Boat Trailers - Road King vs. Venture

[LeoNRaleigh]

I've been quoted a price on a new Sea King 218 Bay, F150 and a Venture Aluminum Trailer with brakes. Other dealers have included a Road King. It seems to me the Venture is inferior to the Road King and that's how the dealer has gotten his price on the package down.

What's the verdict on these trailers, or others that I may consider. And what would the price difference be between a similiar Road King and a Venture.

Thanks!!!

[ESfishdoc]

If you like the Road King (mine works well) use that point to make a deal. If you like the boat and the price tell them you'll buy at that price with the Road King and only the Road King.

[Cracker]

Do a search for Road King or Road King Trailers...I can tell you I had a nightmare trying to get Road King to stand behind a warranty issue for a brake problem on a 5 to 6 month old trailer..Good Luck

[shemstreet]

Venture does not seem to have a reputation for high quality, at least in their galvanized roller trailers. I did think the Road Kings looked nicer, but not sure how many others have encountered problems similar to Cracker's. Without moving up out of the middle of the road/lots of dealers use trailer, you might consider Wesco or EZ Loader as possible alternatives.

If you have more money to spend, I'm sure you will get a lot of the high price/high quality ones recommended (Rolls Axle, Loadmaster, etc.) Actually, it will depend how much mark-up your dealer is charging, East Coast Trailers might be able to get you into a better quality trailer for what the dealer is charging for the mid quality one, but you have to figure out how to get the trailer off the delivery truck.

[Parthery]

East Coast will happily deliver the trailer to your dealer and use their hoist to offload it. Pay the dealer an hours labor to set the new boat on the trailer and you are on your way....

[itwonder]

Glenorleigh - 3/4/2007 7:53 AM

I've been quoted a price on a new Sea King 218 Bay, F150 and a Venture Aluminum Trailer with brakes. Other dealers have included a Road King. It seems to me the Venture is inferior to the Road King and that's how the dealer has gotten his price on the package down.

What's the verdict on these trailers, or others that I may consider. And what would the price difference be between a similar Road King and a Venture.

Thanks!!!

Venture is a good company that builds a fairly basic, functional trailer that is often priced less than the better known brands. They are built in Baltimore, and thus are popular in the mid-Atlantic area. I have a 12 year old Venture galvanized roller trailer under our old Winner boat, and I've had just one problem with it in all those years. One of the spring hangers broke at a weld. I called Venture and told them about it. I also told them I had no way to move the trailer to a dealer and I could handle the replacement myself. They had the part in stock, sold it to me at dealer cost, and shipped it free. That's pretty good support on a 12 year old trailer. I would buy one again if a basic trailer suited my needs.

Compare the important features and then make your decision based on your needs and price. If you are not going to trailer far or very often, you can get by with a less fancy trailer just fine:

* What is the carrying capacity and GVWR of the trailer they are proposing? Cost cutting dealers often under-size.
* What brand of tires? Carlisle tires are junk.
* What type of axle? Torsion is much preferable to leaf spring, but leaf spring will get the job done.
* Are spindles on the axle replaceable?
* Do the spindles have Superlube or other easy lubrication feature?
* Is hardware stainless steel? U-bolts, nuts, washers, etc.
* Are fenders aluminum diamond plate walk-on type, preformed rounded metal, or plastic?
* What kind of brakes? Drum brakes are maintenance headaches. Tie-down disk brakes are troublesome. Kodiak brakes are great.
* Warranty?

[Cracker]

I will comment on tires. I have never been a big fan of Carlisle tires. I have had numerous Carlisle Bias Plys come a part, but I think the Carlisle Radials are of much better quality than the Bias plys..The Carlisle Radials I have have actually held up well.

[rwidman]

itwonder - 3/4/2007 10:01 AM

Venture is a good company that builds a fairly basic, functional trailer that is often priced less than the better known brands. They are built in Baltimore, and thus are popular in the mid-Atlantic area.

I agree. I have a Venture trailer and have had trouble only with the drum brakes. The boat dealer recommended drum brakes.

Venture doesn't make the brakes, they just install them. I've since replaced the brakes with disc brakes.

It's nothing fancy but it's fully functional. I would rather spend the extra money on the boat or other wishes. Here's a link:

http://www.venturetrailers.com/