Ordered my dream trailer

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Greetings Everyone:
I just ordered an Owens and Sons custom trailer for my 228. According to Brian and others here their trailers are like butter popcorn, they are like a lady in a red bikini on Exuma, they are like catching a dolphin trolling a weed line. Thanks to my uncle Joe leaving me some cash I ordered the trailer.

This means in 6 weeks or so I will be selling my 2015 Venture Trailer. It has been upgraded with stainless Kodiak brakes. I just put new Goodyear Endurance Load Range D tires on it. It has LED lighting and aluminum rims. I am going to ask $2,500 for it. I paid $4,500 new for it and bought it from Seeles Outboard in Charleston. The Kodiak brakes alone were $1,100 just for the parts with brakes,rotors and hubs. It only sees saltwater once or twice a year. I have long wanted a custom trailer built for my routine long hauls I do. If you are interested let me know .

I hope Owens is what everyone says it is. looking forward to getting it.

 

[DennisG01]

I think you and I dream about different things...

That price you have set for your Venture is very fair. Trailers are VERY hard to get right now and even though Venture is more of an entry level trailer, I can't imagine that you will have any issues getting that price. Craigslist would be a good place to advertise, as well - along with boat trader. Again, since trailers are in demand, it's good to advertise nationally - you'd be surprised how far someone will travel right now for the right thing.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I think you and I dream about different things...

That price you have set for your Venture is very fair. Trailers are VERY hard to get right now and even though Venture is more of an entry level trailer, I can't imagine that you will have any issues getting that price. Craigslist would be a good place to advertise, as well - along with boat trader. Again, since trailers are in demand, it's good to advertise nationally - you'd be surprised how far someone will travel right now for the right thing.

I am thinking of doing THT and Facebook Market place.

I like it some guys dream about wood, but I dream about aluminum. lol. I have an old magic trail that came with the boat . it needs work ,like new brakes and stuff. it has been sitting next to my barn for a few years. I am going to take some pictures and see if I can get $900 for it. That's going to go on Facebook Market place this weekend. the Admiral says I can get the new trailer but I got sell the Magic Trail and Venture but not in that order. lol.

 

[Parthery]

Good for you.

Not too many options the way they build them...LED light boxes, E/H brakes and a spare tire and mount are about all I can think of.

Just leave yourself plenty of time when you go pick it up. They love to talk...and show you around the place. And don't show up between 12-1. They literally lock the gate so everyone can take a lunch hour.

 

[glacierbaze]

PM sent.

 

[Fishtales]

Some guys are crazy for money, cars, women or boats. A man that is crazy about his trailer - priceless! Good luck with it...

 

[Ky Grady]

Nothing wrong with dreaming about a custom trailer for a nice boat. That was swell of Uncle Joe to do that for you. Make your travels to the Keys this year that much better.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Good for you.

Not too many options the way they build them...LED light boxes, E/H brakes and a spare tire and mount are about all I can think of.

Just leave yourself plenty of time when you go pick it up. They love to talk...and show you around the place. And don't show up between 12-1. They literally lock the gate so everyone can take a lunch hour.

Jeff was so nice s couple years ago when I upgraded my current trailer . That guy loves to talk for sure. He helped me big time in putting new high end parts on my trailer. I look forward to getting it.

 

[Blaugrana]

Definitely put on Facebook....I had No bites here but I put on Facebook and overnight had 10+ inquiries. You’ll need to figure out which ones are interested vs trying to get a deal. I learned those that wrote the most and were responsive, had the real interest...

Sold mine to the first guy that looked at it....20yr old trailer for 1500

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Some guys are crazy for money, cars, women or boats. A man that is crazy about his trailer - priceless! Good luck with it...

I have been stranded by blown tires, hung up brakes , bearing seals and the like. I can tell you I have experience all along 95 and 75 over the past 20 years that makes man crazy for a good trailer. in my early years it was I was clueless. buy buddy bearings they say and your troubles are over. Who knew running tires at 30 psi would could cause heating and blow outs? who knew that water gets in on the rear seals and who know how awesome Tie Down and UPF brakes are? changing running gear in a walmart parking lot or an abandoned outlet mall on 95 is what makes family vacations awesome .

So yah ,I can tell you I dream about great trailers because I have been hosed by badly built ones. Once I figured it out and rebuilt my venture with top quality parts only did I finally feel the zin of towing !

