How Much Trailer?

[Little Joe]

I've read many threads talking about boat buying do's and dont's. One of the most often cited responses or pieces of advice is "get enough trailer" or "don't skimp on the trailer".

I am wondering if there's a formula or rule of thumb when it comes to matching a trailer with a boat (kinda like the not less than 80% of max HP rule)? For example, I am looking at a boat thats around 1730 lbs. What size trailer would be appropriate? I've seen this boat on everything from a tandem trailer with brakes, to a single axle Shorelander with no brakes.

Thanks in advance - LJ

[Northlander]

Go with the most you can afford. If you can afford a dual than do that. Ive never heard anyone say " I wish I would have got a smaller/less trailer".

[Little Joe]

Thanks for the quick response Northlander. I forgot to mention that this will be a used boat purchase so I won't have that option - "getting as much as I can afford". I am looking for some sort of yardstick so I don't get stuck with an undersized trailer.

[Shorelunch]

Add the weight of the boat, motor, batteries, gas, cooler, etc. You want to be about 20% shy of the weight of the trailer. So if your boat fully loaded weighs 2,000, a 2300# trailer would be the minimum trailer you'd want. You may want to opt for a around 3,000# single axle trailer with brakes.

[Little Joe]

Thanks Shorelunch - that's just what I was looking for!

[CanOCorn]

Some more advise (more of an opinion) is do NOT get a roller trailer. These are nothing but problems on windy days or at crooked launchs. Plus, you have to worry about unhooking the boat once it is already above water which isn't a big deal in the summer but when it is 50 degrees outside, wet feet aren't fun. Or you can take your chances and unhook it before it is above water and hope it doesn't roll off on to the launch. I have a roller and trust me, it is more expensive to trade in than to just get it right the first time. I am saving up to make the switch to bunks.

[The_Duckslayer]

I would have to concur with you CanOCorn. I have a bunk trailer and when I am unloading by myself I just take the teather rope from the boat and attach it to the post that the winch is on and disconect the winch hook. Back her into the water, let her float, back up a little more to kind of push it off the trailer an then slowly pull up. You can grab the rope at any point after the front of the trailer is back on dry ground and pull it out of the way. Same is true comming in by yourself. Just don't put the trailer quite so far in the water. Drive on, turn off the motor, walk up front without fear of rolling back into the water and connect the winch and pull it out of everyones way.

I have seen too many folks with roller trailers try to unhook it after the boat is floating and that winch is REAL tight because now the back of the boat is no longer sitting on the trailer and it is causing the bow to come tight against the stop. Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Surface Tension]

I've had roller trailers on boats 16' to 25'. They roll off the trailer with hardly a push so theres no need to back it in till it floats. Loading is simple, just don't back the trailer in to far, meaning the boat shouldn't be floating once its hits the rollers. Takes only a couple minutes to load a 25' boat by myself and a few seconds to hitch the safety chain.

I think what it comes down to is being familiar with your rig.

[Bobby Bass]

If you do buy a bunk trailer one of the best buys for your buck is to install the teflon pads that you mount on the support bunkers. Makes loading and unloading 10 times better then trying to push off aganist dry carpet if you don't get in deep enough. Makes it real nice when using the winch to pull your boat up in shallow water. I have a 17 Tracker and all I need to do is float the stern and I can push her off in some really crappy landings..

[Jacob]

I also have a roller trailer for my 1950 Tyee I/O. I have never had any problems getting it on and off. Back it up just right, step on my back tire, then into the bed of my truck, onto the tongue, unhook, jump in the boat and drive it off. Same with loading, easy, quick and simple. Also I have a single axle trailer and I think my boat loaded and with 40 gallons of gas weighs 4,000# or so. I've always thought I needed a bigger trailer but I've never had any problems and I put around 8,000 miles a year. I just buy new tires every other year .

[Lake Alice]

CR:

What are you looking to buy? There are a few packages for sale around my neighborhood. Shoot me an email.

Chief