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Author Topic:   I need trailer advice

Dan posted 05-12-2009 05:39 PM ET (US)
Here's a link to photos of my trailer: http://www.danwagner.com/Loadrite592009/index.htm
It's a Loadrite 5 Starr trailer. I will be returning it because the dealer ordered one that is too short, and not set up properly. I spoke to a different Loadrite dealer who told me keel roller trailers aren't made anymore, just bunks, and that it's hard to add keel rollers and have them fit properly. At this point I don't know what to believe.
Of course I want a keel roller for my 1990 18 Outrage. If I wind up with another Loadrite 5 Starr that is longer, so my boat no longer hangs off the end by 17 inches, it will be an improvement, but I'm worried that adding keel rollers might be a problem. I want the right trailer with the right fit.
I'm on Long Island, NY, so I know I'm more limited with regards to trailer company choices. I also want a trailer with disc brakes.
I'll spare you the saga I've been through so far. I'm hoping to hear from the manufacturer tomorrow.
If anyone out there has an 18 Outrage with a good current model popular manufacture trailer that's available in my area, I'd love to know.
fishgutz posted 05-12-2009 07:40 PM ET (US)
Very few trailers come with keel rollers anymore. At the most there may be 2. One in the front and one at the very rear. Here is a picture of how mine is set up. No keel rollers. Just 2 extra 2x4 bunks down the middle. Lots of support and the boat slides on and off the trailer nicely. Lines up perfectly every time.
http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Fishgutz/Boat%20Tech%20Pics/ ?action=view¤t=Aft1.jpg
Peter posted 05-12-2009 08:04 PM ET (US)
I have an aluminum float-on style bunk trailer for my 1987 18 Outrage. I modified the trailer by adding some inner bunks to support the keel just like what is shown in Fishgutz' picture. The trailer came with a Y support for the bow that was too hard on the bow so I replaced that with a pair of keel rollers to support the bow. This setup works very well. Loading and unloading is easy.
It seems that more and more trailer makers are switching over to aluminum I-beam float-on style bunk trailer frames.
Phil T posted 05-13-2009 07:59 AM ET (US)
Dan -
I have a Load Rite for my Outrage 17 (Model is 18280096VT) and find the dealer's comments concerning rollers completely asinine.
It all comes down to service. The dealer does not want to spend the time getting the boat fitted and knows with a bunk setup it is quick.
If you look at LoadRite's site, and select Load Rite, not 5star, you can see my model still available. I thought I saw a photo you posted that showed the model #. I would guess you should have the next size up.
I think you may need to widen your area to find a dealer with acceptable service. While it may be a pain, don't let your geographic restriction let you compromise what you want.
Don't despair.

fishgutz posted 05-13-2009 08:48 AM ET (US)
Phil T pretty much said it. Get what you want. I drove almost 2 1/2 hours From Jacksonville to Clermont Fl for the trailer I wanted. They spent about 2 1/2 hours happily setting it up exactly the way I wanted. They even took the chrome lug nuts off the old trailer and put them on the new one. Of course I was lucky A1 trailers is only a trailer dealer. They don't sell anything else. It is their bread and butter. The Shoreland'r district manager was there, too. His office is next door. He helped me supervise. It was the ultimate in service. The best experience.
K Albus posted 05-13-2009 09:16 AM ET (US)
A lot of these trailer posts remind me of the canvas posts. With the canvas posts, a lot of people will only recommend Mills canvas or some other name-brand canvas. The reality is, however, that wherever there are lots of boats, there are lots of local canvas shops that can custom make anything you need, and usually at a better price than Mills or some other name brand.
The same thing applies with trailers. Wherever there are lots of boats, there local trailer shops. Some of them sell name brand trailers, and some of them will custom build whatever you want. In some cases a custom built trailer will cost less than a name brand trailer.
I ran a Google search with the terms "long island boat trailers" and about a dozen trailer shops came up. If I were you, I'd run a similar search, find some dealers close to my home, and then go talk to them about getting a trailer set up the way I wanted it set up, rather than some pre-manufactured name brand trailer. It should be no problem finding a company that will put disc brakes and keel rollers on a trailer for you.
