does this hitch look okay

[bpmcl00]

gonn be pulling a 19.5 ft bowrider.

approximately 4200 lbs total weight.

this is the hitch... class 3

http://www.thehitchstore.com/class-iii-receiver-hitch-p-1146.html

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Do you have trailer brakes? That seems like equal weight to your tow vehicle and stopping would be a concern.

Yes that hitch will work.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Do you have trailer brakes? That seems like equal weight to your tow vehicle and stopping would be a concern.

Yes that hitch will work.

No i dont have trailer brakes to my knowledge. i am only towing for very short distances.

Are trailer brakes easy to install? something i should look into

 

[NYBo]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Your State requires brakes on a trailer that heavy. Look here:
trailer brake laws

 

[Nippissinger]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Electric is ur best choice and over here in Canada they are just over $600 complete...Surge system is twice that and a lot harder and more expensive to maintain....

In Canada, ANY tandem axle trailer requires brakes no matter the weight..

Nipper

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Brakes are a great idea.....and that hitch is good depending on how good the material is you mount it to !!!

 

[Nippissinger]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Hitch does look good. Be careful as your GVW is just over their GTW. You should be okay as long as your tow vehcle can handle the weight. If not, you may want to add the weight distributing package to insure safety and ease of tow for long distances...

Nipper

 

[Titanium48]

Re: does this hitch look okay

You will be OK without brakes if a "very short distance" means no more than a block or two to the boat launch, you won't exceed half of the speed limit and law enforcement types aren't looking at your trailer. If any of those 3 things won't always happen every time you launch your boat you will need brakes.

Electric brakes are cheaper than hydraulic surge brakes and offer better control, but they will corrode and fail prematurely if you ever launch in saltwater. Freshwater will also corrode the iron magnets if they are allowed to stay wet for too long.

 

[dingbat]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Electric is ur best choice and over here in Canada they are just over $600 complete...Surge system is twice that and a lot harder and more expensive to maintain....
Nipper

Well come on down here to the US then. We can set you up with a pair of Kodiak disc brakes and a new surge coupler for about 1/2 of what you quoted for the electric brakes.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: does this hitch look okay

I would not risk it without brakes as "a very short distance" is still travelling on the public highway. Less risk yes, safe no !!!

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Do you have trailer brakes? That seems like equal weight to your tow vehicle and stopping would be a concern.

Ok, now I have to ask - do I need trailer brakes?! We will pull with a 2008 Honda Pilot EXL w/AWD; class III trailer hitch. The boat is a 2005 Bayliner 18.5' and came with a single axle EZ-Loader trailer. I believe the total weight is ~2,800 #. We'll be hauling the boat to a variety of lakes, all within 10 miles of our home. Launching in fresh water. Thanks.

 

[cadunkle]

Re: does this hitch look okay

With a typical 3/4 or 1 ton truck I wouldn 't sweat no trailer brakes. With a little Honda I'd want trailer brakes no querstions asked.

I tow a ~4000 lb boat+trailer with a 3/4 ton and have no problem stopping from low speeds (truck weighs 5700 lbs) but it's only a 4 mile drive to the ramp on 25 MPH roads. I'll be towing around 1000 mile round trip this summer for vacation (highway). Before then I'll be repairing the brakes on my trailer. Previous owner neglected them since he was only 5 mins to the launch for him. Not worth the risk if you gotta stop in a hurry.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: does this hitch look okay

You are pushing the limits of this hitch . With that weight, I'd move up one more class. Remember, this weight is "boat empty" and no fuel. I noted what type of vehicle this one is meant for and you are pushing your vehicle limits as well. If you are going on the highways at all, and I include 50 mph (80 kph) highways please don't go without auxilliary brakes. Your vehicle is not designed to stop that much rolling weight.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Well come on down here to the US then. We can set you up with a pair of Kodiak disc brakes and a new surge coupler for about 1/2 of what you quoted for the electric brakes.

Where are you finding that? Two Tie-down disc assemblies and a surge coupler come out to $600 here on iboats.

The electric brakes shouldn't be that much though, even in Canada. 10 inch electric brake assemblies and hub-drums are currently selling for $50 each ($100 / wheel total) at the local Princess Auto. When I put brakes on my trailer I needed a new axle which cost me $275 including the 7 inch electric brakes. Hydraulic would have been $25 more, plus a coupler.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Thanks for all the replies everyone. but i am only towing a 19.5 foot boat and trailer. i really stressed these numbers to make sure better guess high then low...

Well NADA says my boat only weighs 2500lbs dry.

i figure 300lbs for fuel (highly exhagurated) 30 gallon tank

300 Lbs for gear ( AGAIN highly Exhagurated)

steel Trailer for 19 foot boat (900 LBS AGAIN highly exhagurated)

total weight = 4000lbs ( this is a very high estimate)

actuall weight is prob 3800 lbs MAX

i will be traveling no highways just a 15 min drive do the ramp.

 

[boat1010]

Re: does this hitch look okay

Trailer brakes are almost a must.. What do you think you will be saving if you have a wreck? Like I have said many times before. Spend a little money, save a lot of time and head aches. It only takes one person pulling out in front of ya without good breaks to ruin your whole day. How far would you drive your care without good brakes???

 

[Titanium48]

Re: does this hitch look okay

A 15 minute drive is too far to go with that combination without brakes IMHO. The exact tow vehicle was never mentioned, but the vehicles the hitch is made for (1990s Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport) weigh about the same as the boat. A combination like that is not going to stop very well at all without trailer brakes.
I might risk it if the boat was going be launched in the spring and live on the lake all summer, but not if I had to tow it to and from the lake every time I wanted to go boating.

 

[samm835]

Re: does this hitch look okay

The other thing to consider is "IF" god forbid you do get in an accident....your auto insurance carrier will have to cover the loss. But you can bet your last dollar, if they find out you don't not have the correct set up they will get there money back from you and cancel your policy. I learned this the hard way with my first boat when I was 18. I had a 20ft runabout double axle trailer and I was pulling it with a 4X4 ford ranger(single cab). The trailer did not have brakes......car pulls out and I wasn't speeding, but going avg speed and couldn't stop. I hit the car, which jacked up my tuck, plus my boat. The trailer brakes were takin off by prior owner, so when damage control insurance company did there review, they saw this cancelled the policy after paying for damages to the other vehicle then wanted the money back from me....and they got it because legally I was suppose to have my truck and trailer equiped. Long story short...get the brakes.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: does this hitch look okay

The other thing to consider is "IF" god forbid you do get in an accident....your auto insurance carrier will have to cover the loss. But you can bet your last dollar, if they find out you don't not have the correct set up they will get there money back from you and cancel your policy. I learned this the hard way with my first boat when I was 18. I had a 20ft runabout double axle trailer and I was pulling it with a 4X4 ford ranger(single cab). The trailer did not have brakes......car pulls out and I wasn't speeding, but going avg speed and couldn't stop. I hit the car, which jacked up my tuck, plus my boat. The trailer brakes were takin off by prior owner, so when damage control insurance company did there review, they saw this cancelled the policy after paying for damages to the other vehicle then wanted the money back from me....and they got it because legally I was suppose to have my truck and trailer equiped. Long story short...get the brakes.

jeeze thats en eye opener, Well how can i tell if i have brakes allready. Anything to look for?

 

[NYBo]

Re: does this hitch look okay

jeeze thats en eye opener, Well how can i tell if i have brakes allready. Anything to look for?

Start at the wheels. Behind them, there will be either brake drums or rotors & calipers, just like on a car, only smaller.