Thinking about trailering

[oh_wells]

We have a 2858 and it is currently moored. My husband would really love to buy a trailer and keep it out of the water and save some money and be able to do the maintenance here at the house. We have a sufficient tow vehicle (2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually) so that isn't a worry. Do you all recommend a King Trailer over the EZ Loader? My husband would prefer to buy used but I think we'll probably have to buy a new one. Does anyone know of a good dealer locally? I emailed the King folks but haven't heard back yet.

[SomeSailor]

I used to commute to / from Whidbey each day and I've seen a few 2858's on trailers. Problem comes with the height of the arch. It's fairly easy to build a hinge to stow them for the trips.

I'm going to trailer my 2859, and Bob trailers his. They're big boats and a new trailer is on my list. I don't wanna adopt someone else's poor habits. They can become rust buckets pretty quickly if not careful.

I had a King for my 2355 and will likely go that route again. Boat Country is where everyone seems to buying them lately. They might be busy with all the shows at this time of year.

[oh_wells]

I hadn't even thought about the arch height. Hmmm, I will have to think about that one.

I am definitely angling for a new trailer. My husband likes deals but isn't stupid, so I'm sure he can be convinced.

Thanks for the heads-up on Boat Country. We don't mind waiting, just starting to think about actually doing it. I like it in the water for ease of just running down to the Marina and heading out, but I can understand his wanting to take it out. I'm going to redo the upholstery in the next year or so and it would be nicer to have it here at the house instead of setting up my machines down at the marine with our two little ones running/crawling around.

We'll see. I think we'd need to pour another concrete slab here at the house just to keep it on.

[Play N Hookie II]

I have a 2855 and I trailer it with a King 3 axle bunk style trailer. It tows fine and I have a slitghtly smaller truck. I believe due to the width you are supposed to get a permit each time you tow. I have my boat at Dagmars and the trailer just sits. I spoke to the local dealers and they were very expensive to buy the three axle new. Luckily the trailer I got was only oone year old and had never been in salt water at all. I would highly reccomend though if you choose to buy a bunk style trailer that you get (I think it is called this) a sling option. Basically i belive it is just a break in the bunks so that you can launch the boat using a sling system. Roller trailers are fine but I wish I had a break in it to launch that way. I have launched it with the sling but it was tricky and I dont think alot of marinas would want to do it. But to answer your question, bang for the buck is the King trailer I think for that size. They are "the saltwater trailer".


We have a 2858 and it is currently moored. My husband would really love to buy a trailer and keep it out of the water and save some money and be able to do the maintenance here at the house. We have a sufficient tow vehicle (2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually) so that isn't a worry. Do you all recommend a King Trailer over the EZ Loader? My husband would prefer to buy used but I think we'll probably have to buy a new one. Does anyone know of a good dealer locally? I emailed the King folks but haven't heard back yet.

[Randygh]

I recall some marinas with slings charging more for bunk style trailers. My trailer is an EZ loader with rollers and slinging is easy. It doesn't have a fresh water flush system so I never put it in salt water. I repacked the wheel bearings this past fall and wheel cylinders, drums and springs looked great after 3 years. The extra cost of slinging has saved money in not having to replace wheel cylinder kits or turn the drums.

[Nehalennia]

I used to commute to / from Whidbey each day and I've seen a few 2858's on trailers. Problem comes with the height of the arch. It's fairly easy to build a hinge to stow them for the trips.

I'm going to trailer my 2859, and Bob trailers his. They're big boats and a new trailer is on my list. I don't wanna adopt someone else's poor habits. They can become rust buckets pretty quickly if not careful.

I had a King for my 2355 and will likely go that route again. Boat Country is where everyone seems to buying them lately. They might be busy with all the shows at this time of year.

We just bought a triple axle King. I love the way it tows.
Mike McKeirnan at Boat Country and tell him Todd Olason sent you. He'll set you up.
After we had the trailer set up for the boat I had a couple adjustments needed. I took it to the King Factory, here in Marysville. One of the head Honchos, John, escorted me out to the shop, grabbed a tech and they adjusted the boat onto the trailer.

