If you’re new to personal watercraft, you’ll eventually come across trailers and have many questions. Like, do you need one? What trailer works for my needs? Where do you store your trailer?
It’s a lot to consider, especially after dealing with getting the PWC in the first place.
I’ve created this article to better help others who are new to the sport get a good idea of what trailers they should get and all the nuances that come with them. I share what models I like to use and which ones give you the great value.
So, let’s dive in and read on!
What Is The Trailer Lingo?
Before we go too deep, I need to give some of the lingo and other little details about PWC trailers.
PWC trailers come in many sizes, you have the single, double, and 4-place
- Single: A single is a “one PWC” capacity trailer.
- Double: A double is a “two PWC” capacity trailer.
- 4-Place: A 4-Place is a “4 PWC” capacity trailer.
There are very few 3-place trailers, as most go with a 4-place.
For more information on dimensions and sizes, check out our post here.
You also have the materials the trailers are made from differ. You have aluminum, galvanized and painted steel. I’ll go over the details of each one.
What Options Do You Have For Material?
What metals that are used to make a trailer vary in cost and durability.
The most durable, and the most expensive, trailer material is aluminum. This type of trailer is best suited for saltwater and will hold up to more abuse compared to the other options.
The second most durable is the galvanized. A galvanized trailer will do fine in saltwater, but it’s more heavy and if you damage the galvanized top layer of the trailer it will rust, unlike aluminum.
The last option is a painted steel trailer. A painted steel trailer will be fine for freshwater, but I suggest you don’t take it near saltwater as it will rust. Even though there is a painted layer on the trailer, it’s not perfect and will corrode away after a few years. This type of trailer is perfect for someone who only needs a PWC trailer a few times a year.
Why Aluminum Is The Best Option
I believe the BEST trailer you can buy is a Triton Aluminum Trailer.
In general, an aluminum trailer is the best type of trailer for personal watercraft, but the company that makes the best aluminum trailers is Triton. (Not sponsored, I just like their products!)
Triton Trailer Pros:
- Aluminum frame, no rust, essential for saltwater riders.
- Aluminum is lighter than the steel trailers.
- Triton has recessed lights, less prone to breaking.
- Extra features can be added like built in retractable ratchet straps.
- Single, double and 4-place options.
- They have trailers for Sea-Doo Spark and Yamaha EX Rec-Lite models.
- Options for tandem and torsion axles.
Triton Trailer Cons:
- Usually, aluminum trailers in general are more expensive.
- The bolts of the trailer still wear out, they’re not made of aluminum.
- It can be harder to find compared to other trailers.
Triton trailers did NOT pay me to write this post, they truly are a great trailer.
The Second Option
Aluminum trailers tend to be the best option for watercraft owners, but also comes at a higher price.
The second-best option is a galvanized. In fact, this is the trailer I use for my Spark.
I went with galvanized, mostly for the cost, but it’s still holding up well to corrosion. I also mostly ride in lake water, so saltwater is not a huge concern for me.
With a galvanized trailer, you get the benefits of aluminum, but it is heavier at a cheaper price point. You also don’t get as many features and tech, but it’s a trailer that gets your jet ski where you need it.
Steel Painted Trailers
I don’t want to say that painted steel trailers are the worst option, but they’re definitely not the best.
Avoid steel trailers if you ride in saltwater or the ocean. They will rust and corrode over time, even if painted.
Important Trailer Sizing!
Trailer sizes vary for jet skis. Just because it can carry two doesn’t mean it can fit YOUR two.
There are small double trailers for small Sparks or EX’s, but they won’t fit Sea-Doo GTX or Yamaha FX.
Older trailers were made for smaller models, and newer jet skis are larger, even those made in the last 5 years. Pay attention to width and length.
A too-wide of jet skis won’t fit another of similar size. Length matters, as a longer model can make the trailer unbalanced.
I’m looking at buying a seadoo fish pro trophy and they don’t come with a trailer. I live in utah but am buying it for ocean fishing in two years. I want a double so I can buy my wife her own in two years. I didn’t see any pricing or finance options???
The dealership will have trailers and can add it to the financing depending on the current promotions. I suggest getting an aluminum trailer if you go in the ocean.