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Boat trailer brands
- Thread starter ken 120
- Start date
Hi,
Load Rite, built just outside Philadelphia. Venture built in Maryland I think. Magic Tilt and Float On built in Florida. Float On has a great reputation built out of aluminum I beams with all stainless hardware is a good choice for salt water use IMHO. Stay away from aluminum wheels as they will corrode around the bead area and leak air. Stay with galvinized wheels and either aluminum or galinized steel frame spring for stainless hardware if it's not standard. Kodiak disc brakes are said to be better then Tiedown Engineering's brakes if it's an option.
D.D.
Load Rite, built just outside Philadelphia. Venture built in Maryland I think. Magic Tilt and Float On built in Florida. Float On has a great reputation built out of aluminum I beams with all stainless hardware is a good choice for salt water use IMHO. Stay away from aluminum wheels as they will corrode around the bead area and leak air. Stay with galvinized wheels and either aluminum or galinized steel frame spring for stainless hardware if it's not standard. Kodiak disc brakes are said to be better then Tiedown Engineering's brakes if it's an option.
D.D.
journey on
New member
Just a thought. Stainless and aluminum will corrode in a salt environment. I had a mast that had that problem.
I like the idea of an aluminum trailer, just ask how they deal with the stainless/al corrosion issue. If they tell you they never herd of it, that's a data point on them.
Boris
I like the idea of an aluminum trailer, just ask how they deal with the stainless/al corrosion issue. If they tell you they never herd of it, that's a data point on them.
Boris
Matt Gurnsey
New member
Most aluminum trailers have a lot of galvanized parts bolted onto them, so their life will be no longer than a good galvanized trailer.
Where the aluminum does shine is in weight reduction, but it will only be a few hundred pounds on a unit for a 22 C-Dory.
Where the aluminum does shine is in weight reduction, but it will only be a few hundred pounds on a unit for a 22 C-Dory.
Barry Rietz
New member
Ken,
I own three trailers, two with springs, and a newer one with "torsion" suspension. These trailers have all been driven cross-country many times over the years. The "torsion" suspension "EZ Loader" I acquired early this year has been the best trailer I've ever owned! It goes down the road without bouncing, accepts the bumps easier, and is several inches lower than the models using "springs". It has "salt water" disc brakes, a "bolt-together" 100% hot dipped galvanized frame, and oil filled hubs with "sight glass" spindle caps making it easy to check lubrication. EZ Loader has a distribution center at Elkhart, Indiana and dealers across the East Coast. Have a look at one, I think you will be impressed with the product.
I own three trailers, two with springs, and a newer one with "torsion" suspension. These trailers have all been driven cross-country many times over the years. The "torsion" suspension "EZ Loader" I acquired early this year has been the best trailer I've ever owned! It goes down the road without bouncing, accepts the bumps easier, and is several inches lower than the models using "springs". It has "salt water" disc brakes, a "bolt-together" 100% hot dipped galvanized frame, and oil filled hubs with "sight glass" spindle caps making it easy to check lubrication. EZ Loader has a distribution center at Elkhart, Indiana and dealers across the East Coast. Have a look at one, I think you will be impressed with the product.
We have owned many trailers over our boating lives .,and I was a Sales Rep . for Continental trailers about 8yrs ago . We own a Alum frame torsion suspension tandem axcel trailer with tie down disc brakes and a Titan brake actuater
I would look at Galv. or Alum frame trailer with torsion suspension and disc brakes . I have Tie down disc's on my Continental Trailer but I would probably go with Kodiaks now . Alum frame looks better weighs less and holds it resale better .Galv. frame will be stronger and usually a little less money.Most trailers use a surge brake actuater but you could go with elec over hydraulic which came out about 10 yrs ago They are little better going down hills or going down a boat ramp better control . Also going with torsion suspension you might not need rollers since the trailer will sit lower and your boat will launch a lot easier . Take a look at some of the trailers in the photo album . Mine has 2by 6 guides and also 3by 10 beams it loads on real easy and lots of support .
What ever you do you must wash down your brakes and trailer after every salt water dump and dont go with a painted trailer .Good Luck in your Quest . All the trailers that are mentioned are good ones Float on is probably the best . it depends how big your wallet is $
I would look at Galv. or Alum frame trailer with torsion suspension and disc brakes . I have Tie down disc's on my Continental Trailer but I would probably go with Kodiaks now . Alum frame looks better weighs less and holds it resale better .Galv. frame will be stronger and usually a little less money.Most trailers use a surge brake actuater but you could go with elec over hydraulic which came out about 10 yrs ago They are little better going down hills or going down a boat ramp better control . Also going with torsion suspension you might not need rollers since the trailer will sit lower and your boat will launch a lot easier . Take a look at some of the trailers in the photo album . Mine has 2by 6 guides and also 3by 10 beams it loads on real easy and lots of support .
What ever you do you must wash down your brakes and trailer after every salt water dump and dont go with a painted trailer .Good Luck in your Quest . All the trailers that are mentioned are good ones Float on is probably the best . it depends how big your wallet is $
Levitation
New member
Sent a PM to you...
I have gone to all aluminum trailers. Florida seems to be far ahead of teh West Coast in this area. My trailer have few if any galvanized items (except the axel tubes and square tongue tube--no problem with these)--all of the bolts, hangers etc are stainless.
As for corrosion--a good Aluminum I beam trailer seems to last much better than galvanized trailers here in Florida. Of course I wash the trailer and brakes off after each use--but did that with galvanized trailers also
Look at the quality of the hardware, what brakes are on the trailer (I prefer Kodiac Disc brakes)---and have brakes on both axels--even if your state does not reqire that. Many states do--and stopping that boat behind the car is a very important issue. Also check for a separate ground wire system--not using the trailer frame--easier to trouble shoot, and less problems.
As for corrosion--a good Aluminum I beam trailer seems to last much better than galvanized trailers here in Florida. Of course I wash the trailer and brakes off after each use--but did that with galvanized trailers also
Look at the quality of the hardware, what brakes are on the trailer (I prefer Kodiac Disc brakes)---and have brakes on both axels--even if your state does not reqire that. Many states do--and stopping that boat behind the car is a very important issue. Also check for a separate ground wire system--not using the trailer frame--easier to trouble shoot, and less problems.