ted655
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2003
- Messages
- 252
I just saw my 3rd boat show. Seems like most anything 16' & longer is sitting on an aluminum trailer this year. Looking closely, I see issues. Listening to sales pitches, I heard misdirection, maybe even lies. Anyone else concerned about the shortcomings of the new fad trailers?
#1. I notice they are being welded EXACTLY the same as steel trailers. Butt joints without gussets or plate overlay at critical junctions. Welded aluminum is vastly different from steel design fabrication. These trailers are weak! Also a third, center piece is used as the draw (hitch) bar, bringing me to ,
#2 WAY too short draw bars. The tongue jacks now have to mount to one side of the center of the trailer. A problem when trying to drain rain water or sitting on mushy ground. The tow vehicle will have to back deep to launch, not to mention the difficulty of "backing" a short tongue trailer. I saw no space for a spare tire. Not to mention a ,
#3 point. The winch posts are all short. Too short for drive on loading, as there is no way to see the post from the boat. I saw no stop plates or pads on any of the trailers winch posts, nor are they braced in any way. A recipe for disaster, I promise.The bow eye could easily be off on either side of the post. Leading to #4. No side bunks or inadequate, short, low side bunks. Tons of fun loading a boat in wind or current.
#5. Low lights. enough said! THERE, is a aftermarket bonanza!
I hope the new boat owners like to wade, because that is what it will take to get that new boat home from the first outing! Why have a boat if you are going to sit wet, all the way home.
#6. You may not drive home. With the new, short tongue trailers, you may be towed home, or to a storage lot.
With fuel prices what they are, tow vehicles are downsizing. In order to keep selling big boats, they are "playing" with the trailers. Anyone else see the insanity of putting boats on bad trailers?
#1. I notice they are being welded EXACTLY the same as steel trailers. Butt joints without gussets or plate overlay at critical junctions. Welded aluminum is vastly different from steel design fabrication. These trailers are weak! Also a third, center piece is used as the draw (hitch) bar, bringing me to ,
#2 WAY too short draw bars. The tongue jacks now have to mount to one side of the center of the trailer. A problem when trying to drain rain water or sitting on mushy ground. The tow vehicle will have to back deep to launch, not to mention the difficulty of "backing" a short tongue trailer. I saw no space for a spare tire. Not to mention a ,
#3 point. The winch posts are all short. Too short for drive on loading, as there is no way to see the post from the boat. I saw no stop plates or pads on any of the trailers winch posts, nor are they braced in any way. A recipe for disaster, I promise.The bow eye could easily be off on either side of the post. Leading to #4. No side bunks or inadequate, short, low side bunks. Tons of fun loading a boat in wind or current.
#5. Low lights. enough said! THERE, is a aftermarket bonanza!
I hope the new boat owners like to wade, because that is what it will take to get that new boat home from the first outing! Why have a boat if you are going to sit wet, all the way home.
#6. You may not drive home. With the new, short tongue trailers, you may be towed home, or to a storage lot.
With fuel prices what they are, tow vehicles are downsizing. In order to keep selling big boats, they are "playing" with the trailers. Anyone else see the insanity of putting boats on bad trailers?
