www.iFourWinns.com

OK, our new boat was in the water when went to sea trial. After we purchased it, my wife and I took it to the launch for retrieval. I am no stranger to boating but this took some effort to get it on the trailer properly. I am looking for any input on improvements. We had the rear axle of the Suburban underwater to get the trailer deep enough. The launch may have been less steep than our normal launch site. The bow eye was catching the lower roller and getting caught??? Is it because of the shallow angle of the launch?? Thanks, KS

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"Changes in Attitude"
2003 268 Vista 5.7 Volvo DP

This happens on shallow ramps. I have extended the lower roller on my trailer approx 8". This helps on some ramps.

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA

You can pull a 268 with a suburban?

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Have the same problem on my 248 Vista. I believe the stern is floating just above the trailer, this causes the bow to be angled too low and the bow eye then goes below the lower bow roller. What's worked for me is to wrench the bow within a foot of the roller. I then pull the boat and trailer forward enough (12" to 18") so that the stern sits down the trailer bunks. This changes the angle and raises the bow eye so that it's between the upper and lower rollers. Next I finish wrenching the boat the rest of the way on. Congrats on you new purchase!

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

What should I be towing with?

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"Changes in Attitude"
2003 268 Vista 5.7 Volvo DP

Diesel Power! I ask because I know another member was saying his suburban got squirlly (sp?) with his 248.

Is this a FW trailer? I wondered if those dual bow rollers would be a pain when I saw that design. The venture I have only has one so I haven't encountered this issue.

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Your 268 Vista and trailer weights in the neighborhood of 9000lbs to 9500lbs. That's at the top limit of even the best 1/2 ton pickups. How do you trailer? Flat terrain, short distances? If your answer is yes then a properly equipped 1/2 ton would be ok. If you answered no then look for a 3/4 ton and give yourself some extra capacity.

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

What would qualify a properly equipped 1/2 ton? I am going to be trailering a 248 here in Miami, FL (flat terrain unless you count speed bumps) for 6 miles with 2 trips a year of 150 miles down to the keys on a Tundra. What are you thoughts their Fred?

We travel mostly flat ground less than 2 hours here in MI. We have proper load rated and inflation on the tires, brakes work very well. With this type of load even a dually diesel is going to get pushed in a panic stop situation. The maiden 2 hour trip home went well. KS

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"Changes in Attitude"
2003 268 Vista 5.7 Volvo DP

I can tell you that after I pulled my 22" enclosed car trailer home (empty) from the dealer that I sold the 00 tundra and bought the Mega Cab CTD. The overall size and geometry of towing the enclosed trailer (empty no less) was hairy at best on the highway. Tractor trailers pushed me all over the road and you couldn't see anything behind you. Never even loaded a car into it as I immediately went out and got the Mega. Too bad yota didn't do diesel with the new truck You won't have as much windsheer with the boat but that's still pushing it hard for a tundra, even the new one IMO. With the Mega, the 248 feels the way jetskis felt on my older (90) yoter pickup.

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

I have been using my 04 F-150 to pull my 268 since it was new in 05 and the year before when we had the 00 268 and it is fine. Normal weekend we pull it about 7 miles to lake and same back at the end. Once a year we pull it about 150 miles to have some service done, again, still fine. You have to be careful, but you would no matter what. I don't set any speed records and only get about 7mpg on average, but I get the job done and I use extra caution. It is mostly flat, straight ground where I go. I have one long hill that takes about 2 minutes to ascend, but that is about the extent of it.

Am I pushing the limits of my truck? Yes, but I am within the limits prescribed by Ford as being safe, In writing from Ford.

Could I have a truck better equipped to handle such a load, sure I could but where would you consider reasonable, Freightliner?

I know I am being a little sarcastic and I apologize. Now go ahead and let me know how bad I am being by using my truck to pull the boat.

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2005, 268 Vista, Table Rock Lake "Choices II"

My thoughts exactly, when you reach a load of this size, you just have to pay attention. With the Suburban, I have the length to help with stability. See you at the lake, KS.

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"Changes in Attitude"
2003 268 Vista 5.7 Volvo DP

Back on topic:

I have trouble loading my 258 on the trailer. It can be a real PITA, sometimes it loads and its listing too much to port, I have to back it back up and "float it" back on properly. You have to have all of the bunks of the trailer underwater and its best (ive realized) to power load the Vista on the trailer. Not real obnoxious power loading but a little juice to help it on the trailer (ever tried to crank it with the winch? forget about it!)

Back off topic:
I tow my 258 Vista with my 2002 Envoy. I only tow a few miles each way 2-4x a year. I take regular roads there (35mph) and have been doing this for 3 years with no problem. The trailer has electric disc brakes on all 4 wheels, both axles.
When I bought the boat, it had to make a 150 mile trip before it was "at home" with me. So I borrowed my Brothers 1991 Dodge 350 Club Cab Dually Cummins Turbo Diesel 1 ton pickup truck to get it down I-75 to my house. Actually the 1 ton towed it without complaint. I drove 65mph all the way home!

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

You need to change that fluid before you need a new ring and pinion. $1500 -$2000 There is water in there now from the vent on top. Also if you plan on doing that again I suggest removing the vent replacing it with a barbed hose end that screws in and runing a length or rubber hose up into the fender or someplace higher than the water will go. I saw an older Explorer pulling a 24 or 26 foot four winns this summer on the highway, it was doing okay but a suburban or tahoe would be as small as I would go. Also you may want to invest in airbags for the back.

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

Architectdave, thank you, very good information about my Suburban. I forgot to mention I already checked the differential vent and fluid as soon as we arrived home. The water did not rise above the current vent, but I like your idea about running it higher. I had just changed the differential fluids with Royal Purple synthetic before the trip. As far as the airbags, the FW trailer seems to be balanced very well, with just enough tongue weight to tow without porpoising down the highway. The 268 actually sags the Suburban less than our last boat. KS

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"Changes in Attitude"
2003 268 Vista 5.7 Volvo DP