I'm very satisfied.
Best of Luck

[SomeSailor]

My last trailer was a King. Definitely on the top of my list.

[Go Aweigh2452]

We just bought a triple axle King. I love the way it tows.

Todd, you are such a copy cat!!! 8)

I like my saltwater king with the stainless steel disk brakes...

http://www.bremertonnjrotc.com/goaweighto/stbdside.jpg

[Nehalennia]

Todd, you are such a copy cat!!! 8)

I like my saltwater king with the stainless steel disk brakes...

http://www.bremertonnjrotc.com/goaweighto/stbdside.jpg

I am not!

BTW, I have bunks, you have Rollers. I'm not a copy cat, I'm not!

Seriously, they tow great. I still have one adjustment to make. I'm going to back the boat up about three inches. The back 3" of the bunks are exposed and I will want to add the sounder to the transom for the GPS/Plotter/Scannorama unless I decide to go with the through hull sounder.

[Go Aweigh2452]

I am not!

BTW, I have bunks, you have Rollers. I'm not a copy cat, I'm not!

Seriously, they tow great. I still have one adjustment to make. I'm going to back the boat up about three inches. The back 3" of the bunks are exposed and I will want to add the sounder to the transom for the GPS/Plotter/Scannorama unless I decide to go with the through hull sounder.

I had that problem with the rollers too far back... see below... I flipped the rollers and got it fixed. Now the last set of rollers sits at the transom...
http://www.bremertonnjrotc.com/goaweighto/newboatrepair08597%20%281%29.JPG

Had I had my choice, I'd have gone with bunks myself...

[SomeSailor]

Had I had my choice, I'd have gone with bunks myself...

Why's that Doug? I had bunks on my last trailer, and I'm thinking rollers this time. Trying to weigh my options.

[oh_wells]

We are up in the air with the rollers vs. bunks, too.

We have bunks on our smaller boat trailer which work fine until they try to float off :roll:. Maybe we should replace that trailer before we go about buying a new one, it's only 30 years old.

[II Lucky]

Other than being real hard on the bottom paint, I like the support the bunks give the hull. I suppose loading and unloading would be a little easier with rollers but I like the resistance the bunks give. Seems like launch and retrieval are a little more controllable. If you plan on using a sling to dunk the boat then the rollers are the way to go.

Bryan

[SomeSailor]

Other than being real hard on the bottom paint, I like the support the bunks give the hull. I suppose loading and unloading would be a little easier with rollers but I like the resistance the bunks give.

I got pretty good at launching our 2355 with bunks. Like you say the resistance is nice and predictable when you're launching, and floating on is nice if you have the water depth.

We launch at Everett mostly and that gives us a pretty consistent launch.

I'll talk more with Bob and see what his thoughts are. I've helped him launch and recover his 2859 many, many times and he's got it down to an art. He drives their 2859 right on and makes it looks easy. :)

[Randygh]

I don't have the kahunas to power-on the trailer. I use the winch and let the rollers do their job with the trailer well submerged. I think I'll purchase some guides this summer.

If a trailer has bunks, does the boat slide very well on the bunks? I thought bunks pretty much required the boat be floated on/off.

[SomeSailor]

I would actually submerge to a pre-defined point (rear trailer fenders just showing) and then usually drive the boat on. I could power on all the way to the bow snubber then.

The bunks made it impossible to slide the boat per say. I got pretty good at shaking it off though. I'd back in far enough to be wet, disconnect the winch and safety chain, and then back up with an abrupt stop. Boat floats clear beatifully and the wife and son would walk it down the pier.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Why's that Doug? I had bunks on my last trailer, and I'm thinking rollers this time. Trying to weigh my options.

You'll save several hundred pounds of carry capacity using bunks over rollers and less costly to replace bunks over rollers. My rollers were being replaced, rebuilt every third season (not all of them but those at the back for sure...)

