A boat trailer is more than just something that provides you a means to transport your boat around. The main purpose, of course, would be to store the boat conveniently, but it can also allow you to go on the road and see new places. Good trailers must perform both duties equally as good.
The trailer is often an afterthought when people buy a brand new boat for themselves. They can always get a trailer on the cheap anyway. But choosing the right trailer can help you enjoy your boating experience - here are five tips to help you out.
Go for larger diameter tires and wheels. Tires with a larger diameter don't rotate as much as smaller ones on a per-mile basis, reducing wear and tear. Also, the wheel bearings wouldn't rotate too often per mile, making them last longer just like the tires.
Don't allow the boat's total weight, including the motor, go past the halfway mark of the trailer's capacity. You shouldn't pick a 2,500 capacity trailer if you have a boat with the same weight.
Pick your trailer based on the environment it will be operating in. For example, you need a trailer suited for launching in salt water if you want to fish in salt water. There are many types of trailers available, each one designed for a specific type of boating. For less gelcoat blistering or damage, buy trailers made out of Teflexon, or purely friction-free plastic.
Your trailer would ideally be a drive on trailer. Winching your boat becomes easier with a drive on trailer, which, as you may have guessed, would allow for driving the boat onto it close to the winch area.
Select trailer lights (for the highway) that are protected and sealed against water.
It is important to choose a trailer that matches your boat's main purpose, though most of them would be protected against rust, weather and other elements to begin with. This allows your trailer to give you the results you desire. An additional precaution would be to keep the trailer's electrical system and bearings water-free, for those trailers that can unload in shallow areas.
If you're planning to make a long trip to go boating, then it would be best for your trailer to contain a spare tire. You'll never know when your tires go flat, even with the best of maintenance, so a spare could be of help if you're on those long trips. Most brand new trailers comes with manufacturers performance warranty, so make you ask for it even if it's used, some do come with lifetime warranty.
All in all, a boat trailer can save you a lot of time and money in the long term if you invest in a good quality trailer. You can store your boat on your trailer when it isn't be used, even take it to other lakes or oceans. Simply put, a good trailer must be easy to maintain and able to meet most, if not all of your needs - get one and it could take you and your boat places.
The trailer is often an afterthought when people buy a brand new boat for themselves. They can always get a trailer on the cheap anyway. But choosing the right trailer can help you enjoy your boating experience - here are five tips to help you out.
Go for larger diameter tires and wheels. Tires with a larger diameter don't rotate as much as smaller ones on a per-mile basis, reducing wear and tear. Also, the wheel bearings wouldn't rotate too often per mile, making them last longer just like the tires.
Don't allow the boat's total weight, including the motor, go past the halfway mark of the trailer's capacity. You shouldn't pick a 2,500 capacity trailer if you have a boat with the same weight.
Pick your trailer based on the environment it will be operating in. For example, you need a trailer suited for launching in salt water if you want to fish in salt water. There are many types of trailers available, each one designed for a specific type of boating. For less gelcoat blistering or damage, buy trailers made out of Teflexon, or purely friction-free plastic.
Your trailer would ideally be a drive on trailer. Winching your boat becomes easier with a drive on trailer, which, as you may have guessed, would allow for driving the boat onto it close to the winch area.
Select trailer lights (for the highway) that are protected and sealed against water.
It is important to choose a trailer that matches your boat's main purpose, though most of them would be protected against rust, weather and other elements to begin with. This allows your trailer to give you the results you desire. An additional precaution would be to keep the trailer's electrical system and bearings water-free, for those trailers that can unload in shallow areas.
If you're planning to make a long trip to go boating, then it would be best for your trailer to contain a spare tire. You'll never know when your tires go flat, even with the best of maintenance, so a spare could be of help if you're on those long trips. Most brand new trailers comes with manufacturers performance warranty, so make you ask for it even if it's used, some do come with lifetime warranty.
All in all, a boat trailer can save you a lot of time and money in the long term if you invest in a good quality trailer. You can store your boat on your trailer when it isn't be used, even take it to other lakes or oceans. Simply put, a good trailer must be easy to maintain and able to meet most, if not all of your needs - get one and it could take you and your boat places.
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