Best bunk trailer?

[steve(IL)]

Trailers don't come up very often here. Painted steel trailers rust. With the small cost adder for aluminum, why don't we see more of them? As far as suspension, I suspect torsion axles might protect the boat better than leaf springs - why don't we see more of them? I towed a 3500lb trailer for my job w/ torsion axle suspension. After 7000 miles, I've got to say it was the best behaved trailer I've ever pulled.

I'd appreciate hearing from others more familiar w/ trailer pro's and con's. How does an aluminum trailer hold up over time? Thanks in advance.

[Goin4it]

Hi Steve,

I have gone to the Shorlander galvanized trailers since 1997 and really like how they are built. I really like that the galvanized trailers don't get to looking so beat up from gravel like the painted trailers. The other thing I like is the tandem axles. I don't have any experience with aluminum, I would expect them to cost a fair amount more -- seems like it works that way with the aluminum horse trailers.

[Jay]

I have an Eagle tandem trailer with bunks - best trailer I've ever used. Pulls great and loads perfect.

[Bob G2]

Steve, I think you are on to something interesting again. A friend of mine bought an aluminum trailer 3-4 years back for a 27' Sportcraft. It did not cost him an arm and a leg. I think he paid around 3,000 for it. I believe it is a triple axle, can't remember exactly. It would be interesting to contact a few marinas in Florida just to see what prices are.

On that same note, at the boat show I talked with a boat store on the southwest side of Chicago about galvanized EZ Loader trailers. When I asked him about galvanized EZ Loaders for larger (19') boats, he looked at me somewhat cockeyed and in a condescending manner said it is not possible to have a dip tank that large. A few weeks later, I recieved a sales flyer from
Stevens Marine out of the Pacific Northwest. Sure enough, in their brochure was galvanized EZ Loader Trailers, and, at a much
better price (hundreds of dollars) for a galvanized trailer than what he quoted me for a painted trailer.

The point is that it may be real interesting to check around.

[T. Ryan]

I have a 20' boat with a Caravan Galvanized all roller trailer, single axle and the reason I went with the Galvanized is my two friends that have three year old painted trailers are all starting to rust from rock chips. I plan on hanging on to my boat and trailer for a few years so wanted it to look good as long as possible. The Galvanized trailer cost about 400 more than the painted.

[redbone]

galvinized is a good way to go. but if you want one thats painted to match you boat, you should look into trailmaster trailers by vanguard ind. there paint coatings hold up great. yes you will get some chips. but have not had any serious rust problems. they load great and pull very well. all welded cross members and are the same price as shorelandr's. my last boat had one under it and so does my current rig.
good luck
bob piette npaa #859