Drift Boat Trailer

[tkhour]

Looking for a galvanized trailer for my boat. Anyone have one they want to part with? Also can anyone suggest on where to buy a new one around the NJ area? Thanks in advance for your help

 

[tompg]

you can find anything on the second greatest web site/service ever:

north jersey boat parts & accessories "trailer" - craigslist

 

[mudbug201]

you can find anything on the second greatest web site/service ever:

north jersey boat parts & accessories "trailer" - craigslist

It's actually pretty hard to find a used trailer for a drift boat. I tried unsuccessfully last year relying on Craigslist and boat specific sites.

tkhour if you get any good leads keep us posted. My trailer is an unregistered, unregisterable piece of junk and will require replacement before long.

 

[tompg]

there's a few that look like they'd do the job but I am ignorant of the specifics that make a trailer a drift boat trailer.

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

A friend of mine built 4 drift boats and built the trailers for them also. If you feel you have the ability, I will contact him for the information.

 

[iflifish]

I think basically the difference between a standard rowboat trailer, and a drift boat trailer, is that with a rowboat the bunks run front to back, and with a drift boat, the bunks run side to side - with a carpeted bunk up front, and a roller at the back.

Deluxe Galvy Drift Boat Trailer

Drift Boat Trailers - Hyde Drift Boats

This guy looks like he could help if you wanted to convert a regular boat trailer to a drift boat trailer-

Trailers

Also maybe talk to a local marine dealer that sells small boat trailers and see what the cost of converting one over might be. I think I would go that route if I needed a new one rather than shipping a drift boat trailer from somewhere out west. Years ago when we used to fish Round Valley a lot, my brother had bought a new Sea Nymph from a place on Howard Blvd by Lake Hopatcong - they may be able to help with a trailer.

 

[Trout Nazi]

I'm sure Macfly has one somewhere in his bottomless cavern of fishing equipment.

 

[MACFLY]

Yes but it has a driftboat attached to it

 

[chromefinder]

Looking for a galvanized trailer for my boat. Anyone have one they want to part with? Also can anyone suggest on where to buy a new one around the NJ area? Thanks in advance for your help

I gave up looking and made do with a something i could find local at a decent price.

A new Karavan KBE-1250-46 bunk trailer at Cabelas or a local dealer is approx $650.
Works very well as a pontoon, raft or small drift boat trailer and won't break the bank.

un-bolt the carpeted bunks and turn them sideways instead of long ways. Top picture has them longways. Also loosen then move the bow stand up towards the tongue. This trailer works well for a 14 foot lavro without issue. Launching is slightly harder without having a roller on the back like a true drift boat trailer but...saving over $1000 + freight was worth it. I'm sure this would also work for longer drift boats. Also makes a great canoe and kayak trailer... or attach some plywood decking and you have a great raft trailer or stinktoon trailer

 

[mudbug201]

I gave up looking and made do with a something i could find local at a decent price.

A new Karavan KBE-1250-46 bunk trailer at Cabelas or a local dealer is approx $650.
Works very well as a pontoon, raft or small drift boat trailer and won't break the bank.

un-bolt the carpeted bunks and turn them sideways instead of long ways. Top picture has them longways. Also loosen then move the bow stand up towards the tongue. This trailer works well for a 14 foot lavro without issue. Launching is slightly harder without having a roller on the back like a true drift boat trailer but...saving over $1000 + freight was worth it. I'm sure this would also work for longer drift boats. Also makes a great canoe and kayak trailer... or attach some plywood decking and you have a great raft trailer or stinktoon trailer

Awesome info. Thanks! I am actually using roughly this model now for my 17' Lavro and it works really well. Takes a little bit more muscle to launch and trailer the boat without a roller, as you say, but apart from that it's fine.

My problem is that the trailer's unregistered and the wiring is shot. Might just get a new one if it's only $650.

One thing that the previous owner added to mine is a pair of bunk guides. Here's a link: e-trailer bunk guides. I still use a ratchet strap over the stern to keep the boat from slipping sideways, but the strap is basically a back-up, because the bunk guides keep the boat centered. If you don't add the bunk guides, two or three ratchet straps over the bow and stern would do the trick.

But I recommend adding the bunk guides - they make it much easier to trailer the boat, especially at a launch with a strong sideways current.

 

[mudbug201]

I gave up looking and made do with a something i could find local at a decent price.

