posted 06-26-2009 04:09 PM ET (US)        

Some other manufacturers use torsion bar axles and superlube hubs. Other manufacturers use Kodiak or Tiedown disc brakes.

How much better are the radial tires over bias?

posted 06-26-2009 04:29 PM ET (US)            

All in all I love the Shorland'r trailer. I've had Shoreland'r trailers under other boats. I've always been happy.

No one makes an aluminum trailer that will come close to fitting my boat. Plus they don't have folding tongues that would allow my rig to fit in my garage.

As for the Galvanized tongue on an aluminum frame trailer, that fairly common. Most trailer companies can reduce their cost by only producing a smaller number of tongues to fit many different trailers.

posted 06-26-2009 05:52 PM ET (US)            

I spoke to one of the people at Shoreland'r to get more info.

The reason they use springs instead of torsion axels, is because they had some problems with torsion axels. They said bearing buddies are as good as superlube hubs. I was also told that UFP disc brakes are better than Tiedown brand. They're vented and won't warp, etc...

I found a dealer that can put me on a 2009 SLB30AL for a lot less than first dealer -- $2,760 -- that's bunks and aluminum.

or a SLRB30AL for under $2,900 -- that's bunks and forward roller cradle under keel -- kind of neat and self-adjusting.

Also, dealer said there is no charge for set-up. Second dealer told me Shoreland'r Trailers are better than Loadrite 5Starr line.

I'm going to try and see the trailer, which they have in stock, tomorrow.

I called Continental today too, problem is they're in Florida. They do have good pricing.

I don't think the one LHG is selling is sized for my boat.

posted 06-26-2009 06:45 PM ET (US)            

My wife was with me. She's all about customer service because of her own business and the Doc she still works remotely for. She was very impressed. It was hot as hell and no one complained at all.

posted 06-27-2009 10:32 AM ET (US)            

Also I prefer Bearing Buddies. I like the idea of positive pressure on the grease. I think the Eagle trailer I had included those Superlube axle bearing things. I liked that idea of pushing the grease though the axle to the back of the hub and out the front but that was real messy at times. You could change all the grease in the hub that way. Maybe that isn't good. If you're going to change the grease, it is best to tear the hub apart and inspect the bearings and races. Also if there was a bearing or seal problem you wouldn't find out until it was too late.

These are just my opinions and observations. For me the whole Shoreland'r package has worked for me for years.

posted 06-27-2009 12:14 PM ET (US)            

Not to reduce the qualities of the trailer dealership industry here;
But it is very likely and possible that you could find a "great" trailer on the used market.
I have seen great QUALITY units come for sale on a regular basis for a most amiable pricing.
I would leave all my options open if I was in need of a reliable unit.
It is a fact that in many cases;
That minute adjustments will be performed upon buying a preferred brand of trailer.
I would personally pick up something on the "heavy duty" side instead of just an adequate offering for my boat trailering needs.
Luck to you;
In your quest for a permanent choice.

posted 06-27-2009 07:13 PM ET (US)            

One advantage of buying a trailer made locally is that you often can get a better price, as delivery will be at the point of manufacture. You won't be paying for expensive shipping. I have seen a semi-trailer truck with a huge load of trailers making the rounds delivering one or two to each local dealer in our region. This is the only economical way to ship trailers: 15 or more at a time.

posted 06-28-2009 01:02 AM ET (US)            

Comparing the Shoreland'r trailers side by side with the Loadrite trailers, the Shoreland'r trailers are nicer.

Yes, I still have the Loadrite trailer

I took some photos of the Shoreland'r, and will post them soon. The model the dealer had has forward keel rollers, with one-foot bunks, and the rear cross members "swivels" and has a pair of four-foot long rollers. These rollers can be replaced with 4 foot bunks. I have to investigate all this further and plan on calling Shoreland'r.

I want to get the photos up before speculating about the advantages and disadvantages.

posted 06-28-2009 08:50 AM ET (US)            

What the heck is there to service on a trailer that you can't service yourself? Except for the frame, the parts (rollers, winches, axles, springs, etc.) on a trailer are standard off the shelf parts.

posted 06-29-2009 09:07 AM ET (US)            

When I was in South Carolina a few years ago, I visited the local Boston Whaler dealer. I was amazed to see that about one-quarter of his store was devoted to trailer components. You could literally build yourself a trailer from the parts he had hanging on the wall and from the bins on his shelves. Maintenance of trailers used in tropical saltwater is very intensive. There seems to be a steady demand for replacement boat trailers, and there are many sellers. The result is a very competitive market. In contrast, up north here in fresh water land, we see 25-year old trailers in fine condition, and a boat owner seldom buys a replacement trailer. The market for trailers is accordingly smaller and the prices higher.

In saltwater coastal areas the cost of waterfront property is astronomically high, so trailer boating is the only way most boaters can reach the water. Again, while in the Carolinas, we made the mistake of going to a launch ramp on a Saturday. My heavens! I never saw so many trucks and trailers. They were literally parked along the roadside for a mile on each side of the completely full launch ramp parking. And this was in October, not exactly prime season. The launch ramp was extremely busy. Again, more trailer customers than you'd see here, where many boats sit on hoists all season and the trailer is only used in spring and fall.

posted 06-29-2009 11:22 AM ET (US)            

It has been used in saltwater all of its life.

posted 06-29-2009 12:28 PM ET (US)            

I am fortunate the the boatyard where I keep my Whaler provides fresh water washing facilities for your boat and trailer at no charge.

