Trailer for 190 MONTAUK

[OCSlick]

Q1: between a single axle trailer and a tandem axle trailer, which type is recommended for a 2008 190 MONTAUK?

Q2: is a tandem-axle trailer for a 2008 190 MONTAUK a choice that is excessive [in any way as compared to choosing a single-axle trailer]?

Some trailer dealers have suggested I get a single axle trailer with 3,100-lbs capacity.

However, a KARAVAN sales agent told me if the total boat weight is 3,000-lbs, they recommend a tandem axle trailer, because in California [there is some authority that requires they must sell] a tandem axle trailer for any load rating higher than 3,100-lbs.

[The price difference that] I see [between the two types] is:

• a 3,100-lbs capacity galvanized single-axle trailer sells for about $5,000;and,
• a [presumably same or higher capacity rating] galvanized tandem-axle trailer sells for about $7,000.

BACKSTORY
I very recently bought a 2008 190 MONTAUK with a 115-HP engine, a custom bait tank, and an added aft custom arch--but no trailer.

[Survey question about trailers in use for 190 MONTAUK boats has been deleted due to anticipated very tiny sample size.]

[jimh]

Rather than trying to get a survey response that would have a valid sample size, I would proffer that the most common trailer found in use for a 190 MONTAUK would be the model that is available at time of purchase from Boston Whaler.

In the specifications, the number of axles on the trailer is not called out, but there is an illustration that shows the trailer is a tandem axle model.

Fig. 1. Illustration on Boston Whaler website showing optional trailer for 190 MONTAUK. Photo courtesy of Boston Whaler.

190mtk-trailer-option_detail.jpeg (36.9 KiB) Viewed 1128 times

On that basis, to me the prudent choice is to get the tandem-axle trailer, even though it will cost more, will weight more, and will be somewhat harder to maneuver than if you got a single-axle trailer with a capacity rating that was just enough for your particular boat.

The listed dry hull weight for a 2026 190 MONTAUK with engine is about 2,800-lbs. One problem you have right now is you really do not know how much your particular boat will weigh when it is on a trailer. Boats on a trailer always weigh more than their catalog weights because they have fuel and a lot of gear aboard, such as batteries, anchors, tools, and other relatively heavy stuff.

Regarding trailer capacity, if you get a trailer that has a much higher capacity than your anticipated actual total boat weight, the trailer springs will probably be quite stiff and the ride quality of the trailer with a much-lower-than-capacity load might be somewhat harsh.

Also, I believe that the optional Boston Whaler factory trailer might be a KARAVAN. You could contact Boston Whaler for details about the trailer, and perhaps even purchase one through a Boston Whaler dealer. Or, if you get the model information, you could buy it from a Karavan dealer perhaps with less markup.

ASIDE: on the 2026 BUILD YOUR BOAT page for the 190 MONTAUK, the trailer is not an optional cost item. It seems that the cost of the trailer is baked-into the MSRP price. Because of that, to know the cost basis for the trailer is rather difficult.

[NorthShoreWhaler]

I went with a single axle [trailer] for my 190 MONTAUK because it was less cost and less to maintain. If California law requires dual-axles trailers for loads over 3,100-lbs then that’s likely what you need.

I estimate 3,500-lbs towing weight.

[jimh]

I estimate 3,500-lbs towing weight.

The meaning of "towing weight" is not clear to me (and perhaps not clear to other readers).

Q3: is the "towing weight" the weight of just the 190 MONTAUK boat, and not the trailer?"

Q4: is the "towing weight" the weight of the trailer AND the boat on the trailer?

I went with a single axle [trailer] for my 190 MONTAUK.

Q5: what is the rated capacity of the single-axle trailer you are using?

Q6: what is the weight of trailer?

Q7; what is the total towed weight of the trailer and boat?

[jimh]

The axles on many boat trailers are typically rated for a maximum total weight loading of 3,500-lbs. That rating is also appropriate for the typical tires that are used on boat trailers, as each tire will be carrying approximate half the axle load, or 1,750-lbs.

