CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: [To be answered by] anyone [who] recently purchased a new galvanized steel or aluminum trailer for an OUTRAGE 18 or similar model: what did a trailer for an OUTRAGE 18 or similar boat cost?

I was given an estimated cost of $4,700 by PACIFIC TRAILER for a single-axle galvanized [steel] trailer and an estimate cost of $9,700 for an aluminum single axle trailer. These seems very high to me.

Buying a trailer is like shopping for a new car. Uhggg.

Trailers are sold regionally so brands are geographical based. Pacific is Northwest, CA.

You need [to] figure out the specific make, model, and each option you want. Get detailed quotes from more than two dealers for each brand. All quotes need show line items and prices.

My guestimate for a 2,200-lbs-capacity, single-torsion-axle bunk trailer with 13-inchwheels rims and radial tires is $2,300 to $3,000.

Any dealer who does not provide a detailed quote is to be avoided at all costs. A single price with no details is worthless.

I have heard of dealers being more than $500 apart for the exact make andmodel trailer.

Which model of Pacific trailer are they quoting?
What options were included?
Was there a cost to adjust to or shift [to fit the]?
Was there a delivery charge?
Was there sales tax?

Thanks for the reply, Phil. I'm not sure which models PACIFIC TRAILER were quoting. When I emailed PACIFIC TRAILER I specified single axle, galvanized steel or aluminum, bunks, no brakes. The salesman that replied indicated that brakes would be required in California for trailer loads of 2,999=lbs and greater/ I thought that an Outrage 18 on a single axle trailer would be close to or under 2,999-lbs.

Is there a particular trailer brand that is preferred for [an OUTRAGE 18] boat?

My goal is to estimate total project cost to refurbish and repower an older Outrage 18 hull. A new trailer would be part of that cost, hence my quote from Pacific and this thread.

PACIFIC TRAILERS make excellent trailers. I doubt you could find a better trailer. You can certainly find a less expensive trailer--but perhaps not in California.

An OUTRAGE 18 will likely have a total weight going onto a trailer of 2,500 to 2,800-lbs depending on the engine. A typical aluminum trailer might weigh 900-lbs. The total towed weight would be around 3,400 to 3,700-lbs. For a single-axle trailer the usual axle load rating will be a 3,500-lbs. Assume about 5-percent of the total weight is carried on the tongue of the towed vehicle. On that basis, the axle weight will be very close or right at maximum weight for a single axle. On that basis, if you must have a single-axle trailer for an OUTRAGE 18, look for an aluminum trailer and keep the boat weight down as much as possible.

There are generally two sorts of boat trailer brands: those sold on national or wide regional basis, and those make locally and sold locally. If you are in California, I don't expect there are any low-cost boat trailers. Low cost boat trailers are found in Florida, Texas, or the Carolinas. Local boat trailer fabricators are usually only found in areas with a large number of trailer boats, such as Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and other Great Lake states, or in coastal areas where there are excellent inlets and ramp access.

ASIDE: I have owned a PACIFIC TRAILER boat trailer and it was a beautiful trailer, very well made. It was build in c.1987 and, as far as I know, that trailer is still on the road and in excellent condition 33-years-later. I currently own a 1992 E-Z-LOADER trailer and it is still in excellent condition. Both trailers were galvanized steel. Aluminum trailers tend to more expensive, and they also contain many steel components, such as axles, brackets, and hardware.

A new Boston Whaler 170 MONTAUK costs about $50,000. On that basis a cost of $4,700 for a new boat trailer of excellent quality does not sound excessive to me.

Jim--You should detail how you get to the boat weight to require 2500-2800 lbs. rating.

It should be noted that the cost difference between 2500 and 2800 lb axle is not significant.

PHIL: Follow hyperlink to first-hand report of the weight of an OUTRAGE 18 on an aluminum trailer as weighed on a certified scale by ConB in 2008. The boat has a lighter classic carburetor outboard engine.

I am assuming a 3,500-lbs axle, so your lower-rated axles are not an influence on the price of the trailer.

There are different types of trailers.

