Towing our R-29 out West!

S

Spirit of Gratitude

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
334
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Hull Identification Number
R2924
Vessel Name
Spirit of Gratitude
MMSI Number
338105727
I wanted to post on the subject of towing a R-29 in case anyone has wondered about it. I have other post on towing Spirit of Gratitude that some of you may have seen already.
It is just really important to me to once again, stress how easy it really is. I left Colorado at 7:00am (sunrise), And drove all the way to Barstow CA. I spent the night in the boat and again at sunrise took off and was in the water by 10:00am at Channel Islands Harbor in Southern CA . Driving with a oversize permit only allows one to drive during daylight hours. I think there is some exceptions in some states though. It's always nice to stop and rest. After all I was towing the best hotel that money can buy right behind me. We climbed aboard cooked dinner and then crawled into bed to watch a movie on HBO. Yes it is the good life!
It takes one phone call to get all the permits I needed for all the states. They cost just over a $100.00 and they email them to me within 24hrs. The 3/4 ton Dodge has no problem towing the load. 60mph up the hills passing big trucks was easy as pie. The tranny temp never went over 180 F, and engine temp was always normal, even when it was 100 F outside and yes the air conditioning was on full blast. This is the second time I have towed our boat a long distance. The second time was so much easier then the first because I knew more of how it was going to feel from the first long trip. The first trip was pretty easy also but it does take a little getting used to how it is all suppose to feel.
I am also very impressed with the trailer breaks on the float-on trailer. The stopping power is excellent! That is truly a must, for after all it is about 14,000lbs I have behind me. That includes the trailer!
It was a very easy trip and I will say once again that I will tow my R-29 anywhere! It is so nice to have a yacht that you can do that with. Thanks again John Livingston for creating such a cool boat!
Stuart.... Spirit of Gratitude 🙂
 
Sounds like a great trip! Are those electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes on your trailer?
 
Yes, they are electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes. What is kind of cool about them is that if one is needing to slow down fast at some point, (traffic maybe) you can apply your breaks in the truck and then reach down to the break controller and slide the toggle lever a bit and it will apply more trailer breaks only if you need.
Now I will say that if one finds themselves in traffic then you could just turn the sensitivity up on your break controller. There is a real balance that you are looking for. I do not want to ware out my breaks or tires from having them adjusted to high. To high can cause you to lock up the trailer breaks causing flat spots on your tires. (Not good).
I keep mine set where everything works well together. If I need a bit more because some car just cut in front of me (and they will) Then I just hit the toggle. Very easy. When in heavy traffic you just need to run the truck&trailer like you run a boat or airplane. You want to be thinking ahead of what you are driving or flying. It is all about paying attention! It is like what I taught my son when he was learning to drive. Expect everyone around you to screw up because someday they will and if you are looking for it then you are well ahead of the game and can respond with more awareness in the moment.
I in general do not use a whole lot of breaks and what I mean by that is I am always looking ahead and starting to slow down by letting off the gas if I see the a light up ahead has turned red. Most times I have never hit my breaks and the light in green by the time I get there. The truck and trailer slow down pretty good on there own with no help from me. Even going down hills I find myself letting off the gas, and that is more then enough. I would never want to ride my breaks all the way down. That would heat them up and cause excessive wear.
Well that was more of a answer then you were probably looking for.

Stuart... Spirit of Gratitude
 
Thanks, Stuart,
I enjoyed your detailed narrative about everyday towing of an R-29 on the highways and streets. Hasn't been too much of that on this website. I suspect that the majority of R-29 owners keep their tugs in the water and don't trailer. It's refreshing to hear that it's $100 and 24 hours to get all trip permits, as I had a question about bootlegging the R-29 without permits, and wondering how heavy a traffic fine that might entail, if you're caught. Better safe than sorry.
And you're definitely spot on, about the finest hotel room on the highway, when you pull over and sleep in the R-29.
Charles
 
I have thought of the same thing about just not getting them. But the truth of the matter is that if I can afford a R-29 then I can afford the permits. The other thing is what if you were to have a fender bender? And then my boat insurance said well you are not covered because you were traveling without permits. It is just not worth the risk for me. I mean what the hell we will go out and not even think twice about spending that kind of money on dinner right?
I enjoy peace of mind. It helps me live in a Spirit of Gratitude. 😎

i am happy to talk to anyone in great detail about towing a R-29 . If you PM me I will give you my phone #

Stuart
 
Welcome to the West!

