Trailering into Nootka Sound

[casper5280]

Just wondering how many people tow there rigs in as how many take the boat down. Going there this weekend and I'm going to drop the boat in at Gold River and motor down. I've got a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 and a 23 ft Hourston on a very well maintained 9000 lbs trailer. I'm pretty sure I could tow it in but just didn't want any hassles, mainly because the group that I'm going with won't be of much help if things go wrong. Maybe if you post tell people what your hauling and what with. That way people get a idea of what you would haul in what you wouldn't. Thanks just wondering.

 

[pescador]

I've been towing my boat from Victoria to Gold River now for 5 years. I launch at the GR FN launch and run to the sound. I would never tow it into Tahsis having seen the GR-Tahsis road. I know others say its fine, but, gravel is gravel. It beats your car, boat and trailer. I pull a 22 ft GW 228 with a Denali. 6500 lbs loaded up. I've got an equalizer hitch and elec/hydraulic brakes My gross is 7900. This is my first year pulling this particular boat to Gold River and I'm not concerned. The last four years I used my Denali to pull my 21 ft center console which weighed 5500 fully loaded (with surge brakes) to Gold River. Never had a problem with it. There is a steep hill just out of Campbell River that requires some acceleration. There are some pretty tight curves around the lake and few places where it’s tight for people to pass you if you get people stacked up behind you. It takes me about 1 1/2 hours to do the CR-Gold River leg. I drive slow and take a couple of breaks and pull over to let people pass at every safe opportunity. I always take a spare tire for my trailer, emergency tire filler foam can, a jack capable of lifting 5000lbs, lots of wood blocks for stabilizing the jack, extra bearings, grease gun, extra trailer lights and a pile of other redundancy. You can never have enough sh*t if things go wrong. I also try to keep the fuel load low in the boat and car with no unnecessary equipment or fresh water in tanks. I always travel on Sunday because traffic into GR seems very low. I’ve seen lots of big boats being pulled in there every time I’m there. If the cap of you truck is within limits, you should be fine. Just take your time.

 

[casper5280]

I've been towing my boat from Victoria to Gold River now for 5 years. I launch at the GR FN launch and run to the sound. I would never tow it into Tahsis having seen the GR-Tahsis road. I know others say its fine, but, gravel is gravel. It beats your car, boat and trailer. I pull a 22 ft GW 228 with a Denali. 6500 lbs loaded up. I've got an equalizer hitch and elec/hydraulic brakes My gross is 7900. This is my first year pulling this particular boat to Gold River and I'm not concerned. The last four years I used my Denali to pull my 21 ft center console which weighed 5500 fully loaded (with surge brakes) to Gold River. Never had a problem with it. There is a steep hill just out of Campbell River that requires some acceleration. There are some pretty tight curves around the lake and few places where it’s tight for people to pass you if you get people stacked up behind you. It takes me about 1 1/2 hours to do the CR-Gold River leg. I drive slow and take a couple of breaks and pull over to let people pass at every safe opportunity. I always take a spare tire for my trailer, emergency tire filler foam can, a jack capable of lifting 5000lbs, lots of wood blocks for stabilizing the jack, extra bearings, grease gun, extra trailer lights and a pile of other redundancy. You can never have enough sh*t if things go wrong. I also try to keep the fuel load low in the boat and car with no unnecessary equipment or fresh water in tanks. I always travel on Sunday because traffic into GR seems very low. I’ve seen lots of big boats being pulled in there every time I’m there. If the cap of you truck is within limits, you should be fine. Just take your time.

That is pretty much the same load I'm pulling in there. The extras that you bring is a good tip(it reminded me to throw the tire iron in for the trailer)Thanks for the info.

 

[High Velocity]

My wife's cousin has towed his Wellcraft 290 Coastal from CR to GR a couple times. It's got to weigh in excess of 10,000 lbs, full of fuel, fresh water, food, gear, etc., 7 kw genset and two 300 hp Yamahas hanging off the back. Last year, with his Duramax dually, this year with his Ram/Cummins dually. Absolutely no problem either time. As already stated, the road is a little narrow and windy in spots, so take your time and you'll be fine.


Sent from my iPad when I should be fishing.

 

[Saxe Point]

I tow my boat into Cougar Creek every year. Not a big boat, but honestly, I think you could take just about any trailer boat in there as long as you take it slow. Gravel is only a problem if your flying on the road. Slow down and no problem. It's a truck your driving, not a Rolls Royce. A few stone chips add character!

 

[profisher]

22 Seasport/2500 Dodge Cummins 4X4...the drive to the GR ramp is easy..just take it easy as the worst part are a few rolls in the road that get the truck and boat moving in different directions...one going up the other down. Just keep the speed at the posted limits, especially after you get past the narrows bridge and on to the ramp. I see no reason to take your boat down the gravel road as the run down Muchalet Inlet and over to Tupana Inlet is an easy 40 minute run. just get to the ramp before 10am and the run will be calm enough to maintain any speed you want. If your going with a buddy I would drop the boat in, pay to store the trailer in the secure parking then have one of you bring the boat around while the other drives the vehicle in. Same going home. The boat stays clean, you don't risk breaking something on the trailer etc etc. I trailered into Bamfield once years ago with a 17 Double Eagle and said never again for gravel with the boat. Flat tire on the trailer, dust filled boat and then to cap it off a rock flew up and cracked a brake line...no truck brakes all the way back to Victoria.