Trailer Opinions

[east tx skier]

I personally only have experience with the Dorsey trailers (that's about all you can find in my area). They are very solid trailers in my opinion. Easy to get parts for them straight from the manufacturer. It fits my 97 SNOB like a glove. Just my two cents for what it's worth.

+1 on Dorsey. Excellent customer service and a trailer that is built like a tank.

[ski36short]

I have a RamLin under mine as well - no choice as I bought a promo boat. While it pulls and stops nicely, I think it's almost Mickey Mouse next to a MasterCraft trailer. I didn't really care about the trailer as I currently live on a lake and thus the trailer is primarily a winter storage rack for the boat (and summer gear drying rack). Now that I'm considering a move off the water, my opinion may deteriorate from "indifferent". AirTool, I also have that weird bearing cover that seems to be for an oil bath but has grease in it. Haven't looked at it yet but I'll probably tear the bearings apart and repack them before my next trip.

Pros: Pulls and stops nicely. No scuffing on the nose from the boat buddy. Haven't had to replace anything yet (I should't, I've put maybe 1500 miles on it)
Cons: The boat bounces all over the place on the road, it needs to be tied down for almost every trip even if it's just around the corner for gas. Still has some wood on it (I think). Same hull contact issues AirTool mentioned earlier. Doesn't load the boat straight and you have to make sure it doesn't end up sitting on the fender. Hard to put the cover on around the "nose paddles". Perhaps that's just something I haven't figured out yet? Any ideas? Oh last but not least, you have to disasemble the nosepaddles to swing the tongue away. Lots of work to get the boat in the garage if you have to do it regularly.

When it's all said and done, for someone trailering and launching frequently, I think MasterCraft trailers are the cream of the crop. But I like skiing and driving my 196 better!

[SkiTower]

To throw another trailer into the mix, the Gekko sat on an EZ Loader. Pretty simple but it worked great for me.

[wi54545]

I just ordered a Boatmate trailer. Since there wasn't a Boatmate dealer in my area, they gave me dealer cost. I ordered a Tandem trailer for my 196, it has disc brakes on all four axles, Torsion suspension, aluminum wheels, swing tongue, LED lights and docking lamps (underwater at night), and spare tire. Bunk design cradles the boat unlike the ramlin and prestige wishbone design. It is no longer than the boat which is a big deal for me and my challenged garage. Excellent customer service from Jerry and Owen at Boatmate. The quotes I got were 2450 for a single axle, and 2975 for a tandem. Your mileage my vary if there is a dealer in your area because they have to support their network. They are located in Maryville, TN south of Knoxville. I can't wait to get my trailer next month!

[NCH2oSki]

Boatmates are very nice, and made in a great town. While your in the area you should check out the M factories, very interesting if you havent before.

Not sure if it would be warm enough to offer you a pull yet or not, but if it is your welcome to one when you come over to pick up your boatmate.

[SkiTower]

It is no longer than the boat which is a big deal for me and my challenged garage.

I know what you mean. My swing tongue is about a foot longer than the boat. If it was within the length of the boat, I would have an easier time storing it in the garage.

[wi54545]

Boatmates are very nice, and made in a great town. While your in the area you should check out the M factories, very interesting if you havent before.

Not sure if it would be warm enough to offer you a pull yet or not, but if it is your welcome to one when you come over to pick up your boatmate.

Thanks for the offer! I went to the M**** factory in 1992. My dad had a '92 205 on order, great factory and people. Went to Orlando about a month later to check out the Correct Craft factory.... Canceled the 205 order and bought a 1993 Ski Nautique Closed bow. Maryville has a lot of boat history. I love TN!

My Ramlin would BARELY fit in my garage, (mm is the correct unit of measurement). Only one area of drywall to fix! I'm pretty good!

[geoffc210]

I have a Prestige trailer with my 03 SAN and I would NOT buy another one. I have replaced both the left and right calipers already and it seems as if I will be replacing the right side one AGAIN. Within the first year of having the boat one caliper (I believe the right side) froze up on the rotor. The reason I was told was due to them not using stainless steel. The parts were covered under warranty, but I had to replace myself (too far from dealer - no problems with Nautique dealer). Than the following year the other side locked up. Of course they stated it was out of warranty. Even though in my opinion it was a design issue. Based off of their lack of customer service and the problems I have had I will NOT buy another Prestige trailer. Anyway for whatever reason it seems I have another locked up caliper. I noticed significant heat coming from the wheel when I brought it home last time before winter.

Does anyone else have this much of a problem with disc brakes on their trailer?