Selecting the right fishing boat trailer is about more than the size but its weight as well. How much can you expect a fishing trailer to weigh on average?
The average weight of a fishing trailer is anywhere from 200 to 1,100 pounds, with 600 pounds as a standard weight. You have to consider not only the weight of the trailer when towing but also the weight of your boat.
In today’s article, we’ll talk more about how much fishing boat trailers weigh on average, with many real examples showing you the weight range. We’ll also delve into the factors influencing trailer weight and provide some towing tips, so check it out!
How Much Does the Average Fishing Boat Trailer Weigh?
Boat trailers themselves are usually not excessively heavy.
The trailer will typically have a simplistic design and a moderately lightweight frame. That’s why the average weight of most trailers you’ll see on the market is about 600 pounds.
Some boat trailers weigh even less than that, such as 200 pounds.
The heaviest boat trailers are also the largest. These trailers might weigh upwards of 1,100 pounds. That’s the weight of the trailer alone.
Of course, when towing a boat trailer, you can’t solely consider how much the trailer weighs. You must also add the weight of your boat.
That’s something we’ll talk about a little later in this guide, so make sure you check that out!
10 Examples of Real Fishing Boat Trailer Weights
It usually helps to see some real examples when talking about these sorts of things.
Without further ado then, here are 10 real fishing boat trailers and their accompanying weights.
- Haul-Master Super Duty Folding Trailer – 276 pounds (weight capacity of 1,720 pounds)
- C E Smith Multi-Sport Plus Trailer – 200 pounds (weight capacity of 800 pounds)
- Franklin Trailers 2022 Load Rite Single-Axle Boat Trailer – 680 pounds (weight capacity of 4,280 pounds)
- Magic Tilt Pontoon Series Triple-Axle Boat Trailer – 1,630 pounds (weight capacity of 8,630 pounds)
- Karavan Tandem-Axle Aluminum Bunk Trailer – 1,320 pounds (weight capacity of 8,600 pounds)
- Venture Aluminum Boat Trailer – 900 pounds (weight capacity of 6,425 pounds)
- Karavan Tandem-Axle Roller Trailer – 980 pounds (weight capacity of 4,800 pounds)
- Karavan Single-Axle Roller Trailer – 630 pounds (weight capacity of 3,100 pounds)
- Load Rite Tandem-Axle Catamaran Trailer – 1,000 pounds (weight capacity of 6,000 pounds)
- McClain Single-Axle Aluminum Jon Boat Trailer – 150 pounds (weight capacity of 400 pounds)
Here’s a handy chart that will make it easier for you to gauge how much a trailer will weigh by its size.
| Trailer Length | Trailer Weight (and Weight Capacity) |
| 12 to 14 feet | 150 pounds (400-pound weight capacity) |
| 15 feet | 410 pounds (1,500-pound weight capacity) |
| 18 feet | 420 to 630 pounds (1,800 to 4,800-pound weight capacity) |
| 20 feet | 980 pounds (4,800-pound weight capacity) |
| 22 feet | 1,000 pounds (6,000-pound weight capacity) |
| 24 to 25 feet | 1,200 pounds (6,425-pound weight capacity) |
| 25 feet | 1,320 pounds (7,000-pound weight capacity) |
| 26 to 28 feet | 1,630 pounds (8,600-pound weight capacity) |
The Factors That Influence a Fishing Boat Trailer Weight
As the section above proved, fishing boat trailer weights really run the gamut. Why do some trailers weigh so little while others are heavier-duty?
Here are the factors that influence the weight of your average fishing boat trailer.
Size
It only makes sense that the bigger the fishing boat trailer is, the more it will weigh. We even touched on this point earlier in this article.
If you have a very small boat, such as a Jon boat, then towing it is a very lightweight venture.
However, for larger boats like catamarans, now you’re looking at a substantially bigger trailer by comparison.
Length
The length of your boat is also important in determining which fishing boat trailer size you need.
As the chart above shows, most boat trailers are available not for merely one boat length but several lengths in a range.
If your boat is about 12 feet long, then you need a trailer that’s at least that long and up to 14 feet long. Those trailers are only 410 pounds.
A trailer that’s between 24 and 25 pounds weighs significantly more at about 1,200 pounds, and one that’s 26 to 28 feet long weighs over 1,600 pounds!
Keep in mind that even though a boat trailer is shorter or longer, its towing capacity is not necessarily lower or higher. For instance, a 410-pound trailer can tow up to 1,500 pounds, which is quite impressive.
Material
The material that comprises your fishing boat trailer is also a determining factor in how much it will weigh.
Most boat trailer manufacturers prefer to use aluminum, which is considerably lightweight.
Moreso, aluminum is corrosion-resistant, which is important considering the trailer will undoubtedly get wet as you use it.
Not all aluminum boat trailers are exclusively aluminum. They may also have steel components.
This will make the trailer heavier than one that’s made purely of aluminum, but not that much heavier.
Speaking of stainless steel, that’s the other material you’ll see some boat trailers made of.
This is the more uncommon trailer material of the two and is usually reserved for larger, heavier-duty trailers with a huge towing capacity.
Stainless steel is heavier than aluminum, meaning that a trailer made of stainless steel will weigh a lot.
Type of Boat for Towing
Finally, the type of boat you’re towing also dictates how much your boat trailer will weigh.
The less length and width a boat has, the smaller the trailer; the opposite is true of larger trailers.
If your boat has a specialty shape, then you’ll need a specialty trailer to match. Those kinds of trailers might weigh more as well.
