Best trailer brands

[ryandmartin]

I didn’t order a trailer with my new R5. This crew likes spending other people’s money, so figured I’d ask about the right trailer brand/model if I were to pick one up this summer. Right now, planning just for rack valet storage at the local marina, but wouldn’t be surprised if the family wants to trailer the boat soon to lake-hop.

Any thoughts / recommendations?

[ajcampen]

My boatmate is great. Rides straight behind my vehicle every time on the highway at 70. Loads easy and level. Looks great. Prob $7k. My boat lives on the trailer as I launch and retrieve every time I use it. So a good trailer is important to me. If you only use once in a blue moon then get what you can afford and are comfortable spending.

Phoenix and heritage are tops also.

[AsLan7]

I didn’t order a trailer with my new R5. This crew likes spending other people’s money, so figured I’d ask about the right trailer brand/model if I were to pick one up this summer. Right now, planning just for rack valet storage at the local marina, but wouldn’t be surprised if the family wants to trailer the boat soon to lake-hop.

Any thoughts / recommendations?

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This thread may help RM.
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Another useful thread is here.

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[sailor55330]

A lot of good brands. I have owned in order a shorlander jet ski trailer, an EZ loader on my last boat and an Eagle under the Cobalt. The shore lander was ok. I didn’t like the way the EZLoader loaded—-a few inches off and it was difficult. I don’t think I ever loaded straight, but it towed well. Hands down my Eagle is the best of the three

[mdadgar]

Here's my thread from last December about my new Pacific custom aluminum trailer:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=2077

I finally launched/loaded with it for the first time last Saturday and it was completely painless. Centered perfectly, winched on easily, done deal. BIG improvement over the POS Venture trailer that the boat came on. Super happy.

And it looks BADASS.

- Mark

[Jeeper]

I like the Boatmate that my R5 Surf rides on. It looks like details matter , the fit and finish matches the Cobalt. The coupler, jack and the tie down straps are great quality and easy to use.

[cmattj]

I like the Boatmate that my R5 Surf rides on. It looks like details matter , the fit and finish matches the Cobalt. The coupler, jack and the tie down straps are great quality and easy to use.

I agree. I just went out to look closer at the 2019 R5 our owner has on the Boatmate.
It’s non adjustable but in perfect settings for bunk width and length. Perfect bow stop settings along with all tie downs not touching anything on the hull.
It tows perfectly with no wander and sits low for easy launch and retrieve . Rub plates for drive protection and for the schmancey look. “ lighted Cobalt “ on the sides.
I loce my easyloader on our 282, but I can tell Boatmate got with Cobalt and made it a specialty.

[JJMassar]

I really dig Extreme Custom Trailers. They are beautifully built and have some great options available. They are actual tubing instead of C channel as well. In person, I can't find another brand of trailer that looks better and I have seen Boat Mates in person.

[Tuscany]

I really dig Extreme Custom Trailers. They are beautifully built and have some great options available. They are actual tubing instead of C channel as well. In person, I can't find another brand of trailer that looks better and I have seen Boat Mates in person.

I’m an overbuild HD kind of guy. My OCD demands it so I can sleep.
I do tend to analyze anything I buy with a microscope so bear with me.


My R7 sits on a trailer 8,735 out of 8,760 hours a year.
Lots of beautiful trailers out there with pretty paint and shiny wheels, but beauty can be skin deep.
The main advantage to a quality structural C Channel is that the three walls are thick, and you can weld to it with HEAT, and it will flex without cracking.
Tube trailers are generally built with thinner wall tubing, and welds can crack during flex because of the boxed nature and thinness of the steel and weld. In boat trailer use, there is no way to protect the raw inside of the tubing from corrosion.

So personally, I’m no fan of tube trailers if one is actually going to build one and haul their their prized possession down the road.
I would always suggest to ask questions. Ask about the thickness of the steel. Ask about how many crossmembers used, which is the most important question IMO. Ask about the brake system components available. Ask about the axles they use. Ask about bunk adjustability. Etc.

I used www.loadmasterboattrailer.com to build my custom trailer.

https://www.facebook.com/LoadmasterTrailerCo/

[AdamIPS]

I have a Rolco. It’s one of, if not the best trailer I’ve ever had. It’s overbuilt, tows well, still looks good especially for a 12 year old trailer. Zero complaints here. I’ll take some pics and post them in a bit.

[ajfdj55]

I'm considering purchasing a new boatmate trailer for my R5. Are there any concerns based on your experience? Or options you would recommend I consider for inclusion with a boatmate trailer purchase? Also boatmates web site says nitrogen filled Westlake brand tires are standard for all of their trailers. Any feedback on Westlake tires? Finally what are your thoughts on nitrogen filled tires?

[Big Block Power]

I'm considering purchasing a new boatmate trailer for my R5. Are there any concerns based on your experience? Or options you would recommend I consider for inclusion with a boatmate trailer purchase? Also boatmates web site says nitrogen filled Westlake brand tires are standard for all of their trailers. Any feedback on Westlake tires? Finally what are your thoughts on nitrogen filled tires?

Nitro is good but not a big deal. Anyone can do that. It's just advertising.
Get brakes on all 4 and eoh. Never heard of those tires so if you get a flat it may be hard to match them after your spare. Yes get a spare.

[TruckerTim]

I had a BoatMate that came custom with my ‘06 Malibu that I bought new. Good trailer and pulled well. Had the surge breakers which worked fine for me. I only used it twice a year, once to put the boat in and once to pull it out. Only issue was the paint on the tongue got a few blisters around year 10 and eventually popped exposing some rust. Small spots and easily taken care of.