OT---Need a new trailer

Jeff Reardon

Jeff Reardon

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The trailer under my 14 foot aluminum boat has seen its final season. Rusted out, no lights, lugs rusted onto the studs. It was not in great shape when I got the boat 10 years ago, and it's been used hard.

Any suggestions on what to get for a replacement? This is a small light boat--maybe 400 pounds including motor, a full tank of fuel and other gear. I've been scouring Craigs List and Uncle Henry's without finding much, so I may just bit the bullet and buy a new trailer.

Never done this before--what are my options? A dealer near me has a Karavan trailer that seems about right for around $700.

My boat is small, but the traiiler will see some long distance hauling and be used on gravel logging roads.
 
Jeff, I've got three trailers for different sized boats. Two I bought new, a shorelander and a Karavan. My opinion is that the Karavan is the best of the bunch. I'm going to buy a small utility trailer to pull behind my VW and it's going to be a Karavan. I really like the flow thru grease system they have.
 
I have 2 EZ Loaders, they are slightly more than the Karavans when I've priced them. I'm super happy with mine. As Pete said, the flow through hubs are nice - they are an option or standard on most brands.
 
"Flow through hubs"--meaning they let water flow through them?

Or is this about lubricating bearings with oil, as an alternative to bearing buddies?
 
Jeff,

Karavan's Sure-Lube system is here: http://www.karavantrailers.com/sure-lube.cfm Benefits are that the grease you put in keeps moving thru the system as you add more grease. In the old style of bearing buddies the grease that gets squirted out the overflow hole may or may not be the oldest grease. In the Sure-Lube system the grease that comes out the overflow is always the oldest grease in the system.
 
Thanks, Pete.

And Todd, too.

Keep the comments coming. What size tire/wheels do I want? Looks like 8 inch is standard. Is it worth the upgrade to 12 inch to deal with crappy pot-holed roads and rough gravel?
 
Thanks, Pete.

And Todd, too.

Keep the comments coming. What size tire/wheels do I want? Looks like 8 inch is standard. Is it worth the upgrade to 12 inch to deal with crappy pot-holed roads and rough gravel?
Click to expand...


I like 12" tires on a small boat trailer over the 8"ers.

The flow through hubs with grease are nice (there are also sealed liquid oil hubs too), both are pretty standard from what I've seen on quality trailers.
 
I've had lots of trailers in the salt over the years and Karavan was the ONLY one to rot.I take care of my crap and rinse the trailers off after every use.I don't know if i just got a bad one but it sucked.
Just my .02
 
Jeff~

No problems with my Karavan but I love my LoadRite.

I would get at least the 12" wheels - AND always a spare.

In my experience, galvanized boat trailers are one of the last real bargains in the marketplace - you get a lot for your money.

Also, a jackstand (swing-away) is money well-spent.

BTW: If you do find a good used trailer, Pettit's TrailerCoat paint is amazing. In fact, I still have some on my fingernails from re-painting a couple of anchors 3 weeks ago....

Happy shopping!

SJS
 
I have had zero issues with my Mclain trailer. Its galvanized. I would recommend goodyear marathon radial tires for any distance towing. Ive been from Manitoba to louisiana on these and are showing no real wear issues. Carlisles are ok for going local. I have spent some time on the side of the road changing flats, no fun.
 
I have a Load Rite for my Alumacraft 1650. I have been pleased with it. It is now 13yrs old I just replaced the original axle and springs. That is after regular saltwater use.

The other 4 boat owners that I regularly hunt or fish with all have galvanized Load Rite trailers. Everyone has been pleased. Boats range in size from 16-22'.

Chad
 
Steve, I looked at the Load-Rite Trailer web site and they do indeed look like a very well built trailer. I think one difference between Karavan and Load-Rite is that the latter is hot dipped Galv while the former is electro-galv. I'd like to see one in person but the problem I have is that the nearest dealer is almost 200 miles away.
 
Thanks again for all the advice. Glad I asked--just had an occasional poster here contact me to let me know he has a trailer he's not using and looking to sell. Got to check it out this weekend.
 
My $.02 on trailers
1. If one spare is good two are even better. Ever hit a hole with just one tire?
2. Run an extra white wire to each L.E.D. taillight (mounted high) for a ground instead of grounding through the frame.
3. For rear tie down I like a ratchet strap around boat and trailer until it creaks.
4. Wasting hunting time on a broken trailer is time poorly spent.
5. Having an ammo can bolted to the trailer with everything needed to repair a burned out bearing is a pretty good insurance against needing it. ;_)
6. Large diameter tires don't have to make soo many R.P.M.s
 
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Got a Karavan here and had the box axle let go after two seasons. Stay away from axles where the spindle is welded to a tube as that is the weak link. Since then I have had good luck and have gone through it a replaced a few brackets but not bad for a 1997. One key to extending the life of your trailer and brackets is to get a pair of disposable gloves and some grease, lots of it. Get a glob in your hand and lather it all over the axle, leaf springs brackets, nuts, bolts etc. After a time or two in the water and road it will form a wax like coating and only needs touch up about every two years. Just dont bump into it when fresh. My leaf springs are 6 years old only see salt and look like new beneath the coating.
 
Bob,

Is there a source for the Mclain trailers in Illinois that your aware of? They came up in a search last year as a reasonably priced trailer. I know Academy Sporting goods have the trailer on their website but I don't think they are in Illinois.
 
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