Aside from choosing accessories for your new pontoon, you have to be careful in choosing the trailer. How wide are pontoon trailers? You’d likely think about this question, especially if it is your first time owning a pontoon.
Older pontoon models are 8 feet wide with centers of 6 feet. Pontoons made after 2008 are 8.6 feet wide. The space referred to as the center-to-center distance has a measurement of 6 to 6.42 feet. There’s no exact number but you can obtain the perfect fit by measuring from center to center.
It’s easier to do it with a power tool rather than moving the carpeted bunks. Nevertheless, it’s best that you read this article further.
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Factors to Consider When Deciding Trailer for Your Pontoon
There are several factors to consider when deciding what trailer to get for your pontoon. But here are the basic factors.
- Size of pontoon
The dimensions of the pontoon boat on the trailer should be right. In other words, the trailer must be in a size sufficient enough for the pontoon. This rule doesn’t need to be complex. For example, the length of a 20-foot pontoon boat trailer should be 20 feet as well.
What is shown is a common practice but doing something unconventional won’t hurt like getting a tad bigger trailer for your pontoon. It will be fine to get a 24-foot-long trailer for a 20-foot-long pontoon boat.
The extra length will keep your pontoon in the safe zone when you need to make some turns on the road. This setup prevents your boat and trailer from hitting the rear of your car or towing vehicle.
- 18-ft pontoon – trailer with a length of 18 to 21 ft
- 21-ft pontoon – trailer with a length of 21 to 24 ft
- 24-ft pontoon – trailer with a length of 21 to 27 ft
As you can see, bigger pontoon trailer dimensions are recommended so the vessel’s front part won’t be apart from the vehicle’s rear.
- Weight of pontoon with the interference of axle count
The weight of your pontoon is another factor to help you with your decision. When it comes to this matter, the number of axles should be enough for the pontoon’s weight. Here’s a guide with calculations.
| Trailer | Single axle | Dual axle | Triple axle |
| Weight capacity | Up to 2,250 lbs | 2,250 lbs to 4,800 lbs | 4,800 to 6,000 lbs |
| Pontoon size | 14 – 20 ft | 20 – 28 ft | 28 – 34 ft |
Warlock pontoon trailer has the highest weight capacity of 6,000 lbs. Therefore, it’s suitable for large pontoons. Check this article to find out how to keep the weight evenly distributed on a trailered boat!
Types of Pontoons Based on Their Width
When trying to identify the pontoon boat dimensions on a trailer, length and width are the components. The average width of a pontoon, regardless of the model, is exactly 8 feet or with an excess of 6 inches for new pontoons.
To make it easy for you to figure out the trailer with the right width for your pontoon, you have to know the different pontoon types based on their width.
This is similar to the common practice of checking the right length of a trailer. The width of the pontoon and trailer is the same but it’s not bad to make it a bit wider.
- Small pontoons
Generally, a small pontoon is 8 feet wide and 20 feet long. But you can find more compact ones with a width of 7 feet and a length of 12 feet. They are called mini or compact and can accommodate only 2 to 6 passengers. You can use them for fishing and passing through narrow waterways.
- Medium-size pontoons
This is the common pontoon with a length of 20 to 24 feet. The width is from 8 feet to 10 feet, but it varies depending on the manufacturer’s recommended ratio. These pontoons are usually for family use as they can receive up to 10 people.
- Large pontoons
A large pontoon has a maximum width of 12 feet and the length can be 24 feet or more. These dimensions mean it can have more than 20 people. This sounds amazing but it may not apply to some who only need the regular pontoon size.
The Height of the Pontoon
When buying a pontoon trailer kit and wanting to know the trailer’s dimensions, it’s not only about length and width. How tall is a pontoon boat on a trailer?
You have to be mindful of the pontoon’s height after mounting it on a trailer as well. A pontoon is usually 2 to 2.5 ft taller than the bridge clearance indicated by the manufacturer.
This refers to the regular-sized pontoon but it’s a different case with longer ones. 22 to 25 feet pontoons can be 10 feet taller than the trailer. However, some models can be shorter.
Be aware that height can be a problem with new pontoons, specifically those with a diameter of 2.25 feet. When the trailer can’t raise itself high enough, its bottom can be scraped on sloped driveways or ramps. The majority of the center lift pontoon trailers can rise from around 3 to 3.5 feet.
In this part, you may worry about mounting your pontoon on the trailer when it’s windy. Contrary to what you think, you can take advantage of it. Let your pontoon go upwind and set it parallel to the trailer. The wind will push the boat to be in line with the trailer.
Types of Trailer For Your Pontoon
- Scissor or up-down trailer
This trailer gets into the middle of the pontoon’s tubes. Since its fitness is not too neat underneath, it’s not appropriate for tritoons. Still, it allows you to easily put your pontoon on the water and vice versa. It has crossbeams where the pontoon’s bottom sits. You won’t stress about having your boat in the precise position when it is mounted.
What seems to be convenient has a downside. There will be stability issues when you tow your pontoon since it doesn’t have an exact position. But still, you will find towing hassle-free with this trailer. Also, it functions well in shallow waters.
- Bunk or float-on trailer
Your pontoon is secured on this trailer as the tubes sit on the wheels. But you need to load the pontoon, which is challenging. You need to line up the boat and trailer precisely. This effort is essential if you usually take your pontoon for a long ride.
Moreover, unlike a scissor trailer, it’s inconvenient to store the bunk trailer since it’s wider.
Wrapping it Up
Apart from knowing how wide are pontoon trailers, you have become knowledgeable about the specific pontoon lengths and height when mounted on a trailer.
You’ve also learned that there are other factors to consider when choosing the right pontoon trailer. They’re the pontoon’s size and weight with interference from axle count. Remember these things so you won’t regret the trailer that you’ll purchase in the future.
Ten years of enjoying countless trips on boats never made me love them any less! So I am here to put all those experiences into good use for other boaters who want to have a safe and fun trip with their friends and families.