Information and Questions About Our Boat Trailers

What To Know Before You Tow

Things To Know Before You Pick Up and Tow Your New Trailer

Ball Size:

  • All trailers with a carrying capacity of 7,000 lbs or less generally use a 2-inch ball.
  • All trailers with a carrying capacity over 7,000 lbs generally use a 2 and 5/16th ball.

Ball Height:

  • 12 and 13 in tires require 18 to 19 inches from the top of the ball to ground
  • 14 in tires require 20-21 inches from the top of the ball to the ground
  • 15 in tires require 22-23 inches from the top of the ball to the ground
  • 16 in tires require 24 inches
  • Improper height can result in uneven weight shift placing for example on a tandem axle trailer, more weight on 1 axle than the other. Trailers like to run level as much as possible.

(Some cases may require you reversing your receiver and placing the ball on top to achieve height.)

Light Connections:

  • Surge drum brakes require just a standard flat 4 prong vehicle light connection.
  • Surge disc brakes require a 5 flat vehicle light connection or an adapter for the most common 7 pins vehicle receptacle found on today’s vehicle tow packages. Disc brakes unlike drums will lock up, just as quickly in reverse as in forward. Therefore, there is a solenoid activated by your reverse lights that shut off fluid while backing. Without proper connection, brakes will lock up. If a 7 pin receptacle is not available on your vehicle you will need to wire a 5 flat plug connecting the blue wire to your backup lights.
  • Electric over hydraulic braked trailers will require a 7 pin receptacle as they are wired with a 7 pin plug.
  • Standard electric drum brakes will also use a 7 pin plug. Not used often for marine use.
Brake Laws By State

Order/Purchase/Payments Accepted

If you are coming in to purchase at one of our locations, we accept a bank cashier's check or cash. All trailers are priced if paying cash at the best savings for you and your budget.

Credit Cards Can Only Be Used for Deposits Only

*Visa & MasterCard Only

Personal Checks Are No Longer Accepted. No Exceptions.

If purchasing by phone on a trailer we have in stock, a 300.00 deposit is required to hold it for you.
This can be done by card. If coming in to pick up your order above terms would apply to the same.

Bank wire transfers of funds are welcomed.

Ordering a stocked trailer not currently in stock requires a 500.00 deposit.

Some very large trailers designed to fit a certain application may require a larger deposit, also nonrefundable. This amount is at the discretion of Pirate Marine LLC.

Card fees are not charged on deposits.

Cancellations:

All Deposits Are Nonrefundable

Ordering a trailer being delivered by an independent driver requires payment in full prior to the trailer leaving our facility by any of the above choices. No exceptions. The delivery fee would be paid directly to that driver.

We do not offer any financing or payment plans. We will, however, help provide all needed documents for a financial institution of your choice.

All bank cashier's checks should be made payable to Pirate Marine LLC.

Thank You.

Choosing the Right Style for My Boat

How do I choose the right style that will meet my needs?

Roller Equipped Trailers

Rollers offer the ease of quick roll-off launching and drive-on loading. Because our rollers articulate, they act as their own guide for centering your boat. Rollers are the ideal support system for those launching and loading in poor ramp or tidal conditions. However, not every boat can be towed on a trailer equipped with rollers. Check with your dealer or boat manufacturer to see what is recommended for your boat.

Bunk Equipped Trailers

Many people prefer bunk trailers where launch ramps are good, tides are at a minimum, and currents and wind are not factors. Bunks provide good support for boat storage if adjusted optimally. Bunk trailers tend to require little adjustment once set for a particular boat.

Traditional V-Bunk and Continuous Bunk Trailers

Traditional V-Bunks are used on our smaller trailers (up to 22 feet) and built to be submerged allowing your boat to float during launch and load. Continuous bunk models can handle much heavier loads.

AB Bunk Trailers

AB bunk models perform like V-Bunks but can support much greater weight than wood alone. With the AB system, traditional bunks are mounted atop steel support tubes and can pivot left to right, giving tremendous hull support.

S.A.O Bunk Trailers

S.A.O Bunk Trailers are a Load Rite exclusive. S.A® Bunks combine the smooth articulation of our roller-designed trailers with the float-on characteristics of a conventional bunk trailer. Our self-adjusting bunk trailers give better support, supporting the boat with more surface area. These trailers can be adjusted to fit the boat in very little time.

Do I Really Need Brakes on My Trailer?

Brakes laws vary from state to state, but Load Rite always recommends equipping your trailer with brakes on every wheel where available. All state laws refer to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GWR) to determine brake requirements. The GVWR equals the combined total weight of your boat, personal gear, and, of course, the trailer. Check the local brake laws with your DMV for the latest requirements, or you can find a static listing in our Service Information Center under Tow Vehicle Requirements. Load Rite highly recommends that you order your trailer with brakes on each axle.

What Length Trailer Will I Need

The diagrams display the correlation between the boat hull and trailer dimensions.

The Drain Plug to Bow Eye measurement as shown in the accompanying diagrams is the most critical in sizing a trailer for boat length. Pulpits and Euro transoms are generally not supported by the trailer. Including these in length measurements could result in a trailer that does not fit well.

These trailer schematics are provided to illustrate the dimensions displayed on many of the product charts that follow.

Many trailers have a great amount of adjustment in the support structure. Adjustment to either extreme may require moving the axles to maintain tongue weight in the 5% to 7% ideal range for most trailers.

Schematics are a visual representation of a generic trailer and are not drawn to a particular scale.

"A" Bow Eye to Transom Maximum

"B" Bow Eye to Transom Minimum

"C" Rear to Angle Support

Model Capacity
LR-AB1724509B 2,400 18" 13" 13"
LR-AB203600102TB1 3,600 19'11" 14'6" 16'2"
LR-AB223100102T 3,100 22'1" 16'4" 16"

How Much Capacity Is Required?

To calculate needed trailer capacity, calculate the total weight including the boat, the engine, a full fuel tank (approximately 7 Ibs. per gallon), full water tanks (if applicable), and your personal gear. A good rule of thumb is to use 10% of the boat, motor, and liquid weights for personal gear. Select a trailer with the next highest capacity rating. If you intend to carry additional gear or luggage in the boat over long distances, consider the weight of these items, too.

((boat + engine + ((fuel x 7 lb/gal)+(water x 8 Ib/gal)x (total x .1))
+
Engine
+
Fuel 7lb/gal
+
Water 8lb/gal
X
Personal Gear total x 0.1
=
Capacity Rating