Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

[mxzeatr]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

They should get pulled over doing the above. No way stock Tahoe mirrors are going to see anything behind an 8.5' wide enclosed trailer. Loaded with six snowmobiles your looking at a 28 foot trailer. Probably 6000lbs of trailer and cargo weight.
No WDH, tail dragging the pavement, swaying side to side, etc.

P.S. this is the most detailed mirror requirement for Michigan:
"adjusted so that the operator shall have a clear view of the highway behind the commercial vehicle."

If thats the most detailed requirement why are the State Cops bugging weekend warriors with sled trailers? I haven't been stopped, but I also have add-on mirrors when I pull mine. I know a handfull of guys who have been stopped and given citations for lack of proper mirrors. Odd that thats all the law states.

Your right, the Tahoe was loaded, but it was w/in specs to my knowledge. It had load leveling rear end, and hitch, along with sway bars. They said the truck pulled just fine with zero issues so....Just sharing my experiences anyways.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

When in doubt...put brakes on the trailer and drive a lot more cautiously than you normally would.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

If thats the most detailed requirement why are the State Cops bugging weekend warriors with sled trailers? I haven't been stopped, but I also have add-on mirrors when I pull mine. I know a handfull of guys who have been stopped and given citations for lack of proper mirrors. Odd that thats all the law states.

Your right, the Tahoe was loaded, but it was w/in specs to my knowledge. It had load leveling rear end, and hitch, along with sway bars. They said the truck pulled just fine with zero issues so....Just sharing my experiences anyways.

By "sled trailer" you mean open trailer?
It could be that if the trailer is wider than the tow vehicle, it automatically requires "proper mirrors". Even if you can see over and beyonf the open flat bed trailer. But then two sleds side by side take up that full 8.5' width also I imagine.
I am guessing on the sled widths as the last sleds I towed were no newer than mid 1970's, LOL. I know they build them alot wider nowadays.

But.............know this, the cops issue tickets for vehicle violations without knowing (absolute) that the stated violation is valid. They write the ticket, and use a general statue number as the section violated. They know that 99% of all tickets will be paid by mail and not contested.
I have avoided many tickets by telling the officer that I am self-employed and will be in court with the Motor Vehicle Code book. They dont want to be in court either and will often issue a warning instead.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Is This Boat too Big for My Truck?

My little 16 ft Alumaweld, trailer, etc weighs around 23-2400#. I can tell it is back there also. My highway mileage drops from just over 15MPG to just under 12MPG towing the boat. That is based on over 3000 miles. My trucks towing limit is over 10,000#.

If I read it right we have almost the same truck, mines a 99 f250 with a V10. I tow 5000-7000 lbs often and actually see little to no change in fuel mileage, but find the weight doesn't affect the truck much. Under 4000 lbs, hard to tell it's there. A 16 foot aluminum boat, I can't even see it affecting anything. Heck my brothers 2006 explorer hardly notices the 4500-5000 lb trailer and race car behind it.