Full throttle or leaf-sprung trailers - any experience?

[Jon Tallis]

I'm looking for a new trailer for my 5.8 Humber Destroyer and have come across these guys in Northern Ireland
https://www.fullthrottlemarine.co.uk/blank-page
They're offering a fully spec'd trailer for £1400 less than I can find anything else comparable in the UK.
Spec is excellent (twin swinging roller cradles, fully welded, fully galvanised, CE marked etc etc) with a host of very reasonably priced options. Only slight oddity is they are on leaf springs as standard. Have spoken to the owner and the whole setup seems very professional.
I'm in two minds about the leaf-spring thing - it probably gives the boat a smoother ride than conventional rubber suspension but is more prone to corrosion (conversely the probably cheaper to replace if/when the springs do corrode).

Has anyone got any experience to share?

[beamishken]

Nothing wrong with leaf sprung trailers, all Ifor Williams trailers are leaf sprung & plenty of those on the road. Axles are cheaper to replace when the inevitable hubs & back plates are rotten beyond use springs do corrode but not usually to an extent to be concerned. Twin axle trailers are usually better balanced & ride better on leafs as they usual have compensation links so the axles ride over undulating roads better.
Break a spring & you replace one spring where a rubber suspension would require a full axle. Down side is sometimes the trailer ends up higher off the ground

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

[Poly]

I had a US built trailer with leaf springs. No issues with it in 15+ years of dunking in salt water. Obviously build quality will vary.

[Jon Tallis]

Great info both - many thanks.

Beamishken - good point about trailer height, hadn't thought of that, I do like the ability to launch into shallow water without getting the truck wet so will ask what the load height is and compare with my current Indespnsion trailer

Has anyone bought from Full Throttle Marine?

[Jon Tallis]

Is there anyone in the Coleraine area that could tell me if this company is still trading? Is supect not ......[emoji3525]

Story so far.....excellent Comms, detailed quotation and request for 50% deposit.....deposit paid.
Delivery now massively overdue, all bar one of their phone lines is dead, the other one just goes to voicemail.
Emails similar - wall of silence....
Facebook page has been taken down.....
Thankfully I paid the deposit via my credit card but will doubtful be a massive PIA to get back.

Be aware people......

Any intel on this company gratefully received .....

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

Is there anyone in the Coleraine area that could tell me if this company is still trading? Is supect not ......[emoji3525]

Story so far.....excellent Comms, detailed quotation and request for 50% deposit.....deposit paid.
Delivery now massively overdue, all bar one of their phone lines is dead, the other one just goes to voicemail.
Emails similar - wall of silence....
Facebook page has been taken down.....
Thankfully I paid the deposit via my credit card but will doubtful be a massive PIA to get back.

Be aware people......

Any intel on this company gratefully received .....

Can’t help with the trailer, but I’ve had to reclaim twice on credit cards & it’s been relatively straightforward & painless. Especially if the company in question has gone bust.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

Is there anyone in the Coleraine area that could tell me if this company is still trading? Is supect not ......[emoji3525]

Story so far.....excellent Comms, detailed quotation and request for 50% deposit.....deposit paid.
Delivery now massively overdue, all bar one of their phone lines is dead, the other one just goes to voicemail.
Emails similar - wall of silence....
Facebook page has been taken down.....
Thankfully I paid the deposit via my credit card but will doubtful be a massive PIA to get back.

Be aware people......

Any intel on this company gratefully received .....

Hmm google maps shows they were there 9 months ago so they did exist however the yard looked a little sparse even then, certainly not a hive of activity. There is a garage next door who's phone no you can see, probably a phone call to them would confirm what your obviously thinking, that they have done a runner

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

Is there anyone in the Coleraine area that could tell me if this company is still trading? Is supect not ......[emoji3525]

Story so far.....excellent Comms, detailed quotation and request for 50% deposit.....deposit paid.
Delivery now massively overdue, all bar one of their phone lines is dead, the other one just goes to voicemail.
Emails similar - wall of silence....
Facebook page has been taken down.....
Thankfully I paid the deposit via my credit card but will doubtful be a massive PIA to get back.

Be aware people......

Any intel on this company gratefully received .....

I just messaged a guy I know in Ireland & he knew straight away, one of his customers got ripped off by the same guy in similar circumstances[emoji35] he did offer to go knock on his door if you didnt get sorted via credit card. Let us know how it goes

[Jon Tallis]

Thanks to all for your replies and to Beamishken for your intel - you're obviously better on Google maps than I am!
The offer to pay the chap a visit is also tempting [emoji846]......I'll call the garage next door today and see what they know but I think it's clear that I'm not getting my trailer.
I've sent them an order cancellation email demanding delivery or refund within 7 says - we'll see what comes of that but I'm not holding my breath..

Will keep you posted....

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Jon Tallis

Thanks to all for your replies and to Beamishken for your intel - you're obviously better on Google maps than I am!
The offer to pay the chap a visit is also tempting [emoji846]......I'll call the garage next door today and see what they know but I think it's clear that I'm not getting my trailer.
I've sent them an order cancellation email demanding delivery or refund within 7 says - we'll see what comes of that but I'm not holding my breath..

Will keep you posted....

I wouldn’t hang around getting the credit card company involved, there are time limits iirc.

[Pikey Dave]

Link to companies house info they've only been going 6 months or so. There's an address for the registered office, probably their accountants. might be worth a call.
https://find-and-update.company-info...mpany/14396630

shady
https://www.1stformations.co.uk/regi...ffice-service/

[Fenlander]

I see the female partner gives her address as that of the business. Except that the workshop, warehouse unit and yard are up for lease as cleared out, signage removed and ready for a new business!

[Jon Tallis]

Have spoken to the garage next door who advise that Full Throttle Marine were thrown out of their premises for non payment of rent and they have people there daily looking for the guy.
I'll be getting hold of my credit card company tonight..

The Garage did also give me the guy's home address which I'd be happy to PM to anyone in a similar position who fancies paying him a little visit ....

[Jon Tallis]

By way of update....
Raised a dispute with Barclaycard sent them copies of all Comms and received my deposit back from them within a few days. [emoji4]

Have phoned the guy a few times just for amusement value - predictably no reply.

If anyone else out there has been ripped off by this guy, PM me and I'll gladly send you his home address.

[Steve509926]

Good outcome Jon

[beamishken]

Best result possible I guess but presumably leaves you with no trailer for the season [emoji853]

[Jon Tallis]

My trailer is just about serviceable for local trips (home to slipway) but my plans to join some Northern Exposure events have been scuppered for this year, unless I find a second hand trailer [emoji3525]