Tilt Trailers?

TexasJim · Jan 23, 2025

I haven't seen a recently-built tilt trailer in years. Are they still made? The trailer I (re)built for my 14' skiff has a straight axle with leaf springs, and big 14" tires, so it has to be down the ramp till the top of the tires are just about submerged. I don't have any trouble launching and retrieving, but, as I'm always in saltwater, all the steel components, even the long ago hot-dipped galvanized frame gets submerged. And, as we know, "Rust never sleeps!" I see rigs that "dry launch". They all seem to have torsion axles and deep-vee cross members. I'm wondering why I couldn't mod my trailer to have a tilt section at the rear, that might let me submerge less of my trailer. You guys got any brilliant ideas? TexasJim, cold in South Texas

airshot · Friday at 12:12 PM

Modify or replace your trailer to suit your needs...always. Boating should not be a chore ! Can honestly say I have never saw a need for a tilt bed boat trailer, those I have watched, have had more issues than I could count. For a small lightweight tinnie, I could see possibilities for shallow retrieves. But a heavier boat....I can only see more issues, but...I am not using your launch, so it is hard for me to say for sure. I have always encouraged boaters to solve your issues that make boating a chore.

FuzzyGrub · Friday at 1:18 PM

My DMI 1648 came with a trailer with tilt, that I have never tried to use. It might even be welded/defeated. Can't remember. It is an old trailer and uses round steel tubes vs rectangular.

My pick-up on a stick, trailer, a 5' x 8' bed has tilt. I have used that a few times. Once you pull the pin it can be hard to control. With a boat, if it wasn't near balanced, that could be a problem. ie most boats are stearn heavy with motor and fuel.

Post some pictures of your set-up. There might be other ways to configure to help your situation. Might also try those "slick" pads if it is a bunk style trailer.

lckstckn2smknbrls · Saturday at 10:32 AM

You could go down in tire size and or lengthen the tongue.

GTS225 · Saturday at 10:00 PM

OK....here's a couple pertinent questions.
Are your springs on top of, or under the axle?
Where do the spring perches and/or shackles mount?
By looking at those two areas, might you be able to lower the load carrying frame a bit, even leaving 14" tires under it?

Roger

Billy H · Sunday at 7:01 AM

Not seeing your launch so can’t say for certain. But I’m thinking if you only back into the water far enough that the rims on the trailer don’t get wet that’s awful shallow. Add to that a steeper angle with the front of the boat raised up I’d think there would be issues with the hull contacting the ramp. Did you look into painting the steel components with a high quality paint. I think a good rinsing after a day on the water would help a good bit.

Lagniappe · Sunday at 11:45 AM

Continental Trailers out of Tampa sells the C717 tilt trailer. I drove over from New Orleans to get mine. Fits a 16-17’ boat. I carry my Grizzly 1648 tiller steer Jon boat with it. Have used the tilt a couple times on shallow ramps. I winched it down and back up to keep from banging the boat in the shallow water. Only used tilt on recovery to get the bow on the bunks. Worked okay with my light boat. Did drag the stern a bit but using the hand winch it wasn’t moving fast enough to damage the hull.

I like the trailer, but recommend going over all the nuts upon receipt as I found some loose. Also had to move the front post almost a foot forward from the installed position to get the tongue weight right for towing. And the winch was installed askew and dragged one side of the strap until I fixed it. So basically, decent rig but back check the manufacturer. Really the only thing on the market that I could find.

Tilt Trailers?

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