Trailer Opinions

[SkiTower]

In Jeff's 230 comments, you started raving about RamLin trailers. I'm on my second boat (and trailer). I'm not sure what brand trailer the Gekko was on (but I will find out next weekend), but it was a simple yet sturdy trailer and I didn't have any problems. I have a Prestige trailer with my 211 (I bought the boat off the lot so I didn't have a choice). According to RamLin's website, they are the only approved trailer builder. I want to have a discussion with Whitelake when I go back down next week to educate me, but until then:

Who likes/dislikes what trailers and why???

The Gekko pretty much drove itself on but I've got to work the 211 to get it centered. Don't know if this is due to the boat or trailer. The only other complaint I have with the Prestige is the guide posts. I have to turn them in to get in the garage and they aren't easy to loosed and tighten for that. I now have them just loose enough I can turn them but tight enough they won't flop. One majoy plus is I love the little wheels on the prop guard (I've got two nasty speedbumps in the neighborhood)

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Trailer Opinions

I have owned four Ram-Lin trailers now. I have never considered any other. They have an optional prop guard roller kit, spare tire kit, diamond-plate deck option, led lights, etc. This year, for the first time, I got an upgraded set of wheels, and I wonder if those are why I like this trailer even more than the others I have had. This one is very smooth, even compared to the last three.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Trailer Opinions

I have had a prestige and a Ramlin. They look to be a copy of each other. Very little differnce between my prestige and ramlin. Both were the wishbone style. I have a freind with a Boatmate it is a more traditional multi bunk type trailer.

White lake seems to use Prestige and Eagle. ( I lived in Smithfield and my 196 was a white lake boat.) I prefer the traditional multi bunk set up over the wishbone, but since you have a 211 you probably have a more traditional set up.

The Ramlins, and Prestiges usually sit the boat between the wheels, and the boatmate sits on top. They are wider because of this, and the boatmates are taller. Both present there own problems with garages.

My prestige pulled great, and I really never had any issues with it at all. The same can be said for my Ramlin. All trailers seem to have their issues with some ramps, some load easier than others on steep ramps. If your having trouble centering on the trailer, try adjusting the depth of the trailer some. It is probably just a matter of getting more time and learning what your boat and trailer combo need to work togather during loading and unloading.

[AirTool]

RE: Trailer Opinions

I have a 2006 206 I bought used on a 08 trailer I bought new. The Ramlin quality is excellent. I don't like the bunkless design but it does put the boat low enough I can see over it through my rear view mirror. I too have a hard time centering on the trailer....but I manage. The inside of the wheel wells have a plastic cover so the hull is not messed up. The bunkless design does not contact the boat over the entire length and the rales are very rigid and only 2" wide. This scares me. I like the more flexible bunk design that is 3.5" wide.

My first pull from dealer to home was 1100 miles and it pulled like a dream. 70+ at times.

Also....I didn't know the wheeld guard was an option.

Also....I asked the dealer if disk brakes were an option and the answer was no. I've learned you can get disc brakes.

Also.....they supply a strange bearing cover system designed for an oil bath....but mine was filled with grease. what the heck?


Air Tool

[jhiestand]

I'm pretty sure I've posted on this before but my opinion hasn't changed much. I'd prefer traditional bunks over the wishbone-style ones on RamLins as the traditional ones typically are fitted better and more evenly distribute weight along the hull. They're also easier to replace the bunk wood on if you were to keep your boat long enough. However, the wishbone bunks DO let the boat sit lower in the trailer. That makes it easier to see behind while towing, plus it lets me keep my boat in the garage! I only have an inch or so height clearance getting under my 7' door!

RamLin has finally started to clear up some of the earlier issues with their trailers. I don't think they use a ton of wood & carpet any longer for the steps. They started including a winch three or four years ago. Rear tiedown strap hooks weren't included in past years, although I think they're included now. On models with breakaway tongues, the nose paddle assembly has to be removed in order to swing the tongue back. I also am not a big fan of the Titan surge brake actuator that RamLin uses. Finally, I'd always been a fan of Bearing Buddy's but RamLin (at least in the past) utilized the "quick lube" or ez-lube spindles which are maintained differently. That system has grown on me, but I guess it boils down to preference. Not sure if they have an option for oil-bath hubs yet or not but I guess that style is the bomb.

