I recently purchased a '74 Ty Weekender - hull #1537 and a trailer. The Ty is on Allatoona Lake near Atlanta, GA. The trailer is in Houston, TX. I am in Austin, TX.
I'm anxious to go retrieve my trailer and boat, but needless to say I have a lot of planning (and trailering) to do.
First of all, I will be going to Houston to retrieve the trailer by itself. It is a single-axle, steel trailer that was made for a Ty Weekender by its previous owner. After towing it home, I will make it ready for the 1000 mile trip (trailer only) to Atlanta and the 1000 mile trip home with boat. My towing vehicle is a 1/2 ton GMC pickup.
What advice can you offer me on preparing the boat and trailer for the trip? Any tips on pulling the trailer w/o boat? Any and all advice is welcome as I do have experience sailing, but not trailering, especially not cross-country.
Thanks in advance for your help. I have already read countless posts on this site and have found it truly invaluable. I hope soon to be contributing as well.
Ron Ellis
Austin/Port Aransas, TX
tophat@io.com
New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Larry DeMers
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
I trailered a 20ft. C-Scow around Minn. and Wisc. for 18 years, and in summary of those years..it isn't too hard to do. First thing is to check out the trailers wheels, tires and bearings. In fact, I would replace the bearings and have them repacked with grease in front of you so that you can see how it should be done. Take spare bearings and grease with you in a breakdown kit. Also tire changing gear. Make sure the spare tire is good and inflated properly as are all tires on towing vehicle and trailer. Check the lights out for proper operation. Make certain that the trailer is licensed properly.
Once the trailer is home, take it to a parking lot on Sunday (presuming the lot to be empty), and practice backing and turning the rig with trailer. With your truck you may not be able to see the trailer due to the tail gate. A solution is to drop the tail gate down..or attach a white fiberglass antenna with flag at it's top to the trailer back end. Then use this as your guide for backing. The knowledge of how to back a trailer is not a trivial matter. I punched two 1 ft. round holes in the right and left corners of my Toyota Land Cruiser (years ago) by turning too sharply while unloading my pontoon trailer. I did not know how to back the rig, had the pontoon too close to the truck so that when it was turned sharply, it simply pushed through the metal with ease. Learn the turn radius, and other quirks of the trailer.
When the boat is loaded ont he trailer, test drive it to see if the wieght distribution is right. What you will feel if the boat is moved too far forward is the trailer will fish tail on you at speeds above say 40 mph. The cure? Move the boat back six inches or so. If the boat is too far back, the tongue will want to lift off the ball. Move the boat forward, until about 40 -50 lbs rests on the hitch. (The actual number is a percentage of the total weight).
Get a good tight fitting cover for the boat, and put it on, then place straps across over the boat to keep the top from lifting up in the slipstream. This lifting up will tear it off eventually. Use rope going across the boat's top to hold the cover down tight. Make it a neat and tighly constrained package. Remove the outboard engine from the motor mount also, you do not want that weight out there, and it would be appealing to a thief at night (assuming you stop for sleep).
That's a brain drain on what I can remember to be things I worried about when trailering. I wish you luck and a glitch free trip!~
Enjoy your Ty..she is a great boat with nice lines. A Cape Dory, of course!
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~Still frozen solid on Lake Superior~~~
Larry DeMers
demers@sgi.com
Once the trailer is home, take it to a parking lot on Sunday (presuming the lot to be empty), and practice backing and turning the rig with trailer. With your truck you may not be able to see the trailer due to the tail gate. A solution is to drop the tail gate down..or attach a white fiberglass antenna with flag at it's top to the trailer back end. Then use this as your guide for backing. The knowledge of how to back a trailer is not a trivial matter. I punched two 1 ft. round holes in the right and left corners of my Toyota Land Cruiser (years ago) by turning too sharply while unloading my pontoon trailer. I did not know how to back the rig, had the pontoon too close to the truck so that when it was turned sharply, it simply pushed through the metal with ease. Learn the turn radius, and other quirks of the trailer.
When the boat is loaded ont he trailer, test drive it to see if the wieght distribution is right. What you will feel if the boat is moved too far forward is the trailer will fish tail on you at speeds above say 40 mph. The cure? Move the boat back six inches or so. If the boat is too far back, the tongue will want to lift off the ball. Move the boat forward, until about 40 -50 lbs rests on the hitch. (The actual number is a percentage of the total weight).