I never had a problem putting the boat on bunks as some have said they had problems. Maybe my ramps are steep enough where the boat floats off them or back on them when recovering... I can understand it if I had a shallow ramp... but so far up in the NW, haven't found a bad ramp yet...

[SomeSailor]

Yeah... I liked the bunks as well. Very simple way to go and worked well. I'm wondering on a boat as heavy as the 2859 if the rollers would have an advantage?

I'll pick Bob's brain on this. I like the way rollers center the boat better than bunks. I'm in no huge hurry though. I'm hoping to wait awhile and not put it on a trailer until later in the summer. Dagmars is $194.50 a month and gives really easy access to the water and I also can buy some time to get the little Carver's hull tipped and rolled.

[oh_wells]

Doug, do you ever have problems launching at Manchester, other than the tide of course? That is where we would like to launch from, if we ever do get a trailer.

[Nehalennia]

I had Rollers on my last trailer and I powered on all the time. I swore I'd get bunks this time and did.
The King's new:
"GLIDE KING" BUNK SYSTEM
Glide-King Bunks, standard on most King bunk trailers, are super-slick, ultra-durable, high-density polyethylene bunk sleeves that allow smooth, easy launching and loading in all conditions while providing the full hull support that makes launching and loading in all conditions while providing the full hull support that makes bunk-type trailers so popular. See how many ways Glide-King bunks will help you enjoy boating more:

- Glide-King bunks offer the ease of rollers plus the extra support, low profile and cost advantage of bunks!

- Reduces friction dramatically relieving strain on winches, cables, straps and bow eyes.

- No more worn out bunk carpet to replace.

- Glide-King bunks' molded design channels away abrasive silt and grit that is normally trapped on carpeted bunks!

It's very easy to slide the boat off, be careful because if you're not over the water before you release the winch strap hook, I think the boat would slide off at the ramp, they're that slick. All the back of the boat has to do is begin to float and she slides right off.
I wanted bunks because they're cheaper to repair and carry and even load on the hull with out the rollers causing pressure points potentially in the hull.

[Nehalennia]

Yeah... I liked the bunks as well. Very simple way to go and worked well. I'm wondering on a boat as heavy as the 2859 if the rollers would have an advantage?

I'll pick Bob's brain on this. I like the way rollers center the boat better than bunks. I'm in no huge hurry though. I'm hoping to wait awhile and not put it on a trailer until later in the summer. Dagmars is $194.50 a month and gives really easy access to the water and I also can buy some time to get the little Carver's hull tipped and rolled.


Properly set up bunks should always leave you centered.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Doug, do you ever have problems launching at Manchester, other than the tide of course? That is where we would like to launch from, if we ever do get a trailer.

I launch out of Manchester many times alone... No problem so far. I normally tie a 25 ft dock line to the bow cleat and then to the trailer post... I back down the ramp with the trailer fenders just under water, climb in the back of the bed to the trailer, release the chain and de-clutch the power winch... when the bow line tightens up, I unhook the winch wire from the bow eye then untie the dock line on the post and push her off the trailer. I then jump off the trailer to the dock and walk her back and tie her off while I park the truck next to the library or in the ramp lot if there is room. My trailer is pretty long and can stick out of the trailer parking on that lot... I even leave her parked overnight at the library (I know I'm not suppose to)... My bunks have carpet only on them. I don't drive the boat on alone when I return. I normally put the trailer in the water and walk the boat onto the trailer and connect the power winch and remote power her on.

I have six foot wide guides that do a pretty good job of centering the boat... I do miss by about 3 inches every time due to forgetting to bring one side in (port side guide)... But pretty easy. Had a guy watch me do this in December alone and he commented he needed help to launch his boat... he had a kayak! :eek:

[Play N Hookie II]

This is waht I have for my 2855. 2006 3 axle Kind with the Glide-King bunks. THey are slick. When launching at Dagmars (which is a little steep at low tide) the boat was trying to slide off before I was ready.....I thought I was going to dump it on the pavement at first. I felt it slide and stopped to hook the strap back on. The second the rear touched the water it left without incident. But that gave me quite the scare.


