Finding the right trailer to transport a small boat is a challenge that every inflatable boat owner faces. Buy a trailer for a PVC boat 340You can see that carrying a loaded vessel on the roof of a car or dragging it to the water is tedious and often unsafe for the body of a car. A boat with a 340 cm long engine and equipment installed has a decent weight, which requires competent load distribution during transportation.
The modern market offers many options, from low-cost factory models to expensive galvanized platforms with adjustable lodgings. However, before ordering, you need to clearly determine which type of trailer will suit your specific tasks: Will it be just a calm water transport or expeditions on rocky shores?
In this article, we will discuss the technical details, help calculate the necessary load capacity and tell you what to look for when buying, so as not to overpay for unnecessary options. The right choice will save your money and nerves, ensuring safe delivery to the place of fishing or recreation.
Technical requirements for a trailer for a boat 340 cm long
The basic parameter that you should start from is the total weight of the boat. PVC 340 in the basic configuration weighs about 50-60 kg, but in the assembly with the engine (20-30 kg), battery, gas tank, anchor and personal belongings, the total weight can reach 150-200 kg. To this weight you need to add the mass of the trailer itself, which is usually 100-150 kg for single-axle models.
Load capacity Even if the boat seems light, the safety margin should be significant. Many beginners make the mistake of buying a trailer "back-to-back" by weight, not considering that when driving on uneven roads, the dynamic load on the axle and frame increases many times. For a boat of 340 cm, the optimal is the full weight of the trailer up to 750 kg, which allows you to not require a category "E" to the driver's license in many cases, but it is better to clarify the current rules of the GIMS and traffic rules.
It is also important to consider the dimensions of the platform: the length of the lodgings or keel must be at least 3.6-3.8 meters for the bow and transom of the boat to have a reliable support. Too short base will lead to sagging cylinders or deformation of the transmolina in shaking roads.
⚠️ Note: When buying, pay attention to the type of breather. For boats, 340 cm and more preferably a telescopic or elongated breather, which allows you to adjust the center of gravity. Shifting the center of mass closer to the coupling device makes it easier to drive the car and reduces the load on the rear axle.
Types of pawns: keel, roller or combined
The design of the bed system determines how comfortable you will be to load the boat and how securely it will be fixed on the way. For inflatable boats, unlike aluminum boats, the contact area is important and the absence of sharp edges that can damage the cylinders.
Cut-skinned lodgings These are long bars, carpeted or made of polyethylene, which provide excellent bottom support along the entire length, which is especially important for inflatable boats with a hard or soft floor. When you are under load for long periods (for example, if you left the boat on the trailer for the winter), the keel system distributes pressure evenly, preventing deformation.
Roller systems They're made up of a lot of rollers on a metal frame, and they're ideal for self-loading, because the boat rolls off them easily when it's launched, and it's just as easy to pull the winch back in, but for PVC boats, the rollers have to be made of soft plastic or rubber so that they don't damage the material when they come in contact.
- 🛶 Carpet bars: Maximum bottom protection is ideal for long-term transportation and storage, but requires more effort when loading without a slip.
- 🎡 Roller supports: Facilitate loading/unloading alone, require periodic lubrication and check of roller bearings.
- ⚖️ Combined: Combine keel support in the bow and rollers in the area of the transom, being the "golden mean" for boats 340 cm.
Choosing. Buy a trailer for a PVC boat 340 So, if you're planning to do this, think about where you're going to go down, and if you don't have access to a concrete slip and you have to get the boat off a gently sandy or clay shore, the roller system can get stuck in the ground, whereas the keel runners can get through more easily.
Materials and anticorrosion protection: galvanizing or painting
The aquatic environment is aggressive, especially if you plan to go to sea or to salt water bodies, so the question of frame material and corrosion protection is the first thing when making a decision. Buy a trailer for a PVC boat 340There are two main options for execution: painted steel and hot galvanizing.
Painted trailers are generally cheaper. They are covered with powder paint after primer. This is a good option for fresh water bodies and rare trips, provided you thoroughly wash and dry the trailer after each operation. However, any scratch on the frame or breather will eventually become a rust hotbed that can spread into the profile pipe.
Hot galvanizing This is a process of applying zinc coating by melting, and these trailers are much more expensive, but they take decades to live, even in marine conditions, and zinc works as a protective shield, and even if the coating is damaged, the rust will not go any further.
| Characterization | Painted trailer | Galvanized trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Term of service | 5-7 years (unrepaired) | 15-20 years and more |
| Resistance to salt | Low. | High. |
| Price. | Budgetary | Premium (+40-60%) |
| Service | It requires coloring. | Minimum |
If your budget is tight, you can consider buying a painted trailer followed by self-corrosion-resistant treatment, but it will take time and skill. For a 340cm boat that is often used, the savings on frame protection can come out sideways in a couple of seasons.
