Revisiting towing a 31CB

[Salty Gal]

There has been much discussion about towing a 31CB regarding which vehicle to use and is a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) required? The long answer is that I looked into the Commercial Drivers License requirements in both Maine where my home is and FL where I currently have a driver's license and will spend my winters on my CB31 after selling my home there recently.  Both FL and Maine require a CDL if the gross vehicle combined weight rating is over 26,000, whether or not I am driving for hire or personal use.  They go by the tag on the vehicle and trailer for GVWR, and the GCWR has to be under 26,000 lbs, no matter what the use is (personal or for hire) or the actual weight of the towed item. This was verified by many sources, including state CDL administrators and DMV administrators in both FL and Maine, and commercial driving schools in FL. If I obtain a CDL in FL, I need to go to an 8-day school and pay $3,000, and also have a medical exam, and take both a written and driving test, and I can use their vehicles for the test.  In Maine I need to first obtain my own vehicle and trailer, get a learners permit, take a written test, pass a medical exam, and take a driving test with a CDL licensed driver with me at a Maine DMV site with the vehicle I intend to use.  RV'ers are not under the CDL requirement that we boat haulers are.  Why I don't know, though I suspect that the RV community has good lobbyists that we boaters lack. Since the trailer is rated at 15,000 lbs, I need a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,999 or less to avoid getting my CDL.  Estimates for the 31CB on a trailer on TugNuts are close to 18,000 lbs (actual weight from a weigh station quoted on TugNuts), although some quess that it is as low as 16,000 lbs.  I'll believe the actual weight from a weigh station before the quesses, and if you have any additional information I'd be interested in knowing the actual weight on a trailer with 1/2 tank fuel and full tank of water.  I'd like a little buffer since we'll be launching on wet boat launch ramps and going up and down hills, so I'd be more comfortable with a bit of a buffer at 20,000 lb. towing capacity vehicle.  That puts it out of the range of Chevy, Ford, and Ram 3500's since they all have GVWR more than 10,999.  None of the manufacturers have 2500's that can tow 20,000 lbs, though they mostly all have GVWR of less than 10,999. I'm in a pickle, since I bought my 31CB to tow it from FL to ME myself, and I don't really want the hassle of getting a CDL. So I'm having to hire someone to tow my boat back and forth unless I obtain my CDL, and purchase a truck and trailer. I thought I'd share my research for what it's worth. I towed my Rosborough 246 with a Ram 2500 limited back and forth from FL to Maine and thought I could do the same by moving up to the 31CB and getting a bigger truck and trailer (my 2500 mega cab limited was only rated to tow 14,000 lbs), but now wish I had done more research on the CDL requirements. Oh well, I have a nice Rosborough 246 for sale in FL on a new trailer, and enjoy the 31CB immensely, so I have no right to complain.

 

[it4llc]

I thought the F-250 could tow 20,000+, depending on config: https://www.ford.com/trucks/super-d...ch up with the Ford,tow rating of 22,800 lbs.

 

[zekeandboone]

I wouldn't tow a 31 with anything less than a 1 ton dually... preferably 4WD diesel
I'd check with my insurance company as well.....

 

[Salty Gal]

My local Ford dealer says no go on a F250. Ram has a 2500 in their specs that can tow 20,000 lbs that has a GVWR less than 11,000 lbs and I have dealers in Maine and in FL working to find such a vehicle or recommend what to order new. I agree that a 3500 is the proper vehicle if I were to tow it myself and just get the CDL in Maine after acquiring both the truck and trailer. Something to think about for next Spring or Summer. I’ll cruise in FL this winter on my 31CB and decide later if I’ll keep the boat, get the truck and trailer, or move up to something larger. I believe in having the right boat for the type of cruising one does, and this coastal cruiser is perfect for our needs at the moment, although trailering it north in the summer would be ideal. I have a boat hauler that’s reasonably priced so I’m covered for now.

 

[glider4]

Just a thought here. Why tow? Florida to Maine sounds like a nice Great Loop segment to me. What, about 1,500 nautical miles or so?
At 16 knots averaging 7 hours a day you’re there in 2 weeks. If you can get 1.6 nmpg that’s 950 gallons or about $4,275 each way with diesel at $4.50 gallon. Not sure you could hire a commercial towing service for under $2.85 per mile.
Maybe split the trip into two one week cruises with the boat stored safe on the hard for a month or so between legs. I’d also stop at fun places along the way so it would take me longer than 2 weeks if I were doing that trip.

EDITED: Revised NMPG from R-31CB Performance Data sheet and current east coast marine diesel prices.

