Trailer choice for TC 255

McDipple · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject: Trailer choice for TC 255

I am finalizing my order for the boat and visited the factory yesterday.

They showed me the custom EZ Loader 2-axle trailer that they offer and it looked pretty good to me but I'm no judge of trailers having only used them for ski boats.

My dealer says I need a 3-axle trailer and that the Pacific is a better one and they have another customer's TC on a Pacific in the yard that looks fine also.

It may not matter a lot since the boat will usually stay in the water but I certainly would appreciate experienced advice and perspective. We will probably tow it to other locations 3-4 times/year about 100 miles.

Thanks

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 8:23 am Post subject:

I've got the EZ Loader two axle for my TC and it's great. Easy to get on/off and very stable on the road. It has huge tires and a great ladder at the bow to climb up on the boat. IMHO, you don't need three axles.

Charlie

Discovery · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 8:54 am Post subject:

We have towed Discovery more than 20,000 miles on the EZ Loader trailer. Tows great. No problems on the road. It launches well, but frequently we have an issue with loading.

journey on · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject:

I've had one Pacific and two E-Z loader trailers. The E-Z loader trailers are great. The one under Journey On has given great service, and I know that E-Z loader worked with the factory to develop a trailer for the Tomcat. In past posts there were some complaints in launching/retrieving until the two-axle E-Z loader tailored for the Tomcat was produced. Judging by Discovery's comments, nothing is perfect. I'd hate to start over with a new type of trailer.

Pacific may have improved their trailers, but E-Z loader understands the problems of fitting a trailer to the Tomcat.

Don't forget to get electric/hydraulic disk brakes. Those make all the difference in the world when you tow.

Boris

thataway · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject:

I have a float on--and that is an excellent trailer, but made on the East Coast. Being Aluminum, it is lighter. There are 8 foot slicks on the foreward bunks, and this makes loading very easy.

Definately go with two axles. You will scrub the tires too much with a 3 axle unit. You want a 11,000 capacity trailer--no less than 10,000 lbs.

Go with Kodiak Brakes (disc)--and I agree that the hyraulic over electric is a very good choice. I have also gone to a weight distributing hitch on the 25, and even on that lighter boat, it makes a lot of difference.

I visited Pacific trailers last week to pick up some parts. Although I have owned one, and they have a good reputation, there were some issues which would concern me.

Bad Boy · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject: Pacific Trailers for Tom Cat

I plan to modify my Pacific Trailer for my Tom Cat as soon as I get all my other modifications to my new Tom Cat taken care of.

Problem with catamarans, in general, is that you have to have your trailer way back in the water for the catamaran to load onto the trailer. This is because catamaran sponsons must lay on top of the bunks. V-hulls have the advanatage of center line of the boat nesting between the bunks so it sits lower on a trailer. I do not want the undercarriage of my truck in salt water, so I have a trailer tongue that is 2-feet longer.

My suggestions would be electric over hydraulic actuator with disc brakes (on two axles), torsion axles instead of springs, back up lights on the trailer for night-time launching, attaching center supports with u-bolts so that when you need to do maintenance to the underside of boat (cleaning, waxing or repairs), you can remove the center guides without unloading the boat from your trailer first. You are able to do this with EZ-Loader but not with Pacific Trailers. A nice ladder/stairway system to be able to get up the bow of the boat from your trailer tongue. A triple axle trailer is smoother but is slightly more difficult to make tight u-turns. Make sure the winch crank is on the portside.

Finally, I built tall, upright guides on the back of my trailer to serve as a guide into the trailer at the launch ramp. The center guides at the rear of the trailer is usually too low for the sponsons and makes it difficult to load on days when you have strong side winds at the launch ramp. I put pictures of this upright guide on my photo album.

McDipple · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:53 am Post subject:

Many thanks to all for your helpful comments. I have ordered the EZ Loader trailer designed for the TomCat with the options suggested.