Trailer finally in production

[spharis]

Found out my new aluminum trailer is finally in production. Trailer is being made by McClain and should stand the test of the rust prone environment of South La. I had shopped around for painted tube trailers, and figured 5k for one with a life span of about 6 years down here was retarded. Once it comes in, I'll take some pics and post them up. I can't wait to feel secure while towing distances, something I haven't really had since I bought my boat.

New trailer is for a 22 footer (McClain said it would be the best fit), with all the standard inboard items: centering bunks, t-fins offset, offset for intake, prop guard, guide poles. Also stepping up to tandem axle (loaded with stainless) and about 5000 pounds of capacity (can finally fill the tank before the haul). Pricing is right at 3k.

While I was shopping, I was scratching my head trying to figure it all out.....A trailer built with better materials, longer life, and more capacity running half the price of a similar tube trailer......can having a painted trailer really be worth it? Answer the poll!

Tube trailers are about the last type you want to have down here. When I had my boat appraised, the dealer said "Boat looks brand new, but the trailer effin sucks!" The only downfall to the aluminum is the fatigue life. Steel is pretty much without one, but aluminum is going to wear over time....a long time at the thickness that these are built.

[mtnsmith]

I'll also be investing in an aluminum trailer later this year due to the fact that my beautiful dorsey is dissolving as we speak. Since we bought the boat off the showroom on the trailer already we didn't get to have much say in the trailer. I tried to sell it right away before launching in the saltwater, but got no takers. It has faired better than I thought, but will still need replacing this year. I have been shopping around and would appreciate some pics once you get it to have some ideas. Hope it comes in soon.

[dogbert]

That's why I went with a channel trailer. Rust could be an issue, but it can be fixed easily. If I were to launch in saltwater, I'd choose a galvanized version of a channel trailer. I have that for my fishing boat and it's a '99.

[mneal]

I would not worry about the fatigue life, a properly designed aluminum trailer will have a fatigue life far over a boat. Steel ones painted to match are pretty but not practical in salt water, trouble is the interior surfaces are not protected at all and they rot from the inside out. I have heard of top of the line painted Mycos breaking in half when they looked good from outside. 3k for a aluminum is a great deal, the cost of aluminum is going up all the time.

Found out my new aluminum trailer is finally in production. Trailer is being made by McClain and should stand the test of the rust prone environment of South La. I had shopped around for painted tube trailers, and figured 5k for one with a life span of about 6 years down here was retarded. Once it comes in, I'll take some pics and post them up. I can't wait to feel secure while towing distances, something I haven't really had since I bought my boat.

New trailer is for a 22 footer (McClain said it would be the best fit), with all the standard inboard items: centering bunks, t-fins offset, offset for intake, prop guard, guide poles. Also stepping up to tandem axle (loaded with stainless) and about 5000 pounds of capacity (can finally fill the tank before the haul). Pricing is right at 3k.

While I was shopping, I was scratching my head trying to figure it all out.....A trailer built with better materials, longer life, and more capacity running half the price of a similar tube trailer......can having a painted trailer really be worth it? Answer the poll!

Tube trailers are about the last type you want to have down here. When I had my boat appraised, the dealer said "Boat looks brand new, but the trailer effin sucks!" The only downfall to the aluminum is the fatigue life. Steel is pretty much without one, but aluminum is going to wear over time....a long time at the thickness that these are built.

[Weil Thing]

mtnsmith, for what it's worth, I just bought a Fastload trailer from down there near Tampa for my 22 Ve. It's a dual axle, disc brakes on one axle, torsion axles instead of springs, all stainless hardware, for about $3400 delivered up here. The boat sits higher on it than the trailers that come with the boat, but other than that it's pretty good. AND IT WILL LAST!

[chpthril]

Sounds SP, cant wait to see some pics

[mtnsmith]

Weil, that is good to hear because that is one company I have been looking at. I can get a slightly more custom trailer from another builder here but it would be about $4600-4800. When I called Fastload and they said $3400-3800, I definitely became interested. I would appreciate a pic if you get a chance so I can see how high it sits up. Or you can e-mail me some shots at mtnsmith@yahoo.com. Sorry to slightly hijack your thread Spharis.

[spharis]

OK, here's the photos. If you gulf coast boys are looking for a rust free alternative to tube trailers, I think this is the way to go. Came out better than I assumed it would. Chrome wheels MAY be in the future. I am gonna roll these for a while and enjoy the new found towing performance. Still need to cut off the winch mount pole to a reasonable size. It is only 8" higher than the lowboy tube one I had. I really like the fact that I can clean the entire hull now, and the boat isn't resting against the fender boards all the time. Haven't towed far, but so far so good. It has double 5000 pound axles on springs, and single disc. Link takes you to a gallery.

http://www.wakeboatworld.com/newTrailer/

[dogbert]

That's a good looking trailer!

[shane]

where did you get your boat cover and do you like it?

[Domsz06]

sharp looking trailer!

[spharis]

where did you get your boat cover and do you like it?

Picked it up used on here from JeffT. It was built by Westland IIRC for a 2002 21i. Funny it fits my boat like a glove, including the tower; just a little large in the rear. I built the little frame under it to keep the tropical rains at bay. I had to have a rip patched, and it is showing some age around the edges, but so far it's not bad for $150 (I think is what I paid).