Jet Ski Trailer Expenses: What to Consider as a Beginner

Unless you live on the water, you’ll need a way to get your PWC to water. It seems so simple, you get a trailer and haul it yourself.

Then you do some shopping and realize there are many models, tons of terminology, and it’s all around confusing.

Where do you start? You start here, I’ve gathered all the information you need to get you going in the right direction, and some helpful tips about trailer ownership.

Let’s Talk About Terminology

Before we go too deep, here is the terminology.

• Single Trailer – Carries “one”.
• Double or Dual Trailer – Carries “two”.
• 4-Place Trailer – Carries “four”.

You’ll see these terms thrown around in this article and at the dealerships.

New Trailer Prices

A new PWC trailer can go anywhere from $800 to over $10,000 depending on the model and size you need.

• Single – $800 to $2,000
• Double – $3,000 to $5,000
• 4-Place – $7,000 to $10,000

Don’t forget you’ll have to pay for tag and tax too, depending on your state.

Keep in mind, prices go up every year. Things don’t change much in the way of innovations for PWC trailers, so it’s best to get one now instead of later.

The Types Of Trailers You Can Pick

Trailers come in many types, aluminum, steel, and galvanized.

The cheaper options are painted steel and above that is the galvanized, and aluminum being the most expensive.

The more you pay for a new trailer, usually, the better it is.

The best ones are anything aluminum, as it doesn’t rust and it’s the lightest.

If you’re only going to the local lake and need a basic trailer, then a painted steel model will be fine. If you ever plan to go to the ocean, you’ll need at least a galvanized, but aluminum is preferred.

How To Get The Best Deal?

There is no best time to buy a trailer from a dealership. The margins so small and manufacturers not helping out much – they get sold when they get sold. (Seriously, even used PWC trailers have a premium to them, so the new ones will sell)

But there is a “somewhat good time to buy”, and that is around the winter and before the new season starts.

This is a good time because that is when they get new inventory. It may be a small thing, but if you can get a current-year trailer, go for that one because the money you could possibly save on a prior year one won’t be worth it if you ask me.

Can You Get The Trailer Thrown In?

No, and if a dealership says they’re throwing the trailer in, they’re lying and “making it up somewhere else”!

Trailers costing over $1k and profits on most models being less than $1k, this is just not possible.

Used Trailer Prices

Ranges

• Used Single Aluminum – About $1,000
• Used Single Non-Aluminum – About $500
• Used Double Aluminum – $1,500 to $2,500
• Used Double Non-Aluminum – $1,000 to $2,000

What you should pay for a used trailer depends on the condition.

Do You see Any Dry Rot On The Tires?

You’ll want to check the tires for wear and dry rot!

How much are new tires? New tires for PWC trailers often cost more than car tires, depending on the lug and what type of trailer.

And yes, tires are often sold including the rim, which is why they seem so expensive.

Check For Rust On The Frame

You’ll also want to check the frame for any rust or broken bolts.

Saltwater is very deadly to trailers, even the aluminum ones that use cheap bolts.

Inspect Axle For damage or being bent

The axle needs to be inspected for any damage. Make sure it’s not bending or bowing.

A bent axle comes from putting oversized watercraft on them or hitting a few too many potholes.