www.iFourWinns.com

Okay here's the deal. I'm in Iraq and bought a 96 Horizon 200 a month ago. Its at my parents house in Ohio along with my 18ft (16ft flat/2ft dovetail) car hauler. I would like to get them both to Texas in one trip. I have a 99 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3. The truck and car hauler has functioning electric brakes and I installed air bags on the rear of the truck. Boat specs at 3030 lbs and the trailer comes in at 1000 lbs add that to the weight of the car hauler which I guess to be 1500 lbs leaves me at 5500 lbs so I will be good on weight. I'm just not sure about the dimensions of the boat trailer mating to the car hauler and securing it. I would like to stay away from double pulling as its not worth the headache and to me seems like it would be a lot more problematic once I'm on the road. I understand this is not ideal but if anyone has done or seen this before I would like their input. If I cannot come up with a safe solution I will not attempt this as the car hauler is not needed in Texas as much as the new boat is. Thanks Colt

I think you will find that the boat trailer is as wide, or wider than the car hauler axles...thats going to be the biggest problem I can think of.

Where in Texas are you going to be?

Interestingly enough...my wife's family is all from NE Ohio, and we are in Texas too.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I don't have any advice on your question, but would like to say "Thank You" for being over there.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Having had both a car trailer and a boat trailer, I think aguyindallas is correct. They will both have the same wheel width... around 8.5 feet. That means the boat wheels would fall off the edge of the car trailer.

Some states allow one trailer to pull another (triples). Shocking to me, and scary to tow. But, I'm in MN, and it's allowed here. I've seen a truck pulling a travel trailer, with a boat behind the trailer. Not sure if you could legally do this from OH to TX, but maybe. Check the rules and limits before trying this! And, don't back up!

Otherwise, sell the car trailer and get another one in TX. For the few hundred you may sacrifice, it may be easier than the hassle.

Found on web:
At this time, triple towing is permitted in the following states:
Arizona,
Arkansas,
Colorado (maximum combined length of 70 feet),
District of Colombia,
Idaho (max. 75 feet),
Illinois (max. 60 feet on selected highways),
Indiana (max. 65 feet),
Iowa (max. 70 feet),
Kansas (max. 65 feet),
Kentucky (max. 65 feet),
Louisiana (max. 70 feet),
Michigan (max. 60 feet on selected highways),
Minnesota (max. 60 feet on selected highways),
Mississippi,
Missouri (max. 65 feet),
Montana (max. 70 feet),
Nebraska (max. 65 feet),
Nevada (max. 70 feet),
New Mexico,
North Dakota (max. 75 feet),
Ohio (max. 65 feet),
Oklahoma (max. 65 feet),
South Dakota (max. 75 feet with qualifications),
Tennessee (max. 65 feet),
Texas (max. 65 feet),
Utah (max. 65 feet with some exceptions or restrictions),
Wisconsin (max. 60 feet on selected highways),
and Wyoming (max. 85 feet).

_________________
2008 Four Winns F224
5.0 Volvo Penta
Towing with Audi Q7 4.2 V8

I thought about the axle width, I'm waiting for the dimensions right now to see if I can swing it. If I triple tow I wont have anything on the car hauler and I imagine it would be in the middle so will that cause any swaying with the tongue weight of the boat behind the car haulers axles? I would also have to weld a receiver into the car hauler and wire up lights. I got a real good deal on the trailer and it's not a cheap budget trailer so I'd like to keep it.

I have to tell you, towing doubles like you are talking about is a recipe for disaster.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Lucky for you, there are "redneck a-holes" on this site that KNOW how to get things like this done!

I would load the boat trailer on the hauler. Remove the boat trailer wheels and rest the axles on blocks (large like sections of railroad tie) One block on each side. You may need a winch to pull the boat on the hauler & a couple of guys with floor jacks under each side of the trailer axle. Then just strap the heck out of it.


......you're welcome.

_________________

H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Brent I was thinking something similar but was holding back on posting.... I've done some crazyy things over the years...

I would hire a pitman or boom truck to load the trailer sans tires onto the car hauler backwards and then block and strap it well. This will compensate for different tongues lengths and add weight to the carhauler tongue to help eliminate sway.Unless the boat has a removable tongue then do as you stated. Do the reverse for removal at the other end.

There is always a solution some better than others some well thought out and others by the seat of your pants, all depends on the situation.

Good Luck and don't forget to take some pictures!

Here's a couple of an adaptation to my Tandem boat trailer.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive