Trailer options for Classic 13s - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Trailer options for Classic 13s

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Trailer options for Classic 13s

PeteB88 posted 11-05-2014 10:56 AM ET (US)
I'm back to helping my ol' buddy Chuck find Whaler gear and accessories. He just bought an awesome Montauk last summer with Yamaha commercial 90 hp but hasn't splashed her yet!! His wife is recovering from knee job and he wanted to wait until she's able to go for first cruise - nice! That cruise will be in Michigan waters Spring, 2015.
He also has a smirkless 13 and old trailer. He wants to tow to his winter home in Melbourne and had some UHaul or some place quote him $200+ bucks to do wheel bearings and whatever. Trailer is old and way too big for 13 so I told him "dude, buy a new trailer".
Any suggestions from the crew regarding best option/value for 13 trailer? Brands that are available in Michigan. I doubt he'll spring for aluminum but galvanized for sure. We appreciate recommendations from frontline users.
Thanks in advance.
fishgutz posted 11-05-2014 11:25 AM ET (US)
ShoreLand'r is pretty popular in the midwest. I have a Shoreland'r galvanized trailer under my Dauntless 14 and am quite happy. Easy to get parts to customize. No problems.
PeteB88 posted 11-05-2014 02:37 PM ET (US)
Thanks Gutz - been trying to find a dealer for my buddy, I know the distribute them all out of Grand Rapids- I agree. Thanks again
padrefigure posted 11-05-2014 06:19 PM ET (US)
If he decides to tackle rebuilding hubs himself, bearing kits are about $15 per set. If the trailer is in good shape, this is a pretty good option, but you have to be careful to pack the bearings before installing them. By hand, this is a messy process but a packing tool might tilt the cost unfavorably. Another option is to buy prepacked hubs from someone like tractor supply. The cost is about $35 per hub and the install is fast and easy. The bearings are pre-packed, so you just add grease through the buddy bearing after install. A better option for salt water is to go with galvanized hubs. I do not know where to buy these locally, but they can be ordered from Champion Trailer, eTrailer or other online trailer suppliers. The cost is about $50 per hub and probably worth it if the trailer is galvanized or aluminum and certainly if it will be dunked in salt water. Don't forget to check the spare tire. If you go the hub route, pick the best hub as a spare and carry it along for long road trips. This makes roadside repair fast and much cleaner than trying to rebuild bearings on the side of the road.
Good luck either way.
phatwhaler posted 11-05-2014 07:38 PM ET (US)
My brother just bought a galvanized Continental tilt trailer brand new from some trailer shop in Largo, FL for $750. They had a cheaper non tilt model for about $100 less.
I shopped around and I was getting quotes all the way up to $1500 dollars.
frontier posted 11-05-2014 08:14 PM ET (US)
Take a look at E-Z-Loader model EZ 12-14 1,000-lbs. Galvanized and comes stock with quiet torsion axle (no more rusting springs) and 4.80 X 12 tires with galvanized wheels. They sell up here in the PNW for around $800. Great quality trailer and available with fixed bunk or tilt bunks.
17 bodega posted 11-05-2014 09:00 PM ET (US)
Scour your local ads. I've seen lots of small (quality galvanized) trailers in my local ads. I think that the brands Caulkins, [E-Z-Loader], Shorelandr, Pacific, etc., are all comparable. I would find a bargain. Remember the bunks are adjustable in most cases, and you will be surprised at how poorly most Boston Whaler boat owners situate their trailer. No joke.
My classic has an [E-Z-Loader trailer] which fits the rear sponsons like a dream.
Have fun and don't worry too much. A classic 13 Whaler is a light boat. Me and another guy literally had to "lift" the boat on the trailer (with scuba gear, weights etc on board) onto the trailer in a sketchy low tide situation where we made a terrible judgement error on tides!
Steve
PeteB88 posted 11-05-2014 11:16 PM ET (US)
Thanks and keep the info coming. My buddy ain't putting a wrench to much unless he has to. That's the whole point. I like the idea of Continental but that FL. I guess one option is I could do the bearings for him, he drives what he's got to Melborne and pick up one for $700 bucks down there.
I chcked around today and these dealers have gone nuts on prices or EZ has gone way up. I agree with scouring the Thriftys and Craigs but no time if this guy stays on pace to get out of here before snow.
Jefecinco posted 11-06-2014 09:45 AM ET (US)
Our Bass Pro Shop has some small galvanized trailers for sale for around $700 - 800. Nothing special but look adequate for a Classic 13.
When shopping for my own Classic 13 I considered one but opted to buy a custom aluminum trailer with pretty much every conceivable option the most important of which was 14 inch wheels with PosiLube hubs. I tend to keep my boats for many years so don't mind buying pricier accessories if they offer longer life and safer use. Custom trailers are very mush a local product with pricing and design to match local conditions and market. The fit of a custom trailer will be perfect if made by a reputable shop.
Butch
Binkster posted 11-06-2014 10:39 AM ET (US)
Pete, Ive rebuilt a few boat trailers using parts from Northern. They have everything you need, only basic mechanical skills are needed. Of course the frame must be usable.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_trailers-towing+ trailer-bearings-hub-sets
rich
PeteB88 posted 11-06-2014 02:41 PM ET (US)
Rich, that ain't Chuck's thing and I have zero time to help - He is 100 miles S.
