trailer recommendations for 20' Ellis please

[Murphymendez]

Hi all,

I am the proud new owner of a 1984 Ellis 20' Open Fisherman. The boat did not come with a trailer, so I picked up a used "Long" roller trailer. Here is the problem - when loading the Ellis I continue to shear rollers off the trailer. I have adjusted the arms as much as possible and fear its just not a well designed trailer for a DE hull. It has fewer rollers than your typical loadrite, etc, which may be part of the problem.

So I would appreciate any recommendations on brands that have worked for you and/or bunk vs roller comments. My preference would be to find a bunk trailer and my ramp is steep and deep enough to support floating off a bunk.

Much appreciated!

Ian

 

[jojobee]

bunks are tough on certain ramps but I always seem to purchase them because I have unfounded ideas that they may give better support to the hull.

 

[steveinak]

Call the folks at Loadmaster Trailers in Ohio, they built my trailer and are a 1st class outfit to deal with.
FULL KEEL/LOBSTER BOATS

 

[Murphymendez]

Thank you both for the opinions and info, very helpful to hear it. My boat doesn't have a full keel in the traditional sense bit has about a 3" keel, so it should be pretty straightforward.

Thank you again guys,

Ian

 

[RKrough]

Those long roller trailers are pretty strange IMO. My cousin had one under his mullet boat and was constantly f---ing with it. He eventually ditched the horseshoe shaped roller arms and installed bunk brackets and 2x4's

 

[Murphymendez]

Those long roller trailers are pretty strange IMO. My cousin had one under his mullet boat and was constantly f---ing with it. He eventually ditched the horseshoe shaped roller arms and installed bunk brackets and 2x4's

RKrough - thanks, that actually sounds like a great idea. I have launched the boat 3 times and had to replace at least 1 roller each time. There has to be a better way.....

 

[BOSBoatMan]

Take a look at Tidewater.

I've a beamy boat (16'10"x8'2" and basically had to buy a 3000 pound trailer on account of the beam. There are four bunks and they all oscillate to support the boat as it wants to be supported.