I previously owned a 26 foot Sea Ray, and had a custom trailer built for it. Because the boat was kept in the water for the whole summer, and the trailer was primarily for winter storage, the trailer was built of steel and used cheaper components for the axles, brakes, and lights.
With my current boat, a Dauntless 180, I do a lot of trailering. I currently have a single-axle Shoreland'r painted steel, bunk trailer with drum brakes. When the time comes for a new trailer, I will look for an aluminum trailer with disc brakes, possibly with dual axles. Because I live near the Great Lakes, there are dozens of trailer shops in my area. I will shop around and find the dealer/manufacturer that has the best price on a trailer that fits my needs.
fishgutz posted 05-13-2009 10:52 AM ET (US)
I found no trailer only dealers near me, hence the 2 1/2 hour drive. Most places that sell primarily boats wouldn't talk to me about trailers only. Plus they flat out told me they didn't have time to set it up the way I wanted. I hope if you live up north you can get better service.
fourdfish posted 05-13-2009 02:21 PM ET (US)
I have custom fitted 3 trailers. It takes a little time and some skill but many can do it. A lot of trailers can be refitted with just about anything including keel rollers.
The rollers and parts are available. Give it a try.
Plotman posted 05-14-2009 02:00 PM ET (US)
It isn't that hard to refit just about any trailer to keel rollers and bunks.
You can buy everything you need from champion trailer.
I bought an old trailer off of craigslist that had all sorts of rollers on it for my 15.
I yanked off the rollers and frames, then I added two more cross members out of 3x3 angle and bolted them on. To these I secured the bunk brackets out on the end, and keel rollers in the middle. Two more keel rollers on existing cross members, and voila - a trailer with 4 keel rollers and bunks.
Total time was about 3 hours, including cutting and drilling the steel.
Total cost for all the components was about $170 on top of the base trailer, which cost me all of $150 - this was an older caulkins that was ugly, but sound and had new tires.

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Author	Topic: I need trailer advice
Dan	posted 05-12-2009 05:39 PM ET (US) Here's a link to photos of my trailer: http://www.danwagner.com/Loadrite592009/index.htm It's a Loadrite 5 Starr trailer. I will be returning it because the dealer ordered one that is too short, and not set up properly. I spoke to a different Loadrite dealer who told me keel roller trailers aren't made anymore, just bunks, and that it's hard to add keel rollers and have them fit properly. At this point I don't know what to believe. Of course I want a keel roller for my 1990 18 Outrage. If I wind up with another Loadrite 5 Starr that is longer, so my boat no longer hangs off the end by 17 inches, it will be an improvement, but I'm worried that adding keel rollers might be a problem. I want the right trailer with the right fit. I'm on Long Island, NY, so I know I'm more limited with regards to trailer company choices. I also want a trailer with disc brakes. I'll spare you the saga I've been through so far. I'm hoping to hear from the manufacturer tomorrow. If anyone out there has an 18 Outrage with a good current model popular manufacture trailer that's available in my area, I'd love to know.
fishgutz	posted 05-12-2009 07:40 PM ET (US) Very few trailers come with keel rollers anymore. At the most there may be 2. One in the front and one at the very rear. Here is a picture of how mine is set up. No keel rollers. Just 2 extra 2x4 bunks down the middle. Lots of support and the boat slides on and off the trailer nicely. Lines up perfectly every time. http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Fishgutz/Boat%20Tech%20Pics/ ?action=view¤t=Aft1.jpg
Peter	posted 05-12-2009 08:04 PM ET (US) I have an aluminum float-on style bunk trailer for my 1987 18 Outrage. I modified the trailer by adding some inner bunks to support the keel just like what is shown in Fishgutz' picture. The trailer came with a Y support for the bow that was too hard on the bow so I replaced that with a pair of keel rollers to support the bow. This setup works very well. Loading and unloading is easy. It seems that more and more trailer makers are switching over to aluminum I-beam float-on style bunk trailer frames.
