Replacement trailer for 170 Montauk. - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Post-Classic Whalers
  Replacement trailer for 170 Montauk.

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Replacement trailer for 170 Montauk.

WT posted 07-29-2005 04:27 PM ET (US)
I'm thinking about replacing my Karavan trailer that came with my 2004 Montauk because it seems like a tinker toy. I trailer my boat 200-300 miles round trip and would prefer a sturdier trailer.
I want a new trailer that would be capable of transporting an aircraft carrier. :)
All suggestions regarding an upgraded trailer are welcome. Galvanized? Aluminum? Brakes? Trailer company?

I'm located in Sacramento and trailer to the Pacific Ocean.
Thanks,
Warren

Bulldog posted 07-29-2005 04:45 PM ET (US)
Warren, although I'm an east coaster , my boat sits on a 1987 Pacific Trailer Co. trailer. It is set up with Keel rollers and the bunks are large and have welded supports. The frame rails of the trailer are heavy "C" channel and are really easy to wash off after being in the salt. Mine is for a 20' Revenge, but from all the trailers I've seen over the years, this is very well made. If I was buying a trailer today I would want a galvanized one, with Kodiak stainless brakes, brake flush kit, poly rollers and LED lights. I favor steel over aluminum, because of things I have heard about aluminum such as bouncer ride, harder to get with keel rollers and more cost, but this is all second handle info, I haven't had an aluminum trailer yet. I do love my Pacific trailer and it tows like a dream and has many thousands of miles to go yet! I know your boat might get by without brakes , but once you have them they are great. There is a picture of my boat and trailer with the former owner on Cetacea page 20.....Jack
bspencer posted 07-29-2005 05:33 PM ET (US)
My Dauntless 160 sits on a 2001 galvanized Pacific trailer. I'm happy with it so far seems very sturdy. I'll look at my paperwork tonight, I think it is from a dealer up your way in Sac.
Brent
mikeyairtime posted 07-29-2005 06:55 PM ET (US)
You'd be throwing your money away. The Caravan traier was engineered to carry the 170 Montauk. I tow mine back and forth to the Colrado River, 600 mile round trip all the time and it doesn't flex or sway.
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-29-2005 08:23 PM ET (US)
If you get a new trailer, get galvanized, even if you think
you will never put it in saltwater. You might want to, your
buyer might want to, and in any event, in a few years it will
look better than painted.
And if you do put it into saltwater, there's no question.
A painted trailer turns into a rust bucket in salt water in
VERY short order. And it sounds like you do.
The 170 is below where brakes are more or less required. It's
a function of what you tow with and how flat the tow is. If
you are towing with a lightweight (RAV 5/Extera/etc) and there
are hills, I'd want brakes. I don't feel the need on my
16' 7" Montauk towed with a Nissan Pathfinder.
When my Shorland'r needs replacing (it's about 8 years old
and I'd guess it hsa another 4-8 years), I'm going to think
real hard about an aluminum trailer. Problem is that they
are hard to come by in California.

Chuck
fishinchips posted 07-31-2005 06:22 PM ET (US)
pacific trailer.
Northern California Pacific Trailers
7725 Enterprise Drive
Newark, CA 94560
510-797-1245
Southern California Trailers
13643 5th Street
Chino, Ca. 91710
909-902-0094

