Trailer recomendations

[erider81]

hi guys,
I been trying to decide what to do as far as transporting my Achilles Lsi 335 (11 foot inflatable floor) ive added a bimini and plan on getting a swivel seat from boatstogo. so i'd prefer not to have to blow it up everytime i take it out since I'll end up spending an hour or so just getting it ready. i've looked at the HF folding trailer but im afraid it may be a bit too cheaply made, and also may consider the one by trailex made for inflatables (although i cant cofirm if its only for ribs or not). does anyone have any ideas or thoughts I'd really appreciate it? my only other thought is transom wheels and a 12volt inflater to speed up prep time.

Thanks,
Glen

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Trailer recomendations

I believe Drowned Rat used a harbor freight utility trailer for his boat. You might want to check out the pics here http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=232263&highlight=drowned+rat

The harbor freight trailers are steel (I haven't seen any galvanized at HF). I sure wouldn't launch in salt water with one. They don't have bearing protectors, but Harbor freight does sell them. The Trailex trailers are aluminum and would definitely hold up better than painted steel to salt water exposure.

Most inexpensive trailers don't have very good lights. Some don't even have bell jar designs and just flood everytime you launch. Even the lights on my galvanized boat trailer kept dying. I bought sealed Led trailer lights. Worth every penny.

Inflating and setting up every time you want go out is a pain. If you have room and coin for a trailer go for it!

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Trailer recomendations

Here is a thread where I posted some pics of mine.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=277013&highlight=trailer

 

[dynamic37]

Re: Trailer recomendations

Here is a thread where I posted some pics of mine.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=277013&highlight=trailer

I am going to buy an old flatbead trailer (not foldable) for my 12 foot inflatable. I am planning something like the setup you have. The only thing is I would like to have the engine in the back (towing the boat front first). In order to fix the negative weight problem, I thought it might be an idea to move the wheels (the whole axle) to the rear of the trailer. Any thoughts on this?

Here is a picture. Looks bad, but it is actually in great shape.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Trailer recomendations

Towing the boat with the engine to the rear of the trailer will give you big time negative tongue weight. I tried it that way and it's no good. I guess you could move the axle, but that's a lot of extra work. Loading engine first isn't that big of a deal since it's a flatbed anyway.

 

[dynamic37]

Re: Trailer recomendations

How do you load it on the trailer? I thought since I am planning to have launching wheels on the boat, it would be a snap to just lift the front (being the light part) on to the trailer and slide it in position. With the engine first, it is quite a lift if I am alone.

it is a 12 foot boat with a 20 hp 1987 Evinrude outboard (quite heavy)
I also have a box seat in the rear, so the weight is an issue.

How do you do it? Do you have some way of rolling it on board, or do you simply lift it?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Trailer recomendations

I back the trailer into the water on the ramp just like a normal boat.

 

[dynamic37]

Re: Trailer recomendations

Aha. Not many ramps here (if any). Rocky sea shore. I think I'll consider moving the axle further back

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Trailer recomendations

I use a Snowbear tilting utility trailer for my 11' Avon. Works awesome. 14" tires. Long enough tongue to boat right on to the trailer (at the world's worst ramp) without tilting. But it also tilts. Converts into a box trailer. Motor skeg fits right into a little pocket I made on the tailgate when the gate is flipped and installed as a ramp. I ratchet strap the skeg to the trailer. It is light on the tongue, but never been an issue.

If tongue weight a concern (heavy 4 stroke etc.), then look for the kind of trailer where you can move the axle fore or aft. under the frame.

 

[dynamic37]

Re: Trailer recomendations

I talkedto a trailer company. They said it would be too much hassle to move the axle and recommended me just adding some weight to the front of the trailer. Proably the easiest way to fix the negative tounge weight problem