Need new trailer

Scrumdown · 24 August 2007, 09:19

After taking the rib out yesterday I was reversing the trailer on to the drive when the hitch snapped off the trailer!!!!

friends reckon it can be repaired but I am losing my faith in the trailer!!

Have been looking at De-Graaff trailers to replace it with - any views about rollers or bunks? My current trailer has bunks which are easy to launch off and recover on to? Boat is 4.8 M

Any advice on trailer choice?

BogMonster · 24 August 2007, 11:34

Looking at the way that has failed which looks like corrosion from the inside out I would dump it immediately and get something/anything - I don't think you could trust the structural integrity of the rest of it and if you weld a new drawbar on what is that going to add to the strength of the bit 3 feet back? It's probably due to salt water being inside the frame so the chances are it will be worse further back...

Good job it happened on your driveway!

Scrumdown · 24 August 2007, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Good job it happened on your driveway!

Could not believe it!! Have been towing up and down the M4 for the last couple of weeks and up some very steep slips! I am going to have to make a temporary repair to at least move the boat off the lawn and into the garage.

Need to find some body with a lorry with a crane on the back of to put onto new trailer to set it up properly etc.

Tomas · 24 August 2007, 16:33

Freak'in Trailers !@#$$%!$%@#$

Hey it must have loved you though to come apart at home.

Nos4r2 · 24 August 2007, 17:45

Don't try and fix that-it's not even galvanised. As BogMonster said, it's probably structurally unsound.

You don't need a Hiab to swap it over though-winch the trailer out from under the boat, lowering the boat onto an old mattress or an old inflatable.

Winch the new trailer under the boat while holding the towhitch up in the air. If you can't do that with whichever trailer you're looking at then I'd look elsewhere for one-my bunked Hallmark Coaster 1 trailer for the sr4 could recover with the boat beached at a push due to an additional keel roller between the two rear guide rollers.

timw · 24 August 2007, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrumdown

Have been looking at De-Graaff trailers to replace it with -
Any advice on trailer choice?

You can't go wrong with Mr. De Graaff's trailers...I went to his farm where he makes them...excellent quality and good value.

Downhilldai · 24 August 2007, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrumdown

Any advice on trailer choice?

As you're a West Wales man, why don't you try CLH trailers at St Clears? Tel 01994 230055. Top firm and good value too. They'll build you a trailer to whatever spec you want - your choice of axle, coupling, wheels, mudguards, etc. They may have something in stock, as I suspect you're in a bit of a hurry

Indespension in Cardiff (Taff's Well) also keep a few boat trailers in stock

ian parkes · 25 August 2007, 12:46

I think a bunk trailer for under 5 m boat is fine and probably cheaper . Mine is bunked and really easy to launch / recover alone . It does have rubber rollers for the keel .

alexm · 25 August 2007, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by timw

You can't go wrong with Mr. De Graaff's trailers...I went to his farm where he makes them...excellent quality and good value.

Ditto!

Here is how I replaced the trailer on a fletcher arrowflash with a degraff:

Tim M · 27 August 2007, 08:45

Get a DeGraff - they're very good and reasonably priced. Have a look on ebay - they have an ebay shop where prices are a tiny bit cheaper. I would get one with rollers rather than bunks - bunks are a complete pain even on a small boat.

JABS · 27 August 2007, 09:00

We have a De Graff and it is built like a tank! They are also great value.

Ours is quite old and I have needed help from the makers who have been superb. They even sent me some washers free of charge! The farm is interesting.

I would not hesitate to reccommend De Graff. The only issue is that the boats sits a little higher than on some traliers which means that you need to go in a bit deeper before the boat floats free.

He sells on ebay and is very willing to do great deals.

Tony

ian parkes · 27 August 2007, 22:24

the deciding factor when i last bought a trailer was getting hold of it and delivery costs .
the de graff was the one i wanted and the price right , but getting it delivered to Cornwall was what pushed the cost up . No dealers down this end

I ended up getting one made locally

Scrumdown · 06 August 2008, 13:23

Any views then Bunks v Rollers? I believe that the boat sits bettter on the bunks when being towed. But easier to put on to the trailer with rollers?

Hightower · 06 August 2008, 17:56

Can you go for both, rollers on the rear and short bunks on the front?

Rollers are great, but if your happy with bunks, then go for that instead

Downhilldai · 12 August 2008, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrumdown

Any views then Bunks v Rollers? I believe that the boat sits bettter on the bunks when being towed. But easier to put on to the trailer with rollers?

On a 4.8 RIB either will be fine. Rollers tend to show their advantage for larger, heavier craft, or when recovering in a cross tide.

Bunks can be a problem if the trailer is submerged too far into the water, on recovery, which makes aligning the hull difficult. I always used to back my old bunked trailer in until the aft roller was about a foot below the surface, then simply manhandle the boat (14' ski boat

) so the keel rested on the roller, snap the winch hook on and winch away for around 20-30 seconds: job done.

Scrumdown · 04 September 2008, 17:46

Hi - In the end went for a full galv trailer with bunks - though might add some rear rollers next year - will see how it works first of all. Will post a picture before I put the rib on. Best bit was the price £200 + my old trailer (broken!) in exchange. Ok it was serious mates rates!! Only bit missing is the trailer board extension - just need to work that bit out now.

Downhilldai · 04 September 2008, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrumdown

£200 + my old trailer (broken!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrumdown

... Ok it was serious mates rates!!

That's no way to treat your mate

Scrumdown · 04 September 2008, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

That's no way to treat your mate

He wanted the old trailer! He's going to use it as a yard trailer to store one of boats on so no issues with it self shortening..... Just glad to get a new trailer exactely the way I want it. Also got loads of spare bearings for it tucked away in the boot of the 4x4. Just waiting for the spare tyre to arrive now.

Downhilldai · 04 September 2008, 20:28

In the good old days of lightweight boats and unbraked trailers, I used to carry a spare hub, with new bearings fitted and packed with grease. When (not if

) the old bearings gave up, it was a 20 minute job to change the hub at the side of the road. Also found that a place selling complete hub assemblies for a tenner, while some would charge £12 for a set of bearings

BTW, you won't need that rear set of rollers - the bunks will be fine

Scrumdown · 05 September 2008, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

In the good old days of lightweight boats and unbraked trailers, I used to carry a spare hub, with new bearings fitted and packed with grease. When (not if

) the old bearings gave up, it was a 20 minute job to change the hub at the side of the road. Also found that a place selling complete hub assemblies for a tenner, while some would charge £12 for a set of bearings

BTW, you won't need that rear set of rollers - the bunks will be fine

I mean the quad keel roller (wobble) at the back of the trailer just to aid getting on the trailer as the current keel roller is a bit small.