Options for a new trailer?

[brock.higdon]

Long story short, I need a new trailer for my 2001 Super Air. What should I expect to pay for a new tandem axle trailer thats fairly basic (I don't need fancy wheels/swing away tounge/etc.)? Who all are my options as far as manufactures?

[ffmedic74]

Ramlin and Boatmate are decent. I always buy Ramlin.

[nukemustang]

Honestly, depends on your location. I know it seems that specific brands of trailers are more prevalent in certain areas of the country. Boatman and Ramlin are pretty common in the southeast. I have a Phoenix tandem aluminum I-beam trailer. No rusting, no channels to hide rust, lightweight. Doesn't look as "cool" as some blinged out, color matched, sittin' in 18" rim painted steel trailer, but in the long run, seems much more functional.

I would estimate, probably $3.5-5K depending on who makes it, where its coming from and specifics.

[NautiqueJeff]

I would recommend Ram-Lin without reservations! I have had so many of their trailers over the years, and they have been great!

[swatguy]

Phoenix is about the best priced, low frills trailer out there. As mentioned though, territory usually dictates mfg, availability, and price.

Being in Alabama, I would give Buxton marine a call. The deal w/ tons of Nautiques. Uship is a great place to get a trailer u find shipped cheap.

[brock.higdon]

I would recommend Ram-Lin without reservations! I have had so many of their trailers over the years, and they have been great!

The trailer I have now is Ram-Lin, and I am less than impressed with the quality. It seems like its just built to be bare minimal. That may just be how they built them back in 05 or so when this one was built, as I have seen pics of some of their newer ones that look much more stout.

[swankster]

The bigger rims look great and I would love to have them but remember the tires will cost you more. If you trailer on longer hauls and have an issue, they are less likely to be readily available.

[shag]

The trailer I have now is Ram-Lin, and I am less than impressed with the quality. It seems like its just built to be bare minimal. That may just be how they built them back in 05 or so when this one was built, as I have seen pics of some of their newer ones that look much more stout.

If it's the trailer in your post from October - it doesn't really look like a Ramlin. If it was the original trailer for that boat it might still have been made by CC. (not sure what year Ramlin officially started making their trailers). None the less, that trailer appears to have been in Salt. If that is the case then any painted trailer will do the same thing, rust from the inside out. I have even seen well made Galvanized trailers rust out. Salt is **** on them.
I have had several Ramlin trailers over the years and kept them each awhile and think they are well made. I have been in their shop here in Taft Fla and it's pretty nice. Our FD uses Ramlin to build trailers for our rescue boats.
That said, they are not cheap. And you will probably have a wait time since they are always busy with production trailers.

[brock.higdon]

If it's the trailer in your post from October - it doesn't really look like a Ramlin. If it was the original trailer for that boat it might still have been made by CC. (not sure what year Ramlin officially started making their trailers). None the less, that trailer appears to have been in Salt. If that is the case then any painted trailer will do the same thing, rust from the inside out. I have even seen well made Galvanized trailers rust out. Salt is **** on them.
I have had several Ramlin trailers over the years and kept them each awhile and think they are well made. I have been in their shop here in Taft Fla and it's pretty nice. Our FD uses Ramlin to build trailers for our rescue boats.
That said, they are not cheap. And you will probably have a wait time since they are always busy with production trailers.

Not the same trailer. If you read a little further, I ended up buying a trailer from craigslist for $1200 (the ram-lin) that was/is in worse shape than the seller led me to believe. It didn't have a boat on it when I got there so everything looked good. With a boat on it, the frame rails bend like a smiley face (there the rails turn in towards the middle, they bend up there) and the boat is literally falling down between the frame rails because the frame rails are bowing out. This causes the nose of the boat to sit lower than the bow stop.

[NautiqueJeff]

That doesn't sound like any Ram-Lin I have ever had. Are you sure the trailer was made for the boat you have on it? Got any pictures?

[JoeA]

Call a few Nautique dealers in the Southeast. You just might find a used one.

[brock.higdon]

That doesn't sound like any Ram-Lin I have ever had. Are you sure the trailer was made for the boat you have on it? Got any pictures?

I am, because I called Ram-Lin asking if they had any solution to add more cross bracing. They asked for the serial number and verified that it was the correct trailer. I can take some pics and post this afternoon.

[brock.higdon]

The long story, if anybody cares to read. http://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/fo...ead-come-on-in

[Treybizttu]

There is a Tandem Axle Ramlin for sale here in Texas, I stumbled across this morning. (Austin to be exact) Looks nice. Not exactly Alabama but probably cheaper than a new one.

Edit (Found it again):

http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/5041790547.html

[brock.higdon]

There is a Tandem Axle Ramlin for sale here in Texas, I stumbled across this morning. (Austin to be exact) Looks nice. Not exactly Alabama but probably cheaper than a new one.

Edit (Found it again):

http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/5041790547.html

That looks very similar to the trailer I have now, except mine is a single axle. I have been wrong plenty of times, but I do not feel that they are adequatelybraced compared to the competitors. Where the frame rails bend to come in towards the tongue, the frame is bowing down at the point. As in, the lowest point on the frame is where the frame rails start bending in. The frame rails are also spreading apart, allowing the boat to fall down into the trailer. I'm not putting all the blame on Ram-Lin, as this trailer was used in brackish water, but visually other trailers seem to be much more reinforced to prevent stuff like this from happening so easily.
.

Edit- One difference I noticed (that would help greatly with the spreading apart of the rails) that mine does not have is the bottom bow catch towards the front of the trailer. My trailer doesn't have that cross member or a catch there.