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Four Winns vs. Aluminum
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Author:  firecadet613 [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:54 am ]
Post subject:  Four Winns vs. Aluminum
I've got a Four Winns trailer for my 225 Sundowner and I really like it. With the four bunks in the bank its a breeze to load the boat. The only real issue I have with the trailer, besides the few small improvements I had to make, is that its a painted trailer, and they tend to get some chips in the paint that naturally start to rust. Nothing major, and nothing you can even see unless you are right up on it and looking for it. The new boat I am looking at doesn't have a trailer. I can get a factory FW painted trailer for it, or a Venture or LoadRite aluminum for about the same price. I know the aluminum is lighter, and won't rust. What other benefits, if any, does it have? I'm looking at a tandem axle trailer, with brakes on both axles. Although if I pick up a Venture from this one dealer in MI, I can get a tri-axle with brakes on two axles, and that should help with the tongue weight and trailering down the highway.

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Author:  tennja [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
I really liked the Load Rite I had under my Rinker. While not maintenance free. I never had to worry about rust. Clean up was a breeze. I liked the Sure Lube system on the hubs too. I have not heard any thing bad about venture trailers either. However I think the tri axle may be over kill for the 258. While it will definitely track better. Movement in and around the ramps and other tight spots will be more difficult. So if your most common trip will be short tows around home consider if you really want a tri axle. Just my opinion.
Author:  M3eater [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
As noted above, if you are going after a 258-V, the tri-axle is cool, sexy looking, less tire loading and all that, but if you will be keeping the boat on it and always moving, launching, parking, etc. (as we do), a dual axle will be more agile than the tri-axle. Plus, you have 6 tires to eventually replace, with the tri-axle!

Anyway, the 258 is not so heavy that a tri-axle would be required.

You can get the FW trailer in galvanized if the minor, eventual, rusting bothers you. With salt water usage, as we have, the aluminum or galvanized makes more sense. If the slight reduction in weight makes a difference for you (in towing), then the aluminum (but a dual axle) would move further up in the "need" ranking.

In the end, I like the FW trailers (with side bunks added to ease the loading in less than perfect conditions or in a current), but a heavy duty aluminum one would be a bit more secure feeling. The FW trailer on our 268-V just seems a bit ... ummm .... wobbly. I'm sure it is fully up to the task though.
Author:  jsimon [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
I agree on the tri axle, overkill. 7 tires to replace (including the spare) when you dont need it would dent the wallet. Which one is cheaper? Four Winns or aluminum.

Our Four Winns 268 trailer looks lik the one in the photo above, the only thing that really bugs me about it, is the winch cable has to run between the front rollers and it rubs hard on the steel pivot of the roller assembly untill the boat is almost fully on the trialer. Seems like there could be a better way to to that. Other than that, it pulls fine, tracks fine and seems to handle the weight just fine.
Author:  firecadet613 [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
Good to know they made the 268 trailer as sturdy as the 225 trailer. Pricing is about the same, I can pick up an aluminum local to the boat while the FW trailer is a few hours away.
Author:  The Big Wolverine [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
I agree with the others...3 axle is overkill and will just cost you extra $$$ in the long run to maintain and replace things. Plus...dual axle is much more maneuverable around a launch ramp and storage lot.

No comment on any of those trailers...I opted not to get a trailer for our 200SS. Will be racked stored 12 months of the year.
Author:  firecadet613 [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
I'm with you guys on the tri-axle. The salesman told me it would be a lot better at trailer, but truth be told, it will stay within 100 miles of my house 95% of the time, and it will live on the trailer. If FW thought a tandem would be OK, I'm sure it is. How would the two bunks on the aluminum do vs. the four on the FW?
Author:  jsimon [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
firecadet613 wrote:
I'm with you guys on the tri-axle. The salesman told me it would be a lot better at trailer, but truth be told, it will stay within 100 miles of my house 95% of the time, and it will live on the trailer. If FW thought a tandem would be OK, I'm sure it is. How would the two bunks on the aluminum do vs. the four on the FW?


Not that much difference on the 2 bunks than rack storage I dont think.
Author:  M3eater [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
I do like the multiple bunks of the FW trailer. Not that the aftermarket trailers would not properly support the hull, but I guess .... more is better!
Author:  tennja [ Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
jsimon wrote:
firecadet613 wrote:
I'm with you guys on the tri-axle. The salesman told me it would be a lot better at trailer, but truth be told, it will stay within 100 miles of my house 95% of the time, and it will live on the trailer. If FW thought a tandem would be OK, I'm sure it is. How would the two bunks on the aluminum do vs. the four on the FW?


Not that much difference on the 2 bunks than rack storage I dont think.


My thoughts exactly. My trailer for for my cruiser had 2 bunks.
Author:  bschmid2 [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
Guys,
What I don't understand is what possible adventage steel could have over aluminium. If no rust and lighter and same price, where is the downside?
Here in Australia all my boating is in salt water and the Gatorade coating we get on FW trailers is useless. Rust quickly starts and develops under it and you can't hose it off. I would give anything to be able to opt for aluminium.
Author:  Aussie_Horizon_190 [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
Mine is galvanized and Gatorhyde and is holding up fine. I am also 100% salt water.
Author:  Txjole2 [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
Aluminum will warp overtime. A rack has 2 bunks which is fine being its not driving down the road, extra support is not needed.
Author:  230ltdrew [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
If you are going to be trailering any miles and plan on keeping this boat. You must get a four bunk trailer!!!!! I have a friend that bought a 280 fiesta vee new with no trailer. So he bought a two bunk used trailer in great condition from the dealer and had major stress cracks on the hull after two years. Rinker would not warranty the damage due to the fact that he was using a two bunk trailer!!! They said this was the reason for the damage. He is now suing the dealership and Rinker. Estimate for the repair $30,000 AS far as alum. or steel i have heard good things about both. Drew
Author:  firecadet613 [ Fri May 01, 2009 3:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Four Winns vs. Aluminum
Thanks for all the advice. I love my FW painted bunk trailer, just hate that its got some surface rust in some spots. The boat this was going for we are not even pursing any longer. The only real 268 I'm interested now comes with a Four Winns Galv. trailer.
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