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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How High Does A Pontoon Boat Sit On A Trailer?
When considering the transportation of a pontoon boat, understanding the height at which it sits on a trailer is crucial. This height is influenced by several factors, including the design of the trailer, the size of the pontoon boat, and any additional equipment mounted on it.
Key Takeaway
Understanding the height of a pontoon boat on a trailer is crucial for safe transportation, legal compliance, and ease of handling.
Summary
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- Trailer Design: The design of the pontoon trailer (bunk, scissor, float-on) and the frame height affect the overall height of the boat.
- Trailer Components: Trailer axles/tires, suspension system, and frame materials influence height and stability.
- Pontoon Size: Larger pontoons generally sit higher due to increased weight.
- Height Measurement: Measure on level ground from the ground to the highest point (including accessories).
- Safe Transportation: Height awareness is essential to avoid low bridges and ensure legal compliance (13.5ft. US, 4m Europe, 4.3m Australia).
- Height Reduction Tips: Adjustable trailers, smaller tires, removable accessories, or custom trailers can help reduce height.
A boat on a trailer is 2 to 2.5 feet taller than the “bridge clearance” listed on your manufacturer’s specifications. For example, a 22-25 feet boat will usually be above 10 feet tall on a trailer, with some exceptions.
An 18-foot pontoon boat requires an 18–—to 21–foot trailer, a 21-foot pontoon boat requires a 21–—to 24–foot trailer, and a 24-foot pontoon boat requires a 21–to 27–foot trailer.
Transporting a pontoon boat safely and efficiently requires understanding several key aspects, including how high the boat sits on its trailer.
This information is crucial for ensuring safe travel, compliance with legal height restrictions, and ease of handling.
Understanding Pontoon Boat Trailer Design
Types of Trailers for Pontoon Boats
Pontoon boat trailers come in various designs, each affecting the overall height of the boat when loaded:
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Bunk Trailers:
These trailers use long boards (bunks) to support the pontoons. They provide a lower overall height but require more precision during loading and unloading.
Bunk trailers are advantageous because they allow the boat to sit closer to the ground, reducing the center of gravity and potentially enhancing stability during transport.
However, aligning the boat correctly on the bunks can be challenging, especially in windy conditions or strong currents.
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Scissor Trailers:
Explicitly designed for pontoon boats, scissor trailers feature adjustable arms that lift the boat from beneath. They tend to result in a higher boat height due to the lift mechanism.
Scissor trailers offer the convenience of more effortless loading and unloading, particularly in shallow waters.
However, elevated height can pose challenges with clearance under bridges and overpasses and may also impact the handling of tow vehicles due to their higher center of gravity.
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Float-On Trailers:
These trailers are designed for boats to float onto them, making the process easier. The height is generally lower than scissor trailers but higher than bunk trailers.
Float-on trailers simplify the launching and retrieval process, especially for solo boaters. The primary consideration with float-on trailers is ensuring that the trailer is submerged at the right depth to facilitate smooth loading and unloading.
Key Components Influencing Height
Several components of a pontoon boat trailer influence the overall height:
Trailer Frame:
The design and height of the trailer frame play a crucial role in determining how high the boat will sit. Lower frames result in lower heights.
The materials and construction techniques used in the frame can also impact the weight and durability of the trailer, affecting its ease of towing and long-term maintenance.
Axles and Tires:
The size and number of axles and tires affect the clearance and height. Larger tires and multiple axles can increase the height. Dual or triple axle configurations provide better weight distribution and stability but can elevate the overall height.
The appropriate tire size and type are crucial for balancing height and load-bearing capacity.
Suspension System:
The type of suspension system (e.g., leaf springs or torsion axles) impacts the height and stability of the trailer. Torsion axles offer a smoother ride and lower profile than leaf springs but may come at a higher cost.
The choice of suspension can also influence the handling characteristics of the trailer when loaded and during transit.
Measuring the Height
To measure the height of a pontoon boat on a trailer accurately:
- Level Ground: Ensure the trailer is on a level surface. Uneven ground can result in inaccurate measurements, leading to potential issues with clearance during transport.