Sent you a PM to say "Hi" and left phone numbers if you need anything. Where in the marina are you staying? The gloomy weather is supposed to burn off later this week...

Take care,

Eric and Liz
 
Sorry, I have been out of reach for the last 24 hours.
I am 5NM off the west end of Catalina island. I left Santa Cruz island At 5am Mon morning. Found out they do not allow dogs on the island because it is a national park. I have not taught my dog how to go potty on the swim step yet. So I said what the hell I will go over to Catalina where they are dog friendly.
My dog Winslow is intensely looking at the island wondering when we are getting there. Soon Winslow soon!

Stuart... Spirit of Gratitude
 
Keep a towel that has urine on it (wipe up after Winslow sometime) in a plastic bag (probably double bagged) stashed in the locker... IF Winslow is ever caught offshore and needing to go, lay it out in the cockpit for him to go on... Usually the odor will trigger the urge to void on the same spot the smell is from...
 
Thanks for the advice Denny-o! I started researching it last night on the internet and between your advise and that I now have starting point. I like your thoughts on it.
I will give it a try. He is a smart dog and it should not be to big of a problem.
It was kind of funny yesterday. Here we were off the coast about 50 miles with no sight of land and cruising at 6.5kts. I pulled up the carpet in the cockpit and started to mark a few spots myself. Thank God it was a flat ocean.
I guess he did not have to go bad enough. He never once even looked like he was having a hard time. Although he was excited to see land again. He held it for almost 20 hours. I could not ever do that. When I got him to the beach on the west end of Catalina Island he acted like he always does. It took him a few min for him the find just the right spot. Then he just wanted to play. Dogs are great!
When my wife comes next week she is bringing one of those fake grass pads that some boaters swear by. We will just have to add it to the swim step while cruising. Oh Boy! A new trick we all have to learn.
Never a dull moment while boating. I think that is why I love it so much.

Thanks again for your advice Denny-o

Stuart,,, In a Spirit of Gratitude to you!
 
Very good article. Thanks so much!

Now even deeper in the Spirit of Gratitude!

Stuart 🙂

 
Stuart,
As we continue to move forward with putting a trailer under Karma, could you please provide me with the number that you call for your oversize permits?

Another question is, where do you get the "over size load" banner that you secure to the stern of Spirit when you are towing?

Thank you,
David
 
Hi David,
The number for the permit Co. is 573-638-3600. You will need to have you travel dates, your route through each state, ready for them when you call. They will email or fax your permits to you. Whatever you wish. Give yourself a couple days leeway.
You can get oversize signs at Granger. You may also find them at Harbor fright co. I only put one on the back.

Where are you going to bring Karma?

Call me if you wish... 970-946-3156
 
Stuart,
Well,,,,,,,, if she does not sell this weekend (there is one very interested buyer right now), we will be taking her back to the PNW for the summer at the very least. From there who knows? Perhaps the Channel Islands, Lake Powell, Catalina.....

Thanks for the info!
David
 
Stuart,
Since you are towing your R-29 with a Dodge PU, I would assume you have the same towing package that our Dodge 3500 has. If you have modified it, could you please let me know what you did to it? (Possibly include a picture?)

Also, what type of receiver are you using. All of the receivers I have found state they have a maximum rating of 10,000. Since I would guess the R-29 comes in over 12,000 with trailer and gear, I would be concerned using one of these.
Thanks,
David
 
Karma":3o4ysaiz said:
Stuart,
Since you are towing your R-29 with a Dodge PU, I would assume you have the same towing package that our Dodge 3500 has. If you have modified it, could you please let me know what you did to it? (Possibly include a picture?)

