How To Buy A New Or Used Boat Trailer. What To Ask For In New, Watch Out For These In Used Trailers
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I’ve included a comprehensive trailer buyers guide that you can get free from our web site. The description will give you a good starting point. They limit descriptions to much once in a while
Buying a new trailer
First decision obviously is are you going to be using it in saltwater or freshwater, and the type of support the boat trailer is going to give your boat. Either way insist on safety cables NOT chains
Bunk Trailers
This trailer will support your boat hull better than any other type of trailer, and while that is true it might not always be the best trailer for your particular situations.
Roller / Bunk Trailers
The second type of trailer is a roller bunk. This type trailer has bunks in the forward part of the trailer and a rear section of rollers for many people this may be the ideal trailer.
All Roller Trailer
As the name implies your boat is sitting completely on rollers. This type trailer offers the least amount of support for your hull since all the weight is being carried on rollers that are spaced a around the hull.
So the type of trailer you feel best fits your needs, varies widely depending on where you will be using your boat most of the time. If possible always get a bunk trailer for your boat regardless of the material but boat is made from.
Trailer Material
Aluminum boat trailers might seem to be the obvious choice for saltwater, but don’t forget that they are much lighter than steel trailers, and may in fact be a better choice if you have limited towing capacity vehicle. As I mentioned in the video it is vitally important that you insist when buying a new boat trailer that anywhere on the trailer where stainless steel or galvanized steel touches the aluminum that there be a barrier tape applied to the aluminum side of the trailer. 3M makes the industry standard in barrier tape to prevent galvanic corrosion. And while it might not seem like that big a deal I’ve seen it eat through an aluminum trailer frame in less than four years.
Steel Trailers
If you are going to be buying a steel trailer there’s a lot less to worry about when it comes to corrosion. Just make sure as above it’s rated for the way the boat along with the rest of the information we passed along.
Axles Single or Tandem and make sure they are have Torsion axle suspension, not a leaf spring suspension. Even in freshwater leaf spring suspension tends to rust together into a solid piece in a very short period of time. See the video it does a good job of showing you how torsion axle suspension works.
Used Trailers What To Check - Things To Look Out For
1. How heavy is your boat be sure you check the capacity played on the trailer make sure it’s rated for that load.
2. Be sure that can remove the lug nuts on both wheels, there are times when the bolts themselves are so rusted you will never get the lug nuts off without an impact driver. And chances are you’re not to have one of those handy when you get a flat so take them off and put them back on before you buy that trailer.
3. Check the spindle, this is the plate at the end of the axle that attaches to the wheel you want to make sure that it isn’t corroded badly. An easy way to do that is to take a small hammer and tap the metal all the way around the end of the spindle. If a little rust falls off that’s fine but I’ve seen the pieces of metal fall off the spindle which of course means a much weaker axle to wheel connection.
4. Be sure that the brakes work if the trailer has them.
5. Wheel Bearings
The only way to be sure the bearings haven’t been full of a combo of grease and water is to pull of the caps (hopefully bearing buddies or axle protectors) and take a look at the grease. If there is real seal problem it will be easy to detect just by taking a look behind the wheel.
Пікірлер: 25
Thanks for posting this. Super helpful for those of us who don't know what to look for. A great checklist that can save thousands in repairs.
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome, I am going to d part 2 on double axle trailers and brakes. Lots of issues to watch out for when it comes to the entire brake system! Thanks for the kind words!
Awesome advice, Thank you!!! First time getting a Used Boat and Trailer and it's a nerve racking experience.
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Its one of those topics that are never discussed enough, your boat lives on its trailer!
thanks for the tips. i’m looking into trailer and this was great advise i didn’t even think of
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Good info. Thanks!
Very informative! Did not know any of this. Thanks!!
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dale I appreciate the kind words. Remember that unless you take the time to choose the proper trailer and take care of it, you won't spend much time at the lake or in the bay! Your boat spends most of its life on a trailer so be sure you carefully choose the proper one for your boat.
Great video. One thing that I can use help in is straight axles verses the droop or v shaped axle and cross frame members for keel clearance. I am helping a friend purchase a aluminum trailer to replace his rusty galvanized trailer. The newer trailer has straight cross members and tandem axles whereas his original tandem trailer has the droop v in the center of the axles and frame cross members. I am curious as how this will impact launching and recovering his boat?
Buen video
Nicely done video. Good info.
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Thomas: We try to make the extra to give you good production value. We value every view and want you to learn as much as possible. I have part two coming soon. I need to cover tandem axles and surge brakes, both are very important and you need to know what to watch out for and the ONE MUST DO every time you use you trailer to save your brakes. Thanks Again! Capt Eric...
I am in the process of building a 12 foot long plywood boat. What configuration of bunks work best ? Thanks -
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
3 жыл бұрын
That's impossible to say without seeing the hull or at least the plans, If you can provide with that info I'll be glad to give you some suggestions. Capt Eric...
How much
Any recommendations to minimize the risk of blowing a bearing/ axle? I must have happened to me once a year- scary and dangerous. I've even had the trailer dealer replace the bearings every year.
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
2 жыл бұрын
Sorry to hear you have been having those problems. If you are having bearing failure once a year something else is very wrong. It sounds like the trailer is a single axle and grossly overloaded and possibly driving at high speed. Until you can give me some details about the entire setup, I could never give you a reliable answer. Capt Eric...
@bostondan77
2 жыл бұрын
I sold the boat because of the trailer headache- but she was 24 ft walkaround about 4K lbs dry weight on a galvanized 2 axle trailer spring leaf suspension with surge brakes. I definitely may have driven too fast, about 65 mph two hours for the round trip. I’m looking into buying another boat, I’ve read good reviews about The Vault hybrid bearing system, I think I’ll try that next time on an aluminum trailer.
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
2 жыл бұрын
I have T-H Vault hubs on my newest trailer and they are the only way to go. 7 Yrs of trouble free use, don't even think twice, just buy 'em. My best guess on your old trailer is that the castle nuts were to tight. There should be a little wiggle room 1/8" or so to allow back and forth play between the nut and the bearing. If that nut was tight against the bearing you will over heat them in a hurry and you know what happens then (ugh). You can't rely on dealers to do trailers right, most of the time they want to sell you a million dollar boat and a $10 dollar trailer. A trailer is the most important part of your new boat, it lives on the trailer. We both know what happens when it goes wrong. Be sure to get a torsion axle trailer, best thing you'll ever do for your boat, a must if it hits the salt water. Capt Eric...
@billbass3801
Жыл бұрын
By the 1/8 inch number you said I’m thinking you’re meaning 1/8 of an inch rotation rather than 1/8 of an inch space between the nut and the bearing
auto play can be weird sometimes
@Lake2SeaOutdoors
3 жыл бұрын
??