Preparing for R29 Arrival 2017

[Bosn Mate]

This past weekend wife and I attended the Annapolis Boat Show. After much preparation, we ordered a new R29 with a delivery at the factory in Oct 2017. We chose to wait for a year in order to move into our retirement home and make room for our new addition!!

I would appreciate any advice from those that have gone before us regarding issues/decisions/lessons learned to make this journey successful.

Thanks and looking forward to joining the Ranger Tug family!!

Mike

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Congratulations Mike and welcome to the Tugnut family. Tell us if you'll be trailering your new R29 or will it be mostly in the water once you get back to Va.? Once you take delivery plan on staying in the PNW as long as you can. Two reasons....first would be to address any items that may need warranty attention before you head east and second to explore the wonders of the PNW. There is so much to see, so many cruising possibilities one could spend a lifetime and still not see it all.

Jim F

 

[Bosn Mate]

Thanks Jim.

Current plan is to trailer to locations for extended cruising.

FYI - love your web site.

Mike

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We carry a tire gauge, check the tire air pressure on the truck and trailer every couple of days. We also carry a portable air compressor for topping off tire air when the tires are cold, a lot more convenient (for me) then finding a place on the road. Might consider a trailer tire ramp for changing out a flat tire, long handle socket bar and the proper socks for same. A portable GPS. Have apps on your cell phone for rv parks, fuel stops, exit ramps, etc., for making your travels less stressful. With an R29 you'll need permits for trailering. In your home state you can probably get a permit for an entire year. For cross country there are companies that provide a service for getting everything you'll need for a long distance tow. You'll also need a wide load banner. On this wide load stuff I only know the basics as we are only 8 1/2 feet wide. This is a start for you, I'm sure others will chime in.

Jim F

 

[Scuba Too]

Mike,

Welcome to the Ranger Tug family! We just did the factory experience last month for a R-29 CB. I recommend spending the full two days with the Ranger Tug staff for orientation. They're very friendly and knowledgeable. Also the San Juan Islands are amazing - the only thing I would do different is to allow more time cruising!

Eric

 

[Iceout]

Mike,

We also took advantage of the Factory Delivery of an R-29CB, toured San Juan Islands for a few weeks with the kids, then trailered back east to New Hampshire with a rented truck this past summer. Plan on a dually pickup, as the single rear wheel models get pushed around too much by the big rigs on the open highway.

A bit of planning is required to trailer over-wide. Some permits are an easy phone call or email with quick electronic response, and others take days if you time wrong. A few states still need permit applications faxed! Banners and flags are not really a big deal.

I second the battery powered compressor idea for truck and trailer tire topping off.

I recommend the Easy Loader trailer, as it has been designed to hold your boat. Float-On failed miserably on this account, and we reluctantly switched horses for a slightly used trailer sitting over there in the grass at the factory. The oil filled hubs run nice and cool, and are quick to check at rest stops.

The trailer's triple axles have independent torsion spring suspension, which requires leveling with an adjustable height hitch on the truck's receiver. This one worked well for the aluminum beam trailer, and required a little drilling and a few long bolts to mount: http://www.andersenhitches.com/Products ... -5--6.aspx. We found a slight upward slope to the trailer frame beams resulted in the best weight distribution on the trailer tires, confirmed with a trip through a CAT scale. That's a learning experience!

I upsized the solar panel to 280 watts and ran a higher capacity charge controller to keep at least one of the fridge's running non-stop on the trip. Last night's leftovers ready to microwave for tomorrow's lunch anywhere on the road, and dining up on the command bridge! By the way, some central US truck stops and most rest areas have great views.

Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho is your best, first freshwater destination...could have spent a few more days there...

Also, don't be shy to cross borders. We took the northern route through Ontario via Pictured Rocks in Munising, Michigan, which should not be missed. Some states will not allow Friday afternoon trailering, and most do not allow travel through the weekend, so proper planning and a flexible schedule is necessary.

The factory canvas window covers are great for trailering, and oh...and watch for low hanging branches on the smaller roads...that rig is 13'2" high!

Feel free to respond or PM for more hints or details.

David

 

[Bosn Mate]

Appreciate all the info/advice!

