Pulling a Jetsled

[rags]

Iam buying a jetsled, probably 19 feet with a 150 and 9.9 kicker. My question to you boat owners is my concern pulling it. I have a Jeep Cherokee with the straight six. Any of you pull a boat with something similar? How about braking? Is it a problem? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[Joe]

Rags,
I pull my 19' North River (I think it is about 3200#'s) with a Toyota PU with a 4 cyl. Braking is not a problem or is overall handling. Kind of slow over the mountains, but not bad otherwise. I've pulled it to Central Oregon several times.

I would rather drive a 3/4 ton crew cab but then I couldn't afford the boat. images/icons/grin.gif

[ 04-15-2001: Message edited by: Joe ]

[backlash]

rags, I'm sure your Jeep will pull it fine as long as you're not in a huge hurry, I would'nt even think about a trailer without brakes. OK, maybe a drift boat, but a boat of this size will be much more pleasant to tow with surge brakes, much safer in panic situations and easier on your Jeep. Besides that, the cost is minimal in relation to the overall price of the boat.

[Pilar]

Hey Rags, the Cherokee should work ok. Pay attention to the brakes. Surge brakes on the trailer are a beautiful thing. Trailer supply places have retrofit kits for any trailer. I bought a set of hydraulic surge brakes for my 'Pilar' and doubled the life of my truck brakes.

If you cross the coast range or cascades often you can afford the extra safety. Brake fade is an ugly deal and can get you in big trouble.

As far as the six banger goes it should work, just go to a lower gear if you have to and don't get in a hurry uphill. Automatic transmissions may need some help with an aftermarket cooler. Overheating an auto tranny can cause huge repair bills. The cooler is cheap if you look at it that way.

[HarpMan]

Retro fit for surge brakes? Need more information as to who locally can provide the service and what the cost is?

[HOGTIDE]

Well, a 19' open sled is about 1,375 lb.s and a 150 jet is about 375 lb.s. Guess your trailer is about 350 lb.s ...we're just a bit over 1 ton, now. Add your fishin' stuff , fuel, anchors , etc....You might go 2,600 lb.s. Check out your owners manual and see what the towing capacity states. My guess is you are OK. Kinda slow and you should plan ahead for stops...but you're OK.

Had a similar setup, car to boat ratio, with my last rig. Surge brakes 'would' be nice.

[rags]

I can always depend on great info from you IFishers! The trailer doesn't have brakes but if I understand what some of you are saying I can add surge brakes. Who in the Portland area should I go to and what is the cost?

[Predator Dawg]

Rags,

I used to pull a 20' inboard V8 sled on a tandem axle trailer with my in-line 6 Cherokee. It did just fine. I had surge brakes on the trailer that really helped out at times. I wouldn't have done it without them. Like the others have said, don't be in a hurry and you will make it to your fishing hole. Good luck.

[Gone Fishin]

Check out your friends at uncle Les Schwab,
they ought to be able to handle it! And back it up as well.

[Pilar]

Hey Rags, try Custom Parts and Trrailer Supply in Milwaukie. This is off McGloughlin at Ochoco. If you're not familiar with Milwaukie it's near Sellwood where the highway 224 comes into McGloughlin.

I don't know if they do installs or not but this place is a do it yourself paradise. They have bins full of whatever you need. When I did mine I bought 2 backing plates with brakes on them, 2 brake drums with bearings and hubs and the control unit for the hitch end of the trailer. All they need to know is how many bolts are on the trailer wheels and the bolt pattern. Trailer axles are standardized.

All you do is remove the existing wheel and bearing hub and replace it with the new brake and drum assembly. Then run the brake lines to the tongue and replace the hitch coupler with the new one. Bleed the brakes and that's it. It works anytime you hit your truck brakes. This pushes on the trailer tongue and the control unit lays on the trailer brakes. No wires to fool with and it works on any truck or tow vehicle.

I seem to remember about $300 spent two years ago and trouble free operation ever since. Call them up and ask about installation. (503) 659-5343. In any case remember it's 9 -5 operation and bring your trailer there to make it easy to figure out what you need.

These guys have helped me fix many old trailers as they have parts for just about anything trailer. Forgive the plug but I figure I owe them that much. Good luck.

[Tanner]

Rags,
I used to pull an 18 ft alumaweld sled with an old Merc 115 (very heavy motor) and a 15 horse kicker with a 91 cherokee straight 6. No problem, just make sure you get surge brakes on the trailer.