Horizon or McClain?

[gsb]

Looking for some opinions here. I am thinking about getting a new aluminum trailer and have narrowed it down to Horizon and McClain.

Anybody have any experience or knowledge that will help me make a final decision?

Thanks

[michelle]

i don't know anything about horizon trailers, but when i was hit a while back, my mcclain trailer was busted in half. there were trailer parts scattered all over. i'm not sure how any trailer would have held up, but i was glad my next boat came with a different trailer.
michelle

[michelle]

i found a couple of pics. again, i was hit pretty hard, notice the boat isn't in the pic. it stayed w/ the front part of the trailer and was attatched to my truck.
m

[WestEndAngler]

Did you have the stern strapped down Michelle?

[kenny]

I got an aluminum McClain several years ago. The bunk brackets are galvanized not welded aluminum and have rusted. It is a torsion bar suspension which is better than springs IMO. I figure the tongue and axle have to be steel. They're galvanized and are rusting too.I does have all stainless hardware which is good.
I'm going to take it somewhere and have aluminum bunk brackets welded on.

[michelle]

Did you have the stern strapped down Michelle?

nope. not sure how it would have ended if i had. zero damage to truck, got new boat!

[Torque]

Kenny,
I have the McClain as well and my bunk brackets were corroded as well after 4 years. Hopefully, I caught it soon enough. I worked on them, painted, etc... and then put a spacer between the board and bracket. We'll see. Please post where you take the trailer. I suspect I'll be following you. Thanks

[Steve_A]

Have you considered a Coastline trailor? I have had mine for three years and haven't had any trouble with it.

[WestEndAngler]

I must be the only one pulling around true galvanized mcclain 0 problems with mine I need to replace the bunks from where my boat rides which to me is just maintenance. I know what Kenny is talking about the supports for the bunks do go quicker than anything else. I have springs to replace end of this summer then those risers

[Robalo]

Kenny's right-go torsion bar for suspension-that way you do not have the leaf springs that I keep replacing every 3-4 years. You would think McClains would resolve the bunk brackets!

[Ibtsoom]

My father-in-law just had a brand new Horizon trailer built for his 18' Shoalwater. I havent gone over and looked at it yet but I know he's tickled with it and he said the service was great. I think he said it was somwhere around $2300.00.

[fishingrx]

coastline builds a very nice trailer!

[Reef Drifter]

I got ten years out of my mcclain before any issues last year it got torsion suspension and new axle and on monday i just replaced all those brackets everyone is talking about, figure ten years of heavy saltwater use isnt to bad of deal, i would go back with mcclain if i ever have to buy a new one, good luck

[WestEndAngler]

Kenny's right-go torsion bar for suspension-that way you do not have the leaf springs that I keep replacing every 3-4 years. You would think McClains would resolve the bunk brackets!

My torsion rusted out in 2-3 years I'd rather deal with springs than have to replace an axle every 4 years!