Tips for Selecting a Boat Trailer, Part 3

In Parts 1 and 2, we reviewed the parameters for selecting quality boat trailers, where ever you boat and whatever the size of your rig. In this section, we’ll look at trailer builders in the U.S. market.

Many boat builders build their own trailers, custom-fitted to each of their hulls, or contract with trailer manufacturers to do the work. However, there are also a number of outstanding independent trailer makers if your boat did not come in a package with the trailer. Here are some of the best-known: 

 AmeraTrail has been in the industry for over 30 years and custom builds designs for many boat manufacturers. They build aluminum trailers with heavy aluminum I-beam construction, aluminum cross braces, aluminum bunk brackets, galvanized torsion axles and hubs with Super-Lube removable spindles. The standard hydraulic brakes have non-corrosive lines, and all wiring connections are heat-shrunk for water resistance. Radial tires are standard, and they also offer a choice of custom wheels; www.ameratrail.com. 

BoatMate has one of the best websites in the field, allowing you to choose almost every aspect of exactly what you want in your trailer, starting with what brand of boat you’ll be putting on it and including such specialty items as wheel size and material and even an installed backup camera for vehicles that don’t have one already; https://www.boatmatetrailers.com 

EZ Loader makes both roller and bunk-style trailers.  They’re available in galvanized steel, powder-coated, aluminum, wet-painted systems and "Tuff Coated" Polyurea coatings.  They have trailer sizes designed to carry anywhere from 600 lb (272 kg) up to 15,000 lb (6,804 kg).  EZ Loader began in 1953 and invented many features which are now standard on boat trailers sold by most manufacturers, per the company. They build many of the custom trailers used by boat manufacturers throughout the industry, fitting the trailers to the hulls through CAD/CAM design. They have three factories and distributes to 24 countries worldwide; http://www.ezloader.com. 

Float-On claims to be the original builder of fully-submersible float-on aluminum trailers. They’ve been in business for over 48 years. They build aluminum I-beam frames that won’t rust, coupled with hot dipped galvanized torsion suspension which lasts longer than any leaf spring according to the company. 

Most fasteners are stainless steel. They also include a patented all-aluminum adjustable bunk that pivots to snug the bottom of the hull as the boat rides onto the trailer. Many of their designs include the Posi-Latch automatic loading system which captures a fitting on the bow with one on the trailer, locking the trailer in place without attaching a winch hook; www.floaton.com.

Load Master trailers are constructed out of heavy C-Channel steel, which is then mig-welded and either painted or hot dip galvanized. They are one of the very few manufacturers ready to build four-axle trailers for recreational use—if you have a behemoth of a boat and an equally robust truck with goose-neck hitch to pull it, they can make the trailer you need. Standard axles are drop center, allowing the trailer to carry the boat weight low and inside the frame to create a smoother towing experience. Tire and wheel sizes to 17.5” (445 mm) are available; www.loadmasterboattrailer.com.  

Load-Rite makes galvanized and aluminum trailers for v-hulls, catamarans, pontoons and most other boat designs. Their SA models have articulating bunks that the company says makes them a sort of cross between easy-loading roller bunks and standard bunks, giving added support to the hull for extended storage.   Most models have torsion-axles rather than conventional springs, giving greater durability and corrosion resistance than standard springs. Greasable hubs provide lubricant all the way to the back of the hubs, assuring long life; www.loadrite.com.  

Magic Tilt offers both stock and custom-fitted trailers, with the latter fitted to dozens of popular brands and models. They build both welded aluminum and hot-dipped galvanized steel models. Their premium models include four 2” x 6” bunks fitted to specific hulls for much easier and more secure loading. They also build designs specifically for shallow-draft flats skiffs and center consoles as well as for extreme v offshore boats. Their largest triple-axle designs can haul up to 13,000 lb (5,897 kg); https://magictilt.com. 

Rolls Axle makes all-aluminum trailers including even the springs the axles. Fenders are 1/8” thick aluminum, and the winch stand is also aluminum. The company says this makes their trailers the lightest for their size in the industry and also among the strongest and most rust-resistant. They make single, double and triple-axle models, with the largest capable of hauling 13,400 lb (6,078kg). They also make the Bronze Line, PWC trailers of aluminum with galvanized steel axles; www.rollsaxle.com. 

Triton primarily makes PWC and kayak trailers that are all-welded aluminum. They make one and two-carrier designs rated to haul up to 2,180 lb (989 kg). Non-marring keel guard and capped ends shield the hull at potential impact areas. The winch stand is adjustable to better balance the load as needed. The tail lights are LED and wiring connections are waterproof; https://www.tritontrailers.com.

 Venture has an extensive and very helpful buyer’s guide on their website—check it out no matter what brand you wind up buying. They make models from tiny kayak trailers to jumbo triple-axle designs that can carry 10 tons and more. They offer both aluminum and galvanized steel models—aluminum is recommended for coastal use, galvanized for inland and for pontoons and tritons. Most larger models come with custom balanced wheels and tires, Super-Lube spindles and disk brakes;  https://venturetrailers.com.