Recent content by family affair

It is a massive area that should have been used by GW for some purpose other than an aux tank. With 4 strokes, the 248/258 had plenty of range on the main. The challenges you will have is how to execute the installation while keeping it convenient to use and water tight. If you have a lot of...

Are these the newer 4.2 v6s or the early 2000s vintage v6? If the older, you will have the same issues as the OP of the thread. It's the same engine. If newer, you won't have as much of an issue since the engines are much lighter, but it is still more weight than the boat was designed for. Also...

This is close to what we want: Kas, sorry for taking this off the rails, but we all might learn something of value from the discussion. Otherwise, I might have to walk through the snow to my garage and stare at my boat because I don't have much else to do! :)

Good thing my wife doesn't read this forum. Otherwise she would have evidence to support this statement! :) Ive done this multiple times with my own trailer. Some brands make this easy. As for the math, it should be a simple free body diagram, but I don't have the time ATM to make one for this...

I'm not sure I follow the your thought. I wouldn't think it would need to change. If you take a triaxle and remove the center axle to make it a tandem, your weight distribution shouldn't be far off. I would think only a minor change would be required to get the right tongue weight. Otherwise...

As long as the center of mass is smack in the middle of the 2 axles, weight distribution can be 50/50 regardless of spacing.

Hey Dennis, With all of your trailer experience, have you ever seen a tandem with the axles further apart for stability? If so, did it make a worthwhile improvement?

Just curious. Have you owned both? From my experience, it didn't matter enough to notice the difference in maneuverability. Yes, it is more maintenance, but the tri-axles do seem to be more stable. He needs that.

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...

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.:D

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. :(

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...

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.

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...

Coming from a guy that is not averse to risk, I would not run a LiPo direct off your engines unless they are Mercs blessed by Merc to run lithium. I put in a lot of time on the subject to determine if it would be an issue. It likely wouldn't, but there are a lot of variables the average Joe...