Venture Pontoon Boat trailer/ The Trailer Outlet

[Happy Gourmand]

I am considering buying one of these for my Premier pontoon boat from The Trailer Outlet in Tilton. I have seen a few positive postings about this place, but does anybody have any experience with Venture trailers?
Galvanized, lights, brakes, bunks for 3rd pontoon, stairs...$2995. Seem reasonable?
I started out looking for a used pontoon boat trailer but haven't found anything in the area.

[RLW]

You defiantly can't go wrong with Joe at Trailer Outlet. I have purchased 5 trailers from him (construction style trailers) and he stands by everything he sells even if you bring it back a year a so later he is right there. If the part is in warranty and if it isn't he will give you some sort of a decent deal.:)

[winnipiseogee]

I second Trailer Outlet. He is awesome to deal with. I've bought 4 or 5 trailers from him over the years including a venture trailer for my boston whaler. The boat trailer seems great but I've only owned it for a few months.

[CL 240 LS]

Joe at the Trailer Outlet gave us a great deal on our Venture trailer.

We have had no problems in 4 years.

[Farfrumbehavin]

Bought a few trailers from Joe, and have sent several people to him. Bought a Venture bunk trailer for my 20' Pro-Line cc, had it for two seasons now and I couldn't be happier with it. You have to spend a lot more money to get a better trailer. We bring our boat to the Cape fishing a lot and it's hard to avoid Boston traffic. I love the braking system. Tracks straight and he knows how to set up a boat trailer so the boat sits on the trailer the way it should. No regrets here! Ask him to tell you the story about when he caught the Mako shark and it charged and slammed into the back of his boat! He's very busy but when he has time, we have fun telling each other our fishing stories. And he's very honest, he will talk you out of spending money that you don't need to spend.

[chasedawg]

Phantom..... Go for it. You can't go wrong with Joe at Trailer Outlet. I have bought many trailers from him. He has taken care of us in any situation. All the marina's that I know of use him extensively.

So go order your trailer tomorrow from Joe.

[Happy Gourmand]

Alright already! I'm doing it tomorrow. Doesn't sound like I can go wrong. Thanks for all your comments.

[RLW]

Alright already! I'm doing it tomorrow. Doesn't sound like I can go wrong. Thanks for all your comments.

Good man and you will not regret it....:):)

[VitaBene]

Go to Joe!!!

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Wow!!! Joe is getting the same reviews as Arthur T. The world is a better place with genuine and honest people in it.

[Happy Gourmand]

Called Joe. We are good to go. Again, thanks for all your feedback.

[ishoot308]

Phantom;

I bought a "Yacht Club" trailer from Joe for my Premier pontoon last year on his recommendation which I am very happy with. Here's a couple recommendations I have for you...

#1. Make sure all four tires have brakes not just the standard two. This is a very cheap upgrade that Joe can do and well worth it!

#2. Once you get trailer make sure to adjust it once your boat is on it...better yet take it back to Joe and have him adjust it, he offered to do that for me. My boat is 26' with a 250 verado and a 9.9 kicker hanging off the back, it's ass heavy. I needed to move the rear axles back (they are completely adjustable which is really nice!), as well as move the front bow stop forward to get weight balanced properly. Balancing the weight of your boat on the trailer is crucial! It only needs to be done once so take the time to do it right. I also needed to adjust some of the bunks. This is no big deal and will make trailering your boat so much easier and safer.

#3. I needed break away chain extensions added to reach my vehicle. Double check this when you are there.

#4. Trailer does not come with a winch safety chain. Have Joe add one!

#5. Make sure you have the proper 5 pin flat adapter for your vehicle which will disable the hydraulic brakes when in reverse.

#6. Depending on the size of your boat, your trailer will have some flex to it. I use four tie down straps, two on the rear from the pontoon hooks to the trailer and two on the front from the pontoon hooks to the trailer. No need to over tighten just snug them up. Joe sells these straps at his facility.

#7. Make sure you get the forward ladder upgrade!!

I love my trailer and have bought quite a few trailers from Joe. He's a great guy and will treat you right!!

Good luck!

