Purchasing a boat can be a major step when it comes to an extracurricular activity for the family. The purchase of a trailer will be the second most major consideration. Boat trailers come in a wide variety of sizes, brands and configurations. Knowing which trailer fits your application and needs requires some forethought and planing.
New and Used
The differences between a new and used boat trailer can be vast. New trailers often come with a warranty, can be fitted and adjusted to the customer's application and can be very dependable for their first years of use -- a relatively trouble-free consideration. Used trailers might not fit your boat exactly, might require exterior sanding and finishing and may have hidden axle and wheel bearing damage. A used trailer may or may not require more effort and cost to restore it to a safe and functional condition than buying a new one.
Bunk and Roller Trailers
A bunk trailer has carpet or felt-covered skids that allows the boat to drive up and over the trailer frame. These trailers work well in deep-water ramps, where flotation problems don't exist. They function well for smaller, lighter aluminum and fiberglass boats. Roller trailers have multiple rollers installed in rails, which let the boat roll up over the trailer frame with the least resistance and winch pressure. Roller trailers work best for shallow ramps and non-ramp conditions, where the water level remains low and adequate flotation cannot be assured.
Construction Material
Steel trailer frames will require frequent maintenance and upkeep with the painted surfaces. Plain steel has a tendency to rust heavily, especially in salt water. Aluminum frame trailers weigh the least, can be maneuvered more easily and save on gas during transport. Aluminum will oxidize over time, and the surface will decay into a fine white powder. Aluminum resists rust and has more flex, making it ideal for smaller boat weights. Galvanized trailers resist decay and rust and fare better for larger vessels, but they can decay at rivet and seam joints.
Accessories
Consider whether accessories will assist your launch. Load guides help to center the craft when loading -- they use extensions to corral the nose of the boat. Swing tongues allow for sharp turning while launching in tight or narrow ramp areas, as well as swivel jacks. Tongue extensions lengthen the trailer for very shallow ramp launches. A tilt mechanism allows the boat to hinge up and slide into the water, which assists heavy boats in shallow launch conditions.
Size and Weight
Boat trailers have a gross vehicle weight rating placard, as mandated by Federal law. This includes the weight of the trailer, its average passenger, gasoline, water and gear weight. Generally speaking, the total gross weight of a boat should be 85 percent or less than the trailer's maximum carrying capacity. This allows a safe margin for towing and maneuvering. The boat length should not extend past the trailer end, since this destabilizes the load. A boat that measures 1 or 2 feet shorter than the trailer length provides better safety.
Hull Fit
Rather than considering a one-size-fits-all trailer design, the optimum consideration will be the shape of the hull for a proper trailer fit. Hulls come in deep-V, semi-V, flat bottom, tri-hull, catamaran and pontoon designs. The hull should fit the trailer profile precisely, rather than adjusting a universal trailer to its maximum modification to accommodate an exotic hull shape.
Trailer Brakes
Many states require trailer brakes on loads that exceed approximately 3,100 lbs. A dealer will know precisely what the state regulations outline for your specific needs. Trailer brakes have an advantage with small or undersized tow vehicles. Non-braking trailers that carry heavy gross weights put undue stress on the tow vehicle's braking system, as well as demand extra power and gas required for the engine. Trailer brakes assist in shorter stopping times, and they keep the trailer from wandering and fishtailing.
Multiple Axle Trailers
Dual and triple-axle trailers provide extra stability and carrying capacity for very large vessels, such as fixed, deep-keel sailboats, large cruisers, commercial fishing vessels and yachts. There is a weight threshold when multiple axles must be used, because the extra tires and tire surface contact area needs to support and stabilize heavier loads. Multiple axle trailers provide a stiffer ride, reducing flex and roll-over. They almost always contain trailer brakes, and they can cost more than the largest of the single axle designs.
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