looking for some advice on a trailer

Mcd22 · 10 August 2009, 15:54

I am about to buy a 3500kg trailer for my A22 Rib but dont know which one to go for. The two choices are from SBS trailers and Indespension. It will be a bunk trailer but which manufacturer is better and more reliable! Any suggestions?

codprawn · 10 August 2009, 22:16

No direct experience but most people seem pleased with either - they have both been around for a long time.

Do you really want/need bunks - most people prefer rollers.

Mcd22 · 11 August 2009, 01:06

On rollers just now but because of the hull shape it can sometimes be awkward to load it level on the trailer.

The reason for wondering about the trailer makes is because i see lots of SBS trailers but hardly any Indespension ones.

JSP · 11 August 2009, 11:53

If you get the rollers set up right the RIB will go one straight every time. They should guide the hull in. Can take a long time to set up but when they are you will be happy.
I've no experience with heavier RIBs than mine but I would have thought getting a A22 off bunks on a shallow tide could be a pain?

Rogue Wave · 12 August 2009, 05:32

I'vo owned both makes of trailer in my time and I miss the SBS. Over the years I've serviced quite a few trailers and the overall level of quality I woud say was 10% in favour of SBS.

My SBS was an excellent bunked trailer that had a group of 8 rollers at the back to facilitate Launch recovery. I believe it was the RB4-3500.

I believe that SBS use Knott axles and Indespension use Avonride both of these makes are fine.

Tow coupling SBS I think use and Knott coupling and indespension use a triplelock coupling for which you need to be a three handed SOB to operate properly or in my opinion safely the locking mechanism seems to fail on these quite frequently. N.B. the safety comment is aimed at a large boat and trailer because you need t have two hands on the triplelock it's very difficult to control the jockey whel to lift the boat of the coupling

The indispension roller retention system is flawed see post about rollers by JSP. that's caused by a design fault square sided axles. When the roller falls off the roller axle gouges the hull..fkkn indespensin brackets are here http://www.indespension.co.uk/b2c/ap...5=NA045&slnk=1 ...lovely sbs brackets see here http://www.sbstrailers.co.uk/accesso...t.asp?m=2&c=38

I'n not sure of the stub axle fittings used on the Avonride but on the SBS you can swap em with a big Allen key and a torque amplifier (scaff Bar). Handy if you are in trouble a long way from home

Bearings. One uses sealed bearings and the other uses ordinary Ball races. For self maintenance I prefer ordinary races. for convenience I prefer sealed bearings. SBS uses sealed bearings

Also I think SBS are a bit less cruel on spare part prices, but that's just the diference between cruel and very cruel.

Othe excellent makes of trailer I have owned, especially bunks have been bramber and the less well known Parrimore which are very excellent builds or if you have a taste for the exotic then REBA make the best trailers in my opinion

For the record I don't see a problem launching/recovering on bunks and I certainly think they give the boat a kinder ride although with an Artic that shouldn't be an issue

One other thing about SBS , and it works for me, is that they only make boat trailers apart from a towavan thing

JSP · 12 August 2009, 09:54

My indespension is sat out side looking suicidal now Stu.

Rogue Wave · 12 August 2009, 10:07

It's still a decent trailer it just not as good as others in my opinion

bedajim · 12 August 2009, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

My indespension is sat out side looking suicidal now Stu.

Make some washers to fit snug to the collar and then refit the others, I'd of guessed your file hand action would be good for it

JSP · 12 August 2009, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Make some washers to fit snug to the collar and then refit the others, I'd of guessed your file hand action would be good for it

I don't understand why I have such a reputation on this site! But I have got a right arm like popeye

JSP · 12 August 2009, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

It's still a decent trailer it just not as good as others in my opinion

I fully agree Stu, there's a few things to do with the rollers on my trailer that I have seen done better on other makes. I'd like one of those Dixon-bates'.

chewy · 12 August 2009, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

I don't understand why I have such a reputation on this site! But I have got a right arm like popeye

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

I fully agree Stu, there's a few things to do with the rollers on my trailer that I have seen done better on other makes. I'd like one of those Master-bates'.

JSP · 12 August 2009, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Why does every thread I touch turn to bilge?

Mcd22 · 12 August 2009, 14:35

Thanks Rogue wave. We use SBS trailers at work and being honest i couldnt tell you the last time i saw a big Indespension one. Its the R4/3500B that i am looking at. Hitches are not an issue as i use a NATO hitch instead of a ball. The boat is on a Rapide trailer which is a great trailer, just the boats too heavy for it! Thats how the dealer supplied it to me even though i spec a legal trailer for the boat!!!

Rogue Wave · 12 August 2009, 15:06

I use a nato hitch on my trailer and it is superior they can graft the ring on easy enough to the SBS coupling arm. I have bought some smalller braked NATO Couplings for my 5.4 trasilers

Mcd22 · 12 August 2009, 15:29

They are great for off road with the trailer and it lessens the chance of loosing it off the back when your driving. The fringe benefit is it stops the average thief procuring your boat or careless people moving it!

Rogue Wave · 12 August 2009, 17:50

Button it Buddy or they'll all want one and the prices will go up

Bigmuz7 · 13 August 2009, 07:47

I certainly found my twin axle SBS a strurdy trailer without being too heavy, it was well made. I found spares much more expensive than indespension products, but they were of higher quality, and you get what you pay for

I did a set of bearings on it after 2 years (sealed type) thinking nothing could beat bearing savers on an ordinary axle, but was surprised at how good they still were and wondered why I bothered as they were still perfect, and got dunked regularly

All my other trailers for smaller boats were rollercoasters which were fine, but under egineered compared to the SBS, and too bouncy on the road without being set up right, even then they flex too much IMO