Trailers & Towing

Not much is usually said about trailers and towers, although they are quite important implements in the use and management of a boat. A boat will not serve its purpose if there are no trailers to support its movement to sea and back.

Factors to Consider in Choosing your Boat Trailer

All trailers are not made equal; thus, you have to carefully study your boat, towing vehicle and other factors in choosing your boat trailer.

1) How Easy is it to Use?

Loading your boat on a boat trailer after a day at the sea can be a lot of work, especially when you consider the boat’s weight. However, some trailers make this task much easier than others.

These trailers usually have self-centring bunks. These trailers align the boat to be balanced at the centre of the trailer.

2) Build and Construction

When moving your boat from your storage to the sea or vice-versa, you do not want to worry about its security. As a result, you need to go for a boat trailer that was solidly constructed. A solid boat trailer will properly balance your boat with strong steel frames.

Bunk Trailers vs Roller Trailers?

When talking about construction, there are mainly two types of boat trailers you can pick from. These are:

Bunk trailers;
Roller trailers.

Each has its upsides and downsides.

Bunk Trailers

Bunk trailers are comparatively more affordable because they come with a simple design with fewer parts. The lower number of working parts means that bunk trailers generally require less maintenance and repair over time.

Furthermore, bunk trailers generally allow users access to drive-on capability. This is because the trailer has to be dipped in the water for the user load and retrieve the boat. Bunk trailers can work well with deep waters.

The major downside of bunk trailers is that you have to dip them in deep water to retrieve your boat. As a result, you expose the gear to significant wear and damage, particularly if it is in saltwater.

Roller Trailers

Roller trailers work best in shallow water bodies. They do not need to be dipped in water as you have with the bunk trailers. Thus, the trailer parts do not get as much exposure to sale water as bunk trailers. Thus, they tend to last much longer.

However, roller trailers are usually more expensive to purchase upfront.

3) Storage

Deciding to store the boat at home may determine the type of trailer you go with. When you store the boats for a long time, they can start to deform, especially where the weight rests. This happens to both bunk and roller trailers but is often with roller trailers.

The bunk trailers are thus better for storage because they provide great support for the boat.

4) Size of the Boat

The size of your boat will largely determine the trailer type you go for. The boat trailer must be one that can properly support the weight of your boat.

5) Towing Vehicle

The vehicle to which the trailer would be attached is also a factor. This is because many manufacturers do state the type of vehicles that their trailers can work with. Thus, you have to study the user manual to be aware that your vehicle is supported.