I think RamLin has ironed a lot of the "kinks" out of their trailers since my '01 began duty, and I'll admit mine's never stranded me (knock on wood!). I've owned a '79 Ski Nautique that had a "RamLin" style trailer and a 94 Sport with a DHL trailer. The DHL has been my fav thus far. I probably wouldn't have strong opinions except I spend a ton of time on buddys' boats and I can't get over how nice Mastercraft trailers are. My only bias against their trailers is I really like the "nosepaddle" stops CC still utilizes, versus traditional bow-ring rigs you see on most other boats. I don't really like the boatbuddy hookup they utilize, either.

Your mileage may vary!! :grin:

[AirTool]

As I indicated in my earlier post....double ditto on the hull contact. To me, it just doesn't look right...but there are many out there and I guess it is okay. Note, without tie downs, the 206 will move around on the trailer in the turns.

Mine came with numerous eyes for transom hooks and gunnel hooks. The coating is nice.

Mine also came with the wood and carpet steps. You have to upgrade to get the checker plate 1)painted ...and more for 2)polished.

I bet there are many upgrades I would have purchased....but I bought it over the phone and my dealer had very little interest in helping me. I'm going to contact Ramlin about a couple of my concerns or desires to upgrade....at my expense obviously. I'm afraid....as their website shows.....CC owners have to go through a dealer. That is a turn-off already. If I'm not pleased with the service/help and assistance to get it they way I want it. I'll just sell the **** thing and buy a boatmate or the one Buxton's sells...Dorcy?

AirTool

[SkiTower]

I didn't know that Ramlin and Prestige were that similar. Mine pulls great, I do have regular bunkers, diamond plated steps and prop guard rollers.

I've pretty much gotten the hang of pulling it on. What I'm more concerned about is my wife (who is new to boating). I have to back the truck and then run around and load the boat (she then pulls us out of the water). The first trailer I felt comfortable enough with her trying it (though she never did) but I don't want any non-boat owner trying this one.

Like I said, the only complaint I have is the mounting of the guideposts. Having to turn them every time I put it in the garage is a small chore.

[AirTool]

Here is what I'm talking about on the wood strip. It is wider than I previously reported....but still narrow. Also, no flexibility at all to conform to the hull.

AirTool.

[rleinen79]

Wow.....that doesn't seem right at all....it looks like it's barely supporting the hull.

[rleinen79]

Without the boat being here now, this is the best pic I could find of mine from the rear. It sits flat on the bunks.

[hundo]

We had a DHM and it was nice.

http://www.dhmtrailers.com/online/home.php?cat=218

[NCH2oSki]

Here is what I'm talking about on the wood strip. It is wider than I previously reported....but still narrow. Also, no flexibility at all to conform to the hull.

AirTool.

I agree this is a poor set up. Because of this you have to use the giant turnbucle, or the boat will rock up and down as you trailer down the road.

I think the prestiges built in the last couple of years got away from the wishbone trailer style. From what I was told during my many discusions with Prestige, this is how CC required them to build the trailer if they wanted to sell them to CC dealers for their boats.

[AirTool]

Here is what I'm talking about on the wood strip. It is wider than I previously reported....but still narrow. Also, no flexibility at all to conform to the hull.

AirTool.

I agree this is a poor set up. Because of this you have to use the giant turnbucle, or the boat will rock up and down as you trailer down the road.

You are right. If you don't tighten the strap and the turnbuckle, it will rock. If you don't gunnel strap or transom strap, the stern slides in the turns. If you do strap it down, it does alright. As the other's say, it pulls like a dream behind my 5000# Navigator. It's just that contact area that scares me.

AirTool

[tadelfio]

I personally only have experience with the Dorsey trailers (that's about all you can find in my area). They are very solid trailers in my opinion. Easy to get parts for them straight from the manufacturer. It fits my 97 SNOB like a glove. Just my two cents for what it's worth.

[wake_fun]

We had a DHM and it was nice.

http://www.dhmtrailers.com/online/home.php?cat=218

That's what I have. Nice!