-Painted steel (fresh water only)
-Galvanized Steel C channel or boxed beam
-Aluminum - I beam or C channel. (Trailer LOA is longer than Gavanized)

In selecting a trailer you are looking to

1. select material and type
2 Determine model by identifying a) total LOA b) length from bow eye to transom c) beam measurement.
3.Select wheel material (steel or alloy
4.Select tire type. Bias or Radial
5.Select tire width (based on axle rating)
6.Select options including lights, fenders, rollers, transom guides, spare tire etc.

If comparing steel and aluminum in boat trailers, we can estimate the cost of materials as follows;

SCRAP METAL PRICE
Steel = $0.05/lbs
Aluminum = $0.25/lbs

We see that aluminum is five-time more valuable than steel. On that basis we can infer that for new material aluminum will also be more expensive than steel. Prices vary based on demand. At the moment, the import of aluminum into the USA has a tariff. This may account for a higher price for aluminum boat trailers than perhaps was asked previously.

In the cited example the cost for a steel trailer was $4,700 and for aluminum was $9,700. The aluminum trailer is 2.06-times more expensive.

Why isn't the aluminum five-times more expensive? The aluminum trailer still uses many steel components. Also the aluminum is not as strong as steel, so more of it has to be used to get the same strength as a steel component. Also, the price of the trailers includes a mark-up for profit and a cost for labor.

Material costs vary greatly depending on the metal grade and alloy. If weight and corrosion-resistance is important, aluminum is preferred of steel, although galvanized steel is quite durable.

I bought my new aluminum/galvanized steel trailer new ~ 2006. I remember paying about $3100. Thought that was a lot back then but happy I bought quality. Mine is a Phoenix brand built East of the Mississippi River.
You definitely want surge operated disc brakes.

Con

ConB's PHOENIX trailer is a very well made boat trailer, and at $3,100 in c.2006 it appears to have been a bargain compared to 2020 prices.

In November of last year I bought a new trailer for my 2003 190 Nantucket. It is a Loadmaster, made in Florida. It is their heavy duty single axle aluminum trailer, rated for 5200 pounds. I ordered optional stainless steel hardware, spare tire and holder and front bunks. It cost $3,300.

In my area--southeast Louisiana and Mississippi--an aluminum trailer with a 3,500-lbs galvanized torsion single axle, LED lamps, and 14-inch wheels built for an 18-foot boat can be purchased for $2,450. Add the option of oil bath hubs and you're right at $3,000. I bought this exact same trailer in 2005 and paid $1,585.

Trailer prices have gone up a lot in 15 years. Because I bought my 1986 18 Outrage last July without a trailer, I was on the hunt for a new or used boat trailer. I only buy aluminum trailers as there is no benefit to galvanized except saving a about $200.

For [the quoted price mentioned in the initial article of] $9,700, you could buy you a triple-axle trailer suitable for a 320 Outrage down here in Florida.

For $4,700 you could buy a dual-axle for a 25-footer.

Continental Trailers are not the best brand but the aluminum trailers are good.

I was looking at trailer in a price range of low-$2,000 plus tax. If upgrades such as stainless steel hardware, LED lamps, aluminum wheels, and radial tires, the trailer price increases to around $3,000.

There is no reason for brakes on a single axle trailer with a 2,000-lbs boat on it. There might be a debate on single-axle or dual-axles depending on your use.

I ended up buying a used 2013 Yacht Club aluminum trailer with a 3500-lbs axle for $1,000. I put on new radial tires, all new bunk supports, guide poles, a spare tire carrier, LED lamps, and new wiring for just under $300. I now have a like-new trailer. I decided on a custom made trailer for around $2,500 before I found this one.

Re a $550 option for oil-filled hubs: that sounds excessive. $550 will buy a lot of grease and bearing.

biggiefl wrote:Re a $550 option for oil-filled hubs: that sounds excessive.

I was wondering about that cost. If for a single-axle trailer with just two bearings, that is expensive. For a two-axle trailer and four bearings it sound more reasonable.

You are correct - the Turbo Lube hub kit runs about $150. My figure for $3,000 was all in including taxes - as was my figure in 2005. Adding to the comment of prices from 2005 to 2020, it's just about double in my area.