 

[sgeary]

We tow our R31CB with a 2017 Ford F350 single rear wheel. The truck handles the load well, tracks wonderfully, and is very stable. Mileage when towing at 55 mph is about 9 mpg. I have never regretted not having a dually, as I also use the truck for daily transportation and prefer parking my SRW. I added rear airbags to reduce rear suspension bouncing when towing on irregular roads and run the airbags at 80-90 psi when towing.

I have two actual weight measurements from a CAT Scale facility done about a year apart. We tow from San Diego to Anacortes, WA with all the tools, spares, and other things we need to spend the whole Summer cruising. I tow with less than 40 gallons of diesel in the boat, preferably 25 gallons. I have only about 10 gallons of water on the boat in case we camp in the boat overnight.

CAT Scale Weight #1) Front axle 4740 pounds, Rear axle 4840 pounds, and trailer/boat 15,700 pounds. Total 25,280 pounds.
CAT Scale Weight #2) Front axle 4740 pounds, Rear axle 5660 pounds, and trailer/boat 15,720 pounds. Total 26,120 pounds.

I always obtain tow permits and display Oversize Load signs and flags. But, in three years of towing twice a year, I have never been stopped, inspected, or asked to show permits.

As you can see from my CAT Scale measurements, with a bit of planning it is possible to stay under 26,000 pounds of actual weight.

With CAT Scale actual measurements, I think you can defend your position that using vehicle GVWR is arbitrary. In my case, GVWR for the F350 is 11,500 pounds, and is high by about 1000 pounds compared to actual measurements.

 

[Salty Gal]

Thanks for the actual weights and towing experience experience. It’s the GVWR tags on the vehicle and trailer, not the actual weight for the 26,000 GCWR limitations. I’m aware by reading forums online that many people hauling boats for personal use fail to get a CDL, but I don’t want to be stopped and told to park it during a trip. I did the ICW from SW FL to MD this past spring (1/3) of the trip to ME, and decided to get some warranty work done at Pocket Yachts in MD (excellent company by the way). Besides the cost of fuel, one has to account for marina fees and food, which doubles the amount spent on fuel (I spent $15,000 this Spring taking 6 weeks on the trip, stopping to enjoy myself). The Great Loop is a sprint and not my style of cruising. I have a very reasonable boat hauler that charges about $5,500 for FL to ME trip, about 1/3 of the cost of other commercial haulers. I’ve considered taking the boat by water up to Burlington VT from FL. I’m not excited about taking it up to Maine by way of NY, Long Island sound, and the MA, NH, and ME coast. The boat is too tender for that trip. I’ve logged over 10,000 NM cruising in a 36’ cape Dory sailboat (down to Mexico from San Diego and back up to the Bay Area), a 47’ Sealine in the Great Lakes for three seasons, 15 years on the Great Lakes in both the Cape Dory 36 and earlier in a Newport 28’ sailboat, and finally 5 years in a Rosborough 246 in Maine and in FL. I can definitely report that my 31CB is quite tender in anything over 2’ seas and 15 knots, both in the ocean and in the Chesapeake Bay. I choose my passages carefully based on weather windows while crossing sounds on the ICW, the Chesapeake Bay, and off the FL coast. I’d want a larger trawler or sailboat for a trip to ME by water. I’d be interested in hearing other opinions about folks on a 31CB or sedan who went by water from the Chesapeake Bay to ME.

 

[mlanger]

Two things to add here:

First, as someone else suggested, that trip up the coast would be fun. I've done from Stuart to Annapolis so far in my R-29 CB, solo, and enjoyed every minute of it. You can get up-to-date fuel prices on Waterway guide; plan your trips to stop where prices are best. They also have a ton of info about marinas and anchorages along the way. You could easily do it in a month if you have that kind of time.

Second, if cruising isn't for you (for whatever reason), I had my R-29 CB shipped from Olympia WA to Chicago IL last October for around $10K. I used Blue Earth Express, which is based in Florida. It's a shorter trip so it might come in cheaper for you. Email Jess at jess@blueearthexpress.com for a price quote. They did a great job for me and have tons of experience with Ranger Tugs.

 

[mlanger]

The Great Loop is a sprint and not my style of cruising.

A little off-topic for this thread, but I do want to mention here that the Great Loop is only a sprint if you make it a sprint. I've done 3,000 miles of it so far and rather than continue, I'm doubling back to Florida for the winter before finishing up in Chicago next September. I know other folks who have cruised the loop on and off for years, eventually crossing their wake.

Would love to discuss this with anyone interested -- but in another thread. Enough said here.

Also, you're right about Pocket Yacht in Chester, MD. That's where my boat is waiting for me; they did some work to repair a leak in the galley wall and install electronics for me. Great folks. (Sorry; also off topic.)

