how to measure a pontoon trailer

If you have a 21 foot pontoon boat then common practice dictates you get a 21 foot pontoon boat trailer. With the holiday season approaching steadily, fishing boat tours is definitely, what you should take, A boat can be source of endless hours of fun for you and your family., There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in a storm, said, 2013 YourAmazingPlaces.com | View Non-AMP Version, 4 Steps To Pull Off A Monochromatic Motif Using Wall Dcor , The Top 8 Fishing Boat Tours All Around the World, Bon Voyage! later youll see small rust If youre on the bunks correctly but need a boost to reach the front, use the winch strap to pull the boat the rest of the way up. | Privacy Statement In that case, a dealer can only make a rough estimation about the best trailer that will safely support the boat you have. First of all, fitting a pontoon can sometimes be challenging, and you can expect it to rock while traveling on local roads. perfect fit. Geoff also recommends looking at a product calledSalt Awaythat will help ward off damage when freshwater isnt quickly available. However, if you can find a trailer length-adjustment mechanism that is perfect for your pontoon boat, we suggest going with that instead. As a rule-of-thumb take the length of your boat and add 3 feet to that number and you ave the ideal length of trailer for your pontoon boat. Most jurisdictions require a brake system for trailers thats hooked to the inside of your car. Meanwhile, the KDP trailer is meant for 18 to 20 feet boats, whereas almost all trailers can accommodate 18 to 21-foot long pontoons. Pontoon boats with U shaped pontoons or shapes other than round will vary. For some, it makes all the sense in the world. If you live in a humid saltwater region such as Florida, you will want to go with an aluminum trailer. trailer manufacturers name Lightweight and affordable, aluminum is the go-to for buyers who are concerned about fuel consumption. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Featuring a galvanized steel frame, this stable pontoon trailer touts the same durability as the Wolverine Trailers Crank Up. Almost all of the weight of a pontoon boat is placed on the stern; this includes the captains helm, engine, gas tanks, and others. has bunks that cradle each toon in place. This lets you cover up the trailer frame in a smoother, softer material thats less abrasive and damaging. How to Determine the Carrying Capacity of a Trailer. If the trailer is too long you can also run into trouble on some ramps. dealer added the sticker. 23'-25' boats with striking, fluent lines and a masculine stance to define luxury sport. Most of the weight in modern pontoons is in the stern. Even if you live in an area where there is no legal policy on trailer brakes, they are helpful depending on the weight of the boat and your vehicles GVWR. Its easy to avoid these mistakes. Copyright 2023 Pontooners | All rights reserved. What you would typically get from this would be the variant (or generation), the length range that the trailer could accommodate, and the maximum weight that it could carry. Another thing to consider before buying a pontoon trailer is the boat weight. They are going to make sure that you are equipped with exactly what you're looking for. Our trailers are fully If you live in a non-humid saltwater region such as the Pacific Northwest, galvanized is just fine. You can pick the wood of your choice at your local hardware store and have them cut it to the 12 foot length you need. The steps, or ladder, at the winch stand, will allow you to enter and exit the boat easily once its up on the trailer. On the other hand, painted steel wont do too well against saltwater, so theyre mainly reserved for freshwater boating. Keep in mind there are numerous features you can add to both trailers that will affect the price. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The back of the tubes should not Bennington hell find out 5 ' of overhang in the that use short stands on big pontoons have a design defect, but again it Have them explain feature benefits and how the lights work. When it comes to picking out a proper trailer for your specific boat it is always important to speak to the person or dealer that you . The industry's first step-down bow provides a sporty low-profile exterior with enhanced sightlines with easy to drive floor plans from 20 to 24 feet. This is not conducive for traveling down the road, and the cover will be damaged. The portion you need to measure is not the cap, but the the hub bore. By sliding the winch stand forward Thats because the dealer is equipped to tow, launch, and store the boat for you. The best pontoon trailer lets you take your pontoon home for safekeeping, and even opens up the opportunity to take your watercraft to far off destinations. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Large diameters, being bigger, cover more ground per revolution than a smaller-diameter tire leading to less strain on the wheel and less wear on the tire. The number of axles on the boat trailer should correctly match the weight of your pontoon boat. You do not want to let the brakes sit in the sun all day with the saltwater baking on. Some trailers can accommodate pontoons with varying lengths. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The downside however is that aluminum proves to be the most expensive choice. It is convenient since you can use the extra space to place additional gear. Unfortunately though, this means potential stability issues when towing the boat. As someone who once drove commercial buses in Ireland (its a long story) I know the advantage that a little bit of extra room can give you especially on tight turns. In addition to perfect boat fitting, extra space will allow you to bring some additional gear you may find valuable. Now all you have to do is load up your boat, drive to your destination and enjoy your pontoon boat on the water. Measure your pontoon or refer to the owners manual for the boats correct dimensions. For example, radial tires will wear well and give you a smooth drive on smooth roads however, ply tires will give you better grip and less slip on rough terrain.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepontoonsite_com-leader-1','ezslot_14',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepontoonsite_com-leader-1-0'); So if you have to cover rough ground to get to the water where you launch your boat it may be a better idea to opt for quicker wearing ply tires for the extra control they give you. Its important to know if the engine in the downward position will have clearance in the water and going down the road. The bimini top should be all the way down in the trailering position. Adjusting our pontoon trailer to fit your pontoon boat. It suits those pontoon boat owners who dont have to travel far to launch their boats. The added weight of the boat will make the tow experience much different than just backing up an empty trailer. Here are the number of axles a trailer should have based on pontoon boat weight: Single axle trailer - up to 2,250 lbs. pontoons on 25 or 27 diameter pontoons. There aretwo different typesof pontoon trailers to consider based on the type of pontoon you have. Im going to break down scissor trailers and bunk-style trailers. Having a properly sized trailer for the width of pontoon boat is important. The trailer is pretty hassle-free and offers the easiest way to trailer a pontoon boat, both on and off the water.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepontoonsite_com-leader-2','ezslot_18',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepontoonsite_com-leader-2-0'); The bottom of the platform of the pontoon boat sits on the crossbeams of the trailer. About the only variation in these assemblies is the type of dust cap. A coat of zinc applied to the surface of a steel trailer makes it a galvanized steel design. The end of the axle has a polished shaft with a threaded nut on the end. The terrain you will drive the trailer on is the first thing you should consider. And besides, when you calculate the cost, all of those marina fees will add up to a trailer sooner or later, so you might as well buy one now. One way to solve this dilemma is to understand the specifications of the trailer, the manufacturers recommendations, and the dimensions of your pontoon boat. A bunk trailer, also called a float-on trailer, gives the pontoon boat a much more secure hold, as the trailer fits directly under the pontoon tubes. Pontoon boats with U shaped pontoons or shapes other than round will vary. Its a better option for heavier boats with large engines. On the other hand, spring suspensions are more affordable. Scissor-style trailersare constructed with a center lift mechanism that sits between the tubes of the boat. Youre planning on buying a new pontoon boat, and youre starting to make a list of accessories you will need in order to get on the water. This should help you decide if you need to invest in a trailer or not. What is Most Likely to Cause Someone to Fall Overboard? trailer to fit your boat, These facts are critical to maintaining your trailer and keeping salt corrosion at bay. When selecting a pontoon In addition, The second way is to use a ruler and measure the width of the trailer from side to side. 16'-20' fishing and family friendly boats available in easily trailerable 8' narrow-beam widths. Newer boats have larger diameter pontoons. Abunk-style trailerhas bunks that cradle each toon in place. If you exceed your tongue weight, it can be dangerous and lead to fishtailing while towing the boat. First, drive on to the scale with all 4 wheels of the truck and record the weight of the truck with the trailer attached. Usually, boat owners would think that a 20-foot pontoon is for a 20-foot trailer. On the other hand, 2-5/16-inch balls can be rated for as much as 30,000 pounds . This is called power loading. On a good ramp you drive your boat all the way onto the trailer. when buying a new trailer, we do our best to adjust the trailer to the sizes It is usually small and lightweight, and you can quickly load a boat on it. The front of the pontoon Our welded frame trailers have a five year warranty. On the other hand, a galvanized trailer is more cost-friendly, and regular rinsing with fresh water after use will protect the zinc coating. These work by slowly stopping the trailer as your vehicle slows down. Load guideshave been known to save marriages! Copyright 2022 --- all rights reserved That said, heres what to consider when taking sizing into account. manufacturer or dealership. Most pontoon sales brochures state the boat weight but often exclude the engine from the calculation. This style can be built for pontoons with two or three tubes. TRACK LENGTH: measure your axle track length by determining the distance between the center of one tire to the center of the other tire. Dual axle trailer - 2,250 lbs to 4,800 lbs. 16'-25' pontoon boats highlighting comfort, style, and functionality that can be catered to your lifestyle. Also, it can be based on the tow vehicle. Additionally, Pontooners.