See I love the Keys ,love my boat and truly love my boat in the Keys. So what good is having a sexy boat when you can't get it to sexy water? The trailer is the key to life my friend. it's the alpha and omega of trailer boat life.

I have walked the path of trailer enlightenment and harmony. I was shown the true path by Parthery and it's journey I have been on for a few years. The summit is within sight now.

 

[trapper]

Bless you my son!

 

[leeccoll]

Hard to put a price on piece of mine my friend. Great company and product.

Best thing I did recently was get a new trailer last year. A real confidence builder!!

 

[wahoo33417]

From someone who hasn't trailered in many years, what is it about Owen and Sons that makes for a better trailering experience on the road? Is it the quality that provides piece of mind? Or is it actually a better, smoother feel while towing?

I ask because I'm thinking about trailing sometime in the future.

Tx, Rob

 

[DennisG01]

The quality of components and, especially, the quality of build/install are the main factors. There are other trailer manufacturers that produce an excellent trailer, but Owens is definitely a reputable one. A torsion axle suspension can offer a smoother "ride".

 

[blindmullet]

Why Owens? On a trip todl the keys and you have a sticky caliper and have a new one ready for you upon arrival. It's local for me, but their customer service kills it.

Easiest trailer to power load.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Hard to put a price on piece of mine my friend. Great company and product.

Best thing I did recently was get a new trailer last year. A real confidence builder!!

I think the admiral looks at me in a whole new light . It's a confidence builder for sure. lol

Why Owens ? I was turned onto them by Parthery here a few years ago. The custom build that trailer to your boat. I was talking to Jeff told him I had a Grady 228 and he asked what year then rattled off it's the same bottom as the 226 and 225. He said the trailer would be set up for my hull. Their frames are welded not bolted together and this will be my 3rd torsion axle boat trailer not counting my kayak trailer. My camper is also torsion as well as my cargo trailer. Those axles ride super smooth,not bouncy and they don't rust out like leaf spring suspensions. Why ownens because they don't scrimp on parts ,materials and their customer service is solid. They build a custom product and for the money they are competitive. and , well because Parthery said so...

 

[leeccoll]

I think the admiral looks at me in a whole new light . It's a confidence builder for sure. lol

Why Owens ? I was turned onto them by Parthery here a few years ago. The custom build that trailer to your boat. I was talking to Jeff told him I had a Grady 228 and he asked what year then rattled off it's the same bottom as the 226 and 225. He said the trailer would be set up for my hull. Their frames are welded not bolted together and this will be my 3rd torsion axle boat trailer not counting my kayak trailer. My camper is also torsion as well as my cargo trailer. Those axles ride super smooth,not bouncy and they don't rust out like leaf spring suspensions. Why ownens because they don't scrimp on parts ,materials and their customer service is solid. They build a custom product and for the money they are competitive. and , well because Parthery said so...

Very smart, I consider Parthery an expert on boat trailers too!
Keep us in the loop with it

 

[Holokai]

Owens and Sons built a trailer for my 208 and even with their expertise they were still open to the idea of over-sizing the side beams of the frame, adding target/keel bunks for power loading, and relocating the jack to allow for an extending tongue to be added later. Pricing was better than similars brands with equivalent component but the selling point for me was their customer service; it set them apart as they were willing to work with me across the country to get everything dialed in.

Maybe ask them to upsize the tires (to 15s?) if you’re doing a lot of long distance tows?

 

[thirtycent]

You won't be disappointed with Owens. I bought 2 trailers from them (2016 and 2017) and had good experiences with both. One was for a 228 I used to haul from NC to Marathon. Great trailers.

 

[Parthery]

I promise - I am not Jeff and Doug's payroll.....

I found them years ago. The main differences, as others have explained, are they weld everything together, they use quality parts (Rockwell axles, Kodiak or Deemaxx brakes, all SS hardware, etc...)

The biggest difference for me is the level of service. Something goes wrong...you call them....parts go out UPS the same day. You have a question? Call them and they answer the phone. They will happily take you on a tour of the place to see how a trailer is built. And they take care of their people; place closes 12-1 every day for lunch and they lock up tight.

As others have noted, I've owned 3. The only reason I don't have one right now is because they were closed for COVID when I bought the current boat and I couldn't wait.