Mike

 

[da156mac]

We have a 25 SC 2015, took delivery late this summer, love the ability to trailer. Planing a February 2107 trip to Ft Myers FL, trailering down. Not sure how often you will be on the Potomac, we are out in the NN area near the bay, spend many hours in the lower Potomac. Enjoy, we may see you out there

Dale and Jan

M&H

 

[Irish Mist]

Hi Mike ..
Congratulations on your new boat..
We have done a fair bit of trailering with our 29 and have learned a few things... One is while you can use a permit company to get your permits, often their charge per permit is more then the cost of the permit.. When you are inquiring about your permits always stress it is your own personal boat. I have found everyone quite helpful in every state I have had to get a permit. When you are checking ask about yearly permits as some states are not much more for a blanket permit for the year.. some states have special boat oversized permits which are less expensive . I do not have a dual wheel truck and have not had any issues with towing.. I'm sure dual wheels would be better but I need to use my truck for a daily driver and didn't want the extra width. Give yourself some lead time for permits. Most are able to be obtained within minutes.. however some places take days.. Ohio needs a letter from your Insurance company.. Ontario just takes a week because they are busy.. Planning ahead is best get some info ahead of time so you know what to expect. I purchased a portable generator which I use every night and morning on the road. It keeps the batteries topped up and allows us to use coffee machine and our electric stove and water heater ( we have had the odd shower in the boat on the road) . Everyone is different how they live and travel so you will find what works best for you. Ask away any questions you may have as we are all happy to help. Trailering is a bit more difficult with a 29 but we find the extra room is worth it. There will be some rendezvous before your boat is born. You should try to attend one near you. You will be able to get lots of pointers ..
Best
Mark

 

[Bosn Mate]

Thanks for the continued info!

Mark (Irish Mist) - Sent you a PM to ask for some additional info. I sent but don't see a copy; let me know if you don't receive.

Mike

 

[Iceout]

Mike,

I agree with Mark on the permit companies. We conversed with a few and settled on one before the trip. Besides the cost, our chosen company said that we must have a DOT number to get over-wide permits. We made the free DOT application with the US government, got a number, and were immediately barraged with emails and phone calls with deadlines to "schedule a new entrant safety audit", file compliance forms, unsolicited offers for training courses, insurance, and lots more I now care to forget. The lesson learned is similar to what Mike has suggested...you can file for your own permits, without a DOT number, and feel free to state that you are hauling your boat for yourself, in the permitting and getting stopped by police phase of your trip. Most states' permitting offices and police will go out of their way to help if they know you are not a professional, and pleasantly surprised when you present the appropriate permit and display the flags and banners. I have since discontinued my DOT permit, and the solicitation has mostly stopped.

Lastly, be prepared for some confusion, as some permit offices' requests for Vehicle Registered Weight or Gross Weight is designed to include the truck, load (boat), and trailer, and your pickup manufacturer's GVWR does not. We got the whole thing weighed at a truck stop and used that number for Vehicle Registered Weight or Gross Weight when asked.

David

 

[Irish Mist]

I was told as you where by the permit company I needed a DOT number.. After a year I was told I needed to go to a DOT office as I needed a drug test.. I called to cancel and luckily I got a helpful person who asked some questions and told me I do not need a DOT number. A year later I was having a problem getting the online system to work for Michigan permit and decided to just get the one permit through the permit company.. It was a fight to get her to submit the app without a DOT.
I found that not having a DOT has made it easier through the scales as they just green light me 90% of the time so no stopping.. I think with the DOT they check more. In Canada you typically need a CVOR number, there too, you can get an exception. However.. due to the weight I had to increase my drivers license to a higher class. This involved a written test and a driving test with the empty trailer attached. As well increase my GVW on the truck registration to handle the extra weight. This was just a cash grab. tell them the weight you need it to be and they charge you accordingly.
There is some work involved, but you are towing a 10 ft wide , 15,000 lb load down the highway. My cost Canada to Florida is typically $1,000.00 last I checked it was $4,000 - $6,000 to hire someone to move it. Which if you are only doing it once or twice is not bad,considering the trailer and a truck will be about $75,000. But over a few years it adds up fast. And if you are doing your own move you are on your own schedule .