escort trailer or tide water

[greenhorn whaler]

should i buy the used escort for 980 or new tide water for 1900 for 16 ft. dauntless

 

[reelfishin]

Re: escort trailer or tide water

should i buy the used escort for 980 or new tide water for 1900 for 16 ft. dauntless

Any used trailer you buy will pretty much depend on what fits your boat best and the condition it's in.
Escort trailer is out of business but most trailers use pretty generic parts. I've got two older Escort trailers that have faired very well over the years with no rust at all. They were a bit overbuilt in general.
I've not owned any trailers by Tidewater but they look about like any other trailer from what I see online.

Things to keep in mind are weight ratings, launch height of the boat, (often just a matter of tire size or how the axle is mounted), and ease of loading or how well it fits your particular boat.

For me, I've got full access to all sorts of fabrication equipment and parts so I pretty much just set any trailer up to work with whatever boat at hand if needed. Just about any used trailer will need it's bearings checked and a good going over to check for any rust.

 

[greenhorn whaler]

Re: escort trailer or tide water

reelfishin i also have a load rite trailer that hold 2700 lbs. very clean but it has those big yellow rollers and I've been advised not to use them on my dauntless how would i go about changing them to bunks.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: escort trailer or tide water

I'm not sure why you wouldn't want the rollers under that boat but if you wish to convert the trailer, it's simply a matter of either completely removing the roller assemblies and installing bunk brackets, or, you could remove just the rollers and replace each pack of rollers with a length of carpeted bunk board.
I did one by simply drilling holes in the vertically mounted bunk boards and installed them in place of the rollers, each length spanning two roller shafts.
The only drawback to this is that you end up with a trailer that sits as high as a roller trailer without the convenience of the rollers.

If a trailer has enough rollers, there will be so little weight on each roller that you can spin each roller by hand. The only boats that I've seen that I would not want to risk rollers on are those made from plastic rather than fiberglass.

 

[greenhorn whaler]

Re: escort trailer or tide water

i appreciate that advice . the dealer said i would void the warranty if i used rollers , but another boat shop told me the same thing you did. he also said you wouldn't get the hull warranty unless you are the original owner, and that it's only the older whalers you have to be careful with. I'm making a big investment in the 16 dauntless and i want to do the right thing. i noticed dealers just want to sell. that is why i am thankful for forums like these where a greenhorn can get good advice.I'd really like some info on witch one is right about the warranty .i feel like I've gone back to school with all this reading and trying to absorb all this useful information [boating 101 for beginners] and I'm thankful for every ones help.

 

[greenhorn whaler]

Re: escort trailer or tide water

the trailer i have and i would like to use. 2006 Load Rite Roller Single Axle 17220090R
GENERAL INFORMATION

Manufacturer Load Rite
Model Year 2006
Model Roller Single Axle 17220090R
MSRP Request a Quote
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length 18 ft. 6 in.
Overall Width 90 in.
Interior Width 73.5 in. (between fenders)
Weight 500 lbs.
Carrying Capacity 2,200 lbs.
OPERATIONAL
Axle(s) Single
Wheels Tire Size: ST175/75D13C
if any one has a good reason why i shouldn't use this trailer may be i can put it for sale and buy the right one.