Trailer for 2002 Sundeck 240??

[jpcjguy]

Hi all,

So I might have convinced the wife about a boat. :grin:
Question I have now is around trailers. I have seen some for sale without trailers.
How do I find a correct trailer? Looks like the dry weight is 4500lbs. With full tank (85 gallons*6lbs, roughly) another 510lbs and figure a couple hundred for "stuff". So looking at roughly a 5500lb rated trailer? Is that right?
What can I expect to pay? Where is the best place to look for one? Any tips or ideas? How much are they new? I prefer used to save money unless the differential is not worth it.
My tow rig is a 2002 7.3 diesel excursion - so no worries there. ( I have a 18' 10k trailer for my Jeep when going off-road)

Thanks,
Joe

 

[dvx216]

One thing you will find that a used trailer that has been sitting without a boat on it might be in rough shape since the boat is not protecting the trailer from the elements plus a lot of times they have been sitting in the weeds some where so the tires are shot and the brakes are a rusted mess.If you are looking at used trailers here are some thing you need to check .A great boat on a bad trailer will ruin and good day of boating.Most the time the longer the trailer is the higher its capacity will be.If you can do all the repairs to a trailer yourself then buying used is ok but parts add up fast and a great buy will end up costing you the same as new real quick.

1.proper tires not car tires take a close look at the tread wear any odd wear is a sign of something wrong
2.wheel hub seals & bearings&straight axles
3.wiring and lights
4.brakes and lines (open brake fluid reservoir check for water)
5.rollers and bunk boards condition
6.over all condition of the frame

 

[jpcjguy]

One thing you will find that a used trailer that has been sitting without a boat on it might be in rough shape since the boat is not protecting the trailer from the elements plus a lot of times they have been sitting in the weeds some where so the tires are shot and the brakes are a rusted mess.If you are looking at used trailers here are some thing you need to check .A great boat on a bad trailer will ruin and good day of boating.Most the time the longer the trailer is the higher its capacity will be.If you can do all the repairs to a trailer yourself then buying used is ok but parts add up fast and a great buy will end up costing you the same as new real quick.

1.proper tires not car tires take a close look at the tread wear any odd wear is a sign of something wrong
2.wheel hub seals & bearings&straight axles
3.wiring and lights
4.brakes and lines (open brake fluid reservoir check for water)
5.rollers and bunk boards condition
6.over all condition of the frame

Thanks for the great info! I wonder what a new trailer will set me back? Any brands to go with and those to avoid?

 

[dvx216]

It's hard to say because we don't know your location salt water fresh water all make a difference .When i was looking for my present boat I walked away from some just because of the trailer.If you are looking at boats near big water it is common for boats to be sitting the wrong trailers and are being used for getting the boat from the water to the boat yard.In my neck of the woods a aluminum 25 ft Load Rite with 5300 lbs cap sales for $3300.00 new

 

[bbwhitejr]

Be careful with the weight calculation. Dry weight is just that-no fluids, no batteries, no safety gear, and your "stuff" adds up quickly.

i love my aluminum I-Beam trailer. If you are in/close to FL, Google Boattrailersdirect.com. I have had a good experience with them. The PO of my boat bought the trailer to move the boat from FL to Atlanta and then only used it to pull the boat a couple times/year. It was never really properly adjusted to the boat. Once I accomplished that, pulls great, stops great, and is just no problem to pull 11-12k pounds where ever we want.

Bennett

 

[dpmulvey]

It's hard to say because we don't know your location salt water fresh water all make a difference .When i was looking for my present boat I walked away from some just because of the trailer.If you are looking at boats near big water it is common for boats to be sitting the wrong trailers and are being used for getting the boat from the water to the boat yard.In my neck of the woods a aluminum 25 ft Load Rite with 5300 lbs cap sales for $3300.00 new

+1. When I was looking years ago, the "used" trailers for sale in my area were priced only slightly below new about as trustworthy as a used condom. You are better off going new here.

Maybe I missed it. What model boat?

 

[jpcjguy]

Sorry for not having a location. I have updated my profile. I am in Richmond, VA - so inland lakes, James River and a little on the Chesapeake Bay. The boat I am looking at is a 240 Sundeck.

 

[dpmulvey]

Sorry for not having a location. I have updated my profile. I am in Richmond, VA - so inland lakes, James River and a little on the Chesapeake Bay. The boat I am looking at is a 240 Sundeck.

Google Sea Ray of Richmond and see what they are putting under the rig and go from there. Unless you are familiar with the area, examine the local ramps closely. Some are great. Some are dangerous.

 

[jpcjguy]

Google Sea Ray of Richmond and see what they are putting under the rig and go from there. Unless you are familiar with the area, examine the local ramps closely. Some are great. Some are dangerous.

Thanks. Can you elaborate on "dangerous". I am a somewhat new boater. A previous girlfriend and I had a Yamaha jet boat about 13 years ago for about 2 years. But I would still consider myself a new boater.

 

[randmhall]

My 2006 is on a Road King aluminum trailer with dual axle disk brakes. They are manufactured in North Carolina. Their website roadkingtrailers.com lists a couple of dealers in your area.

The trailer is rated for 7000, and that is right at what the gross weight actually is (including the trailer, skis, full fuel, lifejackets, ice chest, etc.).

I highway haul ours 160 miles each way, and have never had a problem, but I have always wished it had 15' tires for a little higher load, instead of the 14" that it has, since it is right at the listed max load.

 

[Steve195]

Sorry for not having a location. I have updated my profile. I am in Richmond, VA - so inland lakes, James River and a little on the Chesapeake Bay. The boat I am looking at is a 240 Sundeck.

"Sea Ray of Richmond" is now Richmond Marine Center. Even though the sign on the building still says Sea Ray, the aren't a Sea Ray Dealer. The closest Sea Ray dealer to us in Richmond is Prince William Marina in Woodbridge. I just bought my 2008 195 Sport from them. My salesman was Steve Hedrick and he was GREAT to deal with. Give him a call and I know he'll be happy to give you some advice.