New trailers

[redelf75]

we ordered a Ramlin Tandem with disc brakes. Lucky Us

THere are still some options you may want besides tandem with disc brakes. You can get custom color, LED lights, reverse lights, Diamond Deck instead of wood with carpet, stainless steel fenders, pinstriping, alloy wheels. You can even call Dave at Ramlin directly and discuss any custom work you want. He's very willing to work with customers.

www.ramlin.com

[lcap]

Don't forget the rollers on the prop guard on the tandems!

[SGY]

Trailers

I just spoke with Dave, owner of Ram-lin trailers. He could not have been more helpful with my little problem. Dave also indicated that Ram-lin and CC work closely to make sure the trailers designed for CC's boats fit and load as perfectly as possible. For example, with the 206, Ken Meloon and others took a Ram-lin trailer and a 206 to the lake to test. They loaded the boat every conceivable way just to make sure there were no problems.

I think you would be happy with a Ram-lin.

[jhiestand]

OK, everyone seems to be a big Ram-Lin fan here but me. I had a DHL (California) under my '94 Sport and much preferred it over my '01 Ram-Lin. The swing-up tongue on the Ram-Lin is extremely awkward, although I know newer designs are much better. I've never been a huge fan of the turnbuckle connector (the first time I'm stranded w/out power is going to suck) and I've yet to see a Ram-Lin that easily handles transom tie-downs. The bearing lubrication is some kind of goofy setup that doesn't seem to dissipate grease through the entire bearing spindle as well as the more common Bearing Buddies I see on most trailers, plus I'd prefer a more modern bunk setup with multiple fitted bunks rather than the old-school wishbone setup CC has been using since the beginning of time. Oh, and my prop guard is maybe 4" off the ground when my trailer sits level and it drags on EVERYTHING!

OK, on a plus note I agree with the excellent customer service Ram-Lin provides. It's just too bad I live too far away to take advantage of it.

[wake_fun]

I've got a DHM trailer and it is very nice!

[SGY]

Ram-lin

My neighbor has a DHM trailer under his MB Sports. Looks like a very nice trailer. Frankly, the Ram-lin is all that I've been exposed to. It seems to do the job so far. I too wish they would have more than two bunks for load disbursement. I also don't like the way the Ram-lin bounces around. But I suspect that this is more due to its single axle design.

Maybe its just because my 206 is a bigger boat but I do seem to have a hard time loading the boat. With my older SN's I would place the trailer with the wheel wells about two inches above the water and the boat's bow would snug right up to the V-stops. Can't seem to get the 206 to make contact with the V-stops unless I really gun it--which I don't like doing. So, I usually get it within 4 inches, pull it out and use the old brake and slide trick. Hate that almost as much as gunning it. THis is why I was calling Ram-lin. Dave's advice was to put the trailer about an inch deeper and see what happens. Any other advice?

[Hollywood]

We've loaded our boat w/o power with the turnbuckle before. Just drop the trailer in the water a tad farther, it's not a big deal. I actually like the turnbuckle because of it's simplicity.

[skinautique]

SGY - go a little bit deeper. Leave the fender about a half inch above the water. Just double check to make sure you haven't gone over the fenders prior to pulling out. Also, you can back the trailer in further to soak the bunks and then pull it out to the desired position before you load the boat.

Jheistand - Ram-lin has made a few changes on their bunks. They now have the standard A frame but in the center is two bunks that help to guide the boat on the trailer while you are loading it but the boat doesn't rest on them when it is out of the water. That is new for 2004. I have no experience with a DHM but I have never had an issue loading the A frame trailers and I have loaded a ton. As far as having no power and loading to get to the turnbuckle, you can do two things. One is to order the trailer with the optional winch strap or you can back the trailer so the fenders are below the water and just make sure the boat is between the fenders when you pull out.

[SGY]

Trailers

Thanks guys. I'll give it a try.

[jhiestand]

skinautique, Yeah I know Ram-Lin has made some improvements over the past three years. I'd love to have one of their newer trailers but I don't see that happening. While I'm sure it's possible to sink the trailer deep enough to float it on in the case of no power that doesn't really convince me that the turnbuckle is a better setup than a winch, despite it's simplicity. It is pretty cool to just pull on, hook and pull out but it's also kind of a bother to have to wait for the boat to creep back up into the bow paddles and then retighten. Until then, the bow bobs up and down which is a tad unsettling, IMO.

It's also a good deal if they've added a couple additional bunks for support. I've never had an issue loading an A-frame trailer either, although I prefer the centering effect of a trailer with multiple, fitted bunks. Those bunks also help keep the boat more in position when trailer, rather than shifting from side to side.

Bottom line is I think Ram-Lin has carried over some strange functionality in their trailers that many have just come to accept and maybe now expect, probably similar to CC's LH screw rotation. :lol: My only beef is I've had a taste of better trailers and I wish Ram-Lin had done some of those upgrades back when I purchased my rig.

[skinautique]

Just for a little insight, the LH rotation is done so that the torque is counteracted and the boat doesn't lean to one side when you hit the throttle hard out of the hole. The engine spins one way and the trans the other to do this. I personally have gotten used to it over the past 14 years and have no problem turning the boat. I can make the boat go straight or to either side in reverse. I know that doesn't help you but I thought I would point this out. As far as the trailer, who knows, maybe there will be some different improvements down the road.

[SGY]

rotation

I always thought CC's were RH rotation. Could I have been wrong all these years?

[ag4ever]

My prop spins in a clockwise rotation. I guess I would call that RH.

[igkya]

How did we get onto props? Anyway, I've always know the Ford engine's (351 and GT40) to be RH, but what about the newer GM's (Excaliber and the Zr6)?

[jhiestand]

Whups.. yeah, I think RH rotation is correct. I'm used to it also, but have to admit docking a LH inboard is simpler.

I didn't mean to hijack the thread! Die hard CC guy here, but I do think there is room for improvement with their trailer affiliations (and that clamshell seat, holy cow!!).