www.iFourWinns.com

Going to pick up my 2005 Horizon 230 this week. It is a 2 hour tow from CT back to MA and I have the suburban all ready to go with air pressure maxed in the tires, fresh oil change, tool kit, jack, and tow/haul button ready to press.

Any thought on prepping the boat or trailer for her first highway run? I have had the trailer checked by a mechanic and they bled and filled the brakes. I will check trailer tire pressure when I get there. I am thinking I will tow her with no canvas on, any thoughts? Any other advice?

thanks!

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

I brought my H260 home 8 hours from NH to Kingston,ON Canada in the fall of 2007. I took a good toolbox with a 1/2" drive set, screw drivers, pliers, extra wire and crimp fittings, 12 ton bottle jack, new safety chains (in case the other were too short), spare tire on rim, magnetic lights, a 7 pin to 4 or 5 pin adapter, some blocks of wood, a pair of coveralls, gloves and some other things I can't remember. I was prepared to the max and didn't need anything major.... Make sure you have a 4" drop hitch and the necessary tools to flip it over if required, I actually took a few different setups with me since I had them.

I trailered with the bimini in the cockpit and the bow and cockpit covers on. Make sure and "exercise" the trailer brakes on a flat area before heading out into the mountains. I almost wrote off the truck and my new boat within three miles of the marina because the actuator was sticking!

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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

The comment about the drop hitch hints at an important issue. Make sure you have adequate tongue weight.
If you can lift the tongue at all it is probably too light. Either drop the hitch lower -- add weight to the front of the boat -- or reposition the boat. (Not easy to do on dry land.) However you do it just make sure the tongue is not too light -- best way I know of to have a SERIOUS accident.

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop

Can you elaborate on the need for a dropped hitch and also on exactly what actuator was stuck?

The boat is bone stock as far as I know with a factory 4 wheel galvanized trailer. I am using the same hitch setup I have used for other boats. It is a class-3, 2" ball onto a straight square box receiver. I have never had any problems width Height.

What actuator are you talking about, do you mean the tongue trailer brake cylinder not actuating the brakes?? If so how did your resolve this problem?

thanks!!

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

Well first off that ball is going to be 2 5/16", not a 2" ball. Also, these trailers normal run level at about 17" - 18". So make sure you have the proper rise/drop to accomplish this. Good luck and congrats.

Nope WD, they went to a 2" ball in late '04 or '05.

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

Really. Thank you for correcting me. I just figured with a craft over 6,000 pounds it would be a 2 5/16". Thanks Mike.

OOOOOOOHHHHH. Im used to trailering single axles so I was not considering the height issue with the dual axle trailer. My hitch is around 18" from the ground to the top of the ball is this OK?? How do you determine what the correct height of the ball is? Do you measure from the top of the ball?

thanks!

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

I'd check your trailer wheel bearings early on in your trip to make sure they are getting appropriate lubrication. Touch test should suffice but a $20 infared temp gun is nice. I use it to check my exhaust risers on the engine also to be sure they are cooling the same. I've seen where one side can get plugged up and run hot but the engine temp still run in the normal range.

Keep an eye on tire bulging too if the tires are old or in poor shape. Blowing one is a little hairy and can tear up your boat or trailer fenders.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

Bluesman

The 18" you describe should be about perfect.

You are correct when you say the tongue actuator was sticking. Make sure you do some real hard stops in the parking lot to make sure the trailer brakes are engaging.

Other than that just go slow until you get the feel of your new toy behind your truck.

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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

+1 to all the above.
I "test" my trailer brakes as I pull out of the driveway to make sure they are free and correct, even with the 20 mi to the local lake. Also, I check the bearing and tire temps on every outingbefore putting into the water (anyone else ever "crack" a hot bearing?). It wouldn't hurt to spend some time thinking the route out as well. I know when I lived in Groton and towed my old 23' sailboat (3500# w/no trailer brakes), I thought carefully about how hilly, and how long the hills were. Also, about where I might stop for gas/food to be sure I could get everything into the pump.

All you gotta do is plan out the best you can!

Good luck!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I think it surprised a lot of people at the time. When I was planning for delivery in early June '05 (before the boat arrived - May build), my dealer told me to be prepared with a 2 5/16" ball. I think mine was the first one he ordered that showed up with a 2". He had to loan me a draw bar and ball for delivery, since I had the wrong size.

Shortly thereafter I bought a stainless Convert A Ball 3-ball set and love it.

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

According to my notes, mine is level at 21" at the top of the ball, when loaded. My 2WD truck settles about 2" with the boat, so I've got the top of the ball at about 23" unloaded. You don't have to get it exact, but the closer you can get it to level, the better it will handle, the better the brakes will work, the better the tires will wear, etc. To get the right level, I have to use a 4" drop bar in the "rise" position (upside down). But part of that is because my truck is 2WD, so it doesn't sit as high as a 4WD.

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

My Draw bar drops down an inch or two so I suppose I could flip it over and use it that way if I need to??

Do the trailers come with Bearing buddies from the factory??

Are they leaf or torsion spring suspension?

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

Hi Bluesman.

I just bought the same boat Sunday!! Well almost, it's a 2004. After extensive worrying It towed perfect with my 2001 F150 crew cab. Should tow the same with your Suburban. My hitch is 25" to the top of the ball unloaded. I figure about 1-2" drop with the boat connected. 18" sounds low to me. I went to autozone and bought the "tri ball Reese drawbar". It was on sale for $35 and it was just the right height. It's rated for 10K using the 2 5/16 ball. Check your drawbar it's probably not rated more than 6K unless it's forged.

EDIT. Just read Mikes post and did not realize they switched to a 2" ball in 05. Mayby tour trailer is different since it a Galvi version???

Make sure you have a 5 pin harness too. You can get a 7 pin to 5 pin adapter al Wally World…Or Autozone Too...

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2004 230 Horizon
5.7GI/SX
Towed by a 2000 Expedition