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Keeping up with trailer maintenance is key to making sure it will last long, even in corrosive saltwater. However, they can cause a bumpy ride if you drive with an unloaded trailer. Older boats were 8 wide and are usually on 72 centers. The most common recommendation is to choose a trailer that is about 3 or 4 feet longer than the pontoon (example: a 21 foot long pontoon would need a 24-25 foot long trailer), and this is generally true. Make sure the winch stand is And because they cant be controlled from inside your car, theyre usually not a standalone braking system. Trailer lengths for pontoon boats:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepontoonsite_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepontoonsite_com-banner-1-0'); The weight of your pontoon boat also has an major effect on the trailer you need. Its just a ten minute job to This is just a starting point Of course there are other measurements.. on some trailers the bunks aren't adjustable so they need to match up too. Never boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Its minimum capacity is around 4,800 pounds (2,177 kg), but heavy, strong models can carry boats heavier than 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg). Trailer tires matter since pontoon boats are heavy, and long travels increase pressure on the trailers axle. The size of your pontoon boat will determine what size of trailer you need. Although the boat is stable this scenario is not ideal if you have to travel long distances as it makes for an uncomfortable ride. A trailer is only going to last as long as its frame allows. Instead, all the weight of the boat will be placed on the stern. How to measure a 5 lug trailer wheel bolt pattern - Shows diagram on how to accurately measure the 5 lug Trailer Wheel Bolt Circle. So, in my opinion I would suggest you always go for a slightly longer trailer than the length of your pontoon boat. Get a Long Tape Measure. As I have already mentioned, the GVWR affects the trailer type you should choose. The limited size also puts a cap on the maximum weight that these trailers can carry. This is to minimize moving parts and the likelihood of wear and tear degrading the quality of the trailer as a whole. So, for example, if you have a 20 foot pontoon boat you should use a 23 foot trailer - 20 foot (boat length) + 3 foot = 23 foot. trailers for various length pontoons. If youre buying galvanized steel or even just a steel trailer, it helps to keep an eye on that zinc coating. If you travel with your boat, this is the trailer to have. Load guides act as bumpers on a bowling alley lane. of sale. did not make the trailer the An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. There is a handful of different brake + actuating options to consider when buying a pontoon trailer. Depending on where you live exactly, you will want to go with either a galvanized trailer or an aluminum trailer. Apr 28, 2009. Hopefully, with this guide, you now have a better understanding of what to look for in pontoon boat trailers and not just to consider length, but all the other factors mentioned earlier. First, ask your dealer to walk through the trailering steps from start to finish. trailer to fit. Other trailer styles do not lower for easy on and offloading. 86 wide. made and braced. The good thing about this type of trailer is that the position of the boat does not have to be exact when you load it. . The winch stand is not in place with incorrect trailers. Sorry, no results match your current selection. There are three features, however, that I do recommend; heres why: have been known to save marriages! This may not be as important as the previously mentioned factors, but we still have to mention that the type of road travel should play into what type of pontoon trailer you are getting. Bunk-type trailers, sometimes referred to as "Drive-on" or "Float on", feature a wide base with two raised bunks that support the pontoons along either side of the boat. you give us. To buy a trailer that is a couple of feet longer just to give a little bit of allowance during travel. The first way is to use a tape measure, and measure the length of the trailer from the front to the back. This will vary geographically and is subject to change if you add on upgrades. will be your problem, not the trailer builder. But because there are lots of different choices, it can be tough to find the best pontoon trailer for your boat, budget, and preferences. front of the trailer seems tilted up. Everyone likes a good upgrade, but what is worth the money when it comes to pontoon boat trailers? While they might be slightly more resilient against saltwater, youre going to have to rinse off the residue with freshwater after every launch. You should check with your local authorities if you are unsure. Simple! This extra length gives you a little bit extra swing radius when taking corners and means the front of the trailer and boat are further away from the rear of your road vehicle. Here are the number of axles a trailer should have based on pontoon boat weight: The size and weight of your pontoon boat are not the only things to consider when choosing a trailer.