How fast to tow a 26m, painted steel trailer?

[mcgargle]

About 2 months ago I pulled a 2003 M up from SE Florida (Ft Lauderdale) to Western WI with a 98 F150. Got about 16MPH on the way down and 12ish on the way back with the boat.

Did 65 when the road allowed for it (and a lot slower at times, Atlanta is a snake pit) and didn't have any trouble with sway.

ANd it is a Blue one, the faster of the two colors.

[Kelly Hanson East]

Correct, blue trailers are faster than black on land...white hulls are faster at sea...

[Jim Bunnell]

I wouldn't call 16 MPH all that fast...

[Kelly Hanson East]

HA!! Missed that one Jim, nice catch!!

[Graham Carr]

Only 8 states allow you to tow at 75 MPH. The rest are: 10 states at 70 MPH, 16 states at 65 MPH and 17 hold you at 55 MPH. The District of Columbia is included in the 55 MPH. Click on the link to check on your route. Towing Laws Listed by State. You can also go to BoatUS

[Kelly Hanson East]

Interesting - NY has a GVW law of "800 pounds per inch of tire"

Anyone know what that means?? Inch of tire circumference??

[kmclemore]

OK, I'll own up and say that I've towed my MacX steel trailer at speeds in excess of 90 mph across the Badlands (in cross winds which sometimes exceeded 55 mph) and nearly as fast down the winding Smokey Mountain highways. (Don't even ask why or how.) The trailer towed just fine and I had no problems, though I don't believe I'll be doing that again anytime soon, and I *certainly* don't endorse it!

With good tires and brakes, and a fresh lube job on the bearings, I think 60 mph is just fine. Just make sure your tongue weight is at least 10% of the total trailer load (ex: 3500 pound trailer = 350 lbs at the tongue). Measure it with a scale - two normal household scales can be used with a board between them to balance the load equally - then just add up their readings to get the total weight (and make sure the boat is nearly at the level you'd tow it at, not tilted up or down excessively). This tongue weight will prevent swaying of the trailer at higher speeds.

Also, follow the usual advice of making regular checks on the bearings and tires, and also check the lug nut tightness before setting out and at your first tire/bearing checkpoint, which should be within the first 50 miles.

[mdeane]

Bought my 2005 26M with 2004 painted steel trailer this past July and pulled it with my 2007 Trail Blazer home to Atlanta from just south of Chicago, a distance of 700+ miles. Traveling at 60 to 65 mph the trailer did just fine. Going down hill with a crosswind or 18 wheelers passing, swaying did get a little interesting. Got 18+mpg on the way up and 10 mpg on the return trip. Trailer tires were in tough shape and lost a fair amount of tread in the first 250 to 300 miles. I brought along a spare tire, jacks, blocks, lug wrench and plenty of WD40 just incase. In the early going, stopped frequently to check on things. Lug nut tightness is near the top of my check list. I experienced a near trailer tire loss due to loosening lug nuts 30 years ago.

By the way, white boats look faster on water and over the road.