I am planning to purchase a 2002 Hunter 260 W/B with duel axle trailer. The boat spec. has a beam of 8"11". I hear the max. width to travel on highways in North America is 8'6". I planned on going north from the Carolina's and west to Alberta. Question; Do I need a special permit for every state & province I go thru, with vehicle flags and "wide load signs" and if so what are fines like if I have no permits. I can't believe Hunter made a trailer boat that can't legally go on the highway. Thanks.
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My trailer is wider
than my 2004 H260. Look at the trailer width at the vertical guides. It must be 9'-6" on my trailer. The key here is that nobody is ever going to measure the width. You'll probably never have to enter a state or province weigh station for any reason. The only way to measure would be electronically because it's impossible to get a tape measure across the boat to measure the trailer. Another point in our favor is that the boat doesn't look that wide because there is not a flat front or rear surface as there is on a semi trailer. The ICC rule probably exists to eliminate trucks that are hard to see around and hard to pass. Our boats just don't present that much of a profile. Sounds like a fun trip. I don't think you'll have much trouble up here in Wisconsin, Minnesota or the Dakotas. I'm a hobby truck driver and I'm sensitive to that kind of news and I've never heard of anybody being bothered around here. Good luck. Don't forget your spare tire.
than my 2004 H260. Look at the trailer width at the vertical guides. It must be 9'-6" on my trailer. The key here is that nobody is ever going to measure the width. You'll probably never have to enter a state or province weigh station for any reason. The only way to measure would be electronically because it's impossible to get a tape measure across the boat to measure the trailer. Another point in our favor is that the boat doesn't look that wide because there is not a flat front or rear surface as there is on a semi trailer. The ICC rule probably exists to eliminate trucks that are hard to see around and hard to pass. Our boats just don't present that much of a profile. Sounds like a fun trip. I don't think you'll have much trouble up here in Wisconsin, Minnesota or the Dakotas. I'm a hobby truck driver and I'm sensitive to that kind of news and I've never heard of anybody being bothered around here. Good luck. Don't forget your spare tire.
Trailering H260
I agree there is little likelhood that you'll ever have a problem. There is a lot more on this subject at this link: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/travel/travel.html
I agree there is little likelhood that you'll ever have a problem. There is a lot more on this subject at this link: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/travel/travel.html
Norman just make sure your tow vehicle is
adequate for the load, that you have good tires and that your trailer brakes and lights are in good working order. Also follow the speed limits especially in those states which have a reduced limit for vehicles under tow. I would be more concerned about what position would your insurance company take in case of an accident. Read the fine print or give a call to your agent.
adequate for the load, that you have good tires and that your trailer brakes and lights are in good working order. Also follow the speed limits especially in those states which have a reduced limit for vehicles under tow. I would be more concerned about what position would your insurance company take in case of an accident. Read the fine print or give a call to your agent.
PUC permit
I remember talking with a Ranger 29 owner on the docks who mentioned having to get a Public Utilities Commission (they regulate trucks and trailers in Oregon) permit once a year that covered any trip he made during the year. I presume, but don't know, that other states grant reciprocity and honor the permit. You might look into that. Jim Kolstoe 23 Kara's Boo
I remember talking with a Ranger 29 owner on the docks who mentioned having to get a Public Utilities Commission (they regulate trucks and trailers in Oregon) permit once a year that covered any trip he made during the year. I presume, but don't know, that other states grant reciprocity and honor the permit. You might look into that. Jim Kolstoe 23 Kara's Boo
This will be some Road Trip
Thanks for the replies. One good thing is nobody has said they've been stopped on the road with an H260 and charged for no permits or being overweight. I have an Explorer class lll/lv hitch rated 5000 lbs.@ 500 lbs tongue weight (unassisted)& 7300 lbs. @730 lbs tonque weight assisted, I assume that means using equalizers. Thanks to George's link, now I don't know if the H260 plus trailer will be under 5000 lbs. going by manufacturer specs. Does anyone travel on the interstate without an equalizer safely? This is sure to be one white knuckle drive with the uncertanties. I'm sure not going to stop at a weigh station to check on the boat/trailer weight and be told you'r not moving buddy you're over weight & to wide.
Thanks for the replies. One good thing is nobody has said they've been stopped on the road with an H260 and charged for no permits or being overweight. I have an Explorer class lll/lv hitch rated 5000 lbs.@ 500 lbs tongue weight (unassisted)& 7300 lbs. @730 lbs tonque weight assisted, I assume that means using equalizers. Thanks to George's link, now I don't know if the H260 plus trailer will be under 5000 lbs. going by manufacturer specs. Does anyone travel on the interstate without an equalizer safely? This is sure to be one white knuckle drive with the uncertanties. I'm sure not going to stop at a weigh station to check on the boat/trailer weight and be told you'r not moving buddy you're over weight & to wide.