You can for a small fee use the pressure washer.

posted 06-29-2009 01:50 PM ET (US)            

Here's the link to the photos I shot this past Saturday of the Shorelander Trailer SLR30BAl:

www.danwagner.com/shorelander62709/index.htm

This trailer is set up with rear rollers and a forward keel roller cradle with two small stabilizing bunks forward.

Dealer says this would be good for my 18 Outrage and allow for launching and retrieving at any ramp on Long Island.

Everyone on CW knows where my head is at on this one. Keel rollers are evil. Dealer said he can replace rear rollers with bunks. The rear crossmember pivots/rotates/swivels -- I don't know the correct term -- so the 4 foot bunks would bear the rear weight. I feel like I'm being led too far astray here. But, it is a nice trailer. The forward keel cradle is cool -- providing it makes proper contact with keel. The rollers in this configuration might be okay because they're in line and close together -- don't know.

The workmanship on the Shorelander is very nice. I like the way the trailer wiring runs through a sort of conduit (see photos) along inside of aluminum side frame.

I measured the distance from tongue junction to end of trailer and it's 14'9". My Loadwrong is 13'1". Advantage Shorelander. By the way, the dealer sells Shorelanders and Loadwrongs and he told me my Loadwrong is flat out the wrong sized trailer for my boat, no ifs, ands, or buts. The distance between fenders is 82" vs 79" -- an improvement. As I was taking the measurements, dressed in my wedding tux, the dealer said, "I bet somebody really burned you bad." I said, "you don't wanna know." He told me, in this economical environment, some people are not doing right.

posted 06-29-2009 03:19 PM ET (US)            

They looked like these shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.prodInfo& productID=5597&categoryID=221

posted 06-29-2009 04:12 PM ET (US)            

You need at least 3 if not 4 cross members for a good keel roller trailer. My Cox trailer had at least 4 cross members. The boat rested on 5 (not doubled up) keel rollers. For a proper keel roller trailer frame, see the picture of the Continental tilt keel roller trailer in the Contintental Trailer's catalog.

posted 06-29-2009 05:29 PM ET (US)            

Problem with adding a keel roller to rear crossmember is that the center light is in the way, and requires a special bracket to accept the keel roller.

I started this thread primarily to get feedback on a Shorelander trailer -- this one specifically.

I know what you mean about two center bunks to support keel weight. I've spoken with various trailer dealers in my area, and they just want to "tell me" not listen. They all know it all, have seen it all, and can make anything work -- that is until they actually have to make it work and already have your money. None of the people I've shown the Whaler measurements diagram showed any interest in it. Frankly, it's been weird. They're all hurting for biz, but won't make the effort.

Peter, please let some others view the photos and weigh in.

posted 06-29-2009 07:47 PM ET (US)            

I like my set up because the boat stays on the trailer when I drive the boat on and slides off easily when I push it off. I have no need for keel rollers or any rollers for that matter.

The boat always centers itself and there is no chance of my hull banging into any hard part of the rear cross member if I drive up off center.

I used to have an all roller trailer with an aluminum boat. It came in handy when I had to launch on a level surface (bad ramp or no ramp). I could never drive it on when I was alone. And most places I had to crank it down off the trailer because it would launch too fast.

posted 06-30-2009 01:06 PM ET (US)            

I did this for my first 22 Outrage. Paid $600 for a good dual axle trailer from a guy who kept his boat on a lift year-round and didn't want a trailer in his yard.

Then spent $300 having a local fabricator weld up two new crossmembers and having them galvanized.

Finally spent around $250 in parts from Champion and ended up with a trailer with 6 keel rollers and bunks.

Took a saturday afternoon to install everything on the trailer. Since you know the deadrise on a whaler, figuring how high to set the bunks relative to the height of the top of the rollers is simple trig.

My new (current) Outrage came on a $4000 ez-loader that isn't as well set up as the one that cost me a total of a little over a grand.

posted 06-30-2009 06:42 PM ET (US)            

Big big thanks to Hoosier, for sending me photos of his Shoreland'r trailer with the same set up -- forward keel roller cradle, and rear in-line rollers where short bunks would be. Nice set-up. Thanks Hoosier!

posted 06-30-2009 07:03 PM ET (US)            

Q: Have you noticed any indents or dimpling in your hull from the rollers? That's my big concern because the weight rests there. Also, did you consider getting the short bunks instead of the rollers?

A: My boat is a 1978 Outrage V-20, it weighs 2000 lbs with the motor, I haven't noticed any dimpling. The longer rollers distribute the weight more.

Boat ...1500 lbs
Motor...430 lbs
Trailer....600 lbs
Stuff......200 lbs
Fuel (1/2+ tank)..250 lbs

Total...3K lbs +/-

Try that with today's Whalers. The boat's bigger than my car.

Q: I think the bow has to rest downward because the keel cradle isn't adjustable. I guess while trailer-ing just leave the plugs out, and while in the driveway, raise the bow with the jack.

A: That's what I did and when trailering,if it rains, we'll look for an inclined driveway or a hill to let it drain.

Q: Does the boat sit low enough to get her in the garage?

A: Not this (standard) garage, but my pole barn has 14' doors.....

Nice boat by the way.

Thank you, it was featured in Jim's V-20 reference article.

Q: Do you have disc brakes? If yes, do you like them?

A: I think so. They seem to work OK. The big problem that I haven't dealt with is the trailer has a flat five plug, number five disabled the brakes when backing. My cars are fitted with factory falt four connectors so I have to be sure the backing lockout is in place. 30% of the time it isn't, not a good design.

Q: Is the tongue weight good?

A: Again, I think so, the boat track perfectly on the highway. My car has too soft a rear suspension and it squats too much when the trailer is hooked up. I can't fix that due to the design of the car.