Looking for trailer

[jwestjr]

I recently purchased a 1972 18.5 feet Starcraft Starchief. The trailer is not original, too small and needs work. I would like to find the correct size trailer for this boat. Can someone tell me which brand, model, or size I should be looking for? Thanks for all replys.
Johnnie

 

[MTboatguy]

Any number of companies made trailers that will work for that boat. If it were me for an 18.5, I would prefer a tandem axle trailer, just make sure you are paying attention to weight ratings on the trailer, to low, risk of breaking things and damaging stuff, to high and you will have a rough riding trailer, which is more difficult to tow and can also beat things up.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Any brand... Absolute min length would be 110% of the boat hull length.

Obviously it needs to be adjustable so it will fit correctly...

Get the boat weighed on the current trailer full of fuel and gear... Purchase a trailer rated to handle it.

Personally I'd be surprised if you grossed anywhere near 3500 lbs.

No need for a tandem trailer as long as the axle is rated for the load.

 

[MTboatguy]

"No need for a tandem", but as I said, it would be my preference to have a tandem, I simply like tandems when you get over about 14 feet, but it is going to be up to you and what you can find in your area. I upgraded my trailer for my 19 footer a couple of years ago from a single to a tandem and it tows so much better, quite a bit more stable than the single. Of course again, that is just a personal opinion, there is no reason to take what any of us post, it is going to be what you like.

 

[smokeonthewater]

yep you have your opinion and are absolutely entitled to it.

I have pulled trailers with from 1 -4 axles and from 2-16 tires and have never seen any advantage to more axles or tires except more load capacity.... if the trailer doesn't pull perfectly it's because it isn't matched to the load, isn't set up/balanced right or is poorly built/maintained.

the more axles and tires the more maintenance work/cost

EDIT: in the interest of clarity, even tho it isn't relevant to the O/P I'll say there is one advantage to more tires IF they are duals on the same axle and that is the ability to limp on with a flat..... obviously, tandem or single the O/P won't have duals so any flat will require stopping immediately.

 

[MTboatguy]

yep you have your opinion and are absolutely entitled to it.

I have pulled trailers with from 1 -4 axles and from 2-16 tires and have never seen any advantage to more axles or tires except more load capacity.... if the trailer doesn't pull perfectly it's because it isn't matched to the load, isn't set up/balanced right or is poorly built/maintained.

As are you Kevin, as are you entitled to it, I have also pulled trailers with many axles in some very rough situations(Iraq and Afghanistan) And have formulated mine.

As I said, he is going to pick what he picks based on his needs and no matter what you or I say is going to really make much difference, he will find the one that suits his needs, I am sure. Ultimately, when I comes down to it, he asked for an opinion, you and I both offered one, that is all.

 

[jwestjr]

Well that's been very informative. All of the input is appreciated. Just one more question.... Is there any advantage to rollers versus the bunks?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Sure... Tho it's gonna be a preference thing....
Roller trailers excel at loading and launching easily... Very shallow is no problem at all as you only need to get the very last cross member in the water.

IMHO the only downside of a roller trailer is that you can't unhook it and then get in and back the boat off the trailer... Unless the motor is in forward gear it will roll back as fast as you crank the winch.

Not a huge issue tho, just requires different techniques.

Some folks prefer bunks for simplicity....

I shop for the best deals I can find so I have both styles.

 

[jwestjr]

I have briefly thought of the boat wanting to get away from me with the rollers. Thanks for that information. I have looked at a few trailers and noticed, like mine, the winch is too low. The ones I see on the internet that I think would work are from the Great Lakes area. I'm from the south. The stern hangs about a foot off of the bunks also. I've recently been told that the transom should be supported but the man that told me this wasn't sure of an aluminum boat.

 

[MTboatguy]

I like bunks, gives me a bit more control over the boat when unloading.

 

[jwestjr]

(continued)
He was referring to fiberglass hulls dropping down at the stern.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Yes ideally the transom should be directly over or up to 2" behind the last crossmember on a bunk trailer or 1-2" behind the last rollers on a roller trailer....

There are a couple techniques to control the boat on a roller trailer depending on your situation.
Some wrap a line around the winch post and hold it while releasing the winch...
Some have two people and then it's real easy for one to put the motor in gear and the other operate the winch...
Some simply unwind the winch till the boat is floating free and then unhook.

If your winch stand isn't tall enough you can modify or replace it w a taller one.

 

[jwestjr]

Alright Kevin, Thanks a lot.

 

[smokeonthewater]

No prob.... Anything else just ask.

Good luck.

 

[Redfred1]

I installed two keel rollers on my trailer to aid in centering the boat. The back crossmember is over two feet from the back of the trailer. Your aim had to be good to get the boat on center. Of course that is me.