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Specialty Pontoon Boat Trailers
I call any unusual pontoon trailer a specialty trailer. The retail customer has to exercise caution when buying a trailer for an unusual pontoon. The average boat dealer can get it very wrong when trying to help you fit a special trailer to a big heavy (unusual) pontoon boat. I’ve worked with a couple of manufacturers who overestimated their abilities for such pontoon trailers. Throwing an extra axle on a tandem axle trailer and stretching the frame will not assure that everything will go right. The weight is a consideration, but the length is what will give you problems. Elsewhere in the web site I explain the need for cross bracing but on these longer trailers you must also have adequate bracing front to stern. These long heavy boats flex or buck and if not properly braced can actually break the frame.
The pontoon shown above is an excellent example of what can go wrong. The stated length of the boat is 25’, yet it’s shown on a 28’ trailer that fits perfectly. 300 HP engines weigh almost 600 lb. each. That’s 1200 lb. of engine hanging over the back of the trailer frame. That’s enough to bend the frame of a trailer without proper support. I sold the trailer for this boat. I was not the customer’s first choice as a supplier. The boat came to the dealer on a trailer supplied by the manufacturer. Supposedly matched for the boat. The dealer's service manager, who was to deliver the boat, was the one who got us involved. He was uncomfortable with the fit and weight distribution of the boat on the original trailer. He would be the one sitting by the side of the road broken down with the customer’s $109,000 pontoon boat.
The trailer on the left has plenty of space between the top of the tires and fenders. The trailer to the right, although it should have the same capacity as the trailer on the left, is overloaded. If you hit a bump or pot hole while traveling the top of the tire will hit the fender and you’ll damage the tires.
Two 2” x 3” steel braces run beneath the entire length of the frame.		Full length runners on the left and right.
There are a number of ways to reinforce the frame. Different companies do it different ways, runners beneath the frame or full length braces integrated in the frame. But, many companies do NOT stiffen the frame on longer trailers and that’s where you’ll get into trouble. The boat without lateral bracing will buck and twist on the trailer. You may not be able to travel much over 25 MPH. Be certain to look for more than just two side frames supporting the length of any pontoon boat much over 25’ long. Or, tow it before you pay for the trailer.
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