The 9 Best Boat Trailer Rollers

Editor's Notes

October 06, 2020:

These boat trailer rollers will help lessen the chore of loading and unloading your vessel every time you take it to the water, and they’ll also help prevent damage to your boat’s bottom paint. The Stoltz Industries RP-8 Keel comes on board in today’s update, and it’s made of durable polyurethane that absorbs shock and resists damage to the sun’s harmful rays. It also incorporates an aluminum bearing sleeve helps ensure it rolls smoothly. It’s sold in a variety of lengths ranging from four to 12 inches. It joins the Stoltz Industries ULT-4, which is made of the same materials but consists of a V-shaped center with flared ends. We also replaced the SeaSense Poly Vinyl, which is unavailable at this time, with the similar Sea Sense Polyurethane, which features the same design but is slightly more resilient. Its grooves are designed to help center your vessel properly with just a simple turn, to make quick work of unloading and loading. It’s resistant to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and durable enough to stand up to a wide range of temperatures.

For a roller that conveniently comes attached to a metal bracket, look to the CE Smith 10403G, which features adjustable mounting slots and zinc plating to resist corrosion. This sturdy choice is made in the United States and incorporates six gussets for strength. The Dutton-Lainson 6387 is an all-in-one set that consists of two steel bunks that each feature multiple rows of three wheels. You can go with a length of four or five feet, and the rubber rollers are designed not to mark your vessel. The Tie Down 86144 is a kit of four hull-saver PVC rollers, and with them you’ll receive installation materials that include hog rings and bushings. They’re made of a high-quality yellow poly-vinyl that is resistant to cutting and fading.

May 15, 2019:

Boat trailer rollers are a practical, affordable component in transporting your boat as well as loading and launching it. The right ones will keep your craft centered securely, so it won’t get jostled or scratched. You should check them before each use, to make sure they’re in good condition and can spin freely. As you might not know, there is some rhyme and reason behind the colors. Black rollers usually are made with rubber, which is budget-friendly, but more liable to crack and acquire flat spots over time. But there are sturdy selections to be found, including the Attwood Heavy Duty, which made our list, which is smartly designed to hold even quite heavy crafts firmly intact, thanks to its sloping V-shape. And, unlike many other rubber choices, this one won’t create marks on surfaces with which it comes in contact. For the convenience of a pre-assembled model, look to the CE Smith 10403G, which comes attached to a metal bracket that’s easy to mount to your trailer.

Blue rollers are often crafted with plastic and are commonly used with aluminum boats. The Roxom 8 Inch features premium plastic that’s tough enough to stay intact due to heavy weight or jostling, and its grooves keep your vessel in place.

For a durable set of bunk rollers, look to the Dutton-Lainson 6387, which come in four- and five-foot lengths, and the number and placement of the rollers ensures stability and even weight distribution. For a roller with a durable polyurethane build, the Stoltz ULT-4 will not disappoint. It is a bit of an investment, and certainly pricier than many others, but it's known for its flexibility and tough, UV resistant build that will hold up for the long haul.

No matter which you go with, be sure to follow the installation instructions that come with it, and note that many manufacturers also provide helpful online tutorial videos that will walk you through the setup.