Best trailer? Best value trailer? Must have options.
I’ve had good experience with Ram-Lin, and they have a stainless steel axle option for extra durability. It was recommended to me to get a galvanized trailer for light weight skiffs, and the extra weight vs. aluminum makes the ride much better. Adding raptor coating makes a galvanized trailer look sharp, adds extra protection and in my experience holds up really well. Stoltz rollers and bumpers are the best IMO.
6 Likes
Ramlin is gonna get the nod along with Rolls
5 Likes
Galvanized for salt water. That’s would be a tough pill to swallow for me. I’ve seen the Ramlin with the stainless axle. It was very nice but I have no idea the cost.
1 Like
Ramlin for quality and outstanding service!
1 Like
I’ve been very happy with my aluminum EZ Loader since I upgraded from galvanized a couple years ago. The EZ loader has a torsion axle and oil bath hubs, while my galvanized trailer had leaf springs and grease hubs. Big fan of the torsion axle and oil bath hubs so far.
3 Likes
The Boat Master Trailer I have cradling the bird has been rock solid! Heck the LED light all work still to this day! And it’s 5 years old.
Here’s a picture from 2022 when I dropped her off at Outboard Specialties to get a repower with a Suzuki DF90.
4 Likes
Ramlin has been the best I’ve owned, magic tilt has been the worst.
2 Likes
I owned three Rolls under three different boats. All are still going strong.
3 Likes
I liked the AmeraTrail that held my Skull Island better than the Ram-Lin under my Chittum. Dry launch and recovery were easier with the AmeraTrail. However, I think the differences in the hull configurations of the two boats was played a large part in the easier recovery.
3 Likes
I’ve had Ramlin trailers on my last three boats—two galvanized and the newest one aluminum. The galvanized ones were absolute tanks—I never had a single issue with them. I’ve only had the aluminum one for a couple of months now, but so far, it’s been great.
This time around, I finally added something I always swore I’d do on the previous ones: a full-length walkboard. And let me tell you—it’s been nothing short of amazing.
3 Likes
In all my years in having trailers, which are the bane of a boat owner’s life and cruel punishment for enjoying ourselves on the water…
Buy one from a manufacturer that can tell you every part on the trailer, including manufacturer and part number. And keep track of that info.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “I need to see it” from a few trailer manufacturers. Or the trailer VIN isn’t in their system to look up parts. Or they upgraded computers and don’t have that info anymore. One here in Texas, Magnum, rubbed me the wrong the way with this, and I’ve had it done by two others.
Ram-lin can tell me the exact parts needed for my trailer and are responsive. They get my vote.
I’ll add though - get LEDs with the ground ran to a ground bar on the trailer. That right there should be done on every trailer. And oil bath hubs, but that can be debated.
4 Likes
My Boat Master Competitor aluminum/ torsion axle is 26 years old and no issues. It’s been all over Texas and Louisiana. The Maverick HPXT is light and the trailer pulls great with no bouncy ride.
3 Likes
I was in the process of shopping for trailers for my Marquesa. For RamLin you need to go through the boat manufacturer unless you want their Hybrid trailer (all bolted not welded) HB quoted me 4960 for a base model Galvanized trailer and 7760 for a base aluminum. Rolls was around 5800 for an aluminum. And Boat Master was two years out and not taking orders. This was all from late March. I was about to order the Rolls Axle but we had an unexpected emergency surgery for my wife and that put the kibash on any boat related expenses.
None of this stuff this stuff is cheap. Having owned Ramlin, Continental, Ameritrail, EZ Load, and Boat Master. My nod goes to Boat Master for price and build quality. Although good luck trying to get one. I bought this one from Boat Master in 2017 for 2800 dollars. Custom built in two weeks. I wish I would have ordered a few extras.
3 Likes
Boat master.
My client has a 30 foot boat on a boat master trailer. It is hands-down the nicest trailer I have used. By nicest., I don’t necessarily mean prettiest. I just mean it is the most robust and overbuilt.. It is a commercial grade trailer often used for agencies, commonly seen on Boston Whaler guardians.
I don’t know how well their trailers work for skiffs that want to dry launch, but for a 30 foot aluminum boat it was very solid.
Amertrailer. I had one for my cayo and I’ve seen the ones used for catamaran 264 cayo , which is now Costa. And other boats. Very nice trailer.
Ramlin.
I have had two on both of my Drake’s. Well, put together trailer not sure that it is better than the Amertrailer, but you should not be disappointed. Basically what I noticed the difference was between the Ameri trailer and the Ramlin is that Ameri trailer used a tar type product between the stainless steel and aluminum in more areas than Ramlin.
Myco: very nice trailers not sure they are for skiffs
2 Likes
When my original SleazyLoad finally gave up the ghost in 2017 I got a base model Incontinental galvanized and went with it. Not being a custom trailer, I had to do a lot of work adjusting the bunks, rollers etc. but I haven’t had a problem with it. As a matter of fact, the cheap incandescent lights that it came with only died about two months ago.
2 Likes
I have an 18 year old galvanized Ramlin trailer that’s still toting my boat around. Replaced the axle recently but I think it can go another 5 years at least. I’ve also had a galvanized wesco that was very nice. For aluminum trailers my family always had continental and they seem over built and very high quality.
2 Likes
I ran a Boat Master under my Grady (6000 lbs) for 30 years.
2 Likes
Welcome @Mako181 Glad you made the trek!
Ramlin was just bought out, so no idea if that could change their quality. Currently have 1 Ramlin and 2 Ameratrails. If price is no object I’d definitely go with Ameratrail. I’ve had great success with my Ramlin. It’s 3 years old and over 20k miles on it….looks brand new. All I’ve done is change the hubs out every year just because their “100k’’ mile hubs were kinda a joke. I’m super OCD and since we trailer so much I get my trailer serviced twice a year. Replaced a few side lights and the hubs…otherwise great trailer. The Ameratrail just fits like a glove is why I’d choose it.
2 Likes