Trailer Recommendations for Freedom 285

[DennisG01]

Rusty, If I got the boat back to Northern Michigan and was traveling short distances on more rural roads to and from boat ramps, would that be ok? I realize the 1400 mile trek from FL to MI needs a bigger rig.

This is a big grey area with multiple answers depending on exactly what you mean.

For example... my trailer gets used twice a season in salt water - and it travels about 5 miles each way in very rural areas with little traffic. That's horrible for the braking system as everything freezes up during non use and then grounds the trailer.

I took the brakes off and exchanged the braking coupler for a non-braking unit. Now I have no worries of getting stranded, other than from an actual breakage or bearings, of course.

As long as the carrying capacity of the trailer is at least close to your boat weight - for short trips like I'm talking about - you'll be fine.

The same goes for the tow vehicle - as long as you're not grossly underrated, you'll be fine

 

[deminimis]

Since we are planning on a 285 (or the other guy's 306) and towing it, I find this thread interesting. Although I've never towed a triple axle boat trailer, it doesn't stop me from having a wee bit of insight. Our 34' beast of a triple axle axle trailer tows like a dream. Loaded, we're pretty close in weight with the GW (more). The difference between using a WDH and not, is very significant. Our 32' boat (40' mast), with well-positioned tandem axles, porpoises noticeably over bridge expansion joints, etc. The boat is significantly lighter than our travel travel and the GW. No WDH. I've run them both cross country and then some. So with that, for us, a triple axle boat trailer is a no-brainer. EOH and a WDH is also the plan. Of course, your knotage may vary.