Trailer Importance

[Familyman]

Looking to make a deal on my first Nautique (finally) this week... Local dealer is currently only offering a "sport boat" trailer. I've heard a lot of good things about a DHM, but nothing much on a SBT...

Questions: How important is the type of trailer that will hold my life savings? Does it make a difference to the life of the boat or is it just a matter of the life of the trailer? Opinions on the SBT? Should I assist on a DHM?

Any input is appreciated

[Rick]

RE: Trailer Importance

They are in paterson CA phone 209 892-5388.I would do a little research buut they should be OK.

[Grant_West]

Depending on how many miles you drive to and from to the lake I think a Trailer is VERY important. If its just around the corner then I guess it dosent mater that much. If it works properly it will be somthing you dont think about. But if it dosent work properly you will be wishing you got the nice trailer.

I have a DHM. It has had some problems but DHM has ALWAYS taken care of anything that went wrong.

[Mikeski]

Larsons marine? They tend to alternate between SBT and DHM.

I have a Zieman with my 211, it works very well. Some quirks but generally good. The Zieman is very solid.

BKHallpass has a SBT for his 210, he has told me he likes my Zieman better. I do know that some of the older Ziemans were bad.

My 1995 was on a DHM, it was a very good trailer, no issues at all. As Grant mentioned DHM has had a few issues from time to time like the bow rollers chipping the gelcoat. I think they have solved them now.

[Flux]

DHM is a very nice company, I actually got replacement parts from them for my trailrite, both companies use UFP products on their frames, actuators, brakes, spindles, etc. I had called trailrite for replacement parts and they not only charged me a grip, they sent me the wrong **** seals. Gary at DHM got me everything I needed and even gave me good advice and spent time helping me out when my brakes were shot. Anything can have problems, it's how they deal with the issues that counts for alot.

IF you can get a DHM, go that route. I trailer everywhere, and probably do more maintenance on the trailer than the boat really. That sounds wierd, but when you have your boat on it and it's attached to the vehicle holding your family, you wanna make sure that thing is working properly.

[Familyman]

Thanks for the feedback! Much Appreciated..

[bkhallpass]

As Mike said, I have a Sportboat trailer for my 210. There is really nothing wrong with it, but I like the Zieman or DHM better. My sportboat has a nice swing away tongue, brakes, and bunks support the boat well. It tows just fine.

The other trailers have some cool features like drag wheels on the prop guard, built in spare tire carrier, larger step pads. If I recall, the Zieman had some upgraded wheels (ICBW).

FWIW. BKH

[Flux]

I would venture a guess that all these brands of trailers most likely use UFP actuators/spindles/hubs/brakes, which is a good thing really.

Make sure whatever trailer you get has a good prop cage with rollers or wheels on it. You may never need it, but the first time you have to back into a steep driveway or something like that you will know what I mean.

[sanddragon2004]

CAN SOME ONE POST SOME PICS OF THESE TRAILERS? I WAS THINKING OF HAVING THEM CUSTOM BUILD ME ONE IN THE WINTER FOR MY BOAT.

i CURRENTLY HAVE A V/M TRAILER which while its a nice trailer is not built for my boat so i have had to retrofit it to work but i really would like a swing away tongue trailer and one that fits like a glove.

[jmo]

If you are going to do a fair amount of trailering like I do given I keep it in the garage, definitely get disk brakes on your trailer. The drum brakes on most trailers are not "self-adjusting" meaning that they dont have the mechanism your car's drum brakes do which keep the shoes in contact with the drum as the shoes wear down. So that means very quickly your drum brakes are rendered useless, of course you can manually adjust them, but you have to pull the wheel AND the hub off the axle - which is a hassle, and you have no way of knowing when you need to perform this operation without pulling it all apart - disk brakes can be visually inspected without disassembly.

I would also second Flux's recommendation on equipping the trailer with the castors on the prop guard, this feature will save you alot of hassle.

jmo

[jmo]

CAN SOME ONE POST SOME PICS OF THESE TRAILERS? I WAS THINKING OF HAVING THEM CUSTOM BUILD ME ONE IN THE WINTER FOR MY BOAT.

i CURRENTLY HAVE A V/M TRAILER which while its a nice trailer is not built for my boat so i have had to retrofit it to work but i really would like a swing away tongue trailer and one that fits like a glove.

Sanddragon2004 - did you contact your nearest dealer to try and order one from ramlim or DHM? My guess is that would be cheaper than having someone custom build it. Technically most trailers are made to order anyways, so you can get the options you want...

HTH...

jmo

[BP22]

I have a Sport Boat trailer for my 06 SAN. It tows good and does the job it supposed to. I wish it had a spare tire carrier and prop guard castors though. But overall I am happy with it.

[Flux]

They make bolt on spare tire carriers, that's what I have. Simple install and it's very solid.

Oh yeah, DUAL AXLE ONLY!!! Don't even mess around with a single axle.

[skiswm]

You can buy a spare tire carrier for many places, DHM sells them on their website. You can also buy the castors for the prop cage and have them welded on. I personall have a DHM trailer and it's been good overall (10 years now). I took it back to them a few years ago and they gave it a top to bottom look over. I also have a Zieman trailer for my PWC's, I will admit I love that trailer, it just looks "cool" the wheels are nice, it's fully welded etc. I think sometimes, people overlook the trailer, but as was mentioned before you are towing it, your family is there, if something goes wrong it can really go wrong. Plus, most of us sit and admire our boats on their trailers. We wish we were all so lucky to have docks in our backyards. Get the one you want, if your dealer doesn't offer it ask them if they can get it. I know DHM/Zieman and other companies make deliveries to West Coast C.C. in Sacramento on a regular basis so it shouldn't be a big deal to get the trailer you really want, it just might cost you a few more $$$.

[wake_fun]

1995 DHM trailer upgraded with LED's, backup lights, rear steps, prop guard rollers, and spare tire holder. The only thing left to do is add disc brakes.