Buying a Great Boat Trailer

Everybody knows about Farmers Insurance® commercials.  Each commercial concludes with the simple punch line: “We know a thing or two, because we’ve seen a thing or two.”   Well, the same is true about the one thing that keeps your expensive new boat and motor off the highway.  Most of us rack up a lot of miles on our trailer without giving it a second thought.  After all, it never matters until it does.  Right?

Here’s how to make sure you are getting a great product.

Workmanship.  

Go ahead.  Judge a trailer by it’s cover. The two main signs of trailer quality is how well it’s welded and how good it’s painted. If you see quality bead welds and smooth paint, it’s a good sign the trailer manufacturer takes their time. Most likely they also make sure everything else is right as well.  Always check the beads for clean welds, and any paint for bubbling, peeling, or missing - especially on the underside of the beams.

Premium Materials.

An easy way for a trailer manufacturer to cut costs is to cheap-out on the parts and materials. Always make sure they are using reputable brands for jacks, couplers, lights, brakes, axles, wiring harnesses, and tires. The old saying “you get what you pay for” has never been truer, especially in a society where cheap imported imitation parts are everywhere.

Quality Build.

It’s shocking to me how many trailers marketed as “high quality” are in fact poorly constructed and cheaply bolted together. Make sure all the parts, like bunks, jacks, and handles have clearance. Plasma, water-jet, and laser cut parts tell you the company has quality machinery and premium designs – with close tolerances. Simply, they care.

Be wary of  half-truths. 

Unfortunately, all too often, a salesman or trailer builder thinks they have to bad-mouth and talk down about their competitors.  True quality stands for it self. Far too often trailer builders make comparisons and tell you their trailer is the absolutely revolutionary one on the market. What they don’t tell you, or want you to know, is that they are usually comparing it to the very bottom-end of their competitors. Rather, listen for them to refer to standards of the “industry.”  Are they NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) or NATM (National Association of Trailer Manufacturers) Certified? They should be. That really is the standard. 

Decide for yourself.

Ignore everything said by your crazy old uncle who has not seen anything of quality since Dwight D. Eisenhower was President.  Also, don’t pay attention to that friend of a friend of a neighbor who had a friend who read about it on the internet, who is usually the blowhard guru of eveyrthing  After all, if it was on the internet, it has to be true, right?  Frankly, that is good advice for anything. My mamma always said “believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.” 

Finally, Apples to Apples.  

For a true quality comparison, make sure you are comparing trailers with the same options, quality, and materials. Some boat trailer builders advertise a lower price and make it look like their trailer is the best thing since sliced bread.  They don’t tell you it is because they use cheaper parts and options as  “standard” then upcharge you for adding the better quality parts.  Check the options on the trailers you are comparing. You might find that the “more expensive” trailer has better options and would be cheaper than upgrading the other brand.

We never tend to think about it, but the trailer, really, is one of the most important parts of your entire rig. Down the interstate at 70+ mph, to rough dirt roads with plenty of pot-holes, your trailer travels early in the morning and pretty late at night.  You spent a lot of money on that perfect rig - Make sure you don't have to scrape it up from the middle of the highway. Protect it with a high quality trailer.

Premium gear for serious sportsmen at outstanding prices. 

Let’s Take It Outside.®