Trailer Recommendations for Freedom 285

[kas919]

I am curious If there are any production trailers out there that would accommodate the Freedom 285 and its wide beam? I've seen a few nice looking used trailers on Facebook marketplace with a capacity of 11 to 12,000 lb but I just don't know if they would be wide enough. If anybody has a trailer or knows of a trailer that has proven itself with the 285 I'd love to know. Thank you

 

[family affair]

At 9.5', a 285 isn't that wide. Most trailers with capacities north of 10k lbs are trailering boats with that beam or more. There should be plenty of trailers that can work. The more important question is which one isn't using garbage brakes and axles with proprietary mounts that require you to go back to the garbage manufacturer because only their garbage will mount to the trailer. Ask me how I know about said garbage!

 

[DennisG01]

I think you are thinking that you need the trailer to be as wide as your boat? That is not true. An 8-1/2' wide trailer is the norm and all you need. The boat will be wider than the trailer, but that's normal she you're trailering an override boat. You'll be totally totally fine.

Measure your boat (or look at the specs)... you need to know the wet weight and the distance from the bow eye to the garboard drain plug. With that, you can find a trailer that will fit.

You may need to move the axles, though, for the proper weight distribution and tongue weight.

 

[kas919]

At 9.5', a 285 isn't that wide. Most trailers with capacities north of 10k lbs are trailering boats with that beam or more. There should be plenty of trailers that can work. The more important question is which one isn't using garbage brakes and axles with proprietary mounts that require you to go back to the garbage manufacturer because only their garbage will mount to the trailer. Ask me how I know about said garbage!

I have a line on a 2023 BlueFin Trailer tandem axle 12000 lb w hydraulic brakes. The owner is going to send me some measurements. Thnx

 

[family affair]

I have a line on a 2023 BlueFin Trailer tandem axle 12000 lb w hydraulic brakes. The owner is going to send me some measurements. Thnx

I don't know anything about them. Be sure to find out what brand of axle and brakes are used on that model. Then search for that brand. If they have a bad rep, run.

 

[DennisG01]

Does it have brakes on all axles? That's important.

FYI, at that weight, getting/adding EOH brakes should be something to consider.

Is your tow vehicle up to the task, including the hitch?

 

[kas919]

Does it have brakes on all axles? That's important.

FYI, at that weight, getting/adding EOH brakes should be something to consider.

Is your tow vehicle up to the task, including the hitch?

At Present tow vehicle is lacking. I have a 2023 Ford f150 Lariat w Eco and Max Tow showing capacity at 13800, but I dont think I want to spend 1400 miles on the highway. I could take a week to go that distance...back rds and a few hundred miles a day. The amount of time I would be towing it would be minimal. For the long hauls I might look into 3/4 ton one way rental. Here is a screen shot of my rigs towin. It would just be me in the truck with a few totes of clothes. Thanks for all your kinowledge Dennis

 

[family affair]

I own a an 18 f150 Eco, max tow, SCREW, short bed. With the Islander fully fueled and watered, I'm at 10k lbs. Power and stopping are no issue. Be sure to use 91+ octane. I turn off 8th-10th gear on the freeway for best mpg and minimizing shifting. However, weight distribution is critical. Too much tongue weight and the truck rides terribly rough. Too little and it will porpoise on the freeway and sway. For my short bed, 500-600 lbs of tongue weight works well. If you have a long bed, it might be more forgiving. Be aware that tongue weight for a boat trailer is much less than a travel trailer. Most aluminum trailer manufacturers recommend 5-7%.

 

[DennisG01]

I know what you mean. My son has a 3/4 ton Ram Cummins and his max trailering weight is about 17K. Based on those numbers, the Ford is only about 3K shy of the Ram... and that just doesn't seem right!

 

[family affair]

I know what you mean. My son has a 3/4 ton Ram Cummins and his max trailering weight is about 17K. Based on those numbers, the Ford is only about 3K shy of the Ram... and that just doesn't seem right!

Yet the f150 has about as much or more payload than the Ram 2500. Me thinks Ram is sandbagging to keep registration costs down, and Ford is swinging for the fences! Although the unloaded ride in my truck would make you think the Ford is sandbagging too - until you put 700 + lbs on the ball.

 

[DennisG01]

Yet the f150 has about as much or more payload than the Ram 2500. Me thinks Ram is sandbagging to keep registration costs down, and Ford is swinging for the fences! Although the unloaded ride in my truck would make you think the Ford is sandbagging too - until you put 700 + lbs on the ball.

Hmmm... maybe you're on to something - sticking under 26K?

The 10-speed tranny certainly helps Ford get the numbers up, as well.

