NEW SAN 210 TE -- Should I buy a tandom or single axle?

onesickwake · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 106

Just bought a new '06 SAN 210 TE. I plan on taking it to different lakes on weekends, all about 100 miles from where I live. Will I be OK with a single axle Ramlin Nautique Trailer, or should I buy the double axle? There is about a $1000 difference between the two. The dealer says that he has NEVER sold a single axle trailer and that the double axle trailers are for people hauling them over 250 miles each way.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

_Jason_ · Soul Rider Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 275

Personally.. I would do the tandem axel trailer. Better for the trailer since quite a bit of weight is going to be on it. (IE Nautique) Just my opinion.

midwesty · Posted: Aug 14, 2006 5:17 pm Post subject:

double...its a no brainer

onesickwake · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 106

Was the dealer correct in what he said? Will a single axle work if it was manufactured specifically by RAMLIN for the SAN 210?

Thanks!

Manbearpig · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

I'd recomend a tandem for that boat, or any heavy v-drive for that matter.But, keep in mind it will be a little harder to maneuver in a tight spot, like a garage.

TP83 · Addict Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 739 City: Woodside

tandem is seriously the only way to go with a boat. i like em because they are more stable but a single axle trailer does turn better than the tandem

Manbearpig · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

I'd recomend a tandem for that boat, or any heavy v-drive for that matter.But, keep in mind it will be a little harder to maneuver in a tight spot, like a garage.

Ralph · Posted: Aug 14, 2006 10:51 pm Post subject:

Tandem for sure.
A: They are far safer if you have a blowout.
B: They look way cooler

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

Of course a single will work, regardless of who builds it. BUT, I would never tow any distance with a single if I had a choice. I consider 100 miles "a distance."

I'd try to negotiate the price of the trailer a bit......but would get the tandem, regardless if it ended up costing me an extra grand.

midwesty · Posted: Aug 15, 2006 5:59 am Post subject:

if you can afford a 06 SAN,you can afford the tandem axle. not something i would skimp on to save a few pennies

onesickwake · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 106

Thanks for all of the input. I bought the tandem axle RAMLIN for only $800 over the price of the single axle. The dealer typically sells boats to people who store them in hoists on a nearby lake, so he has never sold one to people who expect to trailer their boat.

The tandem axle trailers do look much cooler than the single axles, hands down. Now I'll just have to pray that my Jeep can tow this beast!

Erik · Posted: Aug 15, 2006 7:06 pm Post subject:

I am going with dual axle on this one.
You did the right thing. Still carry a spare though Smile

I just posted this related entry on my blog:
http://www.wakeboardreport.com/archives/2006/08/your_towing_contingency_plan.html

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Erik,

RV stores carry a cheap wheel chock that doubles as a jack to change out a flat on a tandem. Much easier than jacking.

onesickwake,

What size jeep? My 210 strains our 5.3 L Suburban for all she is worth. Actually trying to get rid of it for a 3/4 ton with a 6.0 liter and a 4:10 rear end.

Erik · Posted: Aug 15, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject:

Lcap, thanks - I will look into that.
Also, I know what you mean by straining. My F150 with a 5.8 works really, really hard towing my Super Sport through some of those NH hills.

You think I am crazy to ditch the pickup for something like a Sequoia (4.7)?

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Erik,

Yes I do. Have you seen the new Toyota Tundra (07)? Go to their website and look at this truck. 5.73 liter V-8 with a tow rating of 10,000 lbs. AND it's built in Texas. Talk about a GM/Ford/Dodge pickup truck killer!

Sequoia's are very nice--my buddy has one and pulls his 18' Bluewater over the mountains 1x a year but it strains it's wheaties so much he now pulls it with his truck.

I tested an 07 Burb with a 5.3 liter and 3.73 gearing and it wasn't much better than the 5.3 with the 3.43 gearing. I'm debating over a 6.0 liter with a 4:10 or a Duramax Diesel truck. Just having a tough time thinking of the pups on hot or cold days being in the back of the truck--even with a canopy.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Aug 16, 2006 10:38 am Post subject:

You guys don't know what an underpowered rig is untill you try towing your SAN with a small V6 lexus Rx300. Now that was a fun journey home from seattle... Laughing

onesickwake · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 106

Yeah...It will certainly be a test for my 4.7L V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I will never tow the boat over 100 miles and never up any considerable grades for more than 1000 feet. It has the heavy duty tow package so I am not all that concerned.

How far did you tow your SAN 210 with your V6 Lexus RX330?

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

DRAGON88,

Yes but: You were the ultimate hip looking yupster (Lexus and SANTE) and it's all down hill from Seattle to Eugene.

Did Rob/Ron find you a boat? I've been thinking about you all summer.

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

onesickwake,

You'll be surprised at how heavy the SAN will feel behind any tow rig. Let us know what you think when you haul her home. I'm still looking for the perfect all around vehicle because I was dumb enough to sell the best one.

