A boat trailer is a trailer designed to launch, retrieve, carry and sometimes store boats, so the boat can be road transport around by towing behind a motor vehicle. When launching and retrieving the boat, the trailer is often submerged in water via a boat ramp, so the boat can on and off the trailer in a controlled fashion by still maintaining buoyancy while changing the draught. As of 2024, the cost of a boat trailer can be anywhere between $700 and $8000, depending on the size and number of axles the trailer has.
Commercial boat trailers
Commercial hydraulic boat trailers are used by
,
,
,
and
boat builders. Generally, this type of trailer is not used for boat storage.
Self-propelled
Self-propelled boat movers are not strictly trailers, but hydraulically operated boat movers, with their own
tractor unit. They share all of the features of hydraulic boat trailers.
Non-commercial boat trailers
This type of trailer is usually used by the boat owner/operator. The trailer is also used for storage.
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Roll-on, also known as a "Roller style trailer", uses rubber and/or polyurethane rollers for ease of launching and loading a boat.
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Glide-path, also known as a "Float-on style trailer", allows the boat to float onto the trailer; after the trailer has been partially submerged (usually of the trailer). Since its inception, it has become quite popular compared to the "Roller style trailer".
See also
