Now that you’ve bought the boat of your dreams, you’ll need a trailer to travel it from shore to water and vice versa. And while there are several boat trailers for sale, whether brand new or used, not all trailers are made equal. There are several factors you need to look at before buying, lest you get the wrong one.

Good thing we’re here to help you out. This article compiles some of the best practices experts use when selecting trailers for their beloved watercraft. We’ve also added a few practical tips for buying boat trailers, so you get the most out of every purchase.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Appropriate Boat Trailer

Before buying a boat trailer, there are certain factors that you need to chew over. It enables you to choose the appropriate trailer for your needs and budget. To make sure you’ll get the best bang for your buck, check reputable websites that offer affordable boat trailers.

1. Type of Boat Trailer to Buy

Boat trailers come in two designs: the roller and the bunk. Choose the roller boat trailer if you always launch and recover your vessel in shallow waters. A drive-on/off configuration will help prevent unwanted backing up of your trailer.

On the other hand, Bunker trailers are usually cheaper than roller trailers. They have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance. Also, they have drive-on capability since they need to be deep to launch and retrieve your boat.

2. Material

When buying a trailer for your boat, you also need to consider the materials. The two materials used for making boat trailers are galvanized steel and aluminum.

Galvanized steel is generally rust-resistant but susceptible to decay. It is the choice for both freshwater and saltwater use. Although painted with steel, it’s coated with zinc, making it more resistant to corrosion due to saltwater.

On the other hand, aluminum will not deteriorate but will rust into tiny whitish particles. This is a lightweight material, inexpensive, and less likely to oxidize. Besides, it has a higher value when reselling it.

3. Length of Boat Trailer

The length of your boat matters because it dictates the size of the boat trailer you’re going to buy. You should measure your boat from the farthermost point at the bow to the end of the hull’s running surface. Generally, boat trailers are around two feet longer than the vessel.

Nearly all manufacturers put the length in their product description. If you can’t see it, just use a measuring tape for manual measurement. Take note that the trailer’s swim platform must not count into its length.

4. Weight of Boat Trailer

Each trailer bears a full weight rating. This category provides your boat’s total weight, motor, fuel, gear, and anything that you’ll carry. Expect that the weight of each boat trailer ranges from 200 lbs. to 4,400 lbs. It usually depends on the kind of boat it will carry and the type of boat trailer itself.

Remarkably, most newcomers usually mistake the measurement of their boat’s dry weight in reference to the trailer’s weight limit. Dry weight pertains to the boat’s barebones weight (motor and hull). On the contrary, a boat’s wet weight consists of safety equipment, anchor, water, fuel, waste, and oil.

Those “additional items” can add extra weight to your vessel. When buying a boat trailer, choose the one with a higher weight limit than that of your boat’s wet weight.

Now, it’s okay if you don’t live near bodies of water if you have a boat trailer. It would be more flexible to carry your boat to the water when you want to go fishing or enjoy a water adventure.

Don’t forget that the federal law requires that your trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) must be visible. It’s the total weight that a boat trailer should carry. It includes the fuel (6 lbs/gal), water (8 lbs/gal), gear, engine, and the boat itself.

5. Boat Trailer Axle Styles

A boat trailer axle attaches tires to a boat trailer together with a suspension system. Based on the boat’s size and weight, the axle may bear a set of electronic brakes fastened to the wheel hubs. It comes in two different styles: single and dual axles.

Single axles bear less weight making them cheaper on your fuel economy. They are inexpensive, easier to wander around, and breezier to maintain. On the other hand, Dual-axle trailers have more weight and offer more stability, making them safer.

6. Boat Trailer Brakes

Boat trailer brakes offer great benefaction amid abrupt stops and help avoid jack-knifing. The Ministry of Transportation requires trailers to have brakes when it’s combined weight with the boat total to 3000 lbs. or more.

You can choose two kinds of boat trailer brakes from electrically-activated brakes and surge brakes. A majority of trailers have surge brakes that activate after the automobile’s brakes slow the trailer.

Because surge brakes are hydraulic in nature, they utilize your boat trailer’s natural momentum to activate the brakes. When appropriately adjusted, working with these kinds of brakes is a breeze.

On the other hand, electric brakes are cheaper and can be managed at the dash. It utilizes electromagnets to activate the drum brakes. Additionally, it enables you to regulate the electricity to the brakes with the controller, including the brake light circuit.

7. Trailer Hitches

Make sure to check the trailer hitch before buying the boat trailer. There are four classes of trailer hitches based on the GVWR they will need to pull. The weight of your gear, trailer, and boat must not surpass the intended maximum capacity rating.

Class I: 2,000 lbs.

Class II: 3,500 lbs.

Class III: 5,000 lbs.

Class IV: 10,00 lbs.

8. Trailer Tires

Make sure that the tires of the trailers you will buy will last for many years. A blown tire will cause several inconveniences, including broken axles, not to mention accidents. You need to regularly check your boat trailer’s tires before and after using it. Don’t wait for them to wear out totally before replacing them.

If you notice spider-web cracks on the sidewall, it means that the trailer should no longer carry heavy loads. Also, the tires must be tight without any loose bolts or nuts. Also, don’t forget to check for any deflation every time you use your trailer.

Other factors you need to consider are:

  • Traffic laws regarding boat trailers (check your state’s Department of Transportation)
  • Number of tires
  • Hydraulic or non-hydraulic
  • Tow vehicle
Conclusion

A boat is a significant financial investment, and so is a boat trailer. Never overlook what the boat trailer can do for you and your boat. However, never forget to consider the abovementioned factors to ensure that you’ll get the right boat trailer to suit your needs and budget. Additionally, you need to maintain it regularly so it can serve you for a long time.

We hope that the tips we gave would help out in making the right calls when picking the trailer for your boat. While these tips are not iron-clad rules, they are good points to consider and are based on best practices.