I had Rollers on my last trailer and I powered on all the time. I swore I'd get bunks this time and did.
The King's new:
"GLIDE KING" BUNK SYSTEM
Glide-King Bunks, standard on most King bunk trailers, are super-slick, ultra-durable, high-density polyethylene bunk sleeves that allow smooth, easy launching and loading in all conditions while providing the full hull support that makes launching and loading in all conditions while providing the full hull support that makes bunk-type trailers so popular. See how many ways Glide-King bunks will help you enjoy boating more:

- Glide-King bunks offer the ease of rollers plus the extra support, low profile and cost advantage of bunks!

- Reduces friction dramatically relieving strain on winches, cables, straps and bow eyes.

- No more worn out bunk carpet to replace.

- Glide-King bunks' molded design channels away abrasive silt and grit that is normally trapped on carpeted bunks!

It's very easy to slide the boat off, be careful because if you're not over the water before you release the winch strap hook, I think the boat would slide off at the ramp, they're that slick. All the back of the boat has to do is begin to float and she slides right off.
I wanted bunks because they're cheaper to repair and carry and even load on the hull with out the rollers causing pressure points potentially in the hull.

[Nehalennia]

This is waht I have for my 2855. 2006 3 axle Kind with the Glide-King bunks. THey are slick. When launching at Dagmars (which is a little steep at low tide) the boat was trying to slide off before I was ready.....I thought I was going to dump it on the pavement at first. I felt it slide and stopped to hook the strap back on. The second the rear touched the water it left without incident. But that gave me quite the scare.

Yep, I heard they were slick and was very careful.

[II Lucky]

Powering on a boat of that size? Man you guys are more brave and skilled than I. I would be afraid of sticking the bow pulpit right through the back of the canopy on my truck. I only have about two feet between the pulpit and top of the canopy. Not everyone has both a canopy and pulpit but in my case the boat uses every bit of the trailer. Some ramps are more difficult but I have found for my set up that if I get the front of the bunks at the water line, it usually only leaves about 5-6' of easy manual winching. It centers the boat almost every time. I have a set of waders I use for loading this time of year. I wonder if the teflon glides would be easier on the bottom paint? Less friction, probably so. Hmmm..

Bryan

p.s. now I know where all of the prop wash holes at the end of the ramps are coming from. It is from "those big boats". And all this time I was blaming the intoxicated wakeboard dudes.

[Nehalennia]

Powering on a boat of that size? Man you guys are more brave and skilled than I. I would be afraid of sticking the bow pulpit right through the back of the canopy on my truck. I only have about two feet between the pulpit and top of the canopy.
I don't have a canopy(yet) but have about 5 feet until the anchor roller.


Not everyone has both a canopy and pulpit but in my case the boat uses every bit of the trailer. Some ramps are more difficult but I have found for my set up that if I get the front of the bunks at the water line, it usually only leaves about 5-6' of easy manual winching. It centers the boat almost every time. I have a set of waders I use for loading this time of year. I wonder if the teflon glides would be easier on the bottom paint? Less friction, probably so. Hmmm..

Bryan

p.s. now I know where all of the prop wash holes at the end of the ramps are coming from. It is from "those big boats". And all this time I was blaming the intoxicated wakeboard dudes.
The waders or boots are a good idea for this time of year.

I never have driven this one on, just my 230. It had a roller trailer and the winch would have nearly been impossible to pull on. It was very easy to drive on though.

[tolly28]

I've seen drive-ons go bad.... I was called to assist when someone tried to drive their boat onto their roller trailer when a wake from a passing boat pushed them off center and they surged forward and off the side of the trailer. They sat there, stuck- almost sideways on the trailer. Watch any boat ramp and you will see some real stunts.

Although I don't have a trailer boat, I've been around them all my life. Never have I powered onto a trailer, and have never needed to. We always hand-cranked my Dad's 2455 onto the trailer without a problem, although a bit of a workout.

I simply don't think powering onto a roller trailer is a good idea, they're not meant to be loaded that way. My 2 cents and overpriced at that!:roll:

[SomeSailor]

Properly set up bunks should always leave you centered.

I have to disagree with you there. With a shallow v (what that hell... flat) bottom boat like the 2355... you could be a foot off either way.

[SomeSailor]

I never have driven this one on, just my 230. It had a roller trailer and the winch would have nearly been impossible to pull on. It was very easy to drive on though.

My 2355 was like that. If I set the trailer in just deep enough, I could have just enough friction to center it up and hold it in place by myself. Launched and recovered it many, many times without incident.

[Go Aweigh2452]

I have to disagree with you there. With a shallow v (what that hell... flat) bottom boat like the 2355... you could be a foot off either way.

Hence the reason for these side guides:

http://www.bremertonnjrotc.com/goaweighto/bowpixsm.jpg

[Nehalennia]

I have to disagree with you there. With a shallow v (what that hell... flat) bottom boat like the 2355... you could be a foot off either way.

Well I suppose with a shallow bottom there is a much larger probability the centerline can go askew. But I still think if the bunks are positioned to take advantage of the chines, bunks should do you right.
On the flat bottoms you are speaking of, I know that a narrower positioning of the outside bunks to kick those chines inward will align you right.

For instance if you look at Doug's Picture, if the outside bunk was about 8" inside of the fenders and on the outside chine, he'd be resting pretty and nowhere to go but straight everytime.

The inside set of bunks would be making sure that centerline regardless of how flat the centerline is guided and supported properly.

[SomeSailor]

Hence the reason for these side guides:

Yeah... but that's a whole 'nuther debate... guides versus no guides.

I'll already be over-width as it is. :)

I'm picking Bob's brain about his. He said bunks too if he had it to do over. I'm leaning.... :)

(I do like those guides though... Always wished I'd had them on the 2355.)

[Go Aweigh2452]

Yeah... but that's a whole 'nuther debate... guides versus no guides.

I'll already be over-width as it is. :)

I'm picking Bob's brain about his. He said bunks too if he had it to do over. I'm leaning.... :)

(I do like those guides though... Always wished I'd had them on the 2355.)

My guides extend out another 2+ ft each side so that should not be a concern for your fat arse boat... :argh2

[SomeSailor]

Yeah... that's what I wanna be... 14' WIDE!

[Nehalennia]

Yeah... that's what I wanna be... 14' WIDE!

At least then you can make your own "WIDE LOAD" sign

[SomeSailor]

My guides extend out another 2+ ft each side so that should not be a concern for your fat arse boat... :argh2

Actually... the trailers are all the same width (8' 6")

Looking at your pictures... I'd bet you're overwidth yourself... :)

[Nehalennia]

Actually... the trailers are all the same width (8' 6")

Looking at your pictures... I'd bet you're overwidth yourself... :)

If there's pictures' of Doug's Arse on the net, I don't want to know

[SomeSailor]

If there's pictures' of Doug's Arse on the net, I don't want to know

... I don't even wanna know ;)

But... just to set the record straight... was talking about his trailer... :mrgreen:

[Go Aweigh2452]

leave my arse out of this... BTW, it ain't on the internet as far as I am aware!!!! :eek:

[SomeSailor]

Got the boat safely home safely thanks to Bob's Escort roller trailer. The rollers sure make for an easy recovery. Still undecided, but I know I'm gonna need a heavy one. This is a heavy tub. :)

[Nehalennia]

Got the boat safely home safely thanks to Bob's Escort roller trailer. The rollers sure make for an easy recovery. Still undecided, but I know I'm gonna need a heavy one. This is a heavy tub. :)

Pictures my man, Pictures.
Congrats!! again

[SomeSailor]

I forgot my USB cable so it'll be this evening some time. :)