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I am shopping for a trailer for my 26' Tollycraft. The boat has a 10' beam and weighs 9,000# dry. I'll probably pull it with a E-350 Ford van with a V-10, but am also looking at a used F-350 diesel.
I like galvanized trailers, but suppose the weight savings of aluminum will be worth the extra expense. Continental has a double axel rated at 10,000 load capacity, but it's not clear to me if that includes the weight of the trailer or not. I have heard folks complain that tripple axels scuff tires badly and are hard to turn. I know Dexter makes some axels that are rated 6,000#.
What about companies? I like Chanpion in Slidel, and picking one up there would be easy as I drive to Orange Beach from here a couple of times a year.
I have lots of experience towing rigs that weigh about 6,000 pounds, and am wondering how different towing 10,000# will be. any advise will be appreciated.
Do I have BO? Come on fellas, I'd really appreciate some input from some of you who have pulled bigger boats. A `new trailer will cost about half of what I have invested in the boat, so I need all the info I can get. Thanks.
Jack
being held hostage by circumstance in Minneapolis,
but longing to move back to the South
Yes, the triple axles are tougher to turn when backing. With a boat that heavy I would go with 3 axles however. Also, the diesel is much better suited for towing a rig like that - I doubt the van is rated to handle it either but your door tag will tell you that - good luck
You must subtract the weight of the trailer from the gross to get the carrying capacity. My 10500
cap triaxle weighs about 1200 so I can carry 9300
yeah the tires scuff when you turn, Backing or forward, no difference. Let 'em scuff, at least I wont change them for dry rotting, they will wear out long before then.
I have a triple axle aluminum trailer and tow a rig of about 9,000 pounds, and I love it. My other trailer for my flats boat is a single axle, and I think the triple is easier to handle than the single axle. With a heavy boat the triple really makes sense. Make sure you get torsion bar axles, with replaceable spindles. I makes repairs a snap.
"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I will go fishing" --- Henry David Thoreau
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I'm using the Continental #10,000 capacity double axle trailer you mentioned. So far, no problems. With an overall length of 39' from tongue to engines, it's not a lot of fun to turn, but that's to be expected. Whatever you buy, make sure it has the removable spindles. Even with the best maintenence, there's always a chance of losing a bearing cover and smoking a spindle.
I've owened both trailers for the same boat. The triaxle pulls better and tonge wieght is not as criticle, my triaxle has 3 X 3500lbs axles (10,500 GVWR) about 9,300 net (capacity) I live on a single lane road so backing into my narrow driveway is pure hell!! (however I may not be very good at it) if you have an open area and its not an issue great otherwise in tight spots tandem wins hands down. HD tandem tend to be more expensive then triaxles I guess the axles cost quite a bit more!! but also the brakes usually go from a 10" to a 12" or 13" disc brake Its 12" for 5K axles and 13" for 6K axles..
Tri axel for sure you'll need a trailer with a net capacity of at least 10 k. That means a trailer with a 12.5k GVWR at a minimun. Just be careful! Your towing a boat thats 9k then you add fuel and put it on a trailer that weighs 2k you're getting very heavy in a hurry. People put way too much emphasis in what my truck will pull, a VW will pull a school bus. Keep in mind you need to stop this beast. If it were me I would look for a F450 or 550 something with more substantial brakes and suspension. Look for a diesel with a manual transmission. If you're running 55 and have a trailer brake failure with that amount of weight you'll have a rodeo on your hands. If you have a brake hiccup going down a hill you might want to hang on tightly with an E350. Take into consideration that a 4X4 and cargo in your vehicle lowers your towing capacity as well. Just a few thoughts.
As with everyone else I would defintely go w/ the triple axle. Is 9000lbs. a loaded with fuel weight or not? The triple will be harder to turn but the upside is with increased running area on the pavement the it should increase your the few mpg you will get by maybe .3 or.4 of mile which over time and long distances adds up. The aluminum is nice but will the rig be going to saltwater?
A diesel will suit your needs much better and sorry to say but you will look cooler in a truck than a van.
Try Loadmaster Trailers at 813-689-3096. They are out of Tampa, FL but are available in Mobile, AL and several other places if you called ahead and oredered etc....
Continental rates their trailers as load capacity. The actual load you will put on it. For instance the 6klb trailer actually has the axles for 7000lbs. Other words the extra 1000 is for the trailer. So if it specifies 10K load capacity, it will handle upto a 10,000 wet weight boat.
double axel vs tripple axel 
Jim & Martha "Ann Marie III" ManaSota Mako Owners Club Inc. 
