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#403340 - 05/07/08 05:47 PM New to me boat and a long tow
firecadet613 Offline
Serenity Again
Admiral

Registered: 07/16/06
Posts: 1133
Loc: Brownsburg, IN
I'll be picking up a new to me 2004 FW here in about two weeks. I'll be towing it back about 500 miles from PA to IN. What should I do/look for when I pick it up? It sits on a dual axle Four Winns trailer.
_________________________
2004 Four Winns 225 Sundowner 5.7Gi DP
2004 Dodge Durango Limited HEMI AWD

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#403343 - 05/07/08 05:57 PM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: firecadet613]
2Suns Offline
Admiral

Registered: 09/17/06
Posts: 1204
Loc: Peoria,IL
If you haven't done it already, get on your knees infront of each wheel. Put you bear-like grip around each tire and shake it, back and forth, as hard as you can. Fix any excessive side-to-side slop before your trip.

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#403385 - 05/07/08 06:48 PM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: 2Suns]
Jim_R Offline
Vice Admiral

Registered: 03/19/07
Posts: 387
Loc: Chicago, IL
Probably want to have a pro look at the trailer hubs, bearings, grease fittings, brakes, and especially tire condition before you get there. You'll want appropriate jacks, blocks, tire irons, flares and spares for both the trailer and your tow vehicle "just in case". Nothing worse than having to spend time on the side of the road on a long haul, with the single exception of having to leave your tow on the side all alone while your off trying to find any of the above. Don't know about your old SeaRay, but the FW probably uses the 'flat 4' connector, and surge brakes. Nice thing is your Durango should pull that Sundowner along like it wasn't there.
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2007 Four Winns Horizon 200 VP 4.3 GXi 225hp
1996 Ercoa Captain Deluxe 21' Pontoon/'03 Suzuki DF 70 4 stroke OB


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#403388 - 05/07/08 06:49 PM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: 2Suns]
Opus Administrator Offline
Admiral

Registered: 02/26/03
Posts: 1036
Loc: NW Arkansas
Check the tire pressure! The single most common cause of tire failure is improper inflation. Does it have a spare? Buy one if it doesn't have one.
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"If a man is to be obsessed by something, I suppose a boat is as good as anything, perhaps a bit better than most".

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#403460 - 05/07/08 08:24 PM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: Opus]
Minoletti Offline
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Registered: 08/22/06
Posts: 234
Loc: Viņa del Mar, CHILE
All of the above, plus recheck the trailer tires nut torque after the first 50 miles and touch the center of the wheels (hubs), at each gas stop, looking after bearings overheating.
good trip


Edited by Minoletti (05/09/08 08:11 PM)
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#403466 - 05/07/08 08:36 PM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: Minoletti]
Scott L Offline
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Registered: 01/09/03
Posts: 3704
Loc: NJ
An oldie but a goodie smile

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#403482 - 05/07/08 09:53 PM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: Jim_R]
Faster Daddy Offline
Captain

Registered: 04/24/06
Posts: 129
Loc: Plano, TX
Originally Posted By: Jim_R
FW probably uses the 'flat 4' connector, and surge brakes.


My trailer is a FW 2004 with surge brakes, and I have a 'flat 5'
Make sure you ask ahead of time so you can get the proper adapter and/or wiring in place. Without the 5 pin you will never be able to back up. In a pinch however if your trailer is like mine with the removable tongue (not the swing away) there is a quick disconnect in the brake line so you can remove the tongue. Just remember to rehook it before you drive. Also check you mater cylinder for brake fluid.
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Tom
2005 FW Horizon 230
2007 Toyota Tundra Crewmax

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#403487 - 05/07/08 10:18 PM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: Faster Daddy]
Silverbullet Offline
Admiral

Registered: 06/15/04
Posts: 4604
Loc: Reno, NV
You can plug a flat 4 trailer plug into a flat 5 connector on your vehicle. So, you can make sure your vehicle has a flat 5 and be sure it will work for both.
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James
2002 Cobalt 226 VP 8.1GIDP
2007 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax
1988 Suburban 3/4 Ton
2005 Subaru Forester XT (Turbo)- FOR SALE
2000 Subaru Forester
1965 Mustang


