5-Year Boat Trailer Review

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  • čas přidán 1. 03. 2024
  • Review of a boat trailer after 5 years. Specs are 10,000 lb capacity (for 21' boat), Dexter/UFP torsion axles, Vault hubs, electric over hydraulic disc brakes.
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Komentáře • 10

  • @delriv5238
    @delriv5238 Před 2 měsíci

    I have the same trailer with the same rims. My trailer eats the same tire and Gateway trailer customer service is terrible. I changed to bearing buddy and haven’t had any problems on that end at least. I’m looking around for a replacement trailer. Cheers, Wes

    • @idahoviking
      @idahoviking  Před 2 měsíci +1

      Your problem is that you're pulling your boat around. You're not supposed to do that.

  • @mikesowle4771
    @mikesowle4771 Před 2 měsíci

    I contacted Gateway about the uneven tire wear and they told me it was because of towing it too low in the front and the torsion axles need to be level. Ended up flipping my 6” drop hitch to raise the ball 5” to get the trailer level.

    • @idahoviking
      @idahoviking  Před 2 měsíci +1

      True that level is necessary for torsion axles. My hitch is fully adjustable so my trailer is exactly level. Regarding my trailer specifically, even if it was not level, this would not explain why one front wheel wears much faster than the others.

    • @mikesowle4771
      @mikesowle4771 Před 2 měsíci

      @@idahoviking as someone who’s preparing to buy another one of their trailers because they’re the only option I hope they are fixing some of the issues they’ve had. Did you buy your trailer new?

    • @idahoviking
      @idahoviking  Před 2 měsíci +1

      Yes I bought the trailer new. This is actually a replacement (warranty of entire trailer) for my first trailer, which was much worse. It made a half bald tire during the 500 mile drive home. This resulted from excessive toe-in, which could be seen by laying a long straight edge along both wheels. Drive the trailer straight for some distance before applying the straight edge. It should lay nicely against the leading and trailing edge of both tires. Very small gaps are permissible, but I forget what this gap is.
      On this second trailer, I took the issue to Dexter. They gave me and two alignment shops the run-around until everyone lost interest. Based on their behavior, I will never buy another Dexter product. I am suspicious that there is a problem with the Dexter axles that manifests only when driving.
      Regarding buying a boat with a trailer, be certain that responsibility for the trailer warranty is defined (the boat or trailer manufacturer), along with failure modes and remedies. For example, if a tire wears more than XX in YY miles, then it has failed. Get an adjustable hitch and demand that either the boat manufacturer or trailer manufacturer set the hitch height. Then keep a log of all your mileage. Get a tire tread depth measuring tool. If a tire fails, then a replacement tire mounted on wheel will be shipped to you within 10 days. If more than 1 tire fails, then a replacement trailer will be driven to you and the warranty period will start anew. Etc.
      A possibility is to call Matt at Inland Marine in Nampa and see if he will build a trailer for you. I have no experience (direct or indirect) with his trailers, but it is certainly worth a call. Probably it will cost more, but so it goes.

  • @CB.HuskyMoto
    @CB.HuskyMoto Před 2 měsíci

    Another common problem is the boat hook up column cracking at the base. My 28ft twin has ran through two columns on a twin axel gateway trailer. Cracking at the base facing the neck on the trailer

    • @idahoviking
      @idahoviking  Před 2 měsíci

      Any design change between the first and last?

    • @CB.HuskyMoto
      @CB.HuskyMoto Před 2 měsíci

      @@idahoviking just thicker materials and more weld contact points. Stress fractures are pretty powerful and seem to be reoccurring no matter what I do. I lined the base with some steel stake pockets I had laying around and that’s doing the trick as of right now

  • @phatsmitty
    @phatsmitty Před 2 měsíci +1

    I know of a 32 year old Tricker trailer that is in better mechanical shape than this. Minimal yet reasonable maintenance.