De Graaf's

BruceB · 16 December 2007, 20:21

I was going to buy a Roller coaster 5 for my new Humber but on reading the threads the De Graaf's seem to be very recommended and considerably cheaper!
The SB1300 seems to be a good match for a 5.7m Ocean pro but I am unsure of the swingbeam arrangement.
Any good points or bad points on using one rather than a conventional rooler coaster with keel rollers?

PeterR · 16 December 2007, 20:39

My suggestion would be is to ring them and speak to the they will talk you through them

ian parkes · 16 December 2007, 20:47

Bruce I can't comment which is better , but I was after a de graff trailer and for me down in Cornwall delivery was the problem and cost that sent the price too high . I now have a roller coaster which I can't fault
You may have the same problem

BruceB · 16 December 2007, 21:41

I would have to go South for the hull anyway, it would just be a detour beforehand picking up the trailer.
I would need to either drive several hundred miles to pick any trailer or pay for delivery anyway.

jackcastoff · 16 December 2007, 22:45

Bruce, I have a 2500 kg Degraff trailer for my P22. I have had a rollercoaster trailer aswell. I would say that for the money, the degraff is a better buy. They have been well thought out and are exceptional value.

The rollercoaster from indespension is a good trailer and uses more or less the same swing beam setup (the degraff is available in swing beam or non swing beam) but at 30% more expensive I was put off.

Good luck. JC.

BruceB · 16 December 2007, 22:54

I will be calling them in the morning but what type of wheel bearings do they use?

Pete7 · 17 December 2007, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I will be calling them in the morning but what type of wheel bearings do they use?

Degraff changed the axles on my RM trailer for me because they only use normal bearings rather than the sealed variety (which wern't ). The other thing is the rollers on Indepsension trailers are a rubber compound which degrades after a few years and leaves marks on your hull. Degraff use plastic wheels which will last longer than your boat

Always had a good service from Arthur, don't forget to pick up a spare set of bearings from him at the same time so you know which ones are fitted, oh and some bearing savers.

Pete

9D280 · 17 December 2007, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I would need to either drive several hundred miles to pick any trailer or pay for delivery anyway.

Bruce,

Not sure where you are on the west coast, but if it's any help I've been looking at a replacement trailer and Indespension in Milngavie have Roller Coasters in stock (well, did last week!) , and Autow in Perth (normally an "agricultural" triailer specialist) are an agent for Rapide and were helpful when I spoke to them, but you'd have to wait for them to get one in.

I also looked at the Degraaf, but as said above, delivery or 2 tanks of diesel to fetch it kind of evened out the prices with the rest......

alystra · 17 December 2007, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

Bruce,

Not sure where you are on the west coast, but if it's any help I've been looking at a replacement trailer and Indespension in Milngavie have Roller Coasters in stock (well, did last week!) , and Autow in Perth (normally an "agricultural" triailer specialist) are an agent for Rapide and were helpful when I spoke to them, but you'd have to wait for them to get one in.

I also looked at the Degraaf, but as said above, delivery or 2 tanks of diesel to fetch it kind of evened out the prices with the rest......

Trail West in Oban are Indespension dealers and generally have Roller Coasters in stock. They sell all the parts too (U bolts, winch posts, bearings etc.)

BruceB · 17 December 2007, 18:07

I have talked to trailwest as I was originally going to buy the roller coaster from them.
I think I will get the De Graff instead as the £400-500 price difference is a bit much to bear if I don't need to.
I will just arrange things so that I pick up the trailer then head around to Humber for the RIB.
If I buy locally then I need to trail a trailer all the way south so the extra fuel for the De Graaf-Hull leg doesn't look so bad.

PeterR · 17 December 2007, 21:10

I payed extra for a flushinf kit .The bearings seemed to be sealed with a grease niple to pump in grease and a presure relaese valve /niple so as not to let grease enter into brake linning hub.When you phone them in the morning ask them about it.they supplied it to my trailer for my pacific last month

Downhilldai · 17 December 2007, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I have talked to trailwest as I was originally going to buy the roller coaster from them.
I think I will get the De Graff instead as the £400-500 price difference is a bit much to bear if I don't need to.
I will just arrange things so that I pick up the trailer then head around to Humber for the RIB.
If I buy locally then I need to trail a trailer all the way south so the extra fuel for the De Graaf-Hull leg doesn't look so bad.

Aren't De Graaff based in Surrey?

BruceB · 17 December 2007, 22:53

Yep, but going down the M6 and then cutting across to Humber doesn't really add to the total distance by that much. I am 200miles/5 hours just on a round trip to Glasgow so a hundred miles extra here and there on a 1000-1100 mile round trip is nothing.
I did ask about bearing savers and flushing kit today and the SS brake cables are probably worth the extra money alone.

Markyboyo · 17 December 2007, 23:24

I'm pretty much decided on a De Graaff for my new RIB. They certainly seem to be good value and are one of the few who won't fit the sealed for (a very short) life bearings!

1up · 19 December 2007, 20:08

I have a de graff trailer, very pleased with it. buy the bearing buddies too,
( there isnt such a thing as a sealed for life bearing).
they will make the trailer to how you want ( i found them very helpful )
they will make it with rollers or bunks .

I recommend them

ian parkes · 19 December 2007, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markyboyo

I'm pretty much decided on a De Graaff for my new RIB. They certainly seem to be good value and are one of the few who won't fit the sealed for (a very short) life bearings!

Thats good news , I wouldn't buy one without taper rollers .

CJL · 26 December 2007, 11:26

I've had two DeGraffes and one Indespension.

The De Graffe is better because;

Better customer support
Overrun cable is a cable not a length of steel rod so it doesn't clatter as you tow it down the road
The lightboards are better
The De Graffe is over engineered
The Indespensions feel a little bit flimsy at times
The De Graffe has better ground clearance
and
The bearing savers on either brand are an absolute must

Drop me a PM and I'll give you my mobile number if you want.

Chris

BruceB · 26 December 2007, 12:18

I ordered a SB1500 before Xmas. I found that even with the spare wheel and mount, bearing savers, flushing kit, lockable hitch and steps fitted it was still several hundred pounds cheaper than the equivalent Rollercoaster without all these bits.
It is being built just before the hull is ready and I will pick up on the way past to Hull.

Poly · 26 December 2007, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

The De Graffe has better ground clearance

OTH does that mean that the boat sits higher and therefore you need to submerse the trailer further to get the boat on/off? Might be a consideration for some particularly with shallow angle slips?

The Grocer · 28 December 2007, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

Overrun cable is a cable not a length of steel rod so it doesn't clatter as you tow it down the road

My trailer (none of the above) has this rod arrangement. It sounded like Quasimodo having a bad day until I zip-tied a couple of short sections of pipe lagging to it...