Dan

[Happy Gourmand]

Thanks Dan,
The trailer will be used lightly, probably not more than 10 to 20 miles a year. It's a Premier Solaris 235 PTX with a Merc 200. Joe is calling Winnisquam to get the specs he needs to set it up properly. I'll take it back to him with the boat loaded on it if it doesn't "seem" right.
One concern I have is adjusting the center bunk for the center pontoon which is a different size than the outer pontoons.
It comes with brakes on 1 axle only, so, for the amount of use it will get, I'm thinking that will be adequate.
It comes with a forward ladder, a must for this age challenged guy.
I will be pulling it with an Acura MDX. I have the pigtail from my Honda Ridgeline, pretty sure it is the same and will work. If not, Joe has the proper cable, I'm sure.

[ishoot308]

Phantom;

You will be able to tell right away just driving down the route 11 bypass how well balanced you are...

I know I don't need to tell you but your MDX will be maxed out towing your boat, be careful!

Dan

P.S. I would still have him add the extra brakes...

[SAMIAM]

I'm right behind you Phantom....need a trailer for my Bennington tritoon and Joe is the only guy to see.
Bailed me out once when I had a trailer break down on I93

[Happy Gourmand]

Phantom;

You will be able to tell right away just driving down the route 11 bypass how well balanced you are...

I know I don't need to tell you but your MDX will be maxed out towing your boat, be careful!

Dan

P.S. I would still have him add the extra brakes...

Yes to pretty much maxed out, towing capacity is 5000 lbs. The MDX will be for one time very local use only. I'll have a new pickup by next spring before launching it. I'll stop in to see Joe on Saturday and get his take on the brakes.

[Happy Gourmand]

I'm right behind you Phantom....need a trailer for my Bennington tritoon and Joe is the only guy to see.
Bailed me out once when I had a trailer break down on I93
Samiam, how can we go wrong with all this great feedback on Joe? I don't know how big your Bene is, but Joe said he has 6 trailers for 24' pontoons either on the ground or coming in shortly. The one I looked at last week was being set up for a customer. He also said that 3 out of the six coming were already sold...with mine, make that 4.

[codeman671]

I might as well put my plug in for Joe too. We have bought many trailers over the years from him. Always a pleasure.

[Flotnjr]

It sounds like Phantom has made up his mind regarding this trailer- but for anybody else reading this thread- I just wanted to put one more plug in for Joe. I have dealt with him for many years, and you are hard pressed to find anybody that is better, not only in trailers, but in business in general.

[Orion]

I don't need a trailer but I'm getting a strong urge to go see Joe!;)

[SAMIAM]

Thanks for the heads up Gourmand....guess I better get down there.I have a 22' but expect that would fit on a 24' trailer.

[Happy Gourmand]

Samiam, my deck is also 22' LOA is 23.5'. The 24' trailer is what Joe recommends for it.

[RLW]

I don't need a trailer but I'm getting a strong urge to go see Joe!;)

When you go make sure you have a coffee and a nice DD muffin and that doesn't need to be any particular kind. Doing that you will be on his good side forever.LOL :):laugh::laugh:

[OleSmokey]

For those who have purchased Venture or have looked at them....any thoughts on the plastic covering for the bunks? I am an ole timer used to the rug covering and wondering if the plastic offers any positives or negatives and how will they hold up after time? Thanks
BTW, I am probably going to buy a Venture from Joe as well :)

[billy]

slippery and durable. launch my pontoon barge almost every day. 2 years on them and look like new
...make sure you don't back down the ramp with the winch line unhooked :)

[Farfrumbehavin]

This my first bunk trailer. I probably don't use it right, but I back in until the stern of my boat lifts a tiny bit. After I've started the engine I kinda just float away instead of sliding down on the bunks. When loading I leave the front guide just barely out of the water and am able to drive the boat right up to the bow roller so it only takes a couple good cranks on the winch to snug it up and up the ramp we go. It drops onto the dead center of the bunks every time. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I don't think it would make much difference whether they were carpet or plastic but i can see the advantage to the plastic for the reduced friction. A lot of the ramps I use are very steep so once the back of the boat lifts just a little bit there's not much hull touching the bunks.

[SIKSUKR]

I don't need a trailer but I'm getting a strong urge to go see Joe!;)

Funny! I was thinking the same thing. I have used the TO for replacement wheels.