Also, what type of receiver are you using. All of the receivers I have found state they have a maximum rating of 10,000. Since I would guess the R-29 comes in over 12,000 with trailer and gear, I would be concerned using one of these.
Thanks,
David
Click to expand...

Go to Etrailer.com I found rated draw bars up to 16,000 in the 2 inch size. Locally I usually find only 5-10K ratings.
 
Thanks Herb!

Found just what I need at a very reasonable price!
 
David,
I have a heavy duty class four that came with my truck. It is good for 12,000lbs My boat and trailer is over that but it does just fine. It is plenty good for the job. If I had a real heavy tongue weight or was even heavier than I am, then i would consider getting a class five.
There is just no need for it. Everything works really great.

Did you go with a float-on trailer? It weighs almost 1500lbs less then the EZ Loader.The float-on is the best trailer I have ever owned.
I am not sure how you have Karma loaded but if you have the generator,tools,dinghies, and all kinds of extra goodies then you are going to be pulling well over 12,000lbs.
I do not have my boat loaded with all kinds of extra goodies, and with trailer and boat I am at 14,000lbs with no water,waist,and only 15gal of fuel on board. I tow this way when I go longer distances. I will tow it full of fuel when local which is an extra 1200lbs on board.
My float-on trailer weighs only 1800lbs. You need to know that the dry weight that Ranger states (9250lbs) is before they even put a bed,vhf radio,radar, and so on, on the boat. It is not a true number that anyone should go by.
If your Dodge 3500 is a heavy duty, I would think you should be set up just fine for towing Karma. If you have a ez loader trailer and you have as much stuff as Zuma has on board then you need to figure your weight will be well over 16,000lbs. If this is the case then get a class five receiver for sure.
I have said this before and I will say it again. The boat tows fantastic. I did put airbags on the Dodge and that helped with the very little bounce I would get between the truck and trailer when hitting a bump. Now I do not have any of that. There is no sway because of the triple axle trailer. It is truly a very easy tow from my perspective.
Coming back from California last month I was going neck and neck with a older retired couple with a 3500 dodge towing a fifth wheel (16,800lbs) at 70mph up hills with no sweat. We were both having fun admiring each others toys. When we stopped at Mcdonalds we had a chance to meet and compare notes. His truck had a chip also but he was not using it for this trip. The dodge is one hell of a towing vehicle!
Anyway, hope I have been of some help to you,
Stu
 
Stuart,
We run a 3500 dually with a six speed standard transmission. As well as the six speed standard, we have an exhaust brake. So, for the truck, I am not overly concerned with its ability to tow. The concern is with the hitch. I order a ball and receiver today rated at 16,000# plus. We should now be good. We did order the aluminum trailer just for the weight savings. When we weighed our truck with the "stuff" that we took off of Karma, we came up with a difference of 1,000# difference.

With that said, we should come in around 12,000 to 13,000 lbs. I found a store here in Fairbanks that sells the oversize banners and flags at a very reasonable price...... Now, I think I have everything.

We will pick up the trailer Sunday morning and head for the Bay Area. We will load Karma on our new trailer Monday afternoon. Two weeks later, it is off to Lake Shasta for a week. From there, we will continue our trip north.

Aw, the join of owning a boat! Life is no more than one long adventure!
 
David,
If you have the ez loader aluminum trailer it weighs 3300lbs. If you have a float-on it will weigh 1800lbs. I know that ez loader started building aluminum trailers for Ranger to compete but I ran the numbers a while back and they still weighed a lot more.
You are going to weigh more then you think. I weighed mine on the way home from Seattle last year when I had nothing in it, and it was 13,920lbs.(boat&trailer only) No liquids on board except 15 gals of fuel. I still have the paperwork from a certified scale.
I would suggest you do the same just so you know what weight you are pulling. I think you will be surprised.

Stuart

P.S. I know you know that the truck can handle the weight. I just like to brag on the dodge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top