Trailer

[timw]

Am in the market for buying a new trailer, twin axle, rollers.

Has anyone any experience of De Graaf trailers.

They are very helpful on the phone and seem very clued up when it comes to trailers for Ribs.

Their prices are very competetive when compared to other makes.

Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Jelly]

Hi Tim
They were very helpful with the trailer for the Zodiac, which is bunked. Lots of other manufacturers refused to quote as it wasn't a simple standard set up.
The trailer itself behaves very well while towing - not that it missbaves unhitched

I though the only roller trailer they did had a single swing beam on the rear unlike the other makes that had two or three.

Rgds
Jelly

[thewavehumper]

I inspect trailers quite regularly as I am so unhappy with the Hallmarks we have. (it's not that I am a trailer spotter or anything!) and I like the look of De Graff's. The points, in my opinion, to look for are how the rollers are fitted to the roller arms cos when they fall off as the boat is mounting the trailer it gouges the gell coat.

The ergonomics of operating the trailer are alo important.

Light extension rails are the fasteners for these mounted on the top or side of the trailer frame.

How many hands do you need to operate the Hitch lock and put the trailer on the ball. two or three

How easy is it to adjust the trailer.

I know Jelly's trailer and it is very nicely made.

Dont buy a Hallmark Roller coaster, aslo get one with Bearing Buddies

[Janis Petrov]

Hi Tim;

I use a RIBA trailer twin axel (Not the name because of only RIB trailers)
When i went to the inspection to have Swedish plates the inspector told me he never been seen a trailer that is soo well balanced before.
I had a Osprey Seaharrier 6,6m before with a 200 Yamaha HPDI, total weight of around 750 kg (ex trailer) and i could`nt feel that i had the trailer behind me, i just love the trailer.
It`s a Belgium company that builds them, you can find them at www.riba.be worth looking into.

Regards

Petrov

[thewavehumper]

Yeh Ribas are really good too.

[stuart hedges]

We use both Halmark and Degraff. The latter being because they are cheap (like the buggie). We have found the rollercoaster by Halmark the best and strongest and believe me they get used.

Degraff has recently started building proper rollercoasters and they are good and service is good there too.

The cheap range that they supply ae pretty nasty and are not that strong, by this I mean the £1000 single axle adjustable roller trailer. All the others we have had from the have been pretty good.

[Alex Brown]

My last previous trailer was a Hallmark trailer - admitedly it was 4 or 5 years old, but was rusting in many places all over... I was glad it was not braked since I would have probably ended up replacing 50% of the trailer.

On the Humber, I got a Bramber trailer, rated for upto 950kg capacity, and it's full rollers. To be honest, I hadn't heard much of them, but the build seems ok, and the thing's a doddle to handle.
I quite happily hitch upto the van myself with it, just lift and drop on (cos the boat is perfectly balanced on the trailer), and also I can either drive or winch the boat onto the trailer with ease.
One niggle at the bow though with one of the supports which was rubbing the underside of the tube, but that was quickly sorted, helped along by a length of scaffolding pole
It's a braked trailer, and has 'sealed bearings' although I do not know how long they will last..... iirc the book says 25,000km, which I think is a bit high for a boat trailer.

-Alex

[timw]

Thanks for all the feed back.

Sounds like a twin wheel de Graaf trailer will be OK.

Would have been interested in the RIBA trailer, but there doesn't seem to be a dealer in the UK unless anyone knows different.

Tim

[Alan Priddy]

If you want a RIBA trailor I can get you one. Bernard Gilksberg (the owner) is a very good friend of mine Alan P

[Pete7]

Alan, talking of trailers, any chance of having my trailer number plate back. You will know which one is mine as its a new one and somehow ended up being used to bring your trailer back from Cardiff.

Pete

[Petrov]

I have been buying plenty of trailers from RIBA so if you need help with buying and transporting to UK there is no problems,
Send me a mail if you need help, janis.petrov@grandrib.se ,RIBA are searching for agents i UK so if someone is interested, give them a call.
www.riba.be

[timw]

Alan, Petrov,

It's kind of you to give the information on RIBA trailers, but as the feedback on de Graaf was good and they are only just down the road from me in Chobham, I think I will go with them as I need one quite quickly to tow down to the coast to pick up the boat and they have the suitable trailer there that I can look at and buy immediately.

Thanks again,

Tim

[Andy Gee]

I have had a De-Graff trailer for my last rib and would have no problem whatsoever in reccomending them. I found the trailer to be bomb proof and really liked the bearing greasers, you filled them with a grease gun and they had a spring to keep grease going in constanly.
Would I buy another De-graff before the usual makes.........defentley
Andy

[gtflash]

dont get a sbs. the rollers fall off if your in anything of a cross wind. oh and they dont have a fix, had to come up with one myself

[thewavehumper]

Anybody want to buy a Hallmark Roller coaster 9 . I want a RIBA instead

[stuart hedges]

What size is the 9 capable of taking

[thewavehumper]

I'll find out the weight ( at least 2 tons) , It will take a 7.5 easily

[Outnabout]

Hi Tim,

bought a new De Graaf about a month ago. Double axle 2000/4 ADJ model for Humber 7.5 with Merc 175 (similar I guess to yours in size/weight).

Very pleased with it. Tows well (Penzance and back!), only a couple of launches so far but works well. Double speed winch, hitch lock built in but lock barrel extra, single handed manouevring and hitch up is not hard, hitch has hold open switch to engage ball when you drop on.

Spare wheel, bearing buddies were also extra. Trailer is registered in own right so issued with a VIN (vehicle ID number like a car). Not sure what benefits this gives but easier to trace I guess as number plated and etched in various places.

Two banks of hull rollers and one of keel rollers. Those, winch post and hitch length are all adjustable with 17 & 19mm sockets.

Lighting bar and cable included. Lighting bar posts slide inside chasis member and add at least 1.5m.

If you need more info then PM.

regards

[Outnabout]

And the business end!

[timw]

Thanks for the advice and photos.

I have just ordered one exactly the same as yours.

Mant thanks