For example, a typical trailer tire is a Carlisle ST205/75-R14 radial two-ply tire with a maximum load rating of 1,750-lbs.

Most of the weight of the trailer is on the axle, but perhaps--at the minimum--about 5-percent of the weight will be carried on the hitch. This suggests that a single-axle boat trailer can have a gross vehicle weight of boat and trailer that is 3,500 x 1.05 = 3675-lbs.

For an example of this, we see that a Karavan single-axle custom bunk trailer rated for a maximum boat boat of 3,100-lbs has a trailer weight of 620-lbs, giving a gross vehicle weight rating of 3620-lbs, or just about the limit of a 3,500-lbs single axle with about 5-percent of the total load on the hitch.

If a single-axle trailer is particularly essential, you could invest in a trailer with a higher axle rating, and move to LOAD RANGE D or E tires. A D-load-range tire could handle 2,150-lbs, allowing use of a single axle with a 4,300-lbs rating. An E-load range tire could handle 2,830-lbs, allowing use of a single axle of 5,660-lbs rating.

But soon you will be running into complications with brakes and stopping power on a single axle. And you probably would have to have a custom-built trailer for those load ratings.

[jwg]

I have owned two 190 MONTAUK boats, a 2011 and a 2024. I purchased both boats as new boats with tandem-axle trailers and 150-HP engines. I recommend the tandem-axle trailer for [a 190 MONTAUK].

[Jefecinco]

When I bought our then new 190 Montauk from a Boston Whaler dealer it sat on the Boston Whaler furnished single axle Karavan trailer. We purchased the package in St Louis, MO and then towed it home to the Mobile, AL area. We frequently used the trailer to tow 30+ miles to use it in the Gulf. In the approximately 10 years we owned the trailer the only maintenance it required was replacement of the winch strap due to corrosion of the winch strap hook. We also replaced the tires at about the five year point as preventive maintenance. We have also owned a tandem axle trailer. It was far more difficult to manuver at the launch ramp and the tire wear was much worse due to the scrubbing during turns.

[jwg]

If you want to save money, get the single axle trailer. If you want a better, safer, trailer get the tandem axle trailer. I believe that my Boston Whaler dealer (Whalertowne, Graysonville MD.) has been putting the 190 Montauk on tandem axle trailers for about the last 15 years. This is my opinion, having owned two of these Boston Whaler models. When the 190 Montauk was first introduced, I believe it was marketed with a 115hp engine. It was much lighter weight and found to be under powered by most users. The 150hp engine is heavier and a great match for the 190 Montauk.

[Masbama]

In 2019 I bought a single axle Loadmaster trailer for my 2003 190 Nantucket with a T-Top. It is rated for 5200 lbs.
It is a very well built, high quality trailer.

[jimh]

In 2019 I bought a single axle Loadmaster trailer...rated for 5200 lbs.

Q8a, Q8b, Q8c: on that single-axle trailer, (a) what size are the tires, (b) what was the maximum load rating for those tires, and (c) how much are replacement tires?

My suspicion is that the tires are probably significantly more expensive that the usual Load Range C trailer tires.

[jimh]

When I bought our then new 190 Montauk from a Boston Whaler dealer it sat on the Boston Whaler furnished single axle Karavan trailer.

Q9a,b: If you recall, (a) what type of brakes did that single-axle Karavan trailer have, and (b) what was its maximum load rating?

[Jefecinco]

The trailer was equipped with standard surge brakes. I don't recall it's maximum load rating as I had no reason to suspect Boston Whaler of selling an unsafe package. I believe it is important to note our trouble free ten years of use of the trailer.

[Masbama]

My Loadmaster trailer came with Rainer225/75R15 tires. Load range ‘D’.
Three years ago I replaced them with Goodyear Endurance tires. Same size but load range ‘E’.
They cost about $200.00 each and that did not include installation.

[Jefecinco]

We, too, chose Goodyear Endurance tires to replace the originals. The local Goodyear dealer had us pull through a bay when installing the new tires. The cost of installation was not excessive and it included "Road Load" balancing.