Trailer needed

[KnightOwl]

Hi folks. My bid on a 2017 R-25 SC was accepted. It has the Volvo D3 diesel. First...I need a trailer to haul it. I prefer buying a used one. (I live in the Seattle area). RangerTugs informed me that they sell EZ loaders for around 10K but are about 8 months out for production. I need one now!
Second...I plan on having it surveyed. Assuming that goes well, are they any suggestions you might have before I sign the contract
Third...the Volvo has just under 400 hours on it. What should I check for? Where in Bellingham should I take it to have a certified mechanic check it over?
I will be selling my 2018 Thunderjet Luxor Ltd. The Ranger is a major upgrade for me and any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much

 

[Bruce Moore]

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[Hammertime]

I have an EZ Loader trailer for a Cutwater 26 that I am pretty sure will work for your boat. Some slight bunk adjustments might need to be made from what I have been told. I have someone who is interested in the trailer but has not committed to it yet so it is a bit up in the air. I'll try to find out if the other party is ready to commit.

 

[Bruce Moore]

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[allanrs74@gmail.com]

KnightOwl,
Be cautious when someone tells you a trailer only needs slight bunk modifications.

I purchased a 2016 R-27C used in 2018 in Anacortes, WA. I was the second owner. It was on a dual axle EZ Loader trailer. I looked the boat and trailer over carefully and had a mechanical as well as marine survey done on the boat and trailer. I transported the boat up to Alaska in June 2018 on the water and shipped the trailer up on an Alaska Marine Highway ferry. When the boat and trailer were reunited at the end of the 2018 season, something didn't look right. There were big air gaps between the bunks and bottom of the boat. I contacted EZ Loader trailer with the serial number and they informed me that my trailer was built for a C-26. Port Boat House put a R-27 on a C-26 trailer when the first owner purchased it new. When contacted, Port Boat House refused to consider doing anything to help make this right. They stated that it would be fine, however there was clearly not enough length of support/contact on the C-26 bunk system which did not properly distribute the load. I had to make this right.
EZ Loader were great to work with and helped by sending the assembly drawings for both the C-26 and R-27 trailers. And about $1,000 worth of new bunk supports, bolts, two main bunks 4'X6"X16' for the R-27 instead of the 4"X6"X12' bunks on the C-26 and two days of changing over the bunks and supports in Homer, AK made it right. No thanks to Port Boat House.

 

[KnightOwl]

The trailer previously used for the cutwater c26 was sold to the purchaser of the boat so, I,m still looking. Looks like I may have to moor it for a while till I find a used one or buy a new one.

 

[KnightOwl]

So, after a few days of searching, I was able to locate a new aluminum trailer that fits this ranger. The manufacturer is Venture sold by a local dealer. It's in stock so...no waiting 4 - 8 months for production. I have seen this brand at the Seattle boat show. Does anybody have one?

 

[PanaSeaAh]

Have a Venture that came with my R25. Have about three thousand miles on it since I got it. Do not know what your boat weighs, but strongly suggest you find out or calculate this and check capacity of the trailer to be sure you have capacity plus some margin. Also suggest you check capacity of tires AND WHEELS. Mine had the pretty aluminum spoked wheels which I was told were stock. They were pretty, pretty dangerous that is. If aluminum wheels, the capacity or the max air pressure will be on the back of one of the wheel spokes. Mine were maximum 60 PSI which is for a load range C tire, which is not at all suitable for the capacity of the trailer (8700 lbs. GVWR) I run Goodyear Endurance load range E with steel wheels and metal valve stems. The aluminum rims spit out valve stems twice before I could get them replaced.

This is not unique to Venture. Most of the RV manufacturers should be ashamed of the wheels and tires they use. Above advice goes for any brand trailer, boat or RV. :cry:

The venture uses good axles and hubs, and has an adequate frame if it is the correct capacity. They did have an issue with cracking of the aluminum fenders, don't know if that still holds or not. Good lights and wiring. They do have parts available.

 

[KnightOwl]

Thanks for the info!