Get a good tight fitting cover for the boat, and put it on, then place straps across over the boat to keep the top from lifting up in the slipstream. This lifting up will tear it off eventually. Use rope going across the boat's top to hold the cover down tight. Make it a neat and tighly constrained package. Remove the outboard engine from the motor mount also, you do not want that weight out there, and it would be appealing to a thief at night (assuming you stop for sleep).
That's a brain drain on what I can remember to be things I worried about when trailering. I wish you luck and a glitch free trip!~
Enjoy your Ty..she is a great boat with nice lines. A Cape Dory, of course!
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~Still frozen solid on Lake Superior~~~
Larry DeMers
Ron Ellis wrote: I recently purchased a '74 Ty Weekender - hull #1537 and a trailer. The Ty is on Allatoona Lake near Atlanta, GA. The trailer is in Houston, TX. I am in Austin, TX.
I'm anxious to go retrieve my trailer and boat, but needless to say I have a lot of planning (and trailering) to do.
First of all, I will be going to Houston to retrieve the trailer by itself. It is a single-axle, steel trailer that was made for a Ty Weekender by its previous owner. After towing it home, I will make it ready for the 1000 mile trip (trailer only) to Atlanta and the 1000 mile trip home with boat. My towing vehicle is a 1/2 ton GMC pickup.
What advice can you offer me on preparing the boat and trailer for the trip? Any tips on pulling the trailer w/o boat? Any and all advice is welcome as I do have experience sailing, but not trailering, especially not cross-country.
Thanks in advance for your help. I have already read countless posts on this site and have found it truly invaluable. I hope soon to be contributing as well.
Ron Ellis
Austin/Port Aransas, TX
demers@sgi.com
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Jonathan Dodge
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
Ron:
I pulled my Typhoon from Texas back to Minnesota. Pulled her back with 3/4 ton Chev. PU, we were able to drive 60-65 MPH the whole trip home. What I did for the trip:
1. New tires, spare and wheel bearings. (much cheeper than a tow)
2. Heavy duty jack, large fire extinguisher.
3. Check your auto insurance My policy covered what I was towing.
4. Check the lights. If you are having problems it is safer and
faster to replace the lights and wiring harness. My lights
sat low on the trailer. Think about raising them up so drivers
have a bettre visual line.
Good luck with your trip. Bring along a driving partner, its safer and more enjoyable.
Jonathan Dodge
"Lion's Whelp"
1979 Typhoon
Lindstrom, MN
Jonathan.D.Dodge@HealthPartners.com
I pulled my Typhoon from Texas back to Minnesota. Pulled her back with 3/4 ton Chev. PU, we were able to drive 60-65 MPH the whole trip home. What I did for the trip:
1. New tires, spare and wheel bearings. (much cheeper than a tow)
2. Heavy duty jack, large fire extinguisher.
3. Check your auto insurance My policy covered what I was towing.
4. Check the lights. If you are having problems it is safer and
faster to replace the lights and wiring harness. My lights
sat low on the trailer. Think about raising them up so drivers
have a bettre visual line.
Good luck with your trip. Bring along a driving partner, its safer and more enjoyable.
Jonathan Dodge
"Lion's Whelp"
1979 Typhoon
Lindstrom, MN
Jonathan.D.Dodge@HealthPartners.com
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Art
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
The #1 problem is old tires #2 is a very close second it is the wheel bearings. They sit for long periods of time with water in them. Then when I am called to help we find we cannot pull the old bearing off without a torch because the inner race has rusted solid to the axel shaft. This is a VERY commond problem. Make sure you can pull the bearings off by HAND. Lightly Sand down the axel to remove all rust and coat with greese. The new bearings should slip on by hand. Never over tighten the nut. Tapered bearings are made to take a great radial load Not a side load from the nut. Checking and lubing bearings is not a hard job. It would be a great feather in your hat if you learn this job. If you ever get to Mobile lets talk Boats Art
KEARConner@aol.com
KEARConner@aol.com
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Skip Nichols
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
My experience over the years as a State Trooper working crashes involving trailers, even the big 18 wheeler rigs, has often been the result of the most simple rule in trailering--- swing your corners wide when making turns going forward. If you don't, it will get you everytime. Been there and done that with mine, but fortunately without damage.
Skip Nichols
Hannibal, Missouri
snichols@dstream.net
Skip Nichols
Hannibal, Missouri
snichols@dstream.net
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david low
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
A lot of really good comments - particularly about the bearings. Get them adjusted and repacked before your trip. Three of us hauled a 30 footer from Richmond to Key West for Race Week. Got as far as Florence SC before we lost a bearing and a spindle on a BRAND NEW 4 WHEEL TRAILER !!!. Problem - bearing was adjusted too tight. Without the help of some great people in the area (machinist, mechanic, welder and a lot of interested bystanders) we would never have made the regatta.
