Buying a used boat trailer: what to check so boat and trailer match

A trailer often comes with the boat, or is bought used later on, and the one thing that matters most is that boat and trailer match. Anyone buying a used boat trailer should start with weight. The maximum gross weight on the trailer's plate has to carry the trailer's own weight plus the boat, engine, a full tank and all the gear, and the real weight on board is almost always more than the brochure says. The support matters just as much: keel rollers and bunks must carry the hull where it was designed to be carried, or they will dent it on a long tow.

Then the condition. Trailers with a maximum gross weight above 750 kilograms need their own brakes, usually overrun brakes, so look at the cables and the damper in the coupling. Wheel bearings that are dunked every weekend wear faster, and a wheel that feels rough or has play is a warning sign. Tyres age even when the trailer stands still, and the date of manufacture is on the sidewall. On the frame, rust at welds and inside box sections tells you more than shiny paint. The lighting board and wiring should be complete and watertight.

Ask for proof of ownership, such as the original receipt, and compare the chassis number on the frame with the paperwork. If anything looks wrong, the police can check whether the trailer has been reported stolen before you hand over any money. Check what your car may tow and at what speed under the rules where you live. Tell your insurer about the trailer and its value before the first tow, so you know whether and how it is covered.

Worth remembering

A used trailer is only a bargain if it fits the boat.