What Do I Want In A New Trailer?

[jrzila]

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a new trailer.

Just wanted to know what should I be looking to have for a new trailer? its a 14-15 ft fibreglass boat, should I be choosing one with predominantly the side rollers and none of the rollers down the middle (sorry not very techinical with my boat).

just some basics specs I should include in my search, also what is the rough price of a new trailer and some possible dealers, I live at Liverpool so Huett marine could be a little far for me to tow a near dead trailer.

any advise would be appreciated.

thanks

Simon

[GregL]

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a new trailer.

Just wanted to know what should I be looking to have for a new trailer? its a 14-15 ft fibreglass boat, should I be choosing one with predominantly the side rollers and none of the rollers down the middle (sorry not very techinical with my boat).

just some basics specs I should include in my search, also what is the rough price of a new trailer and some possible dealers, I live at Liverpool so Huett marine could be a little far for me to tow a near dead trailer.

any advise would be appreciated.

thanks

Simon

Hi Simon

I like skids rather than rollers, just makes drive on and off launches much easier especially when your fishing solo.

They are usually carpeted, once the boats on top they don't move, most bass and ski boats use this style and near all US built boats run the same as well.

G

[pelican]

What is the boat as different boats require different things as Greg says. You just have to ensure that boat is properly supported and that launch and retrieval are easy. Drive on and off?

If your existing trailer design has served you well is it an option to have it repaired or regalvanized or is it beyond repair?

Beware of cheap trailers or cheap trailer equipment as the easiest way to save money by manufacturers is to use just in spec gear and cheap thin galvanising. It will cost you more in the long term just replacing crappy winch or rims rusted out in only a couple of years ot blown tyres that are cap.

If you get one of the trailer makers to build you one be very specific as to what you want and do it all in writing if they don't have a sample trailer there as some will take you for a ride.

Words you might be after

Keel rollers - ones up center of trailer

wobble rollers - 2 rollers on one shaft that move to shape of hull

Bunk trailer - trailer with carpet covered or teflon strips on the skids / bunks that run up either side of the keel and support the boat.

I do like the C channel trailers as you no longer get the beams rusting from the inside and you can see any deteriotion out but like everything you pay for what you get. Ally beam trailers are graet for that size boat any would outlast teh boat as well but price again is the issue.

Sure others will add more.

Edited November 27, 2008 by pelican

[a boat]

Hi Simon, all good points and if it was my boat I would fit something like the a Redco or Dunbier Rollamatic series, which have both keel rollers and bilge wobble rollers. These trailer will allow you to launch and retrieve on a good ramp without get any of the running gear wet. On Wednesday i ran a Seafarer Victory with a new 175HP E-TEC and launching the boat was easy and nly the tyre of the rea wheel got wet. You just wind the boat off and winch it back on and I was by myself. Trust me a well set-up trailer makes it easy to use your boat.

You can also get chinese made trailers which we have sold a few of and they are OK, not as good as say a Redco, but they are cheaper.

One thing you will need to be aware of is the laws concerning brakes. When you boat was new there was no such worry, but now a rig over 750KG needs brakes and you boat /motor and trailer will be close to this. You say it is a 15 foot glass boat, what is it and what is on the transom because the hull would weigh about 350-400KG, the outboard around 100Kg and a good trailer is about 220Kg so that equals about 670KG before any gear is in the boat.

PM me if you would liek the Raider price on a new trailer and not hard to swap the boats at home and no need to transport the old trailer here.

Cheers,

Huey.