Homemade boat trailer?

[Jake202]

Has anyone ever made a trailer for their pontoon boat? If so how hard was it? Thinking about trying to build one for my 25 ft Bennington

[r&s20]

yes, i have built several. they aren't hard to build. the most important thing is measure,measure,measure, if it not square it won't pull correctly and you won't be able to keep tires on it. buy all suspension parts at same time and place to help insure all parts are the same.one short spring will screw you up.

[Jake202]

Do you by chance have measurements for one that will haul a 25ft boat?

[Bamaman]

I'd suggest you'd go to a dealership and take measurements--including the gauge of steel used. I would also suggest you pay attention to the placement of the axles--so you will end up with the correct trailer tongue weight. You know, not too heavy and not too light.

When people build things like trailers, they often use materials that may be heavier than actually needed. That results in a lead weight trailer.

The factory built trailer frames will often have more curves because they have the capability to bend square tubing. You probably won't have that machinery, and will have to build more in squares--with diagonal supports added for stability.

I personally prefer using channel steel in trailers--for long life and less rust.

[PlaynDoc]

just seems to me...

after the expense of the materials, the expense of the welding supplies, the time spent making the trailer....

wouldn't it be cheaper just to buy one?

[chill'nthemost]

just seems to me...

after the expense of the materials, the expense of the welding supplies, the time spent making the trailer....

wouldn't it be cheaper just to buy one?

Yeah, with the price of metal, lights, fenders, winch, axles, brakes, etc. I'd think it would be cheaper to buy one or at least find one that has everything but needs some TLC. Things add up fast

[RcgTexas]

Yes buy one ! The parts I had to buy to refurbish the trailer for my 21 ft rebuild was over 800 shamoles! Now I didn't go cheap new bunkboards, new slicks (no mo carpet), New winch stand, and SS Ubolts and fasteners. Parts will kill you, buy new or newer. and I f you are close to salt water by all means hot dipped galvanized or at least aluminum. My

[lakerunner]

I had a friend build me a custom trailer for a 16' Jon boat. If I could afford it I would have one custom built as the diff is unreal. My jon trailer was so nice when I sold the boat I sold the trailer and gave away the boat.

Be sure and mount springs to a heavy angle steel so you can slide forward and back balance as needed

[rancherlee]

I built my trailer, ended up at ~1200$ into it. 300$ for the steel, 700 for a pair of 2200# axles/hangers/tires, and 200$ for bunks/carpet/paint. I used 2x4x.120 for the main rails, and 3x4x.120 for the tongue. Definitely stronger than it needs to be as a pontoon is a rigid structure and the trailer only needs to be strong enough to hold the axles straight going down the road. I've seen empty pontoon trailers going down the highway that flex like crazy even hitting small bumps.