Ken
Barney posted 07-31-2005 08:54 PM ET (US)
WT, Let us know what you come up with. Jim
Traveller posted 07-31-2005 08:56 PM ET (US)
I fish Southern Kingfish Association tournaments all over the Southeast. A round trip pull of 1000+ miles in a weekend is common. So far this summer, I have put over 6,000 miles on my trailer. Living in the mountains of NC and fishing in salt water requires these long hauls. If I could convince my wife to move - well - that's another story. :(
I had an Easy Loader galvanized trailer, and it didn't hold up to the mileage and almost daily immersions in salt water. I replaced it with a Loadmaster aluminum trailer in 2001 and haven't had a moment of trouble in four years of tournament fishing since I purchased that trailer. The boat I use to fish tournaments is not a Boston Whaler, but since the question was regarding trailers, I thought I would share my experience with trailering a boat on the kingfish tour.
I'm tired of fishing tournaments, and plan to sell the kingfish boat and purchase a 170 Montauk. When I do, I am going to ask Loadmaster to custom design a tandem axle aluminum trailer for the 170 Montauk. I still intend to live in the mountains of NC and do most of my boating/fishing in saltwater. If anybody comes close to pulling their 170 Montauk 10,000 miles a year, every year, on the Karavan trailer, I'd love to know how it's holding up. I don't mean a 500 mile vacation trip once a season. I pulled my boat 530 miles today, 1,185 miles since last Thursday, and will be leaving for St. Augustine in 5 days. That's the kind of mileage I will be putting on the 170 Montauk and it's trailer. That's one of the reasons my boat is named "Traveller."
walf posted 08-02-2005 10:52 AM ET (US)
I purchased a Loadrite trailer with brakes for my new Montauk. It is a much sturdier trailer than the Karavan with bigger wheels and keel rollers and bunks.
frontier posted 08-02-2005 06:40 PM ET (US)
Pacific gets my vote. We've had EZ Loader, Caulkins, Shorland'r, King and Yacht Club trailers. Those get a "B". Pacific gets an "A". They are so well built and balanced. Low center of gravity. Strong fenders and steps. Noticable difference in towing, launching and retreiving.
WT posted 08-02-2005 08:05 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the advice. I spoken to Pacific and my BW dealer. Maybe I can trade my 2004 trailer and get the Pacific trailer for $600-700.
I'll have to see one up close.
Warren
frontier posted 08-02-2005 09:25 PM ET (US)
Pacific has a great removable tongue option, it slides completely out rather than swings away like the King or EZ Loader. Great for limited storage space.
Mark Kumataka posted 10-12-2005 09:18 PM ET (US)
Wayne- I'd be interested in purchasing your trailer for my 17 foot Super Sport. I live in Reno and could arrange to pick up the trailer around Sacramento.
Mark
(775) 843-8676