Phil T	posted 05-13-2009 07:59 AM ET (US) Dan - I have a Load Rite for my Outrage 17 (Model is 18280096VT) and find the dealer's comments concerning rollers completely asinine. It all comes down to service. The dealer does not want to spend the time getting the boat fitted and knows with a bunk setup it is quick. If you look at LoadRite's site, and select Load Rite, not 5star, you can see my model still available. I thought I saw a photo you posted that showed the model #. I would guess you should have the next size up. I think you may need to widen your area to find a dealer with acceptable service. While it may be a pain, don't let your geographic restriction let you compromise what you want. Don't despair.
fishgutz	posted 05-13-2009 08:48 AM ET (US) Phil T pretty much said it. Get what you want. I drove almost 2 1/2 hours From Jacksonville to Clermont Fl for the trailer I wanted. They spent about 2 1/2 hours happily setting it up exactly the way I wanted. They even took the chrome lug nuts off the old trailer and put them on the new one. Of course I was lucky A1 trailers is only a trailer dealer. They don't sell anything else. It is their bread and butter. The Shoreland'r district manager was there, too. His office is next door. He helped me supervise. It was the ultimate in service. The best experience.
K Albus	posted 05-13-2009 09:16 AM ET (US) A lot of these trailer posts remind me of the canvas posts. With the canvas posts, a lot of people will only recommend Mills canvas or some other name-brand canvas. The reality is, however, that wherever there are lots of boats, there are lots of local canvas shops that can custom make anything you need, and usually at a better price than Mills or some other name brand. The same thing applies with trailers. Wherever there are lots of boats, there local trailer shops. Some of them sell name brand trailers, and some of them will custom build whatever you want. In some cases a custom built trailer will cost less than a name brand trailer. I ran a Google search with the terms "long island boat trailers" and about a dozen trailer shops came up. If I were you, I'd run a similar search, find some dealers close to my home, and then go talk to them about getting a trailer set up the way I wanted it set up, rather than some pre-manufactured name brand trailer. It should be no problem finding a company that will put disc brakes and keel rollers on a trailer for you. I previously owned a 26 foot Sea Ray, and had a custom trailer built for it. Because the boat was kept in the water for the whole summer, and the trailer was primarily for winter storage, the trailer was built of steel and used cheaper components for the axles, brakes, and lights. With my current boat, a Dauntless 180, I do a lot of trailering. I currently have a single-axle Shoreland'r painted steel, bunk trailer with drum brakes. When the time comes for a new trailer, I will look for an aluminum trailer with disc brakes, possibly with dual axles. Because I live near the Great Lakes, there are dozens of trailer shops in my area. I will shop around and find the dealer/manufacturer that has the best price on a trailer that fits my needs.
fishgutz	posted 05-13-2009 10:52 AM ET (US) I found no trailer only dealers near me, hence the 2 1/2 hour drive. Most places that sell primarily boats wouldn't talk to me about trailers only. Plus they flat out told me they didn't have time to set it up the way I wanted. I hope if you live up north you can get better service.
fourdfish	posted 05-13-2009 02:21 PM ET (US) I have custom fitted 3 trailers. It takes a little time and some skill but many can do it. A lot of trailers can be refitted with just about anything including keel rollers. The rollers and parts are available. Give it a try.
Plotman	posted 05-14-2009 02:00 PM ET (US) It isn't that hard to refit just about any trailer to keel rollers and bunks. You can buy everything you need from champion trailer. I bought an old trailer off of craigslist that had all sorts of rollers on it for my 15. I yanked off the rollers and frames, then I added two more cross members out of 3x3 angle and bolted them on. To these I secured the bunk brackets out on the end, and keel rollers in the middle. Two more keel rollers on existing cross members, and voila - a trailer with 4 keel rollers and bunks. Total time was about 3 hours, including cutting and drilling the steel. Total cost for all the components was about $170 on top of the base trailer, which cost me all of $150 - this was an older caulkins that was ugly, but sound and had new tires.