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Hi crew,
Ive been researching buying a boat from the US, like so many other Aussies have done, and have settled on a lovely SeaPro 238 WA which I can't wait to get my hands on.
Like so many before me, I have the issue of the trailer being too wide for our Sydney roads. so what I am looking at doing is purchasing one, or having one made in the US which meets our transport requirements.
I would rather do this than have to do a conversion here as it means I don't have to pay to build a cradle or arrange a truck for delivery.
Does anyone have a trailer for sale, or know of someone who has, which would suit a Seapro 238 and is no wider than 2.5m (About 8'2''). Alternatively can you recommend a manufacturer who could assist and is in the Carolina's area? If I have it manufactured then their are a few other requirements I would have thrown in, such as lighting configurations etc.
The deal could include the exisiting trailer if it is of benefit to anyone.
Spoont: Contact Danny at http://www.rollsaxle.com/ He can build you an aluminum trailer that will fit your boat and meet your width limitations. A lot of folks in the US feel Rolls builds the best boat trailers in America.
This is a small family business that only builds boat trailers and their customer service is outstanding. I had them build a trailer for my 34' boat and it is hands down the best towing trailer I have ever used.
Ghostship. Unfortunately I don't have a choice here. You cannot register a trailer wider than 2.5m which means I will be overhanging the guards. Not much i can do
Keep in mind that your balls (down under) are a different size than ours, so when you are in the back mounting up - well, be sure everything will fit.
On a serious note, we here in the US would use a 2 inch ball and a comparable 2 inch coupler for that size boat - so you may have to be a convert and - yes, use a US size (2 inch) ball with your US built trailer/coupler.
Also. The US "ball bolt," ie. that part of the trailer ball that is below the ball that fits into the receiver hitch will also likely be a different OD than one down under (ie. ours will be in inches - yours will likely be in millimeters?).
Again, that is the least of my worries. I am not bothered by having to change Balls and couplings as I am also going to have to rewire the light because of different configurations. It is the structural issues that concern me most. I'm no engineer but i recon that if you tried to cut a foot out of the middle of any trailer it would not be structurally sound thereafter.
And let me clear something up once and for all, we have bigger balls downunder than you!!!!! lol
Just look at the tackle the aboriginals had on them
Spoont, sounds like you're aching to become an import broker for trailers built to Oz specs. I see a business opportunity when you find a builder that can cut down the axles....and I'd imagine that the axle manufacturer is the key to your quest. Bending the I-beams is different, maybe, but the axles have to be built from scratch. Heck, I'll find a way to do it if you'll invite me and my bride down to that piece of heaven to "test" the waters if you think a business opportunity exists!
If you'd like a hand on this side of the water, PM me with contact information. What my ears lack in hearing is offset by typing ability, so e-mail is fine by me.
__________________ Rick
Alabama's Gulf Coast
Chaparral 240 Signature (Sold)
Spec. your trailer out , wiring, Ball, tires. I bet they will do what ever you want .
Elephantitus is a biotch.
__________________ F350 4x4/ Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins
Leaving the Picture of the Ford cuz I miss it
Pacific 2325 cc
Honda bf225
aluminumalloyboats.com
OK, we're talking via PM and good luck with this. The two criteria that I see are that an axle manufacturer has to build Aussie-spec axle...and building just ONE is going to be expensive. The second criteria is shipping; anything less than a container-load will kill the bank account. Both of those obstacles lead to the question of whether a larger market is ready to be fed...
Of course, you might have all this figured into the cost of the trailer...but let's stay in contact.
__________________ Rick
Alabama's Gulf Coast
Chaparral 240 Signature (Sold)
Spoont: With all of the talk about axle width this is where Rolls will have an advantage over almost every builder. Rolls builds their own axles - they do not use Dexter, Tie Down or any other mass produced axles. For them to build an axle say 6" narrower than what is normally used should not cost any more.
Keep in mind ALL of Rolls trailers are built for a specific boat - they are not built and then fitted to a boat. IF you have or can get the drawings for the bottom of the boat they can build a trailer for it and it can be any width and length you want/need.
Give Danny a call he is great to work with. He built my trailer in Plant City Florida and it is under my boat in Alaska.
That sounds like what I need. Thanks for the advise.
I will wait until Monday to give them a call but am sure I will find the answers I need given your (and others) glowing praise of them.
Give the guys at Hi-Tech Marine a call / E-mail, They have an awsome product and are great prople to deal with. They custom built my trailer to OZ standards. Torsion Axles cured the axle problem for me http://www.aluminumboattrailer.com/
Once it get's here you will still need to get a compliance on it by a trailer builder, which will include changing the Hitch, Trailer Plug, and Lights. Pay attention to the brake set up aswell, you will need electric/hydrolic and brake-aways.
Don't for get to apply for an import permit on the trailer, if it gets here with out one you wont get the trailer and it will cost you a packet for the pleasure of not having one.
I went with the Hi-Tech option and must say that Jason provide a level of service which must be commended. The price is right, the final product is first class and I cannot recommend him enough.
Trailer help for an Aussie. 
which I can't wait to get my hands on.
so what I am looking at doing is purchasing one, or having one made in the US which meets our transport requirements.
is a standard trailer size. Although w/ an 8'-6" beam on the boatyou'll be riding high, above the fenders. 
you wont get the trailer and it will cost you a packet for the pleasure of not having one. 
