Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

Alrighty, so I have still been in the hunt for a decent used trailer for my Diablo. A few years ago I got a price for a new one from Cradle Ride in Markham and well didn't want to spend the $2200+ on a new one. So I have been loosely keeping my eye out for a used trailer.

This past weekend, the owner of the marina where I store my boat mentioned to me that there was a Four Winns trailer that "should" fit my boat. So we went out to take a look at it and from first looks, it looked like it was in perfect order. Came home and called up the owner, it had only really seen light use, used to have an 18.5 Four Winns on it and thats about all he really said to me (plus the price of course).

Now, could anyone on here suggest some items to ask him about OR any items that need special attention etc. Such as when the bearings were last replaced or greased, any electrical or structure issues or how old the trailer really is.

Photos:

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg


http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg


http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg


http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg



Does anyone see any reason why this trailer would not work OR not support the hull of the Diablo properly?


Thanks for any comments / suggestions etc.

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

Congrats on the find! I think it would work, although you'd definitely want to do a trial fit before buying it. Four Winns hulls might have their strakes (raised lines in the hull) in a different spot, and you definitely don't want to put any excess pressure on yours with the trailer. You don't want to damage those! Some universal trailers have adjustable bunks, where you could move them to the side to accomodate, but custom manufactured trailers for specific boats are specifically built to hold that one specific boat. I'd say give it a try first, if everything goes good, grab it up. It looks to be in great shape, and has some nice features like carpeted wheel wells, integrated steps, etc.

Bearings can be changed pretty easily, and so can the electrical wiring (with a little patience). Make sure and check the structural integrity of the trailer by doing a "rust check" and looking for anything unusual underneath.

And don't forget a razor blade to peel off the Four Winns logo. I can do some new trailer decals for you if you'd like. :)

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

Awesome! Thanks for the info about the strakes and proper fitment. That was the exact comment I was looking for! :wink_thumbup:

I have been in contact with some other local trailer shops and they have all quoted me $1795 +taxes + licensing. After hearing what they pricing out, they mentioned to me a "BT2500" model of trailer. So when you punch that model into google, you get Excalibur trailers (local company).

Link: EXCALIBUR TRAILERS Ontario, Canada, Boat Trailers, Snowmobile Trailers, Utility Box Trailers, Landscape Trailers, Car Haulers in Toronto

I still have yet to contact them directly and inquire on that model number AND to see if they can beat the $1795 tag. I also have not contacted the owner of that trailer to even see if it lasted the week or not.



Btw - if I do end up getting the FW trailer I would take you up on the decal offer.

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

I don't have any real photos of the hull of the boat, but this about the closest I found in the old photos I snapped


http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/32...600x600Q85.jpg


Full size image below:
http://image57.webshots.com/657/5/36...3ixIFwr_fs.jpg



This one also

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/41...600x600Q85.jpg

Full size image:
http://image53.webshots.com/753/2/51...3yvtYWq_fs.jpg

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

Hmmm, how about re-hashing a 1 year+ old thread (almost to the date)... :rolling_laugh:

Can't believe it has been a year since I last looked at that Four Winns trailer. Geez. Time flies.


Anyhoo, to update. I didn't end up buying that trailer. I did spend a bit of time with a measuring tape and almost laying out my hull completely and referencing it with the Four Winns trailer. Came to the conclusion that my boat and that trailer would be totally incompatible. So I gave up chasing it.

Brings us up to today.

My parents recently located a trailer for my boat (woohoo!) from a local marina down the street from our cottage. All I know is my boat is very dirty (been sitting in boat storage shed since Sept 2008) and other than being a bunk trailer, I have no other information about what trailer they found for it and how it fits. I would assume the fit is fine, otherwise they would have contacted us.

Hopefully I can get up to my cottage again soon to check it out and snap some photos to share with the community.


:wink_thumbup:

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

Its about time you got back online. :)

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

Yeah sheesh I thought I was the only canuckle head trailer hunting excaliber seemed not bad price wise for a canadian company, but your guys taxes are nuts. Hope you found a keeper

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

LOL Thanks Mikey.

Yeah, not having a boat on the water or doing anything boat related for a few years, I just felt I had nothing really "new" to contribute to the webpage. So I kind of took a hiatus from it. Being a college student changes your priorities for where you spend your money.

But I still have the 3.0 powerhouse :wink_thumbup:

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

Yeah, I have been loosely looking for a trailer for the past few years. I check Kijiji every so often to see what shows up there. I think the marina down the street almost "gave" us someone else's abandoned boat and sold my parents just the trailer.

I hope they found a decent trailer for it also. All I care about is if the hull is sitting flush on it.

Re: Used trailer - what to look for ..?
 

Yeah I think I will be getting mine from Heritage they claim to still have the hull designs for the Mariahs when they took over Prestige as well.