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#403507 - 05/08/08 04:47 AM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: Silverbullet]
firecadet613 Offline
Serenity Again
Admiral

Registered: 07/16/06
Posts: 1133
Loc: Brownsburg, IN
Connector issues are none, I've discussed that with the seller. It has disc brakes.
_________________________
2004 Four Winns 225 Sundowner 5.7Gi DP
2004 Dodge Durango Limited HEMI AWD

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#403542 - 05/08/08 06:40 AM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: firecadet613]
WaterMutt Offline
Bilge Rat
Admiral

Registered: 01/14/04
Posts: 10228
Loc: Massachusetts
If it has disc brakes, it would have a reverse bypass solenoid on the hydraulic line, or a manual lockout. the bypass solenoid is typically where the 5th plug point comes from. The solenoids are notorious for failing. If it fails, you can't go backwards. Make accomodations for a make shift manual lock out just in case.

Take grease with you for the trailer bearings, and as others stated, be sure to have a spare.
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"That's my boat..."
-Forest Gump


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#403548 - 05/08/08 06:44 AM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: WaterMutt]
RX 4 Fun Offline
Admiral

Registered: 06/14/03
Posts: 942
Loc: Mahomet, IL
As been previously stated check the tire pressures. Add a few whacks of grease into each hub and you should be good to go.
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'03 Larson 210LXI VP 5.0 GXI/SX
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#403567 - 05/08/08 07:23 AM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: WaterMutt]
Waterdog Offline
Admiral

Registered: 07/27/04
Posts: 986
Loc: Athens, GA
Originally Posted By: WaterMutt
If it has disc brakes, it would have a reverse bypass solenoid on the hydraulic line, or a manual lockout. the bypass solenoid is typically where the 5th plug point comes from. The solenoids are notorious for failing. If it fails, you can't go backwards. Make accomodations for a make shift manual lock out just in case.

Take grease with you for the trailer bearings, and as others stated, be sure to have a spare.



What WM said! My FW trailer has the flat 5 with the reverse lockout. If the solenoid fails or isn't working, you can insert the hitch pin into the manual lockout holes in the coupler. I think these are standard on all FW trailers with disc brakes since at least 2001 (a friend has a 2001 FW with the same setup, so I'm assuming here...) I don't have a picture of the coupler and pin, but maybe someone else does??

Now, with regard to my Fountain Lightning and 50' Post trailers.... (oops, wrong thread)
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05 FW 200 Horizon
03 F150 Supercrew FX4
2 dogs with own PFDs
7 cats who aren't impressed

Always remember Rule #6.

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#403572 - 05/08/08 07:36 AM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: Waterdog]
Heyboer Offline
Vice Admiral

Registered: 05/30/07
Posts: 433
Loc: Chicago
Small piece of plywood as a "foundation" for a jack if you have to do a change in sandy or muddy shoulder. I also have a length of pipe in the trunk to slip over the tire iron. The extra leverage turns this weakling into the hulk

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#403593 - 05/08/08 08:33 AM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: Heyboer]
Philr Offline
Admiral

Registered: 03/20/03
Posts: 1408
Loc: Rock Island, IL
Safety chain from bow eye to trailer stanchion (don't rely on the winch strap).

Check rear tie-downs.
_________________________
'99 FW 200 Horizon 5.7VP
"I'm the luckiest boy in the World" ... PeeWee Herman

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#403653 - 05/08/08 11:16 AM Re: New to me boat and a long tow [Re: Philr]
Keith Offline
Admiral

Registered: 01/17/03
Posts: 2267
Loc: Indianapolis, IN.
I'd bring a small toolbox with some misc. hand tools. Also, some duct tape in case the canvas wants to come loose during the trip.
When I brought my Chap back from Fargo ND.(800 miles one way) I had the dealer shrink wrap it after I checked it out, cost about $200 but it was nice knowing it was protected from road rash and weather, and I didn't have to worry about canvas flying off.

As everyone has already said, bearings and tires are your biggest concern.


Edited by Keith (05/08/08 11:20 AM)
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05' Chaparral 220 SSI
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