In 04 I placed an order and for a new boat that was built to my specs,,I did nothing over the top but I wanted it to be just what we wanted.. I was advised the make of trailer I wanted was not available and the dealer had a company that builds trailer to match my boats needs,, Dual axle,4 wheel drum brakes, and a fresh water flush out for each wheel,, sounded good to me..
6 Weeks later the Dealer calls to say it all here, come and get it..
Upon trailer delivery I found that all of the brake fluid lines were rubber hoses and brass T fittings and plastic wheel fenders.. I expected at least steel fenders and steel brake lines but dealer advised me that this is the way to go,, nothing can rust... we went further through basics of trailer then to boat delivery and sea trial... all seemed good..
Upon coupling my new trailer to my 96 Dakota things started going in other direction.. The trailer lights would not work,, they hooked up there tester and all seemed fine,, plugged into my truck no lights... since it was assumed that problem was with my truck the service manager was not very quick to help... I performed a quick test with him standing there and found the trailer builder never attached the ground wire with a connector,, it was wrapped around a coupler bolt then pinched,, and not even tightly pinched, it pulled loose with a light tug.. The manager saw that and had a tech fix it with a wire end... the boat recieved some light scratches from the fork lift and they gave me two 1 1/2" straps to anchor the boat...I was advised that at 50 miles of trailering I needed to stop and retorque the wheel lug nut on trailer,, I was prepaired for that and had a torque wrench handy for when the magic mileage arrived.. I had a 180 mile tow to get home,, this was the only dealer in the state that sells this make boat. The Dakota was maxed riding low in the rear but well within it's rating for moving the load.. at 50 miles I stopped and retorqued the wheel lug nuts... somewhere around 90 miles from dealer I noticed strange feeling and noise from trailer..
I checked my right sideview mirrior and saw the front trailer wheel fender flopping around and then it was sucked under the boat bouncing around between boat and pavement then to be shot out to the right across 4 lanes of traffiac.. And within that split second the right foward wheel kicked back a few inches and caused the whole rig to pull badly to the right.. The fender flying across the road must cleared the way cause I didn't hit anyone while I was getting dragged across the roadway.. I managed to not flip the boat or truck and we came to rest on the side of the parkway...at that point I was just happy to be alive,, That happy feeling did not last long..
After some phone calls to dealer, 911, and others a tow truck showed up, He and I assessed trailer and the damage to boat..
It seems that the nylon lock nut that were used on the U bolts for the spring shackles were not fully threaded into the nylon so they fell off.. 4 out of the 8 nuts were loose... now I have been on the side of parkway for 2 hours and 4 differant style flatbeds have showed up and not one could fit load.. The tow company had a metal shop that made up a plate and U bolt anchor and performed a HailMary temp repair just to get me off the main road and to a place where my brand new investment could set while arrangements were made to get me back on the road.. I had no trailer brakes cause the fender when it ripped off and bounced around under trailer also ripped the rubber brake hoses to schreddes...
Once off the highway I made it to a boatyard that was owned and run by the best people, they kept the boat indoors overnight,, then let me keep it there with no hassle for 12 days while things were getting worked out...
After a couple of day and many phone calls the arrangements were made to have a warranty replacement trailer built just for me and it would have some no charge up grades.. The delivery date of trailer came and went and the unit didn't make it to the boat yard.. Driver got lost and then just went home.. It did get delivered the next day,, at the end of the day a hour after boatyard was closing,, the owner and I stayed and waited for it to arrive.. It had shinny diamond plate fenders and upgraded wheels,, The front roller bunks were completely wrong and it had the same style rubber brake lines.. I worked on refitting the front bunk from 1-st trailer resetting the crank mast and setting all bunks to the bottom of boat.. I went over every nut and bolt with torque wrench before setting boat down for final fitting... once everything was set and rechecked I was on the road again..
Stopping 2 more times to make sure all was ok..
I then went 3 seasons only using the trailer localy at beginning and end of each year.. and in the fall of the third season I found that the rubber brake lines had burst and I had no brakes again... That spring I put boat in water and empty trailer went in to shop and I fitted it with a steel brake line kit...
Since then trailer has been used on 2 800 mile round trip vacations and only needed the taillamp to be replaced..
Althouth I have found major rubbing marks on inside upper part of all 4 wheel wells,, I think the springs are to small or just in need of replacing or upgrading..

There have been other things I haven't gotten into,, I went into this thinking all would be good for many years if I just started off with new...

I will try to not be so long winded next time...

Uh, were you looking for help, or just venting?

Venting I guess,, Am I in the wrong place for that... I would hate be rambling on an taking up someone's time over a situation that they or I have had no or little control.

venting is good, especially if we can learn something from it.
1. light problems are usually caused by a faulty ground.
2. Plastic fenders bad
3. Check any bolts you find for proper torque
4. Inspect your brake lines, especially if they are rubber. Replace with stainless hoses if possible.
5. Inspect your trailer regularly.
6. Customer service trumps all.

Vent on my friend,,,,

Welcome to the site!

Yes, welcome. Given the number of times I stand on my fenders I can't imagine plastic ones holding up long-term. At least that second dealer was a good Joe. 12 days inside? Very cool.

He was more than just cool,, First he was private boatyard with no dealer affilates at all.. As he said to the first day,," Hey I am a boater too,, things happen " Don't get me wrong breaking down sucks,,, but when I came across this place I thought I had
been lead their by a bright light.. This place rocked,, there were high speed go fasts every where..

Check out amfoffshoreracing.com When broke down and limped into the boatyard this boat was on his left. Wazzup,, she use to be pink and raced as the maryk cosmitics boat.. She is much cooler now.

Vent away. Then go a fifth of your favorite whiskey and enjoy.

Works for me.




OK, not really.

Not much to be done now except vent. Good reminder for the rest of us that if you felt it was important enough to spec it in the deal, stick to your guns.

Hope you have better luck now. Welcome to the board.

Welcome to the board!

It's nice to another Joisey boater

Do you mind telling us who built the trailer ?


Scott

Good morning,, always nice to find another boater from my home state.. The is a Venture trailer Dual Axle.. They are manufactured somewhere in Maryland.. I recontacted them when the brake hoses burst,, spoke to shop manager who did remember the proplems from 2004 and then said " Well it's a shame your out of warranty " At that point I had already found a steel brake line kit for the daul axle trailer, had it dropped at my house and installed it my self..