New Customer Galvanized Trailer- Tows like a dream

[dzeppos]

I finally got my new Galvanized Trailer from Pacific Trailers. Wow - it took a few months to receive, and it wasn't cheap, but the quality, durability, and feel are awesome.
The best part is that it uses torsion axles, which eliminates the need for leaf springs. Meaning no creeks or rattles, and ride is incredibly smooth.
Further, it doesn't use bearing buddies, and instead uses a "Vault" hybrid oil hubs -that require no maintenance for 5 years.
All of the other componentry is top grade, all of it stainless steel.

The difference was immediately noticed towing both around town and on the highway. My Expedition Max always towed well, but now, you can barely feel the trailer back there.
The componentry is all top grade. While my painted shorlander 'did the job' - its a very basic design and just towing the new trailer 200 miles this weekend to the lake and ocean, demonstrated huge difference. I could never go back to a leaf sprung axle ever again.
Further, the weight is perfectly balanced - about 8% tongue weight - 400 lbs - no sag on my expedition max.

Happy to share what I learned during the process with trailers.

 

[Wayloncle]

Nice! My new aluminum trailer has torsion axles and I noticed a much smoother ride as well, there is no bounce like the springs had. On the Montana camper FB page I kept seeing people saying they want “independent suspension” installed on their fifth wheels, I finally asked what they were talking about….it’s torsion axles.

 

[Bruce]

@dzeppos, what was the cost of that beautiful trailer?

 

[2kwik4u]

New trailer looks sharp. You can tell they put a lot of thought into how to make it adjustable to fit your boat just right. Bow stop, bunk brackets are all easily adjusted with hand tools. I would LOVE to have a torsion axle on my trailer, the springs don't ride terribly bad, but OMG they are loud and creaky and sound terrible.

Professional curiosity has the better of me. Any chance you can take an up close picture of the bend towards the front of the trailer where it tapers in towards the tongue? I'm really curious to see if there is a weld here, or if there are forming marks from being run through a roll/bender. We have the need to make this shape on a semi-regular basis at work, and we haven't found a really great way to make it happen. We usually end up coping two beams together, and welding it back together, which is a less tan desirable joint, as well as a huge labor sink as compared to some level of forming like this. Circled below in red.

 

[dzeppos]

@dzeppos, what was the cost of that beautiful trailer?

$7k+ out the door and that was April pricing. Prices have done up since - materials/cost and labor are killing them. I don't regret it - I tow 3k miles a year, and living 7 miles from the beach, - no reason I shouldn't be dipping it in the ocean from time to time. I could have had another trailer dealer galvanize the shorldand'r (they take it apart and galvanize it) - but that's $3k+ on a 5 year old trailer, and I feel that putting back together and the older componentry wasn't worth it.
Knock on wood but my 242 with 320 hours has been almost flawless and with this trailer - want to get 5+ more years.

 

[dzeppos]

New trailer looks sharp. You can tell they put a lot of thought into how to make it adjustable to fit your boat just right. Bow stop, bunk brackets are all easily adjusted with hand tools. I would LOVE to have a torsion axle on my trailer, the springs don't ride terribly bad, but OMG they are loud and creaky and sound terrible.

Professional curiosity has the better of me. Any chance you can take an up close picture of the bend towards the front of the trailer where it tapers in towards the tongue? I'm really curious to see if there is a weld here, or if there are forming marks from being run through a roll/bender. We have the need to make this shape on a semi-regular basis at work, and we haven't found a really great way to make it happen. We usually end up coping two beams together, and welding it back together, which is a less tan desirable joint, as well as a huge labor sink as compared to some level of forming like this. Circled below in red.

View attachment 164029

Yes - with the radials - the old trailer rode fine (the stock bias tires were horrible) - but it was so loud! and its strange how quite the new trailer is.
Let me take a look on the joints/weld when I get back into town this weekend. I'll also ask the trailer dealer on how they did it.

 

[mark_m]

@dzeppos, what was the cost of that beautiful trailer?

Since we have twin boats/trailers, @Bruce I wanted to share the quote I just got from Loadrite in Port Clinton, OH with this group.

The model 240T315CB is:

• Constructed out of a 4" C Channel frame
• Equipped with two 3,500 lb. drop center, double eye leaf spring axles
• 15" load range C radial tires with steel silver wheels
• GVWR of 7,000 lbs. with a Net Payload of 5,505 lbs.
• All Wheel Electric Drum brakes (fully submersible)
• All sealed and submersible LED lights and connection
• Wheel or Flat Plate Tongue Jack
• Winch stand with single speed manual winch
• Safety Brakeaway system
• Axles placed to the boat's center of gravity
• Epoxy Primer, Polyurethane Paint with Clear Coat and Pinstripe (reds and blue have a slight surcharge, and we no longer offer white)
• Sure lube bearing system with a grease zerk fitting: requires lithium grease
• Grommet style LED Lights
  Direct Price $7,385.00 plus tax

Common Options:

• Spare Tire and Wheel $190
• Spare weld on mount $110
• Transom boat buckles $125
• Structural PVC Side Guides $300
• Aluminum wheel upgrade $80/wheel

Our lead time is currently roughly 20 weeks from deposit date. If you would like, I would be happy to send you similar trailer photos. Thank you again for your interest in our beautiful custom boat trailers, we look forward to working with you!

