So I need to buy a trailer for my 89 311. Need some opinions. Would you go with a aluminum I-beam or a custom built steel trailer. I would really like to have a tandem vs a triple axle. I have heard good any bad of a I-beam..weight being a good and bad cause some actually float..Having a steel trailer made, it would be made exactly for the bottom of my boat. The steel trailer is amost $2000 more then the I-beam though.

Are you ever going to put in salt water? If that is a possibility then I'd go with a the aluminum trailer so that you never have to worry about it, I went aluminum, but welded C-channel. The I-beam trailers are bolt together and kind of a one size fits all build, which means you'll have to keep your eye on everything.

Something else to consider is 16" wheels with E or even F rated tires with torsion axles (if going with steel, aluminum come with them most of the time). But bear in mind, taller wheels need a longer tongue length as to not have half of the truck in the water to launch and retrieve.

Good luck, I wouldn't go cheap when it comes to the trailer especially if you pull it everywhere like we did.

Talk to Manning in Michigan, and have him build you a welded aluminum trailer. You could also look into Evolution trailers as well which has been making a name for themselves in the welded aluminum trailer space lately. I do believe Phoenix makes welded aluminum trailers too, but no experience.

Going with a steel trailer cuts your retail market to roughly 1/3rd of the country's boaters, if not less; and maybe portions of Canada.
For the most part, no one near the salt water or with the intentions of ever traveling to salt water will be eager to buy your boat with a steel trailer under it.

I just had an I beam aluminum trailer built for my 37 AT.

It was a favorable option given my Fla location. I opted for larger 16" custom aluminum wheels and heavier rated tires. I got elec/hydr brakes on all three axles and diamond plate fenders and a toolbox. They even added green LED on every cross member. It looks and hauls great. I took it to Lanier less than 24hrs after I picked it up.

Price was good when compared to welded top-end trailer prices. Everyone that had seen it has commented on the good job they did building it.

Bad 2 the Bone trailers, which is the old All American trailer company here in S Fla.

I like the way your trailer turned out. The Green LED's are a nice touch

That trailer and light set up is sharp!

Why does everyone recommend manning and myco for every application? No offense to the OP but his boat is prob equivalent to the cost of a welded trailer. Just doesn't make any practical sense to buy one. IMO if you are set on salt use buy a nice bolted I beam trailer. There are several FL companies that make nice ones for 4-6k new (I.e. All american, real xtreme, etc). Good luck in your search.

I agree, there is a lot of nonsense when it comes to trailers. Mine is a steel "C" channel trailer that is 25 years old. Getting ready to replace the fenders which rusted on top due to diamond plate steps being riveted on them. I will have the whole trailer blasted and painted soon. It doesn't take long to hose them off.

My galvanized jet ski trailer sees the water 50 or more times a year and is 11 years old.

I like the bolt together aluminum trailers like cashbar bought as they can easily be repaired or reconfigured for a different boat. However I have spent plenty of time following aluminum boat trailers down the road and some are definitely lacking in rigidity compared to steel trailers.

Mannings and Myco's are no doubt superior trailers but any trailer is only as good as it's axles and bearings.


I boat in mostly salt water btw