Trailers.............a hard decision!!!!!

[captain rednut]

hey bennie good to hear a new trailers on the go! i hope it meets your expectations they are a lot of money but peace of mind.
cheers jim

[tin can marlin]

hey bennie good to hear a new trailers on the go! i hope it meets your expectations they are a lot of money but peace of mind.
cheers jim

Could not agree more Captain you are dead right they do cost a bucket of money.

[ROBENDOG]

Thanks Jim

Looking forward to getting it, setting her up, and giving those Tabs a good workout. Be nice to give my rods a bit of a workout too .

Thanks for all your advice.
Ben

[WetJakes]

I have a mate that imports trailers from china ( most are from china, just put togeather here and called aussie made....) and he has some real savings for people. They are just as strong as the well known brands,( they are some of the well known brands rebadged) and have warranty too. Pm me if u want to know more..

I am one of the newbies. Just got a 6m allie boat with a 50hp Yamaha on the back, trailor is in bad state. Is your friend still in the trailor buisness and dealing in WA.

[dnej]

Have you thought about an aluminium built one.?
David

[Daisy Burnett]

I am one of the newbies. Just got a 6m allie boat with a 50hp Yamaha on the back, trailor is in bad state. Is your friend still in the trailor buisness and dealing in WA.

WetJakes
I hope you meant a 150 Yami on the back????? If not the poor little 50 is going to drop dead from overwork.

Cheers
Daisy

[Jarrah Jack]

Portsea marine have a 19 to 21ft US Alloy trailer for 6k.

[Fatenhappy]

Originally had an FMS skid version under a 6.5m platey that came in very close to the 2000kg legal limit all up, for the set up. Eventually had the skids changed for rollers but it was never "right". Not really overly impressed.

Eventually changed boats and went with a Dunbier with sensa brakes which was absolute gold to tow and a dream to load ...

All your choice, but this was just my experience ...

Bottom line is IMO if you're going to get a trailer made, get it tailor made to your requirements !!

[White Pointer]

G'day,

Congratulations on the purchase. It's shiny, probably has a warranty and cost you heaps less than you might have spent.

Just a couple of post-scripts to this thread.

I understand that SWIFTCO Trailers is in Administration and unlikely to resume trading. That is a great shame.

A trailer coming out of China that "just has to be put together here" is an odd beast. Any mug with a couple of hours instruction can cut trailer sections in mild steel and stuff a container. It takes a reasonable welder to put it together in a jig with weld integrity and relief holes to prevent buckling and blow-up in the galvanising tank.

After that it's just assembly with prime quality components that have to last. What else should we expect?

I think that, on the whole, local trailers are pretty cheap and the quality is pretty good. Unless you are buying one because your's has failed, most of the time it's the last consideration in a purchase and just the add on $ that get you on your way.

I think the quality could be improved by going to 450MPA steel in channel section. It's far more rigid. This would require better welding but it would deform much less in the galvanising tank. Using a thinner wall 450MPA would leave weight about the same compared to a 250MPA. That thinner wall may mean no extra cost per tonne of steel - therefore same price but better.

Regards,

White Pointer

[balls_deep]

Well my boat trailer is stuffed!!!!! Been a while coming , but have decided she needs repair or replacement.

Now what...............buy or repair????

I have a 6m plate cuddy with 200hp on the back.

How much does she weigh??????? I have learnt this is crucial in my decision.

Repair

Get onto a bloke to come out and do a quote. Nice bloke and knows what he is doing (I sure as hell do not). The trailer I currently have is heavy duty (other than the rust issue). I am told about 750kg. Solid bloody thing.

Old mate gets back......$7000 (wow!!!! A lot of coin, but seems reasonable for what he has proposed). Full rebuild, all hot dip galvinsied, new guards, lights, springs, etc. End job will be, a bloody solid galvinsied trailer. (cable brakes).

A well meaning mate says........bit bloody expensive, you could buy one cheaper brand new!!!!


Mmmmmmmm


Buy new

Do the ring around.

Redo Duniber, or Swiftco trailer about $5000. Are they any good???

The dilemma

My prefernce is for the rebuild. I might be a bit 'old school' but seems to me the more solid trailer = safety/reliability/durability. I am looking long term. Dont mind paying a bit more for a solid reliable trailer.

This is where weight becomes an issue..........

More solid trailer = more weight = requirement for much more expensive braking system = out of budget = no fishing for a while.

Maybe the less solid trailer will bring her under weigh?? (750kg v 420kg).

Is the lighter trailer as safe/reliable/durable???

S*$t loads to consider when buying a trailer; and for the novice very perplexing.

I know.....heaps of previous threads on trailers.......have read a lot of them and each one raised a knew consideration. Heaps of information and I thank all who have gone before me!!!!

Anyway I will pass her over the scales tomorrow and see if that helps in the decision making process. If anyone is following I will post results.

I welcome comments or opinions.

Ben

Hi mate,

I know a fellow with an all aluminium trailers he is just about to hit the market with it is the only all aluminium trailer on the market axles and all PM me and I'll give you his number