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepontoonsite_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepontoonsite_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); If you want to ensure your boat is safe and secure there are other keys things you need to take into account before making a trailer purchase. If youre dealing with a manufacturer, schedule a visit to their showroom or warehouse to inspect their choices and find out whether their trailers really meet your standards. A trailer for a 24' should be 27'-28' length overall. trailer you must know the A 21 foot boat requires a 21 24 foot long trailer. A poorly fit trailer wont provide good clearance for your pontoon. If youre carrying a heavy load, then youre going to need to stop a pretty long way before the actual stopping point to give your trailer the time to adjust its brakes. If youre unsure about the size of your pontoon, take a measuring tape and measure from tip to tip. The tongue weight should be between 7-12% of the trailer's GVWR. Finally, there are rollers. Opting for the bigger sized trailer is advised as it gives you extra space when turning thus keeping the front of the boat further away from the rear of the road vehicle. Once you know your boat deck length, add 3 to 4 feet to it to get the size of the trailer you need. engine), A This type of trailer is a safer option for long distances and higher towing speeds. One more thing you need to decide about is carpeted or plastic-wrapped bunkers for your trailer. Get answers on questions like: What size pontoon trailer do I need? How many axles do I need on my pontoon trailer? What are some tips on how to safely trailer my pontoon boat?Check out our inventory of new Hoosier trailers at this link: https://www.charlesmillmarina.com/default.asp?page=xAllInventory\u0026vt=cargo%20trailer#page=xAllInventory\u0026vt=cargo%20trailer Whether the pontoon has two or three tubes dictates how wide the trailer is set. This is placed in between the pontoon and the trailer for added support. Im not a fan of #5. length and approximate Some states require it on all axles and some only on one axle, if at all. This can impact stability on the road, making bias-ply better for shorter trips. We ultimately recommend that you do a bit of research into the type of trailer you are looking to get to have a better understanding of what such a trailer can accommodate. Otherwise, it can hit the vehicle that carries it. If you plan on travelling with your pontoon boat as opposed to keeping it at one single body of water, you'll need to look into purchasing a trailer to tow your boat around. general rule of thumb is that the overall trailer length should be 10% more than the base boat length not including added swim platform or bow pulpit.. A great resource for finding out whats required near you is theAAA Trailer Break Guide. The trailers sliding mechanism will allow you to take a pontoon in and out of the water quickly. Couple of Other any warranty relief if you damage their stand. Pontoon boats are fantastic recreational vessels that offer a sense of style and luxury for cruising and fishing on inland waters. A 24 foot boat requires a 21 27 foot long trailer. stand back to make sure you maintain proper tongue weight. For a 24-foot pontoon boat, you must use a 27 to a 28-foot trailer and so on. A 24 foot pontoon boat requires a 21- 27 foot long trailer. result in too little tongue weight. This will affect the balance on the trailer and discovered his pontoon was a 20 pontoon. An 18 foot pontoon boat therefore requires an a 18 21 foot long trailer. You can upgrade to a double or even triple axle trailer if necessary. Most trailer manufacturers also offer tritoon kits and extended tritoon kits that allow you to retrofit a two-tube bunk-style into a three-tube bunk-style after its built. This is because of the versatility of pontoon Boat size is a key consideration when selecting a trailer, The boat weight greatly affects the axle count you need on a trailer, The terrain the trailer will move across matters, Pontoon boat being loaded on scissor trailer (video), How bunk trailers work with your boat (video), Quick summary of key points of consideration for selecting a boat trailer, link to Why Pontoon Boats Sink & How To Avoid It, link to The Pros And Cons Of Owning A Pontoon Boat, Saturn SD488 Inflatable Boat Review - 16ft - On Boat and Detailed Review. If you buy your trailer new be sure to ask the retailer if the trailer fits the state laws in the specific states that you will be using it in. trailer. This is also the reason why you should pick a pontoon trailer thats 3 to 4 feet longer than the boat. It is conducive to shallow water lakes because the lift itself drops down and lets the pontoon float off. And never power load the boat. If you keep the engine trimmed in the upward position while towing, you must deploy a support bracket that acts as a kickstand and helps support the engine, taking pressure off of the tilt mechanism. If the engine will not clear obstacles, then you may trim it up. For example, an 18-foot long and 8-foot wide pontoon boat would best fit on a 21-foot long and 10-foot wide pontoon boat trailer.

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how to measure a pontoon trailer