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Random Quote: a foolish man can ask questions a wise man cant answer
I am negotiating to buy a 22 foot salt water boat. It is currently on a Magic Tilt trailer. I do not like the quality of the magic tilt. The dealer offered to upgrade to an Amertrail trailer for an extra 1,000. Do you think the price increase is worth it? Any info on Magic Tilt or Ameritrail aluminum trailers?
lots of variables to consider such as tires, rims, brakes, hardware, and suspension. Most of the manf. produce their trailers with different equipment so that is what you should be comparing
Thanks, unfortunately I am doing the deal long distance. I have only seen a magic tilt. I have looked up amertrail on the web, but have not found any info on fastener or structural material. I am left with trusting the dealer that the upgrade is worth the cash.
If your in Texas McLain Makes a good trailer. They are local to the Houston Area. Buy the boat as is, sell one trailer and buy a Mclain. for a 22 footer they are not that bad, you can have all the options on it you want.
__________________ Captain Todd Dempsey
USCG 25 Ton Masters
I had a similar problem, I bought a used boat that was on a magic tilt, I bought an Ameratrail and never looked back. It is a great trailer, alot of extras are standard that other people charge for and it rides great. An added plus is that the boat sits about a foot lower on the trailer than the magic tilt and I actually got better gas mileage towing it. Let me know if you have any specific questions as I did alot of research in this.
I have had a Magic Tilt ML series trailer (TML 2482) for a year now under a McKee 24 and have had no problems. Over the past year I have towed the boat over 1500 miles. If the one you are looking at is the "ML" series, it is their premium series with thicker aluminum I beams, better hardware, HD diamond plate fenders axles, 2 15/16" HD coupler, etc. Mine came with stainless hardware throughout.
Like the others have said, you really need to know the components that go into each trailer since trailers are a sum of their parts and most of the bunk trailers are made in a similar way, just some have better parts.
Unfortunately trailers are made all over the place, some good, some not so good. As others have mentioned, the components used have a lot to do with the quality of the trailer as well as the price.
Trailers with torsion axles cost more than ones built using springs.
Trailers with disc brakes cost more than trailers with drum brakes.
Trailers with Kodiak disc brakes cost more than those with Tie-Down disc brakes and they're worth EVERY penny.
Trailers with aluminum wheels cost more than trailers with steel wheels, but that doesn't affect the quality.
Some companies I know here in Florida that build excellent trailers are:
You'll pay for a good quality trailer rated for 6,000 lbs (which is about right for a 22' CC with engines). You're looking at:
Dual axles
Aluminium frame with bunks
Torsion axles
Kodiak disc brakes
Titan master cylinder.
Radial tires (other than Goodyear Marathons - they're crap).
Figure $5-6K from Boat Master. Your best bet is to call either of the two companies above and see what they tell you.
I have a 24' 2003 Magic Tilt aluminum trailer with approximately 80 rollers. I had some fit issues when I first bought the trailer and eventually received the parts from the distributor to make the necessary adjustments. 6 years later and the trailer is doing well. In 2007, I replaced all bearings and seals.....and in 2008 after a trip from Boston to Florida and back, I had to replace the rear hubs. I've replaced the nylon winch strap 2-3 times.The original dry launch lights work great and the original kodiak brakes (painted steel calipers and raw steel rotors) still work well.
COuple of things I did when I first bought the trailer....I covered leaf springs and just about every nut and bolt with spray grease which seems to have added to its longevity.
Have a magic tilt now, no problems to date and it is an 04. I doubt its going to last much longer though. Have replaced the brakes and one axle but I don't think that is any big surprise for a 5 year old trailer thats dunked in saltwater weekly.
You can't go wrong with Owen's & Sons Aluminum Slide On trailer. I had mine custom build and the workmanship is second to none! You get what you pay for in the long run.
high end trailer 
