Galvanized trailers in fresh water - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Performance
  Galvanized trailers in fresh water

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Galvanized trailers in fresh water

Wet Foot posted 01-30-2003 01:16 PM ET (US)
How necessary is a galvanized trailer for fresh water? I bought a new 2001 Dauntless 18 with a 2003 Shoreland'r bunk trailer in October. The dealer has offered me an upgrade to galvanized for $850. The current painted trailer was listed for $2,240. Part of the $850 is 6% lost Michigan sales tax (since tax is non-refundable on vehicles...I think?). There is a chance the new trailer might come with disk brakes...existing are drum. I'm not sure it's worth $850 especially since I might not like the trailer. Slim chance I might use it in salt water once or twice on vacation. I kept my last boat and painted trailer 25 years. I did have to re-paint it...not pretty! I've read about trailers breaking from internal rust. I know the galvanized ones are coated inside and out; painted ones are outside only. Your opinions are appreciated!!
kingfish posted 01-30-2003 01:26 PM ET (US)
Beat him down as far as you can and go for the galvanize; longer lasting, more flexible (salt and fresh water), higher resale, higher feeling of comfort.
kingfish
baybug posted 01-31-2003 10:56 AM ET (US)
You bought the nice boat, do it right and get the nice trailer. So happy in the long run.
jimh posted 01-31-2003 11:22 AM ET (US)
Try asking the dealer to delete the trailer completely from the package and go shopping for a Continental galvanized keel roller trailer. I think you can get a nice trailer from them for little more than the price the dealer wants you to pay for the upgrade to galvanized.
You get a free trip to Florida this winter to pick up the Continental trailer, too.
dfmcintyre posted 01-31-2003 10:51 PM ET (US)
Since you mentioned that your from Michigan, and if it's one of the locally produced trailers, like an Eagle, I'd second what's been suggested, try and get as much off and get it. I think the Eagle is about on par for quality with Continential. I ordered an Eagle for my 21' and have been happy with it.
Don
lhg posted 02-04-2003 03:50 PM ET (US)
Don't buy a painted trailer. They simply don't hold up, fresh or salt. That $2250 price is way too high anyway.
I know of a certain person in Port Huron who recently bought a galvanized 4300# capacity tandem trailer for his '92 19 Outrage (1900# hull weight) that cost $1450, no brakes. I would think that $2000 would get you a well made galvanized trailer for the boat, including disc brakes, if you feel you need them.
Bigshot posted 02-04-2003 04:20 PM ET (US)
$850 for an upgrade, Aluminum maybe....galvanized=few hundred more.
Over the LINE posted 02-06-2003 04:19 PM ET (US)
Galvanize it and forget it. See if you can find a better deal on another trailer, but stick with the galvanized.
super7 posted 02-07-2003 12:23 PM ET (US)
I've talked to greatlakes trailers in Escanaba MI for a quote on an aluminium trailer. twin 3500 axles, SS disc brakes, bunk with keel support for $2950 plus tax. over kill for my 22 revenge but its a nicely built trailer. Don't know if they go down to 18' but I like the idea of aluminium and standard is torsion axles insead of springs. http://www.greatlakestrailers.com/
Just another .02
cheers
Tony

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: Galvanized trailers in fresh water
Wet Foot	posted 01-30-2003 01:16 PM ET (US) How necessary is a galvanized trailer for fresh water? I bought a new 2001 Dauntless 18 with a 2003 Shoreland'r bunk trailer in October. The dealer has offered me an upgrade to galvanized for $850. The current painted trailer was listed for $2,240. Part of the $850 is 6% lost Michigan sales tax (since tax is non-refundable on vehicles...I think?). There is a chance the new trailer might come with disk brakes...existing are drum. I'm not sure it's worth $850 especially since I might not like the trailer. Slim chance I might use it in salt water once or twice on vacation. I kept my last boat and painted trailer 25 years. I did have to re-paint it...not pretty! I've read about trailers breaking from internal rust. I know the galvanized ones are coated inside and out; painted ones are outside only. Your opinions are appreciated!!
kingfish	posted 01-30-2003 01:26 PM ET (US) Beat him down as far as you can and go for the galvanize; longer lasting, more flexible (salt and fresh water), higher resale, higher feeling of comfort. kingfish
baybug	posted 01-31-2003 10:56 AM ET (US) You bought the nice boat, do it right and get the nice trailer. So happy in the long run.
jimh	posted 01-31-2003 11:22 AM ET (US) Try asking the dealer to delete the trailer completely from the package and go shopping for a Continental galvanized keel roller trailer. I think you can get a nice trailer from them for little more than the price the dealer wants you to pay for the upgrade to galvanized. You get a free trip to Florida this winter to pick up the Continental trailer, too.
dfmcintyre	posted 01-31-2003 10:51 PM ET (US) Since you mentioned that your from Michigan, and if it's one of the locally produced trailers, like an Eagle, I'd second what's been suggested, try and get as much off and get it. I think the Eagle is about on par for quality with Continential. I ordered an Eagle for my 21' and have been happy with it. Don
lhg	posted 02-04-2003 03:50 PM ET (US) Don't buy a painted trailer. They simply don't hold up, fresh or salt. That $2250 price is way too high anyway. I know of a certain person in Port Huron who recently bought a galvanized 4300# capacity tandem trailer for his '92 19 Outrage (1900# hull weight) that cost $1450, no brakes. I would think that $2000 would get you a well made galvanized trailer for the boat, including disc brakes, if you feel you need them.
Bigshot	posted 02-04-2003 04:20 PM ET (US) $850 for an upgrade, Aluminum maybe....galvanized=few hundred more.
Over the LINE	posted 02-06-2003 04:19 PM ET (US) Galvanize it and forget it. See if you can find a better deal on another trailer, but stick with the galvanized.
super7	posted 02-07-2003 12:23 PM ET (US) I've talked to greatlakes trailers in Escanaba MI for a quote on an aluminium trailer. twin 3500 axles, SS disc brakes, bunk with keel support for $2950 plus tax. over kill for my 22 revenge but its a nicely built trailer. Don't know if they go down to 18' but I like the idea of aluminium and standard is torsion axles insead of springs. http://www.greatlakestrailers.com/ Just another .02 cheers Tony