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Old 09-10-2009, 10:03 AM
  #1    
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Laurel, MD, USA
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Default need help with buying a trailer for my boat

I have a 2003 Four Winns 245 cuddy cabin.
Current bunk trailer is painted steel and rusting.
I have measured the bow eye to the transom to be about 22'
Boat is 4650lbs dry w/ engine.
I've been looking at dual axle galvanized or aluminum bunk trailers rated for 5900 to 6000lbs.
Got a few quotes but I'm not exactly understanding who does the adjustments to the trailer. What is customary if I buy from a trailer sales company? Do I have to take it to a ramp and hire someone to transfer the boat to the new trailer or pay a marina to do it?

Boat is currently on the trailer in Ocean City but I may take it back to the Baltimore/Washington area soon to buy a new trailer.

thx
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Old 09-13-2009, 06:43 PM
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I'm from the Boston area and have a Four Winns Vista 258. The painted steel bunk trailer that came with it started rusting out shortly after using it in salt water [they are fresh water only]. Also, brakes locked up.
So I now have a Load-rite roller trailer, galvanized steel. It is a nice trailer. Only problem is it has Tie Down brand brakes, which come standard on a lot of new trailers and are frought with problems [I need a new actuator after only one season].
To answer your question. Your trailer has to be fitted and adjusted to fit the boat. i.e. the rollers or bunks have to be shifted to get the right weight distribution and to be spaced properly with respect to the chines, through hull fittings, bowthruster if you have one, etc. These trailers are hugely adjustable. Even the axle positions can be changed. I shopped for trailers and I found some dealers who will do the adjustments as part of the deal, and others who simply sell you the trailer. Remember, they will have to either lift your machine or launch it multiple times to get the trailer fit right. If you are clever and creative, with jacks and blocks, you can probably adjust it on your own, but I would have it done by a good trailer specialist. Good luck.
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Old 09-13-2009, 07:23 PM
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I just measured the distance between the bunks on the old trailer and set up the new trailer the same way. Did the same for the winch stand from the center point of the two axels. I'm sure rollers are a little more work but bunk trailers are pretty simple.
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Old 09-13-2009, 07:30 PM
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Location: Slidell, LA
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Sea-cation has it right, it depends. The last two trailers I bought were custom fitted to my boats when built.
Since you've got the boat on a trailer now I would strongly recommend weighing it with the tanks filled before buying a new trailer. I've learned not to trust the manufacturers specs. And just because the trailer you've got may have come with the boat doesn't mean it's sufficiently rated for it. Trust but verify.
Bill
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