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I am looking to replace the trailer that came with my 2004 Montauk 170. This boat is trailered most summer weekends to salt water. any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Trailer manufacturers are regional so not every brand recommended will be available.

Have a budget?
Do you know the features you want/don't want?
Prefer I beam or galvanized?
Do you trailer a little, a bit or a lot each year.
Short haul or long?

You can spend $1k or as much as 4k depending on your answers.

Is your existing trailer that bad? What are the issues?

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The existing trailer has some rust on the front v shaped cross beam that supports the bunks. It looks like it might have been damaged at some point as it has a small dent and is slightly bent, We use the trailer for both short <25mi to long 25-100mi. It is a Caravan BW-2350. I have seen some suggestions to go with an aluminum trailer.

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A galvanized steel trailer is a great material for salt water use. Also......a good welder should be able to fix your trailer.

If what you described above is all that is wrong with your trailer, repairing it is far less expensive than just buying a new one.

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I have always thought the factory supplied Karavan trailer under the 170's was minimal at best, and cheaply built, so I am not surprised you are looking for a new one.

Here is what you want, and the price is excellent, since these trailers are only available in FL. Even though I purchased it for him, it is not mine, but identical to the trailers I use, and with the full keel roller configuration, makes launching/retrieving extremely easy and smooth, with excellent support for the boat at it's keel. I'm sure the seller would make arrangements to meet you half way on the delivery. It is located near Philadelphia.

http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...d_id=20153

I highly recommend these trailers, and in the case of this one, the only additional work needed would be to replace the factory black rollers with Stoltz 12" rollers and SS roller shafts.

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I looked at aluminum but the added cost and issues with non aluminum hardware led me back to galvanized. However, after much shopping I bought the Karavan for my Montauk 17 and it's terrible. The metal tubing is much thinner than the previous trailer and the flex causes the boat to bounce around a lot.

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My 2006 Montauk 170 came with the Karavan, I'm not a fan of these either. I'm lucky to have a trailer manufacturer about 90 miles away (WesCo), and when I replace the Karavan, I'll just go there and tell them what I want.

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Adding to my last comment... I've done some research and my original boat documentation recommends keel rollers with bunk supports. The dealer who sold me the Karavan trailer insisted the rollers were not necessary, wrong.

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Why would a new high-end boat manufacturer supply a high-end boat with an inferior trailer. (beside cost savings)
What is so bad about these Karavan trailers? Mine seems to do fine after 6 years and 10,000's of miles and 100's of launches.

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See my comment above.

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I just purchased a new galvanized trailer for my 1984 20' outrage. Built by loadmaster trailer in Port Clinton , O.H. I can't say enough good thinks about the trailer and the people . They are all custom built with a 5 year warranty .Good luck.

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I have a 2003 Montauk 170 that came with an EZ Loader trailer.
I also have a 1995 Montauk 17 that has a 2008 McClain trailer
Both are excellent.
The 2003 EZ Loader has some rust on some of the bolts. It is original. I will have them and the winch replaced this winter.
Both have 15" wheels.