Thanks for your time, I appreciate any input/thoughts.
Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
This is my firs post ever not just to this forum to any forum ever
. I have read and benefited a bunch over the last year or so from this site. Anyway, we have been boating since 2011. First boat was a 242 and our second an A25. I'm getting ready to order a R7 Surf. The dealer we buy from has always sold us Heritage trailers in the past. We have haven't had any problems. But they seem a little boring. I've been looking at Boatmate Trailers for my new R7. Curious to know what the people here on the forum think of that brand vs heritage. Also my heritage trailer has 15" wheels. I see on the Boatmate trailer site options for 18" wheels and triple axle trailer. Other than being able to support more weight, what are the pro's con's of triple axle vs tandem and bigger tires/wheels. I pull with an F250 we are about four hours to table rock lake and we make that trip two to three times a year. Otherwise we are just on local lakes and I store my boat on the trailer in my garage. Anyway as I said my heritage trailer has been fine, but I'd like some things like the front steps on the trailer to make reaching into the bow easier, lighting options that boat mate offers seem cool as well, the ability to monitor tire pressure from inside my truck is also something they offer. But I don't want to sacrifice quality/safety for some bells and whistles. Would tri-axle (is that the correct term?) be harder to maneuver than a tandem axle?
Thanks for your time, I appreciate any input/thoughts.
Thanks for your time, I appreciate any input/thoughts.
Kansas City, MO
2011 242 VP 5.7 GXi (Sold)
2016 A25 VP 350 (Sold)
2020 R7 Surf VP 380 (Sold)
2022 R8 Surf VP 380
2011 242 VP 5.7 GXi (Sold)
2016 A25 VP 350 (Sold)
2020 R7 Surf VP 380 (Sold)
2022 R8 Surf VP 380
- Big Block Power
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
Welcome and please post some pictures of your prev boats!!
Over never had a boatmate trailer. A few on here do. I have not heard any complaints about them.
Tri axle is great to distribute the weight. Turning not so much. Matt has one so he will chime in hopefully early in the morning before he sips a lemon drop or 2. They will leave black rubber marks all over the concrete. So maint is also more on them.
I'm not sure you really need a triaxle for a R7. Tuscany has the set up you are wanting though. He will post also. His is a loadmaster. Yes larger wheels and tires are cool. As long as they have the correct load carrying capacity its all good. All of the tow boat trailers use them. So if you put them under your Cobalt it's Malibu's fault
Heritage and prestige make a good trailer but I've never been thrilled on how they load. Again and welcome. Please introduce yourself in the new member section with pictures so liquid can say hi in a month

Over never had a boatmate trailer. A few on here do. I have not heard any complaints about them.
Tri axle is great to distribute the weight. Turning not so much. Matt has one so he will chime in hopefully early in the morning before he sips a lemon drop or 2. They will leave black rubber marks all over the concrete. So maint is also more on them.
I'm not sure you really need a triaxle for a R7. Tuscany has the set up you are wanting though. He will post also. His is a loadmaster. Yes larger wheels and tires are cool. As long as they have the correct load carrying capacity its all good. All of the tow boat trailers use them. So if you put them under your Cobalt it's Malibu's fault
Heritage and prestige make a good trailer but I've never been thrilled on how they load. Again and welcome. Please introduce yourself in the new member section with pictures so liquid can say hi in a month
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
I don’t know anything about Boatmate trailers so I can’t say anything about them. I did order a Loadmaster trailer a couple months ago though. They really impressed me with the way the are built, they are really overbuilt. That’s why I ordered one! The trailer that I ordered has 9 cross members vs the 4 I have on my EZLoader. The Loadmaster has 2-6,000lb axels and I upgraded to load range E tires. Most trailers come with load range C tires, possibly D but never E. They maybe don’t have lighted emblems in the fenders but I didn’t ask either... The thing that I really liked about Loadmaster is that they are truly a custom built trailer, ask them about something that you want to add or change and they will do it, or suggest something better. You don’t get that kind of customization out of those cookie cutter manufacturers. I don’t have any pictures but Tuscany will add to this.
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
Hey dst....welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!
Those trailer brands you mention have great reputations. I like the idea of the customizable BoatMate trailer especially with a Cobalt surf model. The forward facing prop outdrive is a different animal especially while loading on a trailer. I'm sure you have read some of the posts regarding that here.
I do think tri-axle is overkill on any boat less than 28 feet. Biggest issue will be extra expense for the extra axle and of course tire scrubbing while maneuvering. Others will chime in shortly. And yes, please post pics of your Cobalt lineup through the years.
Again, welcome aboard mate!
Those trailer brands you mention have great reputations. I like the idea of the customizable BoatMate trailer especially with a Cobalt surf model. The forward facing prop outdrive is a different animal especially while loading on a trailer. I'm sure you have read some of the posts regarding that here.
I do think tri-axle is overkill on any boat less than 28 feet. Biggest issue will be extra expense for the extra axle and of course tire scrubbing while maneuvering. Others will chime in shortly. And yes, please post pics of your Cobalt lineup through the years.
Again, welcome aboard mate!
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2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
Did someone say trailer burnout? .
.
The lighting package on the Boatmate as it bleeds the Cobalt is a nice touch. But this can be added to any trailer for that matter.
I’ve had a few 3 axel trailers and they maneuvered great. Rock steady with no wander and good balance of weight.
Buttttt. They are tire side wall killers as the twisting is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. How they don’t pop of the bead I’ll never know.
Just don’t look
.
Here’s a 2017 Loadmaster custom built for the 282. It weighs in at 3040 lbs. Yes I loce it!
The lighting package on the Boatmate as it bleeds the Cobalt is a nice touch. But this can be added to any trailer for that matter.
I’ve had a few 3 axel trailers and they maneuvered great. Rock steady with no wander and good balance of weight.
Buttttt. They are tire side wall killers as the twisting is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. How they don’t pop of the bead I’ll never know.
Just don’t look
Here’s a 2017 Loadmaster custom built for the 282. It weighs in at 3040 lbs. Yes I loce it!
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2008 272 , 496 HO fo SHO
California Delta
Table Rock Lake
#FARCON
California Delta
Table Rock Lake
#FARCON
Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
Thanks for replies and the welcome, I'll post in the new member forum as well. Here is a pic of my previous boats... as you can see I'm fan of the cobalt blue
)
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Kansas City, MO
2011 242 VP 5.7 GXi (Sold)
2016 A25 VP 350 (Sold)
2020 R7 Surf VP 380 (Sold)
2022 R8 Surf VP 380
2011 242 VP 5.7 GXi (Sold)
2016 A25 VP 350 (Sold)
2020 R7 Surf VP 380 (Sold)
2022 R8 Surf VP 380
- Big Block Power
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
Very sweet. Nothing else said nothing but the best then a Cobalt in frt of a econo lodge