From Seattle to Eugene is about 200 +/- miles. But it's all downhill and the wind is usually at your back all the way down.

kmagnuss · Posted: Aug 17, 2006 8:06 pm Post subject:

I towed my 05 V'Ride with a 00 Grand Cherokee w/ 4.7L and tow package and quadradrive II 4wd. I even did it with a single axle trailer and 1000 lbs of extra sand in the boat (stupid I know). Anyway, it towed great here in FL (no hills whatsoever) and I drive 150 miles round trip just about every weekend. You may want to look into getting some rear air spring helpers for it. It's an easy install, and your rear end won't squat when the trailer is on. Actaully...my 99 Cherokee w/ 4.0L towed just it just fine, but did strain a little on the freeway...the biggest problem with that rig was the brakes sucked.

bstphen24 · Newbie Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 20 City: Salem

I tow a 18' IO with a 2000 F150 without problems, but if you are looking to tow some of the boats that you guys have (the type of boat I wish I had) I would suggest a ford power stroke. I also tow a three horse, goose kneck trailer of my moms all the time. She has a '06 powerstroke and that thing kicks a**. Going up hills with two horses, the cruise control keeps the speed at whatever you set it at. Flat out one of the best towing vehicles out there IMO.

PimpinD2 · Posted: Aug 18, 2006 12:05 am Post subject:

I dont understand how you guys with ur big trucks are suffering when towing these boats. Ive towed a 04 SAN with 400lbs of extra lead in the bow from the ramp to South East Correct Craft in orlando with a 3.2L V6 Rodeo. Was it a good tow, not really, but keeping a safe distance and aroudn 65 - 70 on the highway it was fine. Of course braking needed about 3x the distance but i would think that a F150 with such a big engine should have no problem. I know tow my 94 prostar and plenty of other peoples boats with my 04 Land Rover discovery and have never had a problem or felt unsafe. The land rover even tows boats out of the water on purely sand ramps.

That was an interesting day, the Touareg got stuck and wouldnt budge even with the differencials locked and it in 4wd Low... unhook the boat, bring the rover around, drop it into drive, and watch the beast eat the land. I wish i had video, it was spitting out the planks of wood we wedged under the tires as if to say... pft i dont need no help... ha

MrBlean · Posted: Aug 18, 2006 12:26 am Post subject:

Pimpin - it seems many people on this site want to tow a hulking great boat around without realising they're doing it. Sure, any vehicle is gonna feel different if you effectively double it's weight. You wouldn't expect a Mercededs S class and a Toyota Corolla fitted with the an engine of the same horse power to drive the same, so why should your tow rig not feel like it's towing? Sure, it should never be dangerous or truly incapable of managing inclines and braking but how many horses do you really need?

As your Disco example confirms, it's mainly about handling and traction than horses - especially on launch ramps.

kmagnuss · Posted: Aug 18, 2006 2:59 am Post subject:

I agree about the disco...I now tow with a Range Rover 4.6, and it tows the best of any truck I've ever had (including my 03 Silverado V8 ext. cab).

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

You can tow with an ATV if you can get the load moving. Towing safely for the ATV, Boat and the general public is another matter.

onesickwake · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 106

kmagnuss,

How much did those rear air spring helpers cost for your jeep grand cherokee? I think that I am going to get some of those for my jeep because it squats to the ground when pulling a trailer. I think that the SAN 210 weighs about 3600 lbs, and with the trailer, you add about another 1000 lbs. Picking my '06 up tomorrow--can't wait!

Can I install the rear spring helpers myself? What tools are needed?

Thanks!

kmagnuss · Posted: Aug 19, 2006 8:21 am Post subject:

The air springs were about $100 dollars...give or take. If you are familiar with removing springs and doing lifts on cars or jeeps, it's a VERY easy job. If not, it's still pretty easy, and I can guide you through most of it. All you need is a jack (two is even better), regular hand tools (socket sets, wrenches, drill) and a strut spring compressor (you can rent one at autozone for $20, or buy one for $35 or so. All in all, the job took me about an hour to do. Believe me, it was well worth the expense and time. I'm sure you know how much the wj squats when loaded, and with the air springs back there, you just air them up and voila! Nice level ride again. I'll try to find the website for the springs.

-Keith

kmagnuss · Posted: Aug 19, 2006 8:24 am Post subject:

Here you go. Part # 60754. $69. Can't beat that with a stick.

http://www.accessconnect.com/dodge_jeep_chrysler_pickup_truck.htm

j.j · Guest

I tow a SANTE with a 1000+ ft lb Powerstroke. Do I feel the boat? Ha.

You guys need to ditch the gassers Laughing

j.j · Guest

And Richard, didn't you get a VLX? Any pics of the badboy?

onesickwake · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 106

kmagnuss,

Thanks for the link! I will check it out.

Do you have a control for the air lifts that you install inside your vehicle or do they automatically adjust to the weight of the vehicle.

Thanks,
Scott

onesickwake · Outlaw Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 106

I checked up on the Air Lift Springs and found that I can also get a "Timbren Kit" that doesn't involve air pressure. Evidently, you need to periodically filll the Air Lift Springs each week (or at least check their pressure) whereas the Timbren kit requires no maintenance. The cost for the kit installed is about $350.

Thanks.

Darin · Guest

Tandem, twice the brakes, plus flat tire/blowout protection. No brainer.