Shorelander Aluminum Trailer

[larrym]

Buying a new Lund and need to choose the trailer. My painted trailer is such a mess I had promised myself a galvanized one when I changed boats. Just learned that shorelander makes an aluminum one that is a little less expensive than galvanized and I think looks better. Does anyone own one and if so what do you think of it?

[T-Mac]

They have been offering them for about 3 years, now. An aluminum model vs same Galvanized model is not less, however. The aluminum is more than the galvanized. In sizes applicable to most walleye boats, there are only two sizes available (according to my charts): 4000lb rated and 4600lb rated. Both are tandems.
They are popular for saltwater rigs, I am told.

[larrym]

T-Mac
The salesman may have been confused but marked the top, single axel trailer on page 12 of the shorelander catalog and, with brakes and swing tongue, priced it $300 less than the galvanized. Said it was a 3000# trailer. Seems to be identified on page 15 as well. I was also surprised that Aluminum would be cheaper than steel and mentioned that.
That aside, have you sold any and how have they held up and do they retain their original looks?

[Stotch]

Am also interested in more information about this "Shorelander Aluminum" trailer. Please elaborate on this item. Is the trailer a bunk or roller model. What type of brakes, etc.

Thanks...Stotch

[larrym]

I'll be interested in hearing from T-Mac as he's a dealer and will have better info than I. In the meantime my salesman said either bunk or roller and brakes were disc.

[larrym]

Anyone else have experience with the Shorlander Aluminum or galvanized trailer?

[T-Mac]

Larry... I am just going off my dealer price sheet that I got from Shoreland'r. But... my sheet is for "Mountain States", only. (I just noticed that).
There may be some special deals on aluminum going on some places, that I don't know about...but on my sheets, the aluminums are all more expensive than the galvanized in equivilent model. If you can get aluminum cheaper than Galvanized...go for it, buddy

[T-Mac]

We sell a lot of Galvanized ShoreLand'r trailers. Primarily to guys whom want to avoid rock chipping. I have always run galvanized on my own boats. They aren't so pretty, but they look better than a rockchipped powdercoated or painted trailer. They actually DO look pretty good on Lunds with quicksilver bottoms....I think.

[larrym]

Thanks T-Mac for taking the time to respond. We'll find out today when I place my order if the price holds up. Also if it actually comes in the single axel. Any thoughts about the advantages or disadvantages of alum vs. galvanized? I think i've noticed in some of your earlier posts that you have run a galvanized trailer.

[REW]

If you can go with aluminum, do so.

Aluminum is lighter.
The size of the frames need to be correct to carry the load. i.e.since aluminum is a weaker material than steel, the sizes of the aluminum parts need to be larger and or thicker than the comparable steel part.

You will never have corrosion problems on an aluminum trailer. Nothing to rust.

Even though the galavanized trailer is plated, it may eventually have problems in bolt holes et. However, these are minimal.

The weight and corrosion issues are the primary reasons to choose aluminum.
These same reasons are used for high end semi trailers. i.e much less maintenance, and the ability to carry larger loads. Less weight in the trailer, and thus, the same rig can carry a larger payload, and still meet highway weight restrictions.

The weight issue also carries over to a boat trailer. If the trailer is lighter, and you have the same boat, the tow will be easier, on your tow vehicle, as well as the suspension and tires of the trailer.

Take care
REW

p.s.
In virtually every area that I have checked - an identical trailer made of either galvanized or aluminum - will always be more expensive in aluminum.

[larrym]

Thanks REW. Your analysis, as usual, is very helpful. Even if the pricing turns out to be wrong an extra $300 for alum over galvanized might be worth it over time.

[T-Mac]

If you can get the aluminum cheaper, or even at the same price as a galvanized...Go fo it!
I ran Galvanized because ...here, at least, it cost me a little less, and I had no complaints with the Galvanized trailers I have had.
But......We sell some aluminum ATV, Snowmobile, and Utility trailers, and the aluminum is very, nice. No question!

