BOATING & marine Tips from Move Boat Trailers n Part 1: Choosing the right trailer - 10 expert tips
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OVE Boat Trailers may be the newest loose-boat trailer brand on the block, but it boasts decades of design expertise – quietly championed as the wheels under leading aluminium boat brand Quintrex since its inception in 1945. Filling a gap in the market for a durable and high-quality trailer range that suits a wide variety of boat sizes and materials – including fibreglass, aluminium and plate – Move also seeks to fill a demand for better access to information that answers the common trailering questions of everyday boaties. Kicking off the howto series is Move Boat Trailers expert Adam Crossley’s top tips to choosing the right trailer, with the following 10 pieces of advice. But for the best advice when looking at buying a trailer, contact your local Move Boat Trailers stockist, who will help you find the best option that suits your needs.
Trailer definitions There are several common terms and acronyms used when discussing boat trailers that are handy to know. • Australian design rules or ADR – rules instituted to regulate the compliance and construction of boat trailers in Australia • Aggregate trailer mass or ATM – the total weight of the boat when laden, motor and trailer when hitched • Gross trailer mass or GTM – the total weight of the boat when laden, motor and trailer when unhitched • Gross vehicle mass or GVM – the tare mass of the vehicle combined with its maximum allowable load or the maximum a vehicle is allowed to weigh while in transit • Tare – trailer only total weight • VIN – vehicle identification number, same as a car • LOA – Length over all • WOA – Width over all.
Page 48 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing June 2022
Boat trailer suitability Broken into three simple elements – the boat design, material and weight are key dictating factors of trailer suitability. Trailers are classified by length and weight, therefore identifying the following elements will help narrow down a buyer’s options. Length The length is easy to figure out – using a tape measure, measure the boat’s overall length or contact the boat manufacturer. Weight The weight needs to account for not only the boat but also the engine, fuel, water and gear. Design Is the material aluminium, plate or fiberglass, and is the hull mono or multi? Aluminium or steel One of the most common questions when buying a trailer is regarding the build material. There are several im-
portant aspects that sets aluminium apart from steel. • Rust resistant – resulting in a longer-lasting product, aluminium triples the lifespan of steel • Malleable – reduces stress on the trailer frame when traversing rugged Australian roads • Easily maintained – rust resistant, aluminium trailers require a simple soap sponge and rinse with fresh water after use • Lightweight – resulting in easier manoeuvrability and more economical towing • Aesthetic – aluminium is naturally more appealing to the eye and maintains its aesthetic for longer • Durable – due to its malleability, resistance to rust and strength – Move Boat Trailers are resilient. Multi-roller or skid Multi-roller setups are typically built to suit fiberglass or plate-alloy hulls. They commonly have rear cradles that are de-
signed to catch and correctly position the bow. Skid trailers are best used for pressed-alloy – plate – or roto-moulded plastic hulls. Skids are carpeted or Teflon timber to reduce hull flex while trailering. Overall, multi-roller trailers are recognised as being more versatile, easier to operate when launching and retrieving, and can be customised with added options to improve vessel support while trailered. Drive-on capability – catch and release If the size and style of your boat allows for drive-on capabilities, it’s worth investing in. The biggest benefit of a catch and release system is achieving a simple solo boat ramp experience. The process is easy: • Reverse the trailer down the boat ramp • Drive your boat on to the trailer and the mechanism will ‘catch’ the towing eye • Disembark the boat and winch it up. Contact your local continued P49
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