Advice on best boat trailers

[Walleye Mike]

I'm looking for advice for the best trailer to put an 1800 Lund Fisherman on. I see a lot of good comments on Eagle trailers, not so good on Shorelanders. One particular dealer said he uses Heritage trailers and another Trailmaster trailers. Are Heritage and Trailmaster trailers comparible to Eagle trailers? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[PJM]

Walleye Mike

Go though the archives and you will find the answer to your question. This topic comes up about every two weeks or so and all the guy that have bunks post how they are the best and all the guys with rollers say the same thing. If you want a bunk, get an Eagle made just for your boat that seems to be the best set up if you have trouble loading it. I have owned both and I have had no trouble with either. I think it depends on the individual and where you are loading your boat...........

[bigshooter]

Do Not Purchase A Karavan Trailer!! That's the best advice I can give you my friend!! I and a few of my friends own them and they rust in the first year of owning one!! Go with a ShoreLander, they are a really nice trailer! Good Luck!

[Jeffro]

I love my Prestige trailer. Check em out!

http://www.prestigetrailers.com/

Jeff Zurawski
Downers Grove, IL
A Proud Lund, Mercury, Prestige, Motorguide, Lowrance, Bracketpro Owner

[Jawjerker]

I just put a new Eagle under my 1800 Pro-V. I replaced the Shorelandr that came with the boat as I always had problems getting the boat on center and straight when loading, no matter how level the landing. I've been doing this for 30 years so I'm not a rockie. To my surprise the Eagle does not come with a bow safety chain so the dealer added a transome safety tiedown strap for me.......no charge. In my opinion the fit & finish of the Eagle is far superior to the Shorelandr, however, it should be as it costs a lot more.

[cardwiz]

I had a new Karavan trailer as a loaner to use before my Eagle trailer arrived.

I had to fix the ground wiring on the Karavan in the first few days of the two-three weeks I used it. I also re-tightened about 6-8 bolts that kept loosening up. The Karavan is built to be adjusted to a number of boats and has U-bolts all over the thing to move/adjust stuff to the boat. The Eagle trailer is built for a specific model(or two) and most everything is welded. The Eagle towed better with less sway(of course I suppose there is 6-7 adjustments one could try on a Karavan)...but I wasn't keeping it. My boat also sits lower on the Eagle trailer due to design and the bunks...which I like.

Just remember your investment is going to ride on whatever you choose...get a solid trailer made for the boat. Don't get a cheap, universal, one size fits all...alot of things should go into the design since all boats are not exactly alike.

[cardwiz]

I have the Eagle "Pro Fisherman" model and it has a spot to connect a bow tie down. The thought of a dangling chain to the bow of my new boat is a bit scarey anyway. The Pro Fisherman model is designed for a good tie down stap which attaches directly beneath the bow eye on the main part of the trailer vs the winch tower. It serves as a two point bow connection(forward - down). This allows you to get it secure and snug. Difficult to tighten up a chain other than putting a few twists in the links.

My dealer was happy to give me some tie down straps! (Of course they have his dealerships name on them...)

[W1]

I have a Eagle and it's great!! Two of my friends have Shorelander and they are JUNK compared to the Eagle. The Shorelanders one is bunk and one is roller after very little use parts started to break off.

[OOC]

I have a Heritage under my Tuffy Osprey and I'm very happy with it.It trails and launches great.When I pick up I just have to get close and drive on.The boat centers it self perfectly every time(as it should).It's well made and came with Goodyear Marathons.I've had no trouble with wiring or lighting.The boat does sit maybe an inch higher on the Heritage trailer then the same model boat sat on the Tuffy trailer but I have no problem with that.Don't skimp on a trailer.Whichever one you buy,make sure it's a custom fit for the boat not a "we'll make it fit."

[Kingfish.]

Walleye Mike: I have heard very few bad things about Shorelandr trailers, I 've just completed closing on my new rig and I chose a Shorelandr. Mostly because of the many positive posts on the product
plus all of my fishing buddies have them with no problems and love them. I almost got a unit on a Prestige, their a nice unit also, the Eagle (pricewise) was just more than I wanted to give. One other trailer that I would stay away from would be a Spartan. I just sold my old unit and it had a Spartan under it, had to be painted every three years. Good luck! The Kingfish.

[LakeRat]

I have had a shorelander trailer since 1987 and it has not required one repair, though it could use a paint touch-up. I drive right onto it. You do have to take it easy when lining it up though. If you beat a bunk, the carpets will tear and scuff the boat. If you beat a roller, they will break or sieze and not roll and scuff the boat. Don't beat the trailer by being in a hurry at those ramps and it will last a long-long time.

[luredaddy]

Donot be afraid of Trailmaster Trailers, I have one under my 1650 Lund, they are excellent!! They are also made specifically for the boat you are buying. There have been a number of positive posts on Eagle and Trailmaster, check the archives.

[TomPGrouse]

I agree with the post that suggest staying away from Spartan. Heritage,Eagle,Prestige are all good trailers. I currently have an Eagle and love it. I have had Shorelanders and was also happy. However, with the IPS hull on my boat I shied away from Shorelander. If you go Eagle you will not regret it.

[McFish]

I've had nothing but shorelanders, my last 2 were on a 1995 1850 Grand Sport Tyee with rollers, and my lastest is a bunk for my 2001 Pro-V 1900 IFS. I haven't experienced any problems with either. I wouldn't hesitate to buy shorelander again, but I've never had experience with the others either.

[Shep]

I chose an Eagle bunk trailer for my new Lund 1700 Angler SS. My last trailer was a Kay Launcher Bunk. I like bunk trailers, and I also like the fact that the Eagle is designed to fit my boat. I got the Fish Boat upgrade, so it will have the 2 extra bunks, side guides, and diamond plate steps. I also like that it is all welded. No clamp on anything. I think wherever you have u-bolts holding on pieces, eventually it's going to chip the paint and rust. My .02.


Tight Lines All,

Shep

[T-Mac]

In cases where you have heard bad things about ShoreLand'r it is because there was too small of a trailer put under the boat.
Since they are an adjustable trailer, this can be done. With a custom style trailer it cannot be adjusted to fit a boat too large for it, thus the problems associated with that do not crop up.
If you get the CORRECT ShoreLand'r bunk trailer for the boat package, and it is set up properly to your boat, you will not have problems.
I would strongly recommend a bunk trailer unless your favorite and most commonly used fishing hole has a really shallow ramp causing the need to physically push the boat off the trailer.
If you are driving your boat onto your trailer, as is usually the case, a properly adjusted Bunk trailer is the way to go.

If you shop and shop and shop to get purely the cheapest boat package, you will get an undersized trailer. (Period).