- Straight Line Measurement: Measure from the ground to the boat’s highest point. Use a tape measure or a laser distance measure for accuracy. Ensure that the measurement is taken vertically to avoid discrepancies.
- Include Accessories: Consider any accessories or modifications in the height measurement, such as antennas or Bimini tops. Failure to account for these elements can lead to unexpected clearance issues. Temporarily removing or folding down these accessories can help reduce the overall height during transport.
Legal and Safety Considerations
Legal Height Restrictions
Each region has specific regulations regarding the maximum allowable height for trailers:
- United States: The maximum height is generally 13.5 feet. However, it can vary by state, so checking local regulations is essential. Over-height vehicles may require special permits or routing considerations to avoid low-clearance obstacles.
- Europe: The standard height limit is around 4 meters (13.1 feet). Variations can occur between countries, necessitating checks on cross-border travel regulations.
- Australia: The maximum allowable height is usually 4.3 meters (14.1 feet). Compliance with these regulations ensures safe passage through underpasses, tunnels, and other height-restricted areas.
Exceeding these limits can result in fines and necessitate special permits. Regularly reviewing the regulations and obtaining necessary permits for over-height loads can prevent legal complications and ensure a smooth journey.
Safety Precautions
- Height Awareness: Always be aware of the total height, including any temporary or permanent additions. This awareness is crucial when navigating through areas with overhead obstacles.
- Bridge and Overpass Clearance: Plan routes that avoid low bridges and overpasses. To ensure safe passage, Utilize tools and apps to assist in route planning for over-height vehicles.
- Secure Loading: Ensure the boat is securely fastened to prevent shifting during transit. Using high-quality straps and tie-downs and checking them regularly during the journey can prevent accidents and damage.
- Pre-Trip Inspection: Conduct a thorough inspection of the trailer and boat before each trip. Check for any loose or protruding parts that could increase height or pose a hazard.
Practical Tips for Reducing Height
Lowering Techniques
- Adjustable Trailers: Use trailers with adjustable bunks or scissor mechanisms to lower the height when necessary. These trailers offer flexibility in height adjustment, accommodating different launching conditions and storage requirements.
- Tire Size: If height is a critical factor, opt for smaller tires, ensuring they are still suitable for the trailer’s weight capacity. Smaller tires can help reduce the overall height but should be chosen carefully to maintain load-bearing capabilities and road handling.
- Removable Accessories: Remove or fold down accessories like Bimini tops, antennas, and fishing poles before transport. This practice reduces height and minimizes the risk of damage during transit.
Custom Modifications
- Custom-Built Trailers: Invest in a custom-built trailer designed to minimize height while maintaining stability and support. Custom trailers can be tailored to specific boat dimensions and transportation needs, offering optimal solutions for height reduction.
- Hydraulic Trailers: Consider hydraulic trailers that can be lowered and raised as needed. These trailers provide exceptional flexibility, allowing easy adjustments to suit travel and storage scenarios. Hydraulic systems, while more expensive, offer the benefit of fine-tuning the height to effectively navigate low-clearance obstacles.
FAQs
How high does a typical pontoon boat sit on a trailer?
A typical pontoon boat sits about 8 to 12 feet high on a trailer, depending on the boat’s size, trailer type, and additional accessories.
The height can vary significantly based on the boat and trailer’s design and any modifications or additional equipment installed on the boat.
What should I do if my boat exceeds the legal height limit?
If your boat exceeds the legal height limit, you may need to apply for special permits or modify your trailer and setup to reduce the height.
Special permits often come with specific route restrictions and additional safety requirements. Modifications to reduce height can include adjusting or replacing the trailer, removing accessories, or lowering the suspension.
Can I transport a pontoon boat with accessories attached?
Remove or secure accessories to avoid damage and reduce the overall height. This includes Bimini tops, antennas, and fishing gear.
Securing loose items and ensuring they do not protrude excessively can help maintain a lower profile and prevent potential damage during transport.
Are there specific trailers designed to keep pontoon boats lower?
Yes, there are trailers specifically designed to keep pontoon boats lower. Bunk trailers and certain custom-built trailers are designed to minimize height.