This is more than I hoped/expected. I'm at a loss whether to eventually attempt rebuilding or buying new.

 

[Bruce]

@mark_m, pre-pandemic I expected an aluminum i-bean trailer for our boats to sell for around $3,500. Perhaps $1,000 more to add torsion axles.

I have the factory galvanized trailer. The frame is holding up very well. I have made these upgrades;

https://jetboaters.net/threads/replaced-bunks-on-mfi-trailer.1927/

https://jetboaters.net/threads/upgrading-mfi-trailer-to-fulton-f2-trailer-jack.1945/

https://jetboaters.net/threads/installing-fulton-f2-winch-on-mfi-trailer.2282/

In 2017 I broke a leaf spring and had all four sets of springs replaced for ~$400. This was done at a shop in Fort Lauderdale as I was on the road.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/replacing-the-axle-s-on-the-mfi-trailer-for-a-2007-sx230.35586/

I plan to replace the surge brakes with electric brakes over the winter. That will cost perhaps $300 and a few hours.

I may replace the front axle at that time which will cost $300 and a half day of labor.

The idea of an entirely new trailer is appealing at $3,500 but not at $7,000. Plus I would lose the upgraded jack and winch.

 

[mark_m]

@mark_m, pre-pandemic I expected an aluminum i-bean trailer for our boats to sell for around $3,500. Perhaps $1,000 more to add torsion axles.

I have the factory galvanized trailer. The frame is holding up very well. I have made these upgrades;

https://jetboaters.net/threads/replaced-bunks-on-mfi-trailer.1927/

https://jetboaters.net/threads/upgrading-mfi-trailer-to-fulton-f2-trailer-jack.1945/

https://jetboaters.net/threads/installing-fulton-f2-winch-on-mfi-trailer.2282/

In 2017 I broke a leaf spring and had all four sets of springs replaced for ~$400. This was done at a shop in Fort Lauderdale as I was on the road.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/replacing-the-axle-s-on-the-mfi-trailer-for-a-2007-sx230.35586/

I plan to replace the surge brakes with electric brakes over the winter. That will cost perhaps $300 and a few hours.

I may replace the front axle at that time which will cost $300 and a half day of labor.

The idea of an entirely new trailer is appealing at $3,500 but not at $7,000. Plus I would lose the upgraded jack and winch.

Loadrite did come back before they sent me the quote and apologized for the lead time and mentioned the supply chain issues and higher price for parts because of COVID-19. I'm hopeful that my leaf springs continue to operate well until things return to a more normal state. Good to know the the leafs can be replaced for $400. I may do that before I pull the boat from the slip in a few weeks. Thanks @Bruce

 

[dzeppos]

Sorry if I missed it - but the trailer you are referring to is painted - so its not galvanized - correct?
The only other comments are the "C" rated tires (but you have a 23' foot model - so its a bit lighter) so that's fine (I have "D" Rated tires)
bit pricey if its painted

 

[mark_m]

Sorry if I missed it - but the trailer you are referring to is painted - so its not galvanized - correct?
The only other comments are the "C" rated tires (but you have a 23' foot model - so its a bit lighter) so that's fine (I have "D" Rated tires)
bit pricey if its painted

Yep. It's the price for a painted trailer. I'm with @Bruce in the camp of invest and keep the existing trailer working; the value proposition to swap out for new just isn't there.

 

[Wayloncle]

@Bruce @mark_m
i love my Platinum aluminum trailer, torsion axles, radial tires, SS hardware, EOH brakes…delivered to me for $5400 in 2 weeks.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/platinum-boat-trailers-any-experience-trailer-ordered-and-received.31742/

 

[mark_m]

@Bruce @mark_m
i love my Platinum aluminum trailer, torsion axles, radial tires, SS hardware, EOH brakes…delivered to me for $5400 in 2 weeks.

Good to know as a point of comparison on price! Can you direct me to a thread link with your build?

 

[Wayloncle]

Good to know as a point of comparison on price! Can you direct me to a thread link with your build?

I just edited my post above with the link to the post.

 

[dzeppos]

@Bruce @mark_m
i love my Platinum aluminum trailer, torsion axles, radial tires, SS hardware, EOH brakes…delivered to me for $5400 in 2 weeks.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/platinum-boat-trailers-any-experience-trailer-ordered-and-received.31742/

Can’t believe that pricing. Nice to be in central Florida. - southern Calfiornia has some of the highest labor and material costs, rents and taxes. Makes everything at least 30% more

Prices on that platinum trailer are incredible. It’s “fully loaded” - and still under 5500$. (And has torsion axles which are so nice !!)

Curious if the supply issue changed from March of 2021 - as my trailer prices jumped in April when i think supply will shortages hit?

 

[Wayloncle]

Can’t believe that pricing. Nice to be in central Florida. - southern Calfiornia has some of the highest labor and material costs, rents and taxes. Makes everything at least 30% more

Prices on that platinum trailer are incredible. It’s “fully loaded” - and still under 5500$. (And has torsion axles which are so nice !!)

Curious if the supply issue changed from March of 2021 - as my trailer prices jumped in April when i think supply will shortages hit?

I am in northern Oklahoma, they delivered it from FL. As of May they didn’t seem to have any shortages or price hikes?‍ Haven’t checked since then.