A few other suggestions...
Dont drive too fast - a trailer for a small boat likely has very small wheels. The wheels will need to spin a lot faster than your truck tires...faster spin = more heat; more heat = more chance to burn them up.
For the first hour or so, stop frequently and feel the bearing and look for grease oozing out of bearing cap. If too hot, drive slow to a garage and get them checked. What is too hot?? damned if I know but if you can keep your hand on the bearing housings without discomfort you are probably okay.
With attention to driving and equipment, you will do fine.
davidlow@erols.com
A few other suggestions...
Dont drive too fast - a trailer for a small boat likely has very small wheels. The wheels will need to spin a lot faster than your truck tires...faster spin = more heat; more heat = more chance to burn them up.
For the first hour or so, stop frequently and feel the bearing and look for grease oozing out of bearing cap. If too hot, drive slow to a garage and get them checked. What is too hot?? damned if I know but if you can keep your hand on the bearing housings without discomfort you are probably okay.
With attention to driving and equipment, you will do fine.
davidlow@erols.com
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Ken Coit
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
All previous advice seems realtively sound. Only my brother-in-law has managed to cut a corner too closely, but I have other experiences that overshadow that one. I think the tongue weight wants to be about 10% of the whole rig. You may need an equalizing hitch depending on your tow vehicle's tolerance to weight on the back.
We have trailed a Catalina 22 from coast to coast without any terribly exciting times by having excellent tires, good bearings, bearing buddys so we could re-up the grease without disassembly, new lights, lots of inspection stops, and prayer. It would have helped to pay closer attention to the supports for the boat. It turns out that bolts move in slots no matter how tight you think you can get them if the slots are aligned with the forces involved. Each bounce is like a sledge hammer hitting from a greater distance each time. And, of course, the bolts don't return to their original position once they have moved. This was a swing keel Catalina 22 which, unlike the Ty, was not supported by the keel. Eventually the supports for the middle of the bunk were driven away from the hull and the boat was suspended from its ends. We jacked the middle back into place and blocked it up as best we could on the road. We had to retrofit in a rest stop parking lot on the NJ Turnpike on the way to NH from NC on a hot July day; it was not fun. I never did weld the supports, but I did end up fitting in some additional steel to act as stops. That's my war story.
We also trail a '79 Grady White 204C. It now has a new commercial trailer under it. The trailer that came with the boat was home-brewed but looked OK. We trailed it only a hundred miles or so before we delivered the boat for repowering. The dealer called a few days later to indicate that they had a problem; as they were towing it out of the yard to the shop one of the wheels had collapsed. I suggest you take a very careful look at the trailer to make certain it has not rusted from the inside out. You don't want your gorgeous Ty passing you on the highway.
I suggest you glance at Chapman's chapter on Trailering. One book that is devoted to trailering is: "The complete book of boat trailering; a boatman's guide to trailer selection, use, and maintenance" by Tom Bottomley. It is out of print, but you can find used copies at: http://used.addall.com. They run about $10.50 plus S&H.
Happy Trailering!
Ken Coit
parfait@nc.rr.com
We have trailed a Catalina 22 from coast to coast without any terribly exciting times by having excellent tires, good bearings, bearing buddys so we could re-up the grease without disassembly, new lights, lots of inspection stops, and prayer. It would have helped to pay closer attention to the supports for the boat. It turns out that bolts move in slots no matter how tight you think you can get them if the slots are aligned with the forces involved. Each bounce is like a sledge hammer hitting from a greater distance each time. And, of course, the bolts don't return to their original position once they have moved. This was a swing keel Catalina 22 which, unlike the Ty, was not supported by the keel. Eventually the supports for the middle of the bunk were driven away from the hull and the boat was suspended from its ends. We jacked the middle back into place and blocked it up as best we could on the road. We had to retrofit in a rest stop parking lot on the NJ Turnpike on the way to NH from NC on a hot July day; it was not fun. I never did weld the supports, but I did end up fitting in some additional steel to act as stops. That's my war story.
