Here's a pic of the aluminum trailer that I had custom made for my 278. It originally came with the Four Winns tri-axle trailer but in my opinion, the trailer wasn't heavy enough to trailer the boat like I do. This one has 5,200# torsion axles & Kodiac disk brakes on all 3. It's rated for 15K and the boat and trailer together weigh 11,680#. Personally, I like the aluminum trailers because you don't have to worry as much about corrosion. I thought it would cut down on weight too, since the manufacture claimed it only weighed 1,400lbs, but found out differently at the scale. This combo is 20# heaver than it was with the FW trailer, so it was basically a wash, and the trailer is a lot stronger.
If you go with an aluminum trailer, make sure you have the front bunks set up just like the FW trailers. A lot of aluminum trailer manufacturers put a couple of 4' sections of bunk just to make sure you're keel doesn't hit the crossmembers while loading, and other than that don't support any of the boat's weight. I found the 278 really needs the support, so I added the 8' sections and custom fit the boards so that they actually support the weight. It also allows the same ease in loading that the FW trailers do.
Another item worth noting is the extra bend in the I-beams where they attach to the tongue. Some trailer manufacturers don't add that bend because it's extra work, but it makes the tongue stronger with better weight transfer than the trailers that don't have it.
If I were doing this again, I would change the following:
1. Opt for the 6K axles. Torsion axles don't equalize like the leaf-springs do, so a lot of weight can be placed on any one axle when pulling over irregular pavement such as curbs, or at the tops of the ramps where the pavement level's out.
2. Get 16" wheels and tires. The 15" ST
tires are not heavy enough for the load even though combined they're rated for more than the trailer is. Side loading (when turning sharp) is hard on them and if you happen to rub a curb you might rip the sidewall. I'm going with 16" LT truck tires after this season when mine are due for a change. A lot of guys that tow large RV's have converted to 16's and have towed tens-of-thousands of miles with no issues when they used to plan for blowouts on every long trip with the 15" ST tires.
Hope this helps...
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USCG 50 Ton Master Inland/OUPV Endorsement+Towing
1998 278 Vista - Twin 4.3 GLs, Kohler 4KW Gen, AC/Heat.
1999 Yamaha Waverunner SUV
2003 Yamaha Waverunner SUV w/MR-1 HO conversion
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