Nightmare Overland Albin 35 TE Shipper/Transport

[jleonard]

According to the Reese trailer hitch web site, their class V ball hitch is only rated for 17,000 lbs max if it a weight distributing system. 14,000 lbs if not weight distributing.
So the rig was overloaded by the boat alone not even considering the trailer weight.
I think you have them by the short hairs on this. They clearly tried to tow too much weight.

[Jeremyvmd]

On a related topic I did some poking around. The heaviest tendem axle car/equipment trailer I could find (theirs appears to just be a modified equipment trailer) only have 14500lb on a ball hitch and 16000lb on a gooseneck! Those are gvwr not carrying capacity...

[RobS]

Not trying to piss on an already rainy parade but I really do hope that someone involved here had the where-with-all to be sure that wet exhaust was FULLY drained before loading...

[DKramer]

Every bit of what the group is saying is absolutely correct: Overloaded the trailer, did not verify weight, illegally modified trailer, etc. Yet the bottom line is there is very little you can do with law, logic and civility. I feel I am bringing a Laptop to a knife fight. I never dreamed this could happen in the United States.

However, these are not the brightest guys and I have been able to find the boat with considerable detective work. I also documented everything meticulously. I filed a complaint with the attorney general and hopefully take them to task once I get my boat back.

Monday I'm off to take possession with a sheriff escort.

[Marcy K]

It's starting to get a little "Western" - way to go and good luck! This is one of the most intriguing tales to unfold here yet!

[DKramer]

Not trying to piss on an already rainy parade but I really do hope that someone involved here had the where-with-all to be sure that wet exhaust was FULLY drained before loading...

Wet Exaust drained: Do explain, is this a machnical danger or a weight issue?

[DCatSea]

Glad to hear you located your boat, and wish you well in the knife fight. Remember that the pen (or keyboard?) can indeed be mightier than the sword.

Hope you get to launch her in San Francisco Bay soon, and look forward to seeing pix of her zipping past Alcatraz.

[RobS]

Not trying to piss on an already rainy parade but I really do hope that someone involved here had the where-with-all to be sure that wet exhaust was FULLY drained before loading...

Wet Exaust drained: Do explain, is this a machnical danger or a weight issue?

100% Mechanical. The seawater sitting in the wet exhaust drains forward through the exhaust elbow, into the turbo, and could very well make it's way into and through the exhaust manifold, exhaust valve(s) and into the cylinder(s) and sits there corroding the the valve seats, cylinders pistons, rings, etc. Not good. If this is detected right way there are ways to deal with it but when things are left to sit damage is done. So, moral of the story: If this ends up being the case be sure to have this investigated fully before you settle up whatever claim or case you make against the involved parties.

[Pitou]

Good for Rob to bring up the the subject of draining the exhaust before loading for transport. When I saw the pictures of the boat being loaded I was thinking the same. Draining the exhaust needs to be done regardless of the boat being loaded bow down or not because the load travels up and "down" grades creating the same situation.

Hopefully the yard or whoever was contracted to supervise the loading made sure that this was taken care of for you. The muffler does have a drain plug bottom aft exactly for this purpose. If it wasn't drained it's best to be known now so that this can be dealt with immediately and not later on down the road as the damage will become greater.

Hoping that your rig arrives safely and soon and that someone was on the ball at time of loading.

[Ben423]

This thread is giving me nightmares. I am planning to have my new-to-me 28 FD trucked from VA to CA later this month. Ray Trent of Baja Motorsports is handling it. I'll let you all know how it works out. The boat's been on the hard for the last six months so I'm not sure if there's any water in the exhaust system. My question is whether I should have the yard drain it before it goes on the trailer. Any record of water getting into the turbo on a 28 FD? Thanks.

[Pitou]

The boat's been on the hard for the last six months so I'm not sure if there's any water in the exhaust system. My question is whether I should have the yard drain it before it goes on the trailer. Any record of water getting into the turbo on a 28 FD? Thanks.

This advice is not Albin specific, but for any inboard boat with raw water exhaust ... drain it!

[jleonard]

I'm not sure if there's any water in the exhaust system.]

Yes drain it then you will be sure.

[Nancy]

Fingers crossed for you tomorrow, DK.

[DKramer]

This thread is giving me nightmares. I am planning to have my new-to-me 28 FD trucked from VA to CA later this month. Ray Trent of Baja Motorsports is handling it. I'll let you all know how it works out. The boat's been on the hard for the last six months so I'm not sure if there's any water in the exhaust system. My question is whether I should have the yard drain it before it goes on the trailer. Any record of water getting into the turbo on a 28 FD? Thanks.

Don't worry, I'll post a full debriefing on the site once I come up for air and my nightmare is over.

This site is an increadibly valuable resource.

Thanks to all

[Ben423]

Here's hoping it all works out well for you in the end. I agree with you regarding this site, it's been an extremely helpful resource.