We also trail a '79 Grady White 204C. It now has a new commercial trailer under it. The trailer that came with the boat was home-brewed but looked OK. We trailed it only a hundred miles or so before we delivered the boat for repowering. The dealer called a few days later to indicate that they had a problem; as they were towing it out of the yard to the shop one of the wheels had collapsed. I suggest you take a very careful look at the trailer to make certain it has not rusted from the inside out. You don't want your gorgeous Ty passing you on the highway.
I suggest you glance at Chapman's chapter on Trailering. One book that is devoted to trailering is: "The complete book of boat trailering; a boatman's guide to trailer selection, use, and maintenance" by Tom Bottomley. It is out of print, but you can find used copies at: http://used.addall.com. They run about $10.50 plus S&H.
Happy Trailering!
Ken Coit
Ron Ellis wrote: I recently purchased a '74 Ty Weekender - hull #1537 and a trailer. The Ty is on Allatoona Lake near Atlanta, GA. The trailer is in Houston, TX. I am in Austin, TX.
I'm anxious to go retrieve my trailer and boat, but needless to say I have a lot of planning (and trailering) to do.
First of all, I will be going to Houston to retrieve the trailer by itself. It is a single-axle, steel trailer that was made for a Ty Weekender by its previous owner. After towing it home, I will make it ready for the 1000 mile trip (trailer only) to Atlanta and the 1000 mile trip home with boat. My towing vehicle is a 1/2 ton GMC pickup.
What advice can you offer me on preparing the boat and trailer for the trip? Any tips on pulling the trailer w/o boat? Any and all advice is welcome as I do have experience sailing, but not trailering, especially not cross-country.
Thanks in advance for your help. I have already read countless posts on this site and have found it truly invaluable. I hope soon to be contributing as well.
Ron Ellis
Austin/Port Aransas, TX
parfait@nc.rr.com
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sloopjohnl
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
ron,
prepare yourself for a somewhat bouncy ride with the empty trailer, especially with a pickup. you will be glad for the boat weight on the return trip. the ty did not come with a bow eye (unless a previous owner installed one) therefore, you will need a heavy duty strap, preferably a racheting style, to keep the bow of the boat from bouncing. i run a two-inch wide strap through the dockline chocks and secure the ends to eye-hooks on the trailer rails. i run another strap over the cockpit and secure the ends to eyes on the end of the trailer. be sure to pad the strap where it crosses the teak coamings.
remove the cockpit seat lids and put them inside or in the truck. remove heavy objects inside the boat such as gas can, battery, anchors, etc. and put them in the truck to avoid damage to the inside of the boat. if you do not remove the standing rigging use some padding or rags to pad the spreader ends so they do not damage the teak or gelcoat. with a pickup you will have room to carry: step ladder, two 1x3's three feet long to form a mast crutch in the shape of an x put at the back of the cockpit, scrap 2x4's to support the mast at the bow stemhead fitting, padding and rope to secure the mast, red flag for the trailing end of the mast,portable drill, screws, chocks for the trailer wheels in case you have to leave it temporarily, trailer tongue lock for the same reason.
happy motoring!!
prepare yourself for a somewhat bouncy ride with the empty trailer, especially with a pickup. you will be glad for the boat weight on the return trip. the ty did not come with a bow eye (unless a previous owner installed one) therefore, you will need a heavy duty strap, preferably a racheting style, to keep the bow of the boat from bouncing. i run a two-inch wide strap through the dockline chocks and secure the ends to eye-hooks on the trailer rails. i run another strap over the cockpit and secure the ends to eyes on the end of the trailer. be sure to pad the strap where it crosses the teak coamings.
remove the cockpit seat lids and put them inside or in the truck. remove heavy objects inside the boat such as gas can, battery, anchors, etc. and put them in the truck to avoid damage to the inside of the boat. if you do not remove the standing rigging use some padding or rags to pad the spreader ends so they do not damage the teak or gelcoat. with a pickup you will have room to carry: step ladder, two 1x3's three feet long to form a mast crutch in the shape of an x put at the back of the cockpit, scrap 2x4's to support the mast at the bow stemhead fitting, padding and rope to secure the mast, red flag for the trailing end of the mast,portable drill, screws, chocks for the trailer wheels in case you have to leave it temporarily, trailer tongue lock for the same reason.
happy motoring!!
Ron Ellis wrote: I recently purchased a '74 Ty Weekender - hull #1537 and a trailer. The Ty is on Allatoona Lake near Atlanta, GA. The trailer is in Houston, TX. I am in Austin, TX.
I'm anxious to go retrieve my trailer and boat, but needless to say I have a lot of planning (and trailering) to do.
