Tomcat 255 questions

[thataway]

Does anyone know the actual weight on a scale on a trailer loaded with fuel etc.

The other question is anyone using a weight distributing hitch with the TC255? There has been some discussion on another board that the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are really rated for the 11,000 lbs +/- with a weight distributing hitch. Several can be used with surge brakes--and of course the electric over hyraulic will allow all weight distributing hitches to be used. I have been towing 10,000 lbs with a non WDH, but I suspose if there was an accident--and the truck was rated only at 5,000 with the standard reciever only...you could be in some trouble.

Regards,


Thanks,

Bob Austin

[Bob Cat]

Hi, Bob

10,400 pretty much loaded up with fuel and water, plus all the stuff you already know about.

Bob Cat

[thataway]

Thanks, Bob. I knew someone had weighed at least one--but I could not find it on a search. We are going with a "float on" aluminum trailer--this company has extensive experience with Florida Cats--and the set up is somewhat different than the standard trailer.

Take care.

[Bob Cat]

Hi, again,

I saw an aluminum float on in the marina for a cigarette cat last weekend. The boat literally floated on and stopped at the twin I-beam forward. Easy. Fast. I think EZLoader has a lot to learn.

Bob

[Bob Cat]

Hey, Bob

Let me know how your trailer works out. I don't need much reason to get rid of the EZLoader and replace it with a real cat trailer. What brake system are you specing?

Bob Cat

[thataway]

Bob,
We are going with surge brakes/disc brakes on each axle. We drive on mustly flat land around here--but if I was to do a lot of mountian work, I might go with electric over hydraulic. I don't think that the conversion will be too difficult.

I'll post photos of the trailer when done. I have talked directly with the owner of Float on. They use a cross beam at the front of the trailer, instead of the roller (which really doesn't work well for a cat, in my opinion). We also will have 12 feet of slick plastic on the bunks on each side--with a good chain down system fore and aft. I am also looking at using an electric winch--the manufacture is a bit "nervous" about this--so I may put it down lower on the post, and use it just for certain situations, and for winching off, with a snatch block between the hulls--to be able to move the hull back several feet. The trailer will be tested on another hull that Wefing's has just recieved.

Our only concern was tires. I wanted Goodyear Marathons--Float on said that their cost was an additional $ 700 for 5 tires (4 on the road and one spare with hub and bearings). Each wheel/ tire is rated at 3700 lbs, and each axel at about 7,000 lbs (Tandem axle). So the capacity of the trailer will be over 13,000. The weight difference of the actual trailer between 10,000 lbs capacity and 13,000 lbs capacity is very little. We also have a number of shallow ramps in Florida, and the Float on's seem to be the best for cats down here. (that doesn't mean that it always floats all of the way on--just like it is not always "easy Loader".

[Sneaks]

Nice little writeup on the TC255 in the June 2006 issue of Trailer Boats Magazine. Included in the "Top Twenty Fish Getters." pp 42.

Don