 

[KKRCRACE]

Salty Gal,
Who did you use to transport your boat from Florida to Maine ? Thanks for any information.
KKRCRACE

 

[Salty Gal]

I found a Ram 2500 Laramie that can tow close to 20,000 lbs., and my 31CB with 25% fuel (45 gal) and 3/4 full water tank and Float On trailer weighs 18,300 lbs. My rig is rated for 25,000 lbs. combined grow vehicle weight rating, less than the 26,000 combined CGVWR requiring a CDL. PM me for how I accomplished this. I pulled 12 permits using Mercury (50% more cost than doing it on my own, but this was my first time so I wanted the convenience and learning), one permit for each state I drove through from FL to ME. I went inland off I-95 to avoid the population centers of Philadelphia, DC, and NYC, which required a permit through WV and PA. I was pulled over once in VA for a permit check by the state highway patrol, and am glad I had permits, Oversize load banner on rear, Oversize magnetic sign on the front of my vehicle (purchased on Amazon - buy 3m double sided tape to keep it on and cut out holes for the vehicle camera system), and yellow rotating light for top of vehicle (required in a few states). Also had flags as required by the states (check each state requirements as some require flags on poles, others on widest points only, etc). Permits are good for 3-7 days depending on the state so plan your trip accordingly, and some do not allow travel on weekends or rainy days, which made for interesting challenges. We stayed at KOA campgrounds along the way driving 250-300 miles a day. The comments made by campers are unique (y’all put that thing in the water too?, I ain’t never seen a boat camper before, you’re ready for a flood I see…) and I reply along the lines of “why not have one towable for a camper and boat combined” and usually get a thumbs up, but sometimes just dumbfounded stares, mostly from the ones driving a huge RV towing a car. We’re happy with our 31CB boat camper and ready to get to the best cruising grounds faster.

 

[mlanger]

I found a Ram 2500 Laramie that can tow close to 20,000 lbs., and my 31CB with 25% fuel (45 gal) and 3/4 full water tank and Float On trailer weighs 18,300 lbs. My rig is rated for 25,000 lbs. combined grow vehicle weight rating, less than the 26,000 combined CGVWR requiring a CDL. PM me for how I accomplished this. I pulled 12 permits using Mercury (50% more cost than doing it on my own, but this was my first time so I wanted the convenience and learning), one permit for each state I drove through from FL to ME. I went inland off I-95 to avoid the population centers of Philadelphia, DC, and NYC, which required a permit through WV and PA. I was pulled over once in VA for a permit check by the state highway patrol, and am glad I had permits, Oversize load banner on rear, Oversize magnetic sign on the front of my vehicle (purchased on Amazon - buy 3m double sided tape to keep it on and cut out holes for the vehicle camera system), and yellow rotating light for top of vehicle (required in a few states). Also had flags as required by the states (check each state requirements as some require flags on poles, others on widest points only, etc). Permits are good for 3-7 days depending on the state so plan your trip accordingly, and some do not allow travel on weekends or rainy days, which made for interesting challenges. We stayed at KOA campgrounds along the way driving 250-300 miles a day. The comments made by campers are unique (y’all put that thing in the water too?, I ain’t never seen a boat camper before, you’re ready for a flood I see…) and I reply along the lines of “why not have one towable for a camper and boat combined” and usually get a thumbs up, but sometimes just dumbfounded stares, mostly from the ones driving a huge RV towing a car. We’re happy with our 31CB boat camper and ready to get to the best cruising grounds faster.

This info is timely for me as I prepare to tow my R-29 CB from Chicago to Anacortes (in WA). I'm going to use JJ Keller for permits, but can you provide contact info for the company you used so I can compare? I have a Ford F350 SuperDuty Diesel with 4WD and it's pulled some heavy loads before, so I'm not worried. I think my boat is lighter than yours by enough that the weight limit for a regular license should not apply, but I'll learn more soon. I planned on staying at truck stops overnight; I'm not interested in venturing far from the freeway and don't mind truckers. I don't want to camp in my boat; I just want to get it into the water and camp there. I might message you if I have questions. Thanks for posting this update!

Maria

 

[Salty Gal]

It was great to meet you in person during your trip. I was reading past posts and came across your question, so I thought I’d respond, though somewhat late. I used a company called Mercury for my permits. They give a discount for Boat/US members. I saved 50% by getting all my permits myself on the return trip from ME to FL in the Fall of 2024. There was only one state that requires an agent, otherwise it was possible to sign up online for the permit for each state, albeit somewhat of a learning curve on some websites. Most are straightforward though. It’s advisable to obtain permits not more than 1 week out for each leg, otherwise, they might ask you to wait until closer to the date of actual movement through that particular state.