Trailers with adjustable or hydraulic features can also be customized to keep the boat as low as possible during transport.
How can I ensure my pontoon boat is securely fastened on the trailer?
Use high-quality, heavy-duty ratchet straps designed for marine use to ensure your pontoon boat is securely fastened on the trailer. Check that the tie-down points on the boat and trailer are secure and in good condition.
Stop periodically during long trips to inspect and adjust the straps as needed. Additionally, ensure the boat is evenly distributed on the trailer to prevent shifting.
What are some common challenges with transporting a pontoon boat on a trailer?
Common challenges with transporting a pontoon boat on a trailer include navigating routes with low bridges and overpasses due to height restrictions.
Ensuring the boat is balanced to prevent sway and improve handling through proper weight distribution is also critical.
Aligning the boat properly on the trailer during loading and unloading, especially in adverse conditions, can be challenging. Removing or securing accessories to avoid damage and reduce height is necessary.
Can a pontoon boat trailer be adjusted for different boat sizes?
Many pontoon boat trailers come with adjustable bunks or supports that can be modified to fit different boat sizes.
However, significant size differences might require a trailer designed for the new boat dimensions to ensure safe and secure transport.
What size pontoon trailer for a boat?
Most center-lift pontoon trailers will sit modern boats with 23” diameter or larger tubes on the ground. Boats with smaller (19” diameter) tubes may need blocking, but blocking is a good idea with any pontoon.
Height has become a problem for some modern pontoons, especially with 27” diameter pontoons.
How to load a pontoon boat?
If you have to load your pontoon boat in a windy situation, try using the weather to your advantage. Have your boat start upwind and parallel with your trailer. Use the wind to push you in line with your trailer.
Can I pull a tube with a pontoon boat?
Generally, you can pull a tube behind a pontoon if it has enough horsepower relative to its weight. Wakes generated from pontoon boats have less shape or depth than wakes created by ski boats, but the tube will still have the potential to “whip” at high speed.
How big of a garage do I need for a pontoon boat?
As a rule of thumb, you should have at least a foot of clearance for safe movement and storage when you back the trailer and boat back into the garage. Regarding width, ideally, you need a couple of feet of clearance on either side of the pontoon and trailer to the door entry.
Will a boat fit in my garage?
The size of garages will vary no matter where you are in the country or world, but in general, most boats will fit inside a garage without too much difficulty.
The only boats with issues fitting are pontoons, houseboats, or others designed to be taller or considerably larger.
Can you use a pontoon boat for tubing?
Most pontoon boats are not ideal for tubing if you want a thrill ride. However, if your boat has a top speed of 20 miles per hour, then yes, you will be able to pull the inner tube.
When inflatable tubing is behind, scaling up to a 90hp pontoon boat will improve performance and fun.
Is it hard to trailer a pontoon boat?
Weighting the front of the boat makes loading the pontoon boat on the trailer much more difficult. You’re driving the boat onto the trailer, so additional weight means you need more thrust on the engine to get up the trailer.
What kind of gas does a pontoon boat use?
Pontoon boats fitted with normal outboard motors will use regular unleaded petrol gasoline. Regular unleaded gas used for pontoon boats will usually contain ethanol to protect the engine.
How do you trailer a pontoon boat?
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to Avalon Luxury Pontoon Boats
Wrapping Up
The design of pontoon trailers, which feature long, horizontal support bunks, is crucial in determining the boat’s height.
Bunk trailers typically keep pontoon boats lower to the ground than scissor trailers, resulting in an average ground-to-deck measurement of 8 to 10 feet.
The size and weight of the pontoon boat also impact its height on the trailer; larger pontoons naturally sit higher due to their increased weight and dimensions.
Additionally, adjustments to the bunks or brackets on the trailer can further influence the pontoon’s height. Adhering to height limits, typically ranging from 13.5 to 14 feet, is essential to ensure road safety and compliance with regulations.
Considering these factors, one can effectively manage how high a pontoon boat sits on a trailer, ensuring safety and efficiency during transportation.
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