Trailering H260
Trust me, your load is over 5000lbs, but to be sure weigh the rig before setting out on the trip. I recommend a certified weigh ticket from the seller be part of the deal. Yes, if you pull into a state run commercial scale on the interstate you might get questions. But, most trucking companies have commercial scales. They don't care what it weighs, they just want your $10. Determine the GVWR, GTWR and the GCVW. The most important number is the GCVW. Each vehicle/trailer combination will handle a little differently and most people tow the H260 without an equalizer hitch safely if they keep your speed down. But you'll always know it is back there unless you have a really big truck. Once you crunch the numbers and determine you have an adequate tow vehicle and the trailer has at least 10 percent tonque weight you'll be OK. With my full size van, 55mph seems to be the sweet spot for towing without the equalizer hitch.
Trust me, your load is over 5000lbs, but to be sure weigh the rig before setting out on the trip. I recommend a certified weigh ticket from the seller be part of the deal. Yes, if you pull into a state run commercial scale on the interstate you might get questions. But, most trucking companies have commercial scales. They don't care what it weighs, they just want your $10. Determine the GVWR, GTWR and the GCVW. The most important number is the GCVW. Each vehicle/trailer combination will handle a little differently and most people tow the H260 without an equalizer hitch safely if they keep your speed down. But you'll always know it is back there unless you have a really big truck. Once you crunch the numbers and determine you have an adequate tow vehicle and the trailer has at least 10 percent tonque weight you'll be OK. With my full size van, 55mph seems to be the sweet spot for towing without the equalizer hitch.
Width
Norman, Just to add to what others have said: I towed my H26 from So California to Vancouver Island BC and back last summer with no issues. I was a little concerned about the possibility of clipping a semi mirror with my guide ons, the widest part of the trailer, so I took them off. It also removes the only practical means of measuring the width of the rig. I wouldn't worry about it.
Norman, Just to add to what others have said: I towed my H26 from So California to Vancouver Island BC and back last summer with no issues. I was a little concerned about the possibility of clipping a semi mirror with my guide ons, the widest part of the trailer, so I took them off. It also removes the only practical means of measuring the width of the rig. I wouldn't worry about it.
Another towing experience
I drive a 2000 Chev silverado 1/2 ton 4x4 extended cab to pull my 260. Hitch (not bumper) is rated at 6000/600 without equalizer. Total rated towing capacity is about 8800 pounds. Have driven our boat from Victoria through rockies via Kokahala and #1 to Winnipeg (approx 2200km) and From/to Winnipeg to Kingston and Ottawa Ontario (approx 2500km)- Mainly via US interstates. No problems without equalizer as long as you have sufficient tongue weight. - With outboard mounted I like to keep the freshwater tank full and cooler/luggage on the cabin sole pushed under the table. Ensure that your surge brake is working properly as on my truck the rig will easily sneak up to around 65-70mph if you aren't paying attention to the speedo. The only excitement that we had was running an intersection in thick fog and not realizing the intersection was there until we were under the light! A few other things to watch for - check your bearings regularly - they should be warm to the touch but not so hot that you can't leave your hand there for a few moments. Also note that at some gas stations the trucks only lane will not necessarily be wide enough for your rig - even if it looks like they sell to Semis! On the issue of permits - I travelled under the assumption it was better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission as many of the municipal jurisdictions in Canada had permit requirements/travel times/routes for wide loads in addition to provincial and state permits.
I drive a 2000 Chev silverado 1/2 ton 4x4 extended cab to pull my 260. Hitch (not bumper) is rated at 6000/600 without equalizer. Total rated towing capacity is about 8800 pounds. Have driven our boat from Victoria through rockies via Kokahala and #1 to Winnipeg (approx 2200km) and From/to Winnipeg to Kingston and Ottawa Ontario (approx 2500km)- Mainly via US interstates. No problems without equalizer as long as you have sufficient tongue weight. - With outboard mounted I like to keep the freshwater tank full and cooler/luggage on the cabin sole pushed under the table. Ensure that your surge brake is working properly as on my truck the rig will easily sneak up to around 65-70mph if you aren't paying attention to the speedo. The only excitement that we had was running an intersection in thick fog and not realizing the intersection was there until we were under the light! A few other things to watch for - check your bearings regularly - they should be warm to the touch but not so hot that you can't leave your hand there for a few moments. Also note that at some gas stations the trucks only lane will not necessarily be wide enough for your rig - even if it looks like they sell to Semis! On the issue of permits - I travelled under the assumption it was better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission as many of the municipal jurisdictions in Canada had permit requirements/travel times/routes for wide loads in addition to provincial and state permits.
road test before you leave
I see that you asked about an eqealizer hitch. You should load up your boat with all the gear you plan to take, or the something of the same weight and go for a good long test drive long before you leave on your trip, if you havn't yet made a long trip towing your boat. That way you'll see how things are going and be able to take care of any problems before hand. Not many things are more stressful than pulling over ten miles into a long road trip to sort out some problem that just scared the snot out of you and your family.
I see that you asked about an eqealizer hitch. You should load up your boat with all the gear you plan to take, or the something of the same weight and go for a good long test drive long before you leave on your trip, if you havn't yet made a long trip towing your boat. That way you'll see how things are going and be able to take care of any problems before hand. Not many things are more stressful than pulling over ten miles into a long road trip to sort out some problem that just scared the snot out of you and your family.
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