Home › Forum › Ask A Member › Trailering boat with motor or not? › Re: Trailering boat with motor or not?
I’ve trailered my 14 ft. Alumacraft FDR to Tomahawk for the past 3 years. The first year I went, the boat was on an old Rolco bunk trailer. That trailer has leaf springs on it. It seems like every little rifle in the road was beating on the boat, enough to make me worry about the boat being damaged. Now, I forgot to mention that the boat has a 1960 Gale 35 on the back. Despite the rough ride, it didn’t seem to affect the boat at all. I had the boat strapped down tight at the transom and bow eye, and didn’t have a transom save on the big Gale. After I got home, that trailer had worn one, brand new tire bald, after a 1,500 mile trip. I had had enough of that, so I purchased a new Haul Rite trailer for the Alumacraft, mainly because of the long distance to Tamahawk. Now this trailer has leaf springs, but only 2 leafs on each side…. wow, what a difference in ride! The Haul Rite trailer really babies the boat, and tows very nicely. I guess the old rolco trailer has way to many leafs on the spring assembly, not to mention a bent spindle.
Now I guess to answer your question, my boat has a new oak transom, and I have never used a transom saver. I’m sure using one would be a good idea, but I’ve never had a problem. One other thing to remember about trailers…. if your trailer has coil springs, they will give you the best ride quality, vs. leaf springs.