 

[family affair]

I had read Ram was losing sales because 2500 payloads were so low, despite owners going way beyond rated payload without issue. Ram considered revising the numbers. They probably will, then have customers b!tch about registration costs going up! You can't make them all happy.

 

[kas919]

I own a an 18 f150 Eco, max tow, SCREW, short bed. With the Islander fully fueled and watered, I'm at 10k lbs. Power and stopping are no issue. Be sure to use 91+ octane. I turn off 8th-10th gear on the freeway for best mpg and minimizing shifting. However, weight distribution is critical. Too much tongue weight and the truck rides terribly rough. Too little and it will porpoise on the freeway and sway. For my short bed, 500-600 lbs of tongue weight works well. If you have a long bed, it might be more forgiving. Be aware that tongue weight for a boat trailer is much less than a travel trailer. Most aluminum trailer manufacturers recommend 5-7%.View attachment 38529

What do you think about using a weight dist hitch. The weigh safe with a tongue weight gauge looks interesting

 

[family affair]

Most boat trailers can't handle the loads induced to them from a WD hitch. It also becomes a PIA when launching.
When you start towing things that heavy, knowing your numbers is critical to good handling. Weigh safe is a good idea, but once your trailer is set up, you probably won't need it again for the boat. However, considering the cost of a problem, the hitch can be $ well spent.

 

[DennisG01]

I trailer not only my own boats, but lot's of boats through the business - a good amount are heavier than what you're looking at, as well. Personally, I wouldn't invest in any fancy weight scale things built into a hitch. I just don't trust that it's as strong as a hitch bar without that built in. I could be wrong - but that's my thought.

A better way to go would be a tongue weight scale. However, with a little mechanical leverage, you can use a regular bathroom scale to weigh things that are well above the bathroom scale's ability.

Regarding WD hitches... I've never used them - in addition to what was mentioned by Family, I had found it hard to get it to work properly given the surge brake actuator.

To quickly revisit... highly consider EOH. Once you go EOH, you won't want to go back to slow/unresponsive surge brakes! Although, switching to EOH may bring WD back into the picture, if you want.

If the trailer doesn't have brakes on all axles, does it have the backing plates to add brakes? In some states it's required by law to have brakes at all wheels.

Side note... I take trailering safety very seriously. I HIGHLY suggest you take time to get used to it - find an empty parking lot or stretch of road and progressively brake harder and harder from faster and faster speeds. Even go so far as to do "emergency lane change" maneuver's at about 45MPH... then do it harder... then do it harder again. It's important to know how the rig will react BEFORE you are in that situation for real.

 

[Aldis1ne]

The Freedom 285 is definitely on the wider side, so a lot of the standard production trailers (even ones rated 11–12,000 lb) might handle the weight, but width compatibility is the real issue.
Most conventional equipment trailers are 8.5 ft (102”) wide. That’ll work for a lot of cargo, but a Freedom 285 has a wide beam—so you want to make sure the trailer deck is wide enough that the boat doesn’t overhang the fenders too much or require super-wide tie-downs.

 

[kas919]

I trailer not only my own boats, but lot's of boats through the business - a good amount are heavier than what you're looking at, as well. Personally, I wouldn't invest in any fancy weight scale things built into a hitch. I just don't trust that it's as strong as a hitch bar without that built in. I could be wrong - but that's my thought.

A better way to go would be a tongue weight scale. However, with a little mechanical leverage, you can use a regular bathroom scale to weigh things that are well above the bathroom scale's ability.

Regarding WD hitches... I've never used them - in addition to what was mentioned by Family, I had found it hard to get it to work properly given the surge brake actuator.

To quickly revisit... highly consider EOH. Once you go EOH, you won't want to go back to slow/unresponsive surge brakes! Although, switching to EOH may bring WD back into the picture, if you want.

If the trailer doesn't have brakes on all axles, does it have the backing plates to add brakes? In some states it's required by law to have brakes at all wheels.

Side note... I take trailering safety very seriously. I HIGHLY suggest you take time to get used to it - find an empty parking lot or stretch of road and progressively brake harder and harder from faster and faster speeds. Even go so far as to do "emergency lane change" maneuver's at about 45MPH... then do it harder... then do it harder again. It's important to know how the rig will react BEFORE you are in that situation for real.

Dennis. Thank you again for all of your information and knowledge. I truly appreciate it. With everything that you've said and what others have said, I definitely will be buying a trailer with EOH.. I actually got a quote yesterday on an All Marine. Triple axle. 15000 GVWR with EOH, which I know is extreme overkill, but the price really was not that surprising to me. It was less than actually some of the tandem axle trailers that I've been looking at, and this would be a new custom build as well.