03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
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mdadgar
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
The blue A25 is stunning! I like that even better than my black A25!
- Mark
- Mark
Mark Dadgar
2013 Cobalt A25, 6.0 VP 380hp "More Cowbell"
Monte Sereno, CA (winter) | Lake Don Pedro (summer)
Boats are for when I'm not racing cars
2013 Cobalt A25, 6.0 VP 380hp "More Cowbell"
Monte Sereno, CA (winter) | Lake Don Pedro (summer)
Boats are for when I'm not racing cars
Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
Thanks Mark! We are actually thinking about black for our new one, just to change it up a little, my wife is worried about keeping it clean but I wouldn't imagine it's any harder than the blue. cmattj thanks for the info, I like the JUST DON"T LOOK ha ha. I'll keep all that in mind. Your trailer is pretty sweet. Love the boat on top as well!
Kansas City, MO
2011 242 VP 5.7 GXi (Sold)
2016 A25 VP 350 (Sold)
2020 R7 Surf VP 380 (Sold)
2022 R8 Surf VP 380
2011 242 VP 5.7 GXi (Sold)
2016 A25 VP 350 (Sold)
2020 R7 Surf VP 380 (Sold)
2022 R8 Surf VP 380
- Big Block Power
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
I think black is just as easy as white to keep clean. Maybe easier. Ok not that easy. Tgrace98 has it pretty easy. He just looks at it and it's clean 
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
I agree with Matt.
IMO, the R7 is a light boat.
I wouldn’t buy a tri-axle unless absolutely necessary, and a single engine like the R7 is not necessary.
Twins on a longer hull like Matt’s? Yes.
IMO, the R7 is a light boat.
I wouldn’t buy a tri-axle unless absolutely necessary, and a single engine like the R7 is not necessary.
Twins on a longer hull like Matt’s? Yes.
2017 Cobalt R7
"Cobalt" Blue
6.2L VP 380 or 430
#FARCON Marine
"Cobalt" Blue
6.2L VP 380 or 430
#FARCON Marine
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
I have a Boatmate tandem axle for my R5 Surf. It had two 3500 pound axles on it which Is probably crowding the GVWR of 7000 pound trailer. The R5 is over 5000 pounds dry so I’m guessing full of fuel and boating gear and the weight of the trailer it’s probably close. If it were me I would get a tandem axle trailer with at least 5000 pounds axles for a R7.
The Boatmate pulls great and the fit and finish matches the Cobalt. I would recommend guide poles to insure when the forward drive comes on the trailer your props can’t hit the trailer ( I saw one at the dealer that hit and ruined the props and damaged the trailer).
I pull mine most of the time with my F-350 and hardly know it’s there.
The Boatmate pulls great and the fit and finish matches the Cobalt. I would recommend guide poles to insure when the forward drive comes on the trailer your props can’t hit the trailer ( I saw one at the dealer that hit and ruined the props and damaged the trailer).
I pull mine most of the time with my F-350 and hardly know it’s there.
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2019 R5 Surf 380 VP.
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
.
Sweet setup Jeeper. I like how your wheels coordinate and the flaps on the F350 bumper inhibit road chips. Thanks for posting the pic.
Sweet setup Jeeper. I like how your wheels coordinate and the flaps on the F350 bumper inhibit road chips. Thanks for posting the pic.
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
- Jeeper
- Captain

- Posts: 242
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
They are Rockstar mud flaps, i don’t pull the boat without it.
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2019 R5 Surf 380 VP.
- AsLan7
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Re: Boatmate Trailer and dual vs Triaxle???
Nice 
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
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