What's astounding to me is near blow off attitudes from boat dealers who sell trailers. Seriously grinding me big time. Must be they are all selling 420 Boston Whalers with 7 foot high ceilings in the salon or cuddy what ever you call the man cave they put on that sucker.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Trailer options for Classic 13s
PeteB88	posted 11-05-2014 10:56 AM ET (US) I'm back to helping my ol' buddy Chuck find Whaler gear and accessories. He just bought an awesome Montauk last summer with Yamaha commercial 90 hp but hasn't splashed her yet!! His wife is recovering from knee job and he wanted to wait until she's able to go for first cruise - nice! That cruise will be in Michigan waters Spring, 2015. He also has a smirkless 13 and old trailer. He wants to tow to his winter home in Melbourne and had some UHaul or some place quote him $200+ bucks to do wheel bearings and whatever. Trailer is old and way too big for 13 so I told him "dude, buy a new trailer". Any suggestions from the crew regarding best option/value for 13 trailer? Brands that are available in Michigan. I doubt he'll spring for aluminum but galvanized for sure. We appreciate recommendations from frontline users. Thanks in advance.
fishgutz	posted 11-05-2014 11:25 AM ET (US) ShoreLand'r is pretty popular in the midwest. I have a Shoreland'r galvanized trailer under my Dauntless 14 and am quite happy. Easy to get parts to customize. No problems.
PeteB88	posted 11-05-2014 02:37 PM ET (US) Thanks Gutz - been trying to find a dealer for my buddy, I know the distribute them all out of Grand Rapids- I agree. Thanks again
padrefigure	posted 11-05-2014 06:19 PM ET (US) If he decides to tackle rebuilding hubs himself, bearing kits are about $15 per set. If the trailer is in good shape, this is a pretty good option, but you have to be careful to pack the bearings before installing them. By hand, this is a messy process but a packing tool might tilt the cost unfavorably. Another option is to buy prepacked hubs from someone like tractor supply. The cost is about $35 per hub and the install is fast and easy. The bearings are pre-packed, so you just add grease through the buddy bearing after install. A better option for salt water is to go with galvanized hubs. I do not know where to buy these locally, but they can be ordered from Champion Trailer, eTrailer or other online trailer suppliers. The cost is about $50 per hub and probably worth it if the trailer is galvanized or aluminum and certainly if it will be dunked in salt water. Don't forget to check the spare tire. If you go the hub route, pick the best hub as a spare and carry it along for long road trips. This makes roadside repair fast and much cleaner than trying to rebuild bearings on the side of the road. Good luck either way.
phatwhaler	posted 11-05-2014 07:38 PM ET (US) My brother just bought a galvanized Continental tilt trailer brand new from some trailer shop in Largo, FL for $750. They had a cheaper non tilt model for about $100 less. I shopped around and I was getting quotes all the way up to $1500 dollars.
frontier	posted 11-05-2014 08:14 PM ET (US) Take a look at E-Z-Loader model EZ 12-14 1,000-lbs. Galvanized and comes stock with quiet torsion axle (no more rusting springs) and 4.80 X 12 tires with galvanized wheels. They sell up here in the PNW for around $800. Great quality trailer and available with fixed bunk or tilt bunks.
17 bodega	posted 11-05-2014 09:00 PM ET (US) Scour your local ads. I've seen lots of small (quality galvanized) trailers in my local ads. I think that the brands Caulkins, [E-Z-Loader], Shorelandr, Pacific, etc., are all comparable. I would find a bargain. Remember the bunks are adjustable in most cases, and you will be surprised at how poorly most Boston Whaler boat owners situate their trailer. No joke. My classic has an [E-Z-Loader trailer] which fits the rear sponsons like a dream. Have fun and don't worry too much. A classic 13 Whaler is a light boat. Me and another guy literally had to "lift" the boat on the trailer (with scuba gear, weights etc on board) onto the trailer in a sketchy low tide situation where we made a terrible judgement error on tides! Steve
PeteB88	posted 11-05-2014 11:16 PM ET (US) Thanks and keep the info coming. My buddy ain't putting a wrench to much unless he has to. That's the whole point. I like the idea of Continental but that FL. I guess one option is I could do the bearings for him, he drives what he's got to Melborne and pick up one for $700 bucks down there. I chcked around today and these dealers have gone nuts on prices or EZ has gone way up. I agree with scouring the Thriftys and Craigs but no time if this guy stays on pace to get out of here before snow.
Jefecinco	posted 11-06-2014 09:45 AM ET (US) Our Bass Pro Shop has some small galvanized trailers for sale for around $700 - 800. Nothing special but look adequate for a Classic 13. When shopping for my own Classic 13 I considered one but opted to buy a custom aluminum trailer with pretty much every conceivable option the most important of which was 14 inch wheels with PosiLube hubs. I tend to keep my boats for many years so don't mind buying pricier accessories if they offer longer life and safer use. Custom trailers are very mush a local product with pricing and design to match local conditions and market. The fit of a custom trailer will be perfect if made by a reputable shop. Butch
Binkster	posted 11-06-2014 10:39 AM ET (US) Pete, Ive rebuilt a few boat trailers using parts from Northern. They have everything you need, only basic mechanical skills are needed. Of course the frame must be usable. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_trailers-towing+ trailer-bearings-hub-sets rich
PeteB88	posted 11-06-2014 02:41 PM ET (US) Rich, that ain't Chuck's thing and I have zero time to help - He is 100 miles S. What's astounding to me is near blow off attitudes from boat dealers who sell trailers. Seriously grinding me big time. Must be they are all selling 420 Boston Whalers with 7 foot high ceilings in the salon or cuddy what ever you call the man cave they put on that sucker.