Boatmate Trailer 15" vs 18" / Overall length with a 2017 G23 on it

[jshack01]

Seeking input...

I admit a previous thread has me a bit "wigged out" on towing a G23 which has led me to some other questions..

With my previous 2012 SANTE 230 I had to remove the swim platform and fold in the trailer tongue to get it into our garage 28' + inches deep. With all the posts about WDH's I am considering forgoing the swing-away tongue so I can implement a WDH. Anyone have the specs of the trailer length without the swing-away tongue? I could not locate those specs on the Boatmate website.

Also, Boatmate mentions an XL version of their trailer but that it only can use 15" tires to achieve the higher rating. Any feedback on the ride differences between 15" and 18" tires?

99% of the time I will be towing about a 1/4 of a mile to and from the boat ramp. However, we've talked about traveling to some other lakes (2-4 hour drives) so I thought I would ask.

Lastly, does anyone know what ball size the Boatmate trailers use?

Many thanks in advance!

John

[Evening Shade]

Boatmate uses 2" balls. That's the only question I know the answer to.

[Jeb1974]

Boatmate can customize their trailers and I don't think there will be any issues with getting it in a 28' garage. I was talking to them a couple years ago about getting our G23 to fit in our 24.5' garage (with a swing away tongue). They could get it down to 24'2" or 24'3" (including the distance the pipe sticks out past the back of the trailer). You have 3.5' more space than we do which should be more than enough distance for the tongue. Boatmate has great customer service so I'd just give them a call to see what they can do. The only thing they didn't know is how far the exhaust pipe sticks out beyond the trailer so you'll have to measure it or ask the dealer.

[distinguishedmotorsports]

Seeking input...

I admit a previous thread has me a bit "wigged out" on towing a G23 which has led me to some other questions..

With my previous 2012 SANTE 230 I had to remove the swim platform and fold in the trailer tongue to get it into our garage 28' + inches deep. With all the posts about WDH's I am considering forgoing the swing-away tongue so I can implement a WDH. Anyone have the specs of the trailer length without the swing-away tongue? I could not locate those specs on the Boatmate website.

Also, Boatmate mentions an XL version of their trailer but that it only can use 15" tires to achieve the higher rating. Any feedback on the ride differences between 15" and 18" tires?

99% of the time I will be towing about a 1/4 of a mile to and from the boat ramp. However, we've talked about traveling to some other lakes (2-4 hour drives) so I thought I would ask.

Lastly, does anyone know what ball size the Boatmate trailers use?

Many thanks in advance!

John

The 15" are the way to go. the will always ride better because they have significantly more sidwall. you don't want to get a flat with 18" wheels while your boat is on the trailer. have to jack/lift it more than the 15"s and thats SCARY with a 5,000lb boat leaning over on the side of the highway. the 18" tires are also NOT load rated as high as the 15". no real trailer owner towing a lot miles is using 18" wheels, they are just not cost effective.

you can order the trailer with a 2 and 5/16ths ball for any boatmate trailer. i did this for my brand new 236 trailer. i don't like the idea of the 2" holding the better part of 6,500lbs to my truck. i believe 2" balls are rated for 5,000 lbs. The two in ball uses a **** hitch coupler IMO too. the brake spoon on the 2" coupler is whack, it falls out all the time moving boats with a tractor or any truck with electric brakes. the 2 adn 5/16ths hitch places the brake spoon inside the toungue itself, and the spoon does not fall out so easily.


can some one fill me in for what WDH stand for?


the length of the fixed tongue trailer should be about 4-6" shorter than the swing tongue.

[jshack01]

distinguishedmotorsports WDH - Weight Distribution Hitch

[distinguishedmotorsports]

distinguishedmotorsports WDH - Weight Distribution Hitch

ahhhhhh, thank you.


Sounds like some of you need more truck. 230s and 236 are heavy. are the new 230 still around 5k lbs wet weight?

[thtrog]

The 15" are the way to go. the will always ride better because they have significantly more sidwall. you don't want to get a flat with 18" wheels while your boat is on the trailer. have to jack/lift it more than the 15"s and thats SCARY with a 5,000lb boat leaning over on the side of the highway. the 18" tires are also NOT load rated as high as the 15". no real trailer owner towing a lot miles is using 18" wheels, they are just not cost effective.

you can order the trailer with a 2 and 5/16ths ball for any boatmate trailer. i did this for my brand new 236 trailer. i don't like the idea of the 2" holding the better part of 6,500lbs to my truck. i believe 2" balls are rated for 5,000 lbs. The two in ball uses a **** hitch coupler IMO too. the brake spoon on the 2" coupler is whack, it falls out all the time moving boats with a tractor or any truck with electric brakes. the 2 adn 5/16ths hitch places the brake spoon inside the toungue itself, and the spoon does not fall out so easily.


can some one fill me in for what WDH stand for?


the length of the fixed tongue trailer should be about 4-6" shorter than the swing tongue.

You can get 2" balls rated up to 10K, it depends on the shank.
https://www.etrailer.com/Balls/Curt/A-90.html

[distinguishedmotorsports]

You can get 2" balls rated up to 10K, it depends on the shank.
https://www.etrailer.com/Balls/Curt/A-90.html

very true. i just felt like 2 and 5/16ths was better for the job. i prefer the reverse lock out set up on boat mate's 2/16ths coupler over the 2" as well. the brake spoons always fall out of the 2". but that really only pertains to people who move their boat with out a truck occasionally (fork lift, tractor).