Howdy folks. Just bought a gulfstream (dual engine) located in RI and I need to get her to Pa. Need suggestions on what trailer brand and model anyone would recommend. Thanks
Gulfstream 232 trailer suggestions
- Thread starter jmenende
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If new, you are limited to what is available in your area ( or the area where the boat is located.
Most important is that the trailer is sized correctly. More is not better.
You need to determine what type and options you want and there are many options.
Personally, I would avoid Venture.
Note that technically, you may need permits to transport the boat since its beam is wider than permitted in some states without a permit.
If you are new to trailering, you might want to look into a boat shipper and buy a trailer near your home base
Keep it simple - go with a brand that can be warranty serviced easily - which means... buy local.
I also would not get Venture. At my shop, we used to carry Venture but kept running into issue after issue after issue. We stopped selling them. It got so bad, we actually came up with a saying.... "it's always and adventure with a Venture"
We also sell Load Rite and they are solid, reliable and moderately priced. We had LR before and during while we had Venture - and we still sell a lot of LR's.
Find the shop that you like and they'll walk you through options in terms of models.
I also would not get Venture. At my shop, we used to carry Venture but kept running into issue after issue after issue. We stopped selling them. It got so bad, we actually came up with a saying.... "it's always and adventure with a Venture"
We also sell Load Rite and they are solid, reliable and moderately priced. We had LR before and during while we had Venture - and we still sell a lot of LR's.
Find the shop that you like and they'll walk you through options in terms of models.
Ekea
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i must have been luck with my last trailer. it was a venture carrying a 23ft welcraft. the trailer was 10+ years old when i got the boat and i had it for 9 years. i did exactly zero maintenance to it and had no problems. that being said, i am taking better care of my current trailer, haha
They (Venture) didn't all have issues - but it was so disproportionate to our other brands that it just wasn't worth it to keep them. They're the only brand we ever came up with a slogan for 
Ekea
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it probably helped that it never saw saltThey (Venture) didn't all have issues - but it was so disproportionate to our other brands that it just wasn't worth it to keep them. They're the only brand we ever came up with a slogan for
I also can recommend Loadrite. Dennis is right about buying local to insure that you can get service if needed. The dealer can also help with sizing and setup.
"...sized correctly. More is not better..."
Regarding capacity - if boat 100% fully loaded is 6,000lbs, safe to go with 6,000lb capacity trailer? pros/cons going 5-10% over, perhaps 6,300lb or 6500lb capacity?
Regarding length - either stay within the trailer's length spec, or if boat is close to max spec pros/cons going next trailer length up? 1 possible pro reduce how far down the ramp the tow vehicle needs to go, of course given the winch post mounting allows enough adjustment, or install a separate bow stop further back.
Experienced thoughts appreciated...
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Thanks
In summary, trailer advise to handle worse case road conditions and highway speeds -
Trailer's weight capacity 15% over fully loaded boat weight
Trailer's overall length 2'-6' over boat length (although document initially referenced boat length being bow eye to transom, in this case didn't specify, but had to be referencing the hull's length from bow tip to transom). I'll be going more in the 4'-6' range.
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I didn't look at the doc, but whenever I size a trailer for a boat for a customer, the "bow eye to transom" (not a swim platform) is one of the key measurements.