www.iFourWinns.com

I own a 1996 Sundowner 205 (20.5 feet length, 8ft beam) -- the trailer, sadly, was exposed to salt water some years ago and is on its last legs. I have welded extra struts and beams and who knows what over the years, but it is about to come crashing down I fear.

Anyone have a suggestion for a replacement trailer for this classic (and in excellent shape) boat?

Thanks!

Mark

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Four Winns 1996 Sundowner 205
5.0fi/SX engine (Volvo Penta)

Whatever you get stay away from painted trailers even in freshwater they rust from the inside out. I have a 1994 Load Rite galvanized single axle used 100% in salt water and the frame is still fine. If you do a lot of highway towing a tandem may be best for you, I prefer a single axle for my use because they are easier to maneuver in tight parking spots such as I have. For a boat that size and weight you can use a single but it has to be an HD trailer with a 5200 lb axle, 6 lug hubs, 15” wheels, 12” brakes and 225/75-15 “E” rated tires. While some trailer dealers might try to sell you a single axle with a 3500 lb capacity axle, it will be overloaded almost certainly. FW did sell single axle trailers for boats up to this size range, but they were heavier duty ones with 6 lug hubs, 5200 axles, 12” brakes, 15” rims and tires.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

If you aren't doing a ton of traveling I would suggest a Venture aluminum trailer. I bought one for my 258 and it held up well over 5 years. I only put about 200 miles a year on it but no signs of wear. They are definitely not top of the line but they are excellent price point. I was lucky to have a large dealer near by who gave me a better price than steel.
BTW, most aluminum trailers have a good amount of galvanized steel on them for cross members and axles. It's really only the main frame that's aluminum.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Go for an aluminium. I've had both and even in freshwater, aluminum is much easier to maintain.

Venture, as said above, makes a decent trailer and they have dealers all over. I had a custom Loadmaster (Tampa, FL) made for my H240.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225