Retirement party for Rusty

[NoSlack]

Yes I finally retired "Old Rusty"

With my girl coming up on her 24th birthday, I decided it was time to treat her to a nice new ride.

After shopping around and talking to several trailer manufactures, I went with F.E. Trailers out in El Cajon. Having a custom trailer built is a decision you might make once or twice in your life so why cut corners. All the quality trailers I looked at we fairly close in price so that was never a factor in the decision. I was looking for something that would last another 20 years and have a lot more backbone than my old #7000 GVWR trailer.

#10,000 tandem axle
#5200 rated torsion axles, by UFP in San Marcos
4 wheel disc brakes, by UFP in San Marcos
Upgraded all the light to LED
Side guilds with a galvanized ladder built in.

Torsion axles offer a nice feature with each wheel having independent suspension. If I blow a tire or loose a bearing, I can remove the tire, toss it in the truck and keep on moving with #7500 of trailer still under the boat.

Now if I can talk the wife into a new tow vehicle, I'll be mobile and have a good shot at filling my salmon slot this year.

Mike

http://www.bocaboard.com/data/512/FE Trailer.JPG

http://www.bocaboard.com/data/512/Disc.JPG

http://www.bocaboard.com/data/512/Disc2.JPG

[Professor]

There is going to be no keeping him down on the farm now. I wonder if the fish in other ports realize the seriousness of their problem.

Congratulations on the new ride for the boat. My first trailer for the Patron was not adequate and it was nerve racking every time I headed down the road. Not a good way to start a fishing trip.

[hijole]

Maybe we can check it out at the BBQ.

[yellowfin1]

Oh great,

Mike raises the bar again? This Leader board thing was suppose to be a friendly fun competition thing and now we have to go north too just so Mike doesn't run away with the whole kit and kibootle again this year. Just kidding. Cool trailer man!
Salmon eh??? I think I'll stay local and attempt the local salmon at the mouth of the Santa Margarita river. Although a salmon run might also fit in well with a long weekend and a shot at thos big albies up north.

Scott

[Mac Attack]

My trailer is also original. 20 years old now, sandblasted and repainted every 3 years. It's also time to decide to rebuild or replace. Any idea on who Blackman now uses for trailers now that Aros is finished. I know that they recommend a #12,000 lbs. capacity for a 26 Billfisher. I would like to get a tandem