Chassis: axles, springs and braking systems
Driver reliability depends not only on the frame, but also on the chassis. For boats 340 cm long, a single-axle trailer is usually enough. However, the quality of the suspension plays a key role in the safety of the cargo. Cheap models often have torsion suspension or simple springs without shock absorbers, which on our roads leads to severe shaking.
Spring suspension It's better at quenching shocks, which is especially important if you're carrying sensitive attachments or fragile gear in a hammock, and the axis should be equipped with rolling bearings that can be lubricated regularly, rather than sliding bushes.
The wheels for the trailer for the boat 340 cm are usually used in size R13. It is desirable that the tires are the same size as the wheels of your car - this will allow you to carry one full spare wheel instead of two different ones.
⚠️ Warning: Before the first exit, be sure to check the puff of the wheel nuts. On new trailers after 50-100 km of running, you need to re-stretching all threaded connections, since the metal of the frame and axles can give the initial shrinkage.
Do you need brakes on a 340 cm boat trailer?
For a boat with a length of 340 cm, the total weight rarely exceeds 750 kg. According to traffic regulations of the Russian Federation, the braking system is mandatory only for trailers with a gross mass of more than 750 kg. However, if you plan to often drive in mountainous terrain or with overload, the presence of brakes (inertial or electric) will significantly increase safety, although it will increase the cost of the trailer and require the installation of additional equipment on the car.
Equipment and additional accessories
For comfort, a basic frame is not enough. boat-carrier For PVC boats, it is better to choose winches with a stretch belt, since they are less prone to corrosion and do not have the habit of "flying" and pricking like steel cables.
Lighting equipment also requires attention: wiring must be laid inside the breather or in sealed channels, and lights must have a high class of moisture protection (IP67 and above), Hermetic LED lights require almost no maintenance, unlike the classic lamps, which are constantly stuffed with water.
It will not be superfluous to install brackets on the trailer for the transportation of fuel canisters, anchor box or spare wheel. This will free up space in the trunk of the car and correctly distribute the weight.
- 🔦 Lighting: Prefer LED germoblock headlights, they are not afraid of impacts and immersion in water.
- ⚓ Brackets: Allows anchor and fuel tanks to be fixed on the frame, observing the rules for the transportation of dangerous goods.
- 🔒 Defense: Safety cables and anti-theft devices (protection breathed) will not be superfluous at paid parking at water bodies.
When buying, pay attention to the package. Often manufacturers offer a "base" that does not include a winch, pawns and lights, and all this has to be purchased separately, which ultimately comes out more expensive than the finished kit.
☑️ Check before purchasing a trailer
Homemade trailer or factory: what is more profitable?
The question of whether to make it or buy it is always relevant. On the one hand, building a trailer for a 340 cm boat yourself seems simple: weld a frame from a 40x20 profile, buy a ready-made axle with wheels and a breather. But there are hidden risks.
First of all, legalityThe homemade trailer requires registration with the traffic police, passing an examination and obtaining a certificate of conformity, which in cost and labor costs can exceed the price of the factory product. Secondly, the geometry of the frame. Factory trailers are calculated loads, they have correctly selected the angle of inclination and the location of the axle, which ensures stability on the track.
Factory models such as MIZNA, scythia, vector or TrailerThey're worth the money, but you're not just buying the metal, you're buying the warranty, you're not having any legal problems. For a 340 cm boat, the price difference between a quality self-builder (taking into account materials and time) and a budget factory option is often minimal.
Purchase of a certified factory trailer saves time, nerves during registration in the traffic police and guarantees the safety of the structure tested by tests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need category "E" for a trailer under a boat 340 cm?
Category E is not required if the total mass of the trailer (its own weight + load) does not exceed 750 kg, OR if the total mass of the road train does not exceed 3,500 kg and the mass of the trailer does not exceed the curb weight of the car. For a boat 340 cm with a light trailer (up to 250-300 kg own weight) category B is usually sufficient.
How to store a PVC boat on a trailer in winter?
Keeping an inflated boat on a trailer in winter is not recommended due to temperature and pressure changes. It is better to blow the boat away or leave it slightly pumped in a warm room. If storage on the trailer is inevitable, use a case, lift the trailer frame on the stands to unload the wheels, and regularly check the tension of the belts.
Can I carry another cargo on the boat trailer?
Yes, the trailer is versatile. You can remove the lozenges (if they are removable) or use the space between them to transport ATVs, building materials or motoblocks, the main thing is not to exceed the maximum load capacity specified in the trailer's PTS.
What is the life of the carpet on the pads?
The life of the boat depends on the intensity of operation and maintenance. A high-quality sea carpet lasts 3-5 seasons. If you drag the boat often on sand and stones, the mat can be wiped faster. It can be replaced by yourself by buying a special material or using a swimming carpet.