A new Karavan KBE-1250-46 bunk trailer at Cabelas or a local dealer is approx $650.
Works very well as a pontoon, raft or small drift boat trailer and won't break the bank.

un-bolt the carpeted bunks and turn them sideways instead of long ways. Top picture has them longways. Also loosen then move the bow stand up towards the tongue. This trailer works well for a 14 foot lavro without issue. Launching is slightly harder without having a roller on the back like a true drift boat trailer but...saving over $1000 + freight was worth it. I'm sure this would also work for longer drift boats. Also makes a great canoe and kayak trailer... or attach some plywood decking and you have a great raft trailer or stinktoon trailer

One more thing. If I had the know-how and tools, or knew somebody who did, I would shorten the tongue. That's maybe the biggest downside of this trailer. It's made for a cement ramp at a marina - not really suited for a riverbank where you have to turn the trailer into or out of a tight spot.

Also, mine tilts if you pull a cotter pin on the tongue. It's a nice feature and compensates for the lack of rollers. Not sure it it's available on these models but worth looking into.

 

[chromefinder]

$650 was several year ago at Cabelas retail store in Hamburg, PA. I know I've seen them there recently for $800 ish. Best to shop a bunch of Karavan dealers via phone for the best prices. Other bunk trailers from other manufactures can certainly also work. Dave's Trailer Sales in Glen Burnie MD usually has great low prices on boat trailers...I'm not sure he carries this specific brand though.

To keep my boat centered on the bunks i just use two NRS tie down straps with cam buckle made from 1 inch webbing. One goes on each side of the trailer around the frame near the tail lights and then up in and under / around my rowers seat and back to the cam buckle...keeps the boat from moving side to side.. cost is $11.95 retail.. The bow stand and front strap hold the boat vertically. Doing new wiring on your trailer should be a $75 or less project with new lights... .

Your on your own with registration issues though...I know PA certainly makes titles and registrations as difficult as possible:dizzy:

Awesome info. Thanks! I am actually using roughly this model now for my 17' Lavro and it works really well. Takes a little bit more muscle to launch and trailer the boat without a roller, as you say, but apart from that it's fine.

My problem is that the trailer's unregistered and the wiring is shot. Might just get a new one if it's only $650.

One thing that the previous owner added to mine is a pair of bunk guides. Here's a link: e-trailer bunk guides. I still use a ratchet strap over the stern to keep the boat from slipping sideways, but the strap is basically a back-up, because the bunk guides keep the boat centered. If you don't add the bunk guides, two or three ratchet straps over the bow and stern would do the trick.

But I recommend adding the bunk guides - they make it much easier to trailer the boat, especially at a launch with a strong sideways current.

 

[chromefinder]

Hacksaw would work or borrow/rent a Sawzsall and cut it off. Then buy a bolt on tongue coupler in the correct size - etrailer sells them...

my KBE-1250-46 has an extendable tongue feature that came standard...no tilt feature though. The longer tongue makes backing up easier for me...I have no issues at Stilesville, Deposit Sewer, Hale Eddy or Stockport. I do wish i had a solution for Lordville though.

 

[mudbug201]

Hacksaw would work or borrow/rent a Sawzsall and cut it off. Then buy a bolt on tongue coupler in the correct size - etrailer sells them...

my KBE-1250-46 has an extendable tongue feature that came standard...no tilt feature though. The longer tongue makes backing up easier for me...I have no issues at Stilesville, Deposit Sewer, Hale Eddy or Stockport. I do wish i had a solution for Lordville though.

The long tongue's fine in low water. It's caused issues for me at Stockport and a couple of private launches in higher water. But it's actually my driveway where's it's the biggest pain in the ass.

You said you have a Lavro correct? In that case, I've got the perfect solution for Lordville. It's shown in this video at 2:40.

 

[mudbug201]

Doing new wiring on your trailer should be a $75 or less project with new lights... .

Your on your own with registration issues though...I know PA certainly makes titles and registrations as difficult as possible:dizzy:

yeah the wiring is not an issue, assuming there's an easy way of threading it through the frame. My car is not wired for a trailer either so I haven't bothered.

The registration, on the other hand, is a b*tch. In New York State, the transferable registration is the title. But to get a new registration for a used trailer, you need proof of ownership (i.e. a title). Which seems a bit circular. There's some workaround that would involve getting the prior owner to file paperwork to be able to transfer it to me - the bottom line is it's way too much trouble.

Knock on wood, I've used it for years without a ticket. If and when I do get caught, paying the fine will be way less painful than getting the trailer registered.

 

[chromefinder]

great classic old school lavro video...yes, lavro certainly makes a tough boat...

The long tongue's fine in low water. It's caused issues for me at Stockport and a couple of private launches in higher water. But it's actually my driveway where's it's the biggest pain in the ass.

You said you have a Lavro correct? In that case, I've got the perfect solution for Lordville. It's shown in this video at 2:40.