First of all, I will be going to Houston to retrieve the trailer by itself. It is a single-axle, steel trailer that was made for a Ty Weekender by its previous owner. After towing it home, I will make it ready for the 1000 mile trip (trailer only) to Atlanta and the 1000 mile trip home with boat. My towing vehicle is a 1/2 ton GMC pickup.
What advice can you offer me on preparing the boat and trailer for the trip? Any tips on pulling the trailer w/o boat? Any and all advice is welcome as I do have experience sailing, but not trailering, especially not cross-country.
Thanks in advance for your help. I have already read countless posts on this site and have found it truly invaluable. I hope soon to be contributing as well.
Ron Ellis
Austin/Port Aransas, TX
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Robert
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
Ron,
For more info on trailering check out the archives at www.trailersailor.com.
Cheers, Robert : I recently purchased a '74 Ty Weekender - hull #1537 and a trailer. The Ty is on Allatoona Lake near Atlanta, GA. The trailer is in Houston, TX. I am in Austin, TX.
rjohn12@midsouth.rr.com
For more info on trailering check out the archives at www.trailersailor.com.
Cheers, Robert : I recently purchased a '74 Ty Weekender - hull #1537 and a trailer. The Ty is on Allatoona Lake near Atlanta, GA. The trailer is in Houston, TX. I am in Austin, TX.
Ron Ellis wrote: I'm anxious to go retrieve my trailer and boat, but needless to say I have a lot of planning (and trailering) to do.
First of all, I will be going to Houston to retrieve the trailer by itself. It is a single-axle, steel trailer that was made for a Ty Weekender by its previous owner. After towing it home, I will make it ready for the 1000 mile trip (trailer only) to Atlanta and the 1000 mile trip home with boat. My towing vehicle is a 1/2 ton GMC pickup.
What advice can you offer me on preparing the boat and trailer for the trip? Any tips on pulling the trailer w/o boat? Any and all advice is welcome as I do have experience sailing, but not trailering, especially not cross-country.
Thanks in advance for your help. I have already read countless posts on this site and have found it truly invaluable. I hope soon to be contributing as well.
Ron Ellis
Austin/Port Aransas, TX
rjohn12@midsouth.rr.com
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Jerry
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
No one has talked about brakes. The trailer probably weighs about 1,000 lbs. and the boat has a listed displacement of 2,000 lbs. for a total of at least 3,000 lbs. This is the approximate weight of most of todays cars. You diffentely need brakes for a load of this size. If you have a choice use electric brakes over surge. Do not beleive people that say you can't submerge electric brakes. I have been doing it for over 15 years in both salt and fresh water without a single problem.Since you will have the trailer first weigh it on a certified scale. When you pick up the boat weigh the two of them and you will know what the boat actually weighs. The 25D that I towed for years had a displacement of 5120 lbs. Actual weight by above method was 6970 lbs. which included 15gal. water and 11 gal of fuel and no other consumbiles.
The total load will tell you if your trailer is adequate for the load and if your tires are adequate for the load.
jlecocq@milehigh.net
The total load will tell you if your trailer is adequate for the load and if your tires are adequate for the load.
Ron Ellis wrote: I recently purchased a '74 Ty Weekender - hull #1537 and a trailer. The Ty is on Allatoona Lake near Atlanta, GA. The trailer is in Houston, TX. I am in Austin, TX.
I'm anxious to go retrieve my trailer and boat, but needless to say I have a lot of planning (and trailering) to do.
First of all, I will be going to Houston to retrieve the trailer by itself. It is a single-axle, steel trailer that was made for a Ty Weekender by its previous owner. After towing it home, I will make it ready for the 1000 mile trip (trailer only) to Atlanta and the 1000 mile trip home with boat. My towing vehicle is a 1/2 ton GMC pickup.
What advice can you offer me on preparing the boat and trailer for the trip? Any tips on pulling the trailer w/o boat? Any and all advice is welcome as I do have experience sailing, but not trailering, especially not cross-country.
Thanks in advance for your help. I have already read countless posts on this site and have found it truly invaluable. I hope soon to be contributing as well.
Ron Ellis
Austin/Port Aransas, TX
jlecocq@milehigh.net
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Stephen Heineke
Re: New Typhoon Owner with Trailering Questions
There is a nice trailering web site with several very active forums. The URL is: http://www.trailersailor.com/index2.html
Steve Heineke
s/v La Suavita
CD25 #67
austex@attglobal.net
Steve Heineke
s/v La Suavita
CD25 #67
austex@attglobal.net