tomcat trailers

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:27 pm Post subject:

As Roger mentioned I have a float on--so do several other of the Tom Cat owners in the South. It is one of the more popular trailers for cats, and has also been used on World Cats and Glacier Bay. You can get by with a smaller trailer than we have--mine has tires, wheels and axles which will handle over 13,000 lbs. The 24 is definately lighter. A neighbor has a magic tilt on the 24, and it is a much smaller trailer.

Do get the kodiak brakes, with the Stainless rotors. For Florida surge brakes are OK, but if you do much moutain driving, consider electric over hyraulic brakes. Of course in Florida you have to have brakes on both axles.

Chris Darling · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:03 pm Post subject:

Thats good information I didn't know you had to have brakes on both axles in Florida, thanks. I had a Float On with my last boat, a Sea Cat and loved the trailer. It hauled like it wasn't there. The trailer I'm looking at was for a World Cat and I will have to relocate the bunks, raise them 2" to clear the fenders as the boat is 2" wider than out to out of the fenders, move the brackets to center on the hulls and shorten the center guide, and now add brakes to the rear axle. Nice winter in Florida project.

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:42 pm Post subject:

There may also be a different balance point on the trailer, being made for a world cat (which model?). It is possible to move the axles, but this means drilling new holes in the frame, as well as moving the fenders. It is also possible to move the boat back or forward on the trailer, by moving the "stop" at the bow.

rogerbum · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:47 pm Post subject:

Chris,

Float-on should have measurements for setting up the trailer for the Tomcat. You might want to contact them as that might make things go more quickly.

Bob,

In deciding what kind of disc brakes to get for my trailer, I settled on the cadmium coated disks. The concern with stainless rotors as I understand it is that they are a bit slippery and don't stop as quickly as the cadmium coated or steel rotors. The cadmium coated ones are not as rust resistant as stainless but they're much better than un-coated rotors. So I thought this was a good trade-off. Obviously, you made the other choice.

Wefings · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:19 pm Post subject:

Bob's was the first Float On measured for a 255 Tomcat . We measured it at Wefings and all the stars lined up and the trailer fit like a glove . We don't have a spec for a 24 but I know an owner that could give the measurements needed for that boat . Tim's [owner at Float On ] trailers are very well built, and we specify #11000 net capacity for the 225 TC.That's 8 lug rims with radials with a load range of "E".
Marc

Chris Darling · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:39 am Post subject:

I talked to Tim about a month ago and he seemed to only be familar with the 255 TC but not the 24 TC. I called again today and they are going to have John the production manager call me to discuss it with me. I did buy the trailer this morning though.

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:10 pm Post subject:

I could be wrong but I was under the impression that the hull mold for the TC24 and the TC255 were the same or very similar and that the main change was in the cabin. If so, there wouldn't be much difference in trailer configuration between the two.

Chris Darling · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject:

I didn't know that thank you.

thataway · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject:

There should be little difference in the hulls. The transom is different--and of course the engine bracket. I suspect that the 255 weighs more than the 24.

From what you have on the current trailer you own, you should be able to see if any modifications of the forward support is necessary.

Chris Darling · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:46 pm Post subject:

The net trailer capacity weight is 8200 and the 24's max running weight is 6800#s so I have room to spare there. I measured the height of the brackets and they vary from low in the back to higher in the front by 2.5". I'm guessing that is normal on all cat trailers as it is that way on both of these trailers. Until I get the 24 off the trailer I'm also guessing that the plane from front to back is a straight line and not concave or convex. My plan is to cut the bolts off the brackets as they are welded, slid them over to the right center lines, raise them enough to clear the fenders and rebolt them down. Lower and widen the center guide and rebolt it. I'm going to have to take a look at the weight distribution one of you have mentioned. I'm hoping with the world cat being longer and heavier than the 24 that it will all be relative and not matter, but I will check it out.

Chris Darling · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject:

I talked to John today at FloatOn and he ask for some pictures, but from what I have described to him he is seeing no problem doing as we have discussed here. Thanks for all your comments and information. I may be back to this next fall when I start to project to dig a little further into the brakes issue. Thanks again to all.

BrentB · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:59 pm Post subject:

Can you purchase a trailer directly from Float on?

Chris Darling · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:10 pm Post subject:

No, they told me they only sell thru their dealers. Plus in my case I will have about 1/2 as much invested by reduing this trailer than if I bought a new one.

Wefings · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:07 pm Post subject:

Fyi we are dealer.
Marc

Chris Darling · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:51 pm Post subject:

thanks Marc, I'll keep that in mind