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Hi guys! I need some help getting a new trailer for my 1998 Boston Whaler Ventura 20. The current trailer that I'm using is getting old and I don't trust it. Plus it damages the hull every once and awhile at the boat ramp, and if the angle isn't right while winching it in, the winch ends up over the bow. So.......I'm asking for help because I think this boat needs a certain trailer model. Any trailer info would be great. Thanks. Matt

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I would take the the trailer to a trailer repair place and get some advice first. All the components of the trailer, rollers, springs, axel(s), winch etc can be replaced a lot cheaper than the cost of a new trailer and they should be able to advise any repairs that would help with your problem. Just my opinion.

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I have a TUFF TRAILER which is manufactured in Washington State but I do no know if shipping makes it practical in New Jersey. The features that it has (which I am very pleased with) are the adjustments you can make to cater to your boat. I can easily alter the width of the loading guides, adjust the bunks, raise and lower the bow stop and winch, can move the bow stop/winch stand forward or back to adjust the tongue weight. My model number is MTB 5700S if you want to look it up on line to see how it is configured. I have no idea if it could be competitively priced (it might be worth a call) but, there should be some local manufacturers by you that would offer the same flexibility for "in field" adjustments with a similar design. If you decide to get a different boat chances are you could reuse the trailer.
gchuba

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If you love your boat and plan on keeping it - do yourself, and the boat a favor, have it fitted for a new trailer - you won't believe what a difference it makes,...and piece of mind. They usually take the old one in trade,may not get much, but it's something toward a new one. No need to nickle & dime the old one...that never ends.

We have a place called Magnum trailers here...amazing work!

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I picked up on JVC's comments and agree. One of the reasons I purchased my 1979 22ft Revenge was the new trailer that came with the boat. I have fabricated, tacked steel together (I always send out structural welds), greased, designed, etc... I felt I was deserving of a trailer I did not have to screw around with. No fixing some one else's neglect. Also, it was fabricated with heavy duty channel steel. I am not a fan of tubing, even galvanized, in salt water especially. Structurally strong but the slightest intrusion and the trailer rusts from the inside out. It gets pretty ugly and you are unaware of the problem.
gchuba

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Before spending $2000 + for a new trailer, lets see some photos of the trailer. It may just need a few adjustments and some parts replaced.

You can build a personal page and upload photos here at WhalerCentral see: http://www.whalercentral.com/faq.php?...p?cat_id=1 on how to make one) or post to flicker or other photo hosting site showing the trailer with the boat on it and copy and paste a link.

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I suggest you do not use steel for your boat trailer. Steel rusts, even if it's been galvanized in time. You will be money ahead, in my opinion, to have one custom built out of aluminum for your boat, as others here have already suggested. I had a trailer built for my Outrage 18 here in Texas at Magnum, it is absolutely fantastic! The boat practically launches and retrieves itself :)
If you would like to see a couple of pictures of it, I have one here :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...5428438304

Here are some close ups of the rollers and the guide boards, as well as the carpeted fenders:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...428438304/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...428438304/

The only galvanized steel on this trailer is the tongue itself. It is needed in my opinion for strength. Note the roller mounted at the front of the trailer just before the winch post. This roller is very important, as it kicks the bow of the boat up, preventing under running the bow into the trailer and positioning the bow eye perfectly for winching the boat tight.

I have never had to actually winch the weight of the boat on this trailer, I just drive the boat right up to the winch post and hook the bow eye. It's amazing. This trailer is all aluminum and welded, not bolted. It is very light weight but extremely strong. That axle is rated for 3600 lbs, more than I will need for this boat. Those are aluminum wheels as well and they look really nice.

As far as price goes, it appears that you are like me when it comes to this subject from your past writings here. It's not what something costs initially, it's how long it will last relative to price that actually matters. This trailer cost me approximately $3500, but I did get a little for my old trailer when I had this one built. You will probably never be completely satisfied with a trailer that doesn't fit correctly to your boat and requires adjustments.

I sought advice here in this forum before I had that trailer built. I got many of these same comments about trying to modify what I already had, and then I had 2 different professional boat trailer builders look at my existing unacceptable, (to me), trailer and recommend starting over. I am VERY glad I took their advice.

Here is the old trailer with the boat on it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...5428438304
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...428438304/

Here is the new trailer with the boat on it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852...5428438304
[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/99787852@N06/9697247734/in/set-72157635428438304/
[/url]

I have never spent any money on boating that I felt better about than that trailer purchase. Hope this helps!

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Trying figure out if we can tow with Mustang convertible. Our setup is 2006 130 Sport 40 hp standard trailer. Has anyone ever had this weighed? Or does anyone know the weight?
Thanks!

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Silentpardner, I would love to view all the pictures but the "flicker.com" format does not work with my computer. Any chance to change to "photobucket.com"?

To Mainstreetmarine. A lot of variables. Go to a scale house (local quarry, landscape supply, etc...). Weigh the trailer, boat, tow vehicle together. Unhook and weigh the vehicle by itself.

gchuba

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mainstreetmarine -- That is good question for a thread of its own. Please do not hijack other people's threads.

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gchuba, If you want to see my trailer, I have pictures of it on my personal page here. The old trailer is the Performance aluminum that I bought with the boat in Florida originally, and can be seen in the first couple of pictures on my page. The new Magnum is further down on the page with the boat on it when I picked the trailer up at Magnum. Further down that same personal page you will see a couple of pics of just the trailer that show considerable detail as to it's manufacture, including the kicker roller and keel rollers, as well as the welded aluminum frame.

If you can view pictures at photobucket, you can view pictures at Flickr. I have no idea why your computer is not allowing this. Anyway, just click on the words, in blue, "Personal Page" below the picture of me with the redfish to the left of this post. That link will take you directly to my page on this site. I would suggest that you take advantage of the personal page feature yourself by taking the time to set one up for your project, it helps when discussing problems to have pictures for reference, and the page here is free.

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Silentpardner, the trailer looks beautiful and it needs to be to compliment the boat it carries. I fully appreciate your comment of about the money being well spent for it. I am going to set up my personal page and would have already but I am "post pictures from a computer challenged". The days are now longer and I am going to have the wife click pictures of my bare hull (I stripped it for the gel coating), as well as, when I install the goodies. I look forward to share my journey.
gchuba

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Unfortunately I am 100 miles away from the boat and trailer right now, so pictures are a negative.

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Thats a great looking trailer, Silentpardner. As most on the board know it is very hard to find a trailer with more than a couple keel rollers. I'm a couple years away from being able to purchase a new trailer for my 1979 22' Revenge, but their 4200 looks to be a great candidate. Thanks for sharing that info

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See our simple article about a Trailer for a Whaler.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...cle_id=117

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Bought a loadrite 21 for my Montauk 190 last year.It is a dual wheel aluminum trailer. I like the idea having an extra set of wheels,will be towing to Georgia,florida ect from Pa. If I get a flat on I-95 can keep going to repair shop hopefully. When I bought the boat and brought it home from N.Carolina had to stop every hundred miles bearing was getting hot,that and rust from saltwater and overall condition of trailer .I knew I needed a new trailer for long trips and peace of mind. Boat was beautiful but trailer was beat.

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I bought a cheap IR thermometer from Harbor Freight and when on the road I stop after the first 25 miles and shoot the temp of the wheel hubs. Thereafter I check it every couple hundred miles. It's a pretty cheap way of having peace of mind and it doesn't hurt to stretch your legs and check safety chains, lights etc.