Learn about Triple Tube/Tri Tube Pontoons and Trailers
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J.C. Pontoon was the first to add a third tube to a pontoon boat for extra buoyancy about 1981. Thirty years later, the entire pontoon industry has discovered triple tubes and the past couple years have seen the popularity of Tri Tubes explode. The only reason triple tubes were slow to catch on was the marine dealers hesitance to sell them. Triple tube pontoons presented dealers with a handling problem, they needed a large fork lift to move them and a bunk trailer to deliver them. A high percentage of pontoon boats are sold without trailers and dealers can be reluctant to ask their customers to buy a pontoon trailer with a triple tube pontoon boat.

If you’re considering buying a triple tube pontoon you may face a handling problem. On well populated lakes; dealers and storage businesses have usually invested in equipment to handle triple tube pontoons. If you pay for winter storage, you may not need a trailer. On less populated lakes you may have difficulties. Many lakes have individuals who pull pontoon boat economically, but they might not have a trailer that can handle a triple tube pontoon. Every fall we sell dozens of trailers to customers that didn’t realize they had a handling problem until storage season.


How long is your triple tube pontoon boat?

This seems like a simple question but like so many things about triple tube pontoons it isn’t always easily answered.

The illustration to the right shows a 25’ pontoon. The two outside pontoons are 25’ but the center tube extends about 2’ beyond the back of the two outside pontoons.
Triple Tube Pontoon Boat Diagram
triple tube pontoon boat on trailer
This above photo is of a 25’ Flote-Bote on our PT-26T. The 25’ boat should fit perfectly on our 26’ trailer. But, the boat has 2’ of transom beyond the back of the 25’ tubes and the engine extends another 3’. This 25’ pontoon boat is almost 29’ long. The manufacturers weigh is #3654, but when we scaled it with the engine, the weight was #4480, without fuel. You must pay attention to the specifications and be sure to include the weight of  the engine and fuel. Don’t take the first recommendation of the part time salesman working the boat show, if you will be the one towing.


Do you need to support the center tube?

Triple tube bunk support kits are an option on all brands of pontoon trailers. Center tubes that are one single tube, that have the engine mount built in the center tube, should be supported. Triple tube pontoons that have an “ordinary” transom and a center tube added in front of the transom may not need to be supported. It’s a matter of weight; a 12’-18’ pontoon tube bolted down the center of the boat weights only about #250. A 22’ or 25’ center tube with a #300 engine hanging on the back can weight #600+ and needs to be supported.


tritube pontoon support Supporting the center tube on the boat on the left could be optional.
If you support it you’ll need a pontoon trailer with a center bunk that doesn’t go all the way back. (it may interfere with the transom)
triple tube pontoon support
short tube support bunk position to the rear
The center tube on the boat on the right
 should be supported. The engine pod is incorporated
in the center tube  and the weight may approach #600+lbs.
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For Information Call

(877)294-3395 or (574)294-3386