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: Replacement trailer for 170 Montauk.
WT	posted 07-29-2005 04:27 PM ET (US) I'm thinking about replacing my Karavan trailer that came with my 2004 Montauk because it seems like a tinker toy. I trailer my boat 200-300 miles round trip and would prefer a sturdier trailer. I want a new trailer that would be capable of transporting an aircraft carrier. :) All suggestions regarding an upgraded trailer are welcome. Galvanized? Aluminum? Brakes? Trailer company? I'm located in Sacramento and trailer to the Pacific Ocean. Thanks, Warren
Bulldog	posted 07-29-2005 04:45 PM ET (US) Warren, although I'm an east coaster , my boat sits on a 1987 Pacific Trailer Co. trailer. It is set up with Keel rollers and the bunks are large and have welded supports. The frame rails of the trailer are heavy "C" channel and are really easy to wash off after being in the salt. Mine is for a 20' Revenge, but from all the trailers I've seen over the years, this is very well made. If I was buying a trailer today I would want a galvanized one, with Kodiak stainless brakes, brake flush kit, poly rollers and LED lights. I favor steel over aluminum, because of things I have heard about aluminum such as bouncer ride, harder to get with keel rollers and more cost, but this is all second handle info, I haven't had an aluminum trailer yet. I do love my Pacific trailer and it tows like a dream and has many thousands of miles to go yet! I know your boat might get by without brakes , but once you have them they are great. There is a picture of my boat and trailer with the former owner on Cetacea page 20.....Jack
bspencer	posted 07-29-2005 05:33 PM ET (US) My Dauntless 160 sits on a 2001 galvanized Pacific trailer. I'm happy with it so far seems very sturdy. I'll look at my paperwork tonight, I think it is from a dealer up your way in Sac. Brent
mikeyairtime	posted 07-29-2005 06:55 PM ET (US) You'd be throwing your money away. The Caravan traier was engineered to carry the 170 Montauk. I tow mine back and forth to the Colrado River, 600 mile round trip all the time and it doesn't flex or sway.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-29-2005 08:23 PM ET (US) If you get a new trailer, get galvanized, even if you think you will never put it in saltwater. You might want to, your buyer might want to, and in any event, in a few years it will look better than painted. And if you do put it into saltwater, there's no question. A painted trailer turns into a rust bucket in salt water in VERY short order. And it sounds like you do. The 170 is below where brakes are more or less required. It's a function of what you tow with and how flat the tow is. If you are towing with a lightweight (RAV 5/Extera/etc) and there are hills, I'd want brakes. I don't feel the need on my 16' 7" Montauk towed with a Nissan Pathfinder. When my Shorland'r needs replacing (it's about 8 years old and I'd guess it hsa another 4-8 years), I'm going to think real hard about an aluminum trailer. Problem is that they are hard to come by in California. Chuck
fishinchips	posted 07-31-2005 06:22 PM ET (US) pacific trailer. Northern California Pacific Trailers 7725 Enterprise Drive Newark, CA 94560 510-797-1245 Southern California Trailers 13643 5th Street Chino, Ca. 91710 909-902-0094 Ken
Barney	posted 07-31-2005 08:54 PM ET (US) WT, Let us know what you come up with. Jim
Traveller	posted 07-31-2005 08:56 PM ET (US) I fish Southern Kingfish Association tournaments all over the Southeast. A round trip pull of 1000+ miles in a weekend is common. So far this summer, I have put over 6,000 miles on my trailer. Living in the mountains of NC and fishing in salt water requires these long hauls. If I could convince my wife to move - well - that's another story. :( I had an Easy Loader galvanized trailer, and it didn't hold up to the mileage and almost daily immersions in salt water. I replaced it with a Loadmaster aluminum trailer in 2001 and haven't had a moment of trouble in four years of tournament fishing since I purchased that trailer. The boat I use to fish tournaments is not a Boston Whaler, but since the question was regarding trailers, I thought I would share my experience with trailering a boat on the kingfish tour. I'm tired of fishing tournaments, and plan to sell the kingfish boat and purchase a 170 Montauk. When I do, I am going to ask Loadmaster to custom design a tandem axle aluminum trailer for the 170 Montauk. I still intend to live in the mountains of NC and do most of my boating/fishing in saltwater. If anybody comes close to pulling their 170 Montauk 10,000 miles a year, every year, on the Karavan trailer, I'd love to know how it's holding up. I don't mean a 500 mile vacation trip once a season. I pulled my boat 530 miles today, 1,185 miles since last Thursday, and will be leaving for St. Augustine in 5 days. That's the kind of mileage I will be putting on the 170 Montauk and it's trailer. That's one of the reasons my boat is named "Traveller."
walf	posted 08-02-2005 10:52 AM ET (US) I purchased a Loadrite trailer with brakes for my new Montauk. It is a much sturdier trailer than the Karavan with bigger wheels and keel rollers and bunks.
frontier	posted 08-02-2005 06:40 PM ET (US) Pacific gets my vote. We've had EZ Loader, Caulkins, Shorland'r, King and Yacht Club trailers. Those get a "B". Pacific gets an "A". They are so well built and balanced. Low center of gravity. Strong fenders and steps. Noticable difference in towing, launching and retreiving.
WT	posted 08-02-2005 08:05 PM ET (US) Thanks for the advice. I spoken to Pacific and my BW dealer. Maybe I can trade my 2004 trailer and get the Pacific trailer for $600-700. I'll have to see one up close. Warren
frontier	posted 08-02-2005 09:25 PM ET (US) Pacific has a great removable tongue option, it slides completely out rather than swings away like the King or EZ Loader. Great for limited storage space.
Mark Kumataka	posted 10-12-2005 09:18 PM ET (US) Wayne- I'd be interested in purchasing your trailer for my 17 foot Super Sport. I live in Reno and could arrange to pick up the trailer around Sacramento. Mark (775) 843-8676