[Miami Vice]

I currently have an aluminum & galvanized trailer.
As REW pointed out if you are willing to spend a little more on an aluminum trailer you will get a lighter trailer that will have the least amount of corrosion problems.
That being said, nobody offers a custom aluminum bunk trailer in the mid west. If I was buying a new Lund boat and I had a choice of getting a generic “one size fits all” Shorelander aluminum trailer vs. getting a custom Eagle trailer made out of galvanized steel, I would go for the Eagle trailer.
The only exception is if weight was an issue. If you have a small tow vehicle and you can’t tow too much weight, you might have to get an aluminum trailer to keep the overall towed weight down.
My new Princecraft boat came with a custom galvanized trailer made by the Princecraft factory. It’s very similar in design to the Eagle trailer. What a pleasure to launch & recover the boat. This is my first custom trailer and it works like a dream. When you get a generic trailer there is always adjustments to be made when it’s new, and it never works as perfectly as a custom trailer.
I would never worry about a galvanized trailer rusting. I just sold an average quality galvanized trailer that I bought new 24 years ago and it was only used in SALT water, and there was no rust on it. There were some rust stains on it and some rust bleeding around the holes but I’m sure the trailer would last another 24 years.
Miami Vice

[Zo]

It is interesting to read about trailers and the different views everyone has. What is a custom trailer? Is it the color, bunk or roller system, axle, or winch post. Aluminum trailers were made for the salt water areas. Most aluminum trailers the frame is aluminum and the cross members, winch post, tongue and axle is galvanize steel. Yes, just like a galvanize trailer. I know ShoreLand'r uses stainless steel hardware on their bolts and u-bolts. The aluminum and galvanize trailers do not look as good as a painted trailer. Pricing that I have seen is the ShoreLand'r aluminum is higher priced then a galvanize trailer. The comment about a genertic trailer is wrong. An adjustable trailer that is setup right is better then a trailer that is welded in place with no adjustment for bunk/roller setup, wrong tongue weight because of a fixed axle welded in place, coupler welded on or no winch post bow eye adjustment. The main things with a trailer is that it fits the boat correctly, has the correct carrying capacity to handle the boat loaded, trails smoothly down the road, has brakes when required by law, and looks good with your boat. If you think about it, your boat spends more time on your trailer then the water. You can get a Shoreland'r custom trailer if you want, with bunks, load guides, chrome and/or aluminum wheels, galvanize and setup for your boat. A lot of dealers choose to handle only certain models and/or styles of trailers so you need to research and find out what works best for you. ShoreLand'r makes an excellent trailer.

[Brad1]

Not every component on an aluminum trailer is indeed aluminum. Main frame rails are, but cross members and hardware are not. Non-aluminum frame cross members are typically galvanized. And not all other hardware is stainless. So rust still does occur on an aluminum trailer, but it is limited to components that are easy to replace. Also, I have found aluminum trailers to be lower in price (not higher) than galvanized. Shop around. You'd be surprised at how cheap some of them are. I found a new 5,000 lb capacity aluminum trailer for just over $2,000. There's a lot more brands than Shorelander making aluminum trailers.

[Stotch]

Hey Brad 1,

Your post caught my interest as I'm also in the market to buy an Aluminum boat Trailer. A 5000 lb. trailer for less than 2 grand, WOW. Can you furnish the more infor on this mfg. Such as the name, their website, location, model number of the trailer that you purchased, etc.

Can the axles on the unit that you bought be adjusted to tweek in the tongue weight. Is it a bunk or roller trailer, with or without brakes. More details would much appreciated.

What did you do with your old trailer. Did you trade it in on the new one or end up selling it outwright.


Thanks...Stotch

[Brad1]

Stotch,

In my post, I said slightly more than 2k, not less. I don't recall the brand of trailer that was going for that price. But if you do a search on the internet using the following key words:

Aluminum Boat Trailers

You will find many aluminum boat trailer manufactorer's websites, one of which had the low price I mentioned.

Personally, I ended up going with an aluminum EZ Loader. No the axles cannot be re-postioned on the frame. Tongue weight adjustment can only be achieved by moving the boat forward/rearward on the trailer. It is very adjustable in that manner. My trailer was designed to accomodate 20, to 24 foot hulls. My boat is a 20 footer.

I bought my trailer new to accompany a new hull, therefore, I do not have a previous trailer to sale. Sorry.