S., the states are tough on these things. Yes I know what you are saying about the cold. I did experience once Siberia during the Russian Winter plus being an unofficial member a time or two of the polar bear club.
Meriachee;
You are correct as it depends on the cop. Now for a confession. Interstate 85/40 during the day going from Raleigh on the old two lane highway was dangerous even going over the Yadkin River which all now has been replaced with extra lanes except for an area near Charlotte. For safety, I left at 1 am going to charlotte or lake norman with boats up to 12 feet without permits or wide load signs. Some would say that is dangerous but at that time of night, there was no traffic for the next three to four hours except for the tractor trailers who could see me. Once I stopped in a rest area and there I saw a state trooper who came over realizing I was illegal during the night. When I informed him I have been doing that for a long time due to safety as there is no traffic, he thought for a few seconds and said wait. He came back and said I was cleared to Lake Norman because he recognized it was much safer during that time of the night.
I only did that after nearly being hit and that included a local picture taker.
You are correct as it depends on the cop. Now for a confession. Interstate 85/40 during the day going from Raleigh on the old two lane highway was dangerous even going over the Yadkin River which all now has been replaced with extra lanes except for an area near Charlotte. For safety, I left at 1 am going to charlotte or lake norman with boats up to 12 feet without permits or wide load signs. Some would say that is dangerous but at that time of night, there was no traffic for the next three to four hours except for the tractor trailers who could see me. Once I stopped in a rest area and there I saw a state trooper who came over realizing I was illegal during the night. When I informed him I have been doing that for a long time due to safety as there is no traffic, he thought for a few seconds and said wait. He came back and said I was cleared to Lake Norman because he recognized it was much safer during that time of the night.
I only did that after nearly being hit and that included a local picture taker.
A time or two I had state troopers within five feet of the rear of the trailer right under the overhang of a boat. Then the trailer swayed some of course by me and they backed off. Yes I got pulled but when reading the riot act as to safety of not following so close and why that should not have happened, they apologized as I was scared not for me but for their safety.
We just spent a couple of days at the left coast and had the pleasure of seeing a guy actually pulling a San Juan 23 through the mountains.
By itself not such a tough thing. The fact that a Ford Escape circa 2000 was pulling it was more than a little unnerving.
By itself not such a tough thing. The fact that a Ford Escape circa 2000 was pulling it was more than a little unnerving.
Try a VW Beetle trying to pull a Precision 23. I stopped as I was laughing so hard I could not drive
Just got back after 2 wks at Bodega Bay! 2 dozen or so fish and great sailing.
Interesting comments about trailering such a large boat. Owning a fin keel, tall mast 250 approaches the complications mentioned here. She is 12 feet above the pavement when ready to roll down the highway! Probably about 7000 lbs loaded plus trailer length of about 30'. Towed with a Nissan Titan 1/2 ton rated at 9500 lbs max towing capability and it does it with ease. I installed the extra capacity (3.5 qt) tranny pan for cooler running though. I will be pulling Compass Rose out and bringing her home to her boat house for the winter the end of this month.
We will leave for Arizona for RV/kayak/fishing winter just after Christmas!
Later, Chief
Interesting comments about trailering such a large boat. Owning a fin keel, tall mast 250 approaches the complications mentioned here. She is 12 feet above the pavement when ready to roll down the highway! Probably about 7000 lbs loaded plus trailer length of about 30'. Towed with a Nissan Titan 1/2 ton rated at 9500 lbs max towing capability and it does it with ease. I installed the extra capacity (3.5 qt) tranny pan for cooler running though. I will be pulling Compass Rose out and bringing her home to her boat house for the winter the end of this month.
We will leave for Arizona for RV/kayak/fishing winter just after Christmas!
Later, Chief
Chief;
I always suggested the addl. trani cooler for the transmission, largest radiator that can be installed and a good heavy duty shocks and I would advise anti sway bars for long length trailering.
I always suggested the addl. trani cooler for the transmission, largest radiator that can be installed and a good heavy duty shocks and I would advise anti sway bars for long length trailering.
Dave: Agree with all you said. I have the sway bars on my 25' travel trailer but not on my boat trailer..........yet. Chief