I am looking to replace my boat trailer in the near future. I have had a roller trailer for the past 17 years. I am not sure if I should switch to a bunk or stay roller? I am by myself in the boat (17 foot boat) and have a tough time getting the boat back on the trailer sometimes so just trying to find out which one might be easier? The other question is trailer brands any specific brand easier than the other or better? Thanks
Boats & Motors
Buying a new boat trailer.
I've checked everywhere's, no one has size I need. Got three dealers checking for me also. One person told me maybe he'd have one by May. Checking on a used one about 100 miles north of me tomorrow. I can't believe there's such a shortage. Maybe I can make old one limp along for short trips !!
Have you looked on Craigslist or EBay?
I know all the pro's and con's on types of trailers.. I have more serious problem, I need a new trailer "now"!! Can't find one, everyplace is telling me June at best. Anybody able to put a rabbit out of there hat ? Need to be able to handle an 18" Crestliner Canadian. Looking new, replacing a 18 year old Shorelander rust has eaten up, will travel if I have too. Thanks
My current boat has a roller trailer. Its the most free-wheeling one I've owned. The second I unhook its ready to go. I basically launch by unhooking and then stepping into the boat. It rolls off the trailer all in one motion and I drive to the dock. That's the easiest way to launch it by myself. If I had to hold a rope, it would be coming off the trailer before I got back on the dock. I like this since it makes launching very fast for me when by myself, but I'm obviously crawling over the front of the boat yet. Cons would be loading, it wants to roll right back down if I drive all the way up. Pro is that its easy to winch up however, so its not a big deal.
I should be getting a new boat in April if there aren't any more delays....that one will have bunks. Its a 19' boat though and I'd rather have that on bunks than all that weight on small rollers.
Regardless of type of trailer, I think I will look into getting a Drotto boat latch or something similar so that I can drive up and latch it. Then you don't have to worry about crawling over the boat to launch or load, you can do it all from inside the boat. As long as you back the trailer in near the dock, just step from the dock to the gunnel and into the boat, not bad at all. Should work for older guys if crawling around is an issue.
To the many inquires of what slide guides I have they are called SURFIX INC purchased on Amazon. Several of my friends that have new trailers have bought them and have nothing but good to say about them. You can buy varies widths and lengths for any applications. Hope this helps.
I have used both. I see no advantage to a roller trailer, and frankly every roller trailer I have used is a pain. The bunks - you can power load, run it in deeper to float it on if the launch is deep enough, etc. I guess the only advantage for a roller trailer is if you had a light boat and you were using a landing that was extremely shallow so you didn't have to step out of your truck and into the lake