There are a lot of things that go into owning a boat, and one of those things is having a way of transporting the boat from place to place and getting it into the water. Hydraulic boat trailers are used for this, and they are an excellent and necessary investment for your boat. There are several different kinds of boat trailers out there, each one being right for different boats and situations. For some situations, the right trailer is a hydraulic boat trailer, and there are a few different sizes and types of these available.
What is Hydraulic on a Hydraulic Trailer?
There are three basic hydraulic functions on most hydraulic boat trailers. The first is braking. Hydraulic braking enhances braking power and allows you to stop with confidence, even when hauling a heavy boat and trailer. Another function is suspension. Hydraulic suspension not only protects a boat from damage from bumpy roads, but it also helps you to adjust how high you want the boat to ride and how high you want the trailer when loading the boat in the water.
Perhaps the feature that defines a hydraulic trailer is the hydraulic control arm. A trailer might have two, four, six or more control arms to help to position the boat on the trailer or move it safely off the trailer when launching. Obviously, the bigger the boat, the more useful this feature is.
When Do You Need a Hydraulic Boat Trailer?
The quick answer to when you need a hydraulic boat trailer is simple—you need a hydraulic trailer when you have a big boat. All of the hydraulic features are designed to protect a larger boat during transit and get it easily in and out of the water. Since these trailers are more expensive than a standard trailer, it’s not really cost effective to use them for smaller boats. These trailers are often used for power boats and sailboats.
What Sizes of Boat Can a Hydraulic Trailer Handle?
Smaller hydraulic trailers are designed to handle boats of up to 45 feet long with weights up to 32,000 pounds. Larger trailers might accommodate boats up to 60 feet long with weights approaching 60,000 pounds.
To find out more about hydraulic boat trailers, visit hostarmarine.com. HOSTAR Marine Transport Systems has everything you need to get your boat to the water, into the water and out of the water.