What Kind of Towing Vehicle Can Pull a Loaded Boat Trailer?
Going back to our previous point, you cannot go off the weight of the boat trailer alone when choosing a towing vehicle. You also have to add in the boat’s weight.
You shouldn’t have to locate any industrial weight scale near you to gauge how much your boat weighs.
The specs should be in your boat’s owner manual. If not there, then check the boat manufacturer’s website. You should be able to find what you need.
How much does a boat weigh? Here are some dry weights to help you get a better understanding.
- Sailboat – 8,800 pounds
- Cabin cruiser – 8,700 pounds
- Speedboat – 8,000 pounds
- Ski boat – 3,500 pounds
- Pontoon boat – 3,100 pounds
- Small fishing boat – 1,700 pounds
- Personal watercraft (like a jet ski) – 850 pounds
Keep in mind that the above boat weights are dry weights only, which is only what the boat weighs when it’s devoid of fuel and other fluids.
Adding fuel and oil is anywhere from 250 to 450 additional pounds.
You’ll also likely have accessories on your boat when towing, from heaters to ballast tanks and everything in between.
While it varies based on the accessories you’re carrying; you have to add 50 to 450 extra pounds to your ongoing weight tally.
Then there’s your safety vests and other gear, which can weigh 100 to 500 pounds.
The boat tower is between 70 and 300 pounds, and the speakers (with an amp and stereo setup) can weigh 50 to 250 pounds.
Once you add all that and then tally up the weight of the trailer, only then do you know how much the entire rig weighs.
If the total weight is 850 pounds or under, you can tow your fishing boat plus trailer with any pickup truck and SUV, although you don’t need that much towing power.
You’d be better off with a van or car that can tow at least 1,000 pounds, so you have some extra leeway.
If your setup weighs 1,700 pounds or under, then you should tow with a crossover or SUV.
Once you get into 3,000-pound territory, only SUVs and pickup trucks will do. A pickup truck can easily tow any boat setup, even if yours weighs 8,800 pounds!
Tips for Towing a Loaded Boat Trailer
Even if you have some towing experience, towing a loaded boat trailer is a different animal. That’s why we thought we’d wrap up with these handy towing tips.
Below is a quick guide for towing a loaded boat trailer, then, we’ll dig a bit deeper into each one.
Stop and Make Checks
Once you’ve logged 50 miles of towing your trailer and boat, you should hop out of your car, truck, or SUV and inspect your rig when you get stopping opportunities from there.
Check the boat engine’s lower unit to ensure the transom savers haven’t moved. The engine should also stay tilted when traveling.
Look for any load shifting indications on the boat’s interior, test the transom strap tightness, and inspect the trailer tires for wear and tear.
Keep your eyes peeled for grease leaks or signs of overheating from the wheel bearing covers of the trailer.
Confirm that the trailer wheel lug nuts are still tight, that the trailer lights are working, and that the hitch is firmly attached with crossed safety chains and a secure tow bar.
Drive Slower Than Usual
Towing anything behind you means you cannot drive as you would when you’re not towing. Your entire rig is longer and harder to maneuver.
There’s no need to be a speed demon. You want a distance between you and the car in front of you of at least four seconds.
That gives you enough time to stop without crashing into another motorist, as yes, you will stop slower too.
Set Your Mirrors
A fishing boat and trailer can impede your vision as the driver just as much as a camper or trailer. Before you take off, you should adjust your mirrors to minimize blind spots.
If you find that no matter how you adjust your mirrors that you just can’t see behind you or to the sides of you properly, you can always buy clip-on extended mirrors to maximize your range of vision.
Watch the Wind
The wind is one of your biggest enemies when towing a boat trailer.
When we talk about wind, we mean wind that is not only from nature but the gusty forces of other motorists passing by on either side of you at blistering speeds.
To prevent those kinds of occurrences, stick to the right lane when driving on busy roadways such as highways.
On very windy days, you probably wouldn’t have much fun boating anyway, so don’t try trailering a boat.
Balance Your Weight Properly
Weight distribution is critical when loading your boat trailer.
Ensure that you don’t have gear and cargo stuffed to one side of the boat and not the other. Keep everything even so your trailer is less likely to move independently of the towing vehicle.
Be sure to secure your gear as well so that when you begin driving your towing vehicle, everything in the boat doesn’t shift to one side.
Stop Passing
It’s one thing if the vehicle in front of you is 15 miles per hour under the speed limit. In other circumstances in which you would have passed in a regular car or truck, you can’t always safely do so when trailering your boat.
Your rig is longer and heavier, so passing takes longer, and you need a lot more room to pull it off successfully. It’s not worth it in most cases.
Turn Slow and Wide
The way you turn when driving your rig is going to change drastically. The wheels of the boat trailer will be nearer to the inside of your turn compared to your towing vehicle’s wheels.
This can cause you to hit a lot of curbs or even ride on curbs if you’re not careful.
You have to take your turns nice and wide. Only begin turning your steering wheel after you drive past the inside curb.
Stop Early
As we mentioned before, you cannot stop on a dime when trailering a boat. You need to plan your stops long before you usually would so you can give yourself enough time to make a stop.
Final Thoughts
A fishing boat trailer weighs as little as 200 pounds to more than 1,000 pounds. You also have to tally up how much your boat weighs, including its fuel, cargo, and accessories.
Although trailering a boat does take some getting used to, it’s a great way to enjoy more places on this planet in your boat, so it’s worth it!