A good quality boat trailer is not a luxury item that boat owners should have, it is a necessity. It allows them to travel to various far-flung locations to try boating or fishing in new waters. Aside from that, it adds value to a boat, if a boat owner plans to sell it. If you own a boat, you’ll quickly realise how imperative owning a good quality trailer is. If you live far from a body of water, how can you transport your boat to its storage area with confidence? Now that you know having a good quality boat trailer is crucial, the process of choosing a boat trailer that is best suited for your boat is no easy task; you have to consider a lot of features of a trailer that can fit your boat efficiently.
Before you go ahead and shop for a boat trailer, you have to know first what trailer specifications your boat needs. You don’t want to put your boat on a trailer that doesn’t fit well as this could result in your boat getting damaged.
There are a few considerations that you need to list down to use as your reference when purchasing a boat trailer. With a bit of research and some measurements of your own, you’ll be able to find the perfect boat trailer for your boat:
Length and width: You want a trailer that fits well to your boat, so you need to find a trailer that can support every corner of your boat. Measure the length of your boat from the transom to the bow. Measuring the length of your boat helps you decide what type of trailer will fit your boat. Another thing to take into account is the width of the trailer as well; don’t forget to measure the bottom width of your boat as well.
Weight: Another thing to mull over when selecting a boat trailer is the carrying capacity. This means how much weight it can carry safely. You need to find a trailer that can hold your boat without it getting dismantled or destroyed.
Single or Multiple Axles: You also need to find out if your boat is suited for a single or multiple-axle trailer. A single-axle trailer can best accommodate small to medium boats, and they require less maintenance and are easier to maneuver around compared to a dual-axle trailer. The pros of a dual axle however are that they are more road-worthy and are safer to navigate around. They can accommodate larger boats as well.
Brakes: If your gross tow mass (GTM) is 749kg or less your trailer does not need brakes. Over this weight up to 2000kg a trailer can operate with override brakes which are a simple mechanical braking system. Over the 2000kg Electric brakes are a requirement. Many brands and types of electric brakes are available however it is essential that your car has the correct electrical system fitted to operate the brakes. A brake controller is usually fitted by an Auto electrician and needs to be done before getting the trailer that has electric brakes.
Type of trailer material: It’s best to get a boat trailer that is made of steel or aluminium since they are sturdy. Some boat trailers are made of painted steel which is best for freshwater use. Galvanized steel and aluminium boat trailers are best for saltwater use.
Bunks or Rollers: Trailers have support systems called rollers or bunks. Roller trailers make it easier for you to load and launch your boat, but bunk trailers provide better support for the boat’s hull, especially offshore boats.
LED or non-LED lights: Most light bulbs nowadays are made of LED materials since they are energy efficient, and they burn brighter. Even though they are more expensive than incandescent lights, they are a good investment because they can last longer.
Other accessories to consider: Aside from the features listed above, you also have to consider other useful accessories; for example, find a trailer that has a jockey wheel bolted on the trailer’s front that makes it easier to lift the trailer on and off its hitch. It’s helpful to find a trailer that includes a spare tire just in case the trailer tires blow out.
Once you have all this information down, it’s time to go boat trailer shopping! Looking for various boat trailers in boat shops around Townsville, come visit us at Rising Sun Marine! We are a proud dealer of Quintrex boats and Yamaha motor engines as well as selling quality-made boat trailers from esteemed brands from Move Boat Trailers, Redco, and Dunbier Trailers. Interested to know more about our wide array of boat trailers? Do you want to know what boats and engines we have available? Contact us by filling out a form here to provide us with your inquiries. We’ll be happy to answer all your boating-related questions.