Replacement trailer for my H180

GalacticWaterman · **Posted:** Sat Oct 11, 2014 3:06 pm

Hi,
So my trailer finally broke!
Thanks god it happened when launching the boat. My buddy stepped on the tongue and one side of the trailer caved in, did not break completely but bad enough to not be road worthy any more. Fortunately it was in the water already so I just launched the boat and had the trailer towed away to scrap.
These FourWinns trailers are really no good for salt water use. 2007 boat and trailer and in seven years the trailer is done!
Now boat is temporarily in the water (got a loaner slip in the marina) and I'm shopping for a replacement used trailer.
Can someone give me an opinion whether this trailer from Craigslist would be a suitable for my H180?
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/boa/4691270842.html

Thanks

JohnnyMarlin · **Posted:** Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:54 pm

GalacticWaterman wrote:

These FourWinns trailers are really no good for salt water use. 2007 boat and trailer and in seven years the trailer is done!

Yes they are!...........my 2005 FW trailer was junk in 2012.........7 years!............all said and done my replacement aluminum trailer was almost $6K..........The difference going down the road is unbelievable though.........

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:54 pm

1994 Load Rite galvanized steel trailer still good, here either galvy or Alu only way to go.
What is the beam on your boat? From the pix the trailer looks too narrow and the boat will sit too high on it.
Don't cheap out on the trailer, get something that really fits and supports the boat correctly.

GalacticWaterman · **Posted:** Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:32 pm

LouC wrote:

1994 Load Rite galvanized steel trailer still good, here either galvy or Alu only way to go.
What is the beam on your boat? From the pix the trailer looks too narrow and the boat will sit too high on it.
Don't cheap out on the trailer, get something that really fits and supports the boat correctly.

Beam is 8'8" I believe. The trailer in the pic looks narrow but I suspect it's the pick that's distorted and only makes it look that way.
I'm going to go have a look at the trailer and see it for myself tomorrow.
I've found couple more buys on Craigslist and will check them out over next couple days and will also continue searching.
I don't mean to cheap out on the trailer but I also don't want to spend a fortune. I will probably not ever tow the boat very far and most of my launches are right here at the marina so I only drive about 100 meters from the land storage to the launch ramp.
I do want a galvanized trailer in good condition though.

GalacticWaterman · **Posted:** Sun Oct 12, 2014 11:39 pm

So I've looked at the trailer. It is narrow. The boat would sit above the wheels and overlap them by a bit.
So the center of gravity would be higher than on the original FourWinns trailer.
Otherwise the trailer is very solid and in good shape.
What do you think?

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

I would walk away and find one that fits. Sitting high like that not only is bad for going down the road plus you are narrowing the footprint on the road. So higher center of gravity and narrowed axle base equals rollover hazard.

What's the deal with partial repaint of a galvanized trailer? Looks like tongue has been repainted to me in the pics.

If boat is higher that means you have to dump it in deeper water. The tongue on my trailer is long and my rear wheels are already in water during launch. With that thing I would be sitting in water up to my butt before the boat floats.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:41 am

When I had my H180 I purchased a brand new galvanized trailer for $800. Shop around.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2014 7:20 am

You don't want that, its going to be unstable and make loading/launching more difficult. If the trailer needs a bit of re-hab work that's not a big deal (ie new brakes, springs etc) but you have to start with something that really fits the boat.
On my old '88 it came with a too small trailer. I've made it work by adding a 9' long tongue and longer roller bars, but I would have been better off if I got a wider trailer that lets the boat sit lower. Over the years I think I've replaced everything but the frame rails, crossmembers and the winch stand. Trailer re-build was a good learning experience but I'd say if you are getting a new to you trailer make sure its long enough and wide enough for the boat. If it needs brakes, springs, new lights etc that's not a big deal. If its too small that's a big deal.

jontmiller · **Joined:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:16 am **Posts:** 296

I've been searching for a trailer for 3 years and at the cheap ass price point I have everything is Junk...just a problem they are trying to unload. That said I'm still looking

.

Good luck...anyone knows of a sub 1000 dollar trailer on the CT tri state I'm all ears.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:50 am

shop around and you may have to make a drive down to the USA.... i personally would try for an Alum fast load bunk if you have the budget. TONS of dealers just shop around.. also that Craigs list trailer add looks like a horrible trailer.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/4701561570.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/bod/4690256770.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/bod/4663000072.html

GottWhat · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:23 am

GalacticWaterman wrote:

LouC wrote:

What is the beam on your boat?

Beam is 8'8" I believe.

The 2007 H180 has a 7'7" beam. The H180 seems to be shrinking in size as my 2000 H180 has a full 8' beam and a longer LOA.

2007 Fast Facts: http://www.fourwinns.com/upload/Documen ... s_2007.pdf

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:31 pm

My '88 H-200 is long (20'9") but narrow (7'8") so the not wide enough trailer works but if I was a trailer boater I'd have upgraded years ago. As it is a roller trailer has the boat sitting up higher than a bunk usually.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:23 pm

My 1993 bunk is in great condition for the age.

I still stand firm if you are in the salt SPEND THE $$$$ and get an alum bunk trailer.. if you plan to keep the boat more than 3 years..

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:57 pm

galvanized will also last in salt, they weigh more though.

GalacticWaterman · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2014 2:02 am

Thank you all for the advice.
You are right that the trailer would make the boat sit high and it would be somewhat difficult to launch.
I also prefer that the boat not overlap the wheels.
Not sure why it was painted over but it's a very old trailer and when I looked, it did not have any rust on it, not even inside where the painted area was.
So I'll keep looking.

What do you think of this one?
http://bellingham.craigslist.org/boa/4665183909.html

I'm just not too sure about how difficult it is to import a trailer into Canada for US.
And my budget is limited and I'd like to keep it below $1,500 if possible but if I find something very nice then would spend a bit more.

www.iFourWinns.com

Replacement trailer for my H180

Who is online