new de graaff trailer

avon5.4 · 12 January 2008, 13:27

hi am in talks with de graaff but cannot decide which trailer would be best , my rib is a 5.4 avon sea rider , the trailer i want is either the sb1300 2 or the pa 1300 2 the pa has keel rollers but the sb doesnt , as the sb as no keel rollers as the rib is comming of the rollers wont it catch on the rear sing beam . please give advise as i dont want to buy the wish id bought the other trailer, thanks very much andy.

Neil Harvey · 12 January 2008, 13:37

I have an indespension roller coaster that my 5.4 is on, and it has never caught on the swing beam, very easy to launch and recover with.

If you are worried, ask them and they could probably attach a centre keel roller to the swing beam, not sure if it would do anything though or maybe it would be in the way with the boat loaded (i.e. hold the hull above the swing rollers).

avon5.4 · 12 January 2008, 14:30

thanks for that info , ive never had a roller coaster so dont know how it loads or sits on .

Tim M · 12 January 2008, 16:10

I would get the one without keel rollers - I've had several roller trailers without and you simply point the boat in the middle of the trailer and drive it on - the rollers will guide the boat into the right place. I've got a DeGraff with keel rollers at the moment and it's a pain as you have to get the boat in exactly the right place when you first hit the trailer otherwise the boat won't go on right. If you are worried about the hull hitting the swing beam (which it shouldn't) get them to put a flat piece of rubber on the top of the beam - I had a snipe roller trailer which had this just in case.

matt h · 12 January 2008, 17:05

Have a look at the dixon Bate, 24 rollers and the searider sits superbly, very easy to self launch and recover,

Downhilldai · 12 January 2008, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

Have a look at the dixon Bate, 24 rollers and the searider sits superbly, very easy to self launch and recover,

It may cost more than your boat though...

avon5.4 · 14 January 2008, 13:28

OI DOWNHILLDAI i live up north and dont get paid half as much as you sothern lot, im happy with it and so are others with seariders, if youve nowt better to say other than critisize other peoples gear , then keep to your self please , you would'nt like if i slagged of your set up.

Nos4r2 · 14 January 2008, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by avon5.4

OI DOWNHILLDAI i live up north and dont get paid half as much as you sothern lot, im happy with it and so are others with seariders, if youve nowt better to say other than critisize other peoples gear , then keep to your self please , you would'nt like if i slagged of your set up.

Errrrm.... He's not. Dixon-Bate are very expensive! Bloody good though.

9D280 · 14 January 2008, 16:42

For what it's worth my new trailer is going to cost approx twice what I paid for the boat.

On the plus side, I noticed DeGraaf on Ebay at lunchtime - dozens of trailers at approx "no vat" prices.

....except of course, the size I need......

Back to the original point of the thread tho' - my old SR4 was on a keel roller / bunk trailer - nightmare to recover in anything other than flat calm on a steep slip. Helped a friend recover on a Dixon-Bate Swing beam / roller. I just stood there & winched. Boat rolled on, all nicely centred and secure. I also thought his bow would smack the metalwork, but the rollers were close enough together that the bow lifted before it got anywhere near the solid bits.

My plan is either a DeGr or a Snipe Swing beam (I need to be slightly choosy as not all will fit through my garage door!)

BruceB · 14 January 2008, 17:33

Phone them up and ask for a price, mine was bought direct at ebay prices with extras by calling them direct and buying over the phone.......

Bigmuz7 · 14 January 2008, 20:27

No keel rollers for me ... Let the other rollers do the work. I recover off sand, semi float or afloat and my trailer aligned perfectly every time.

One thing though, I do fit one under the bow which I find essential to stop the rig bouncing whilst being towed on the road

Downhilldai · 14 January 2008, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by avon5.4

OI DOWNHILLDAI i live up north and dont get paid half as much as you sothern lot, im happy with it and so are others with seariders, if youve nowt better to say other than critisize other peoples gear , then keep to your self please , you would'nt like if i slagged of your set up.

Missed this little outburst, but I feel obliged to respond now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avon5.4

OI DOWNHILLDAI i live up north

I know, it says so in your profile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avon5.4

...and dont get paid half as much as you sothern lot, ...

You appear to be misinformed about the rates of pay in West Wales, which I can assure you are not double those of the North of England.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avon5.4

...im happy with it and so are others with seariders,..

I'm pleased that you are happy with your Searider - they are good boats and have many happy owners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avon5.4

... if youve nowt better to say other than critisize other peoples gear , then keep to your self please..

I did not criticise your 'gear'. My comment related to the cost of Dixon-Bate trailers (high) and that you may not wish to lay out around £2k for a trailer to carry your 5.4 SR. You had originally asked for advice on a De-Graaf, which is a much lower cost trailer and I therefore alerted you to the extra outlay involved in a D-B. You can take it or leave it - up to you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avon5.4

..you would'nt like if i slagged of your set up.

Rib.net is all about peoples' opinions and you are welcome to express yours. I wouldn't react in the way you have, but maybe I'm less sensitive about such matters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Errrrm.... He's not. Dixon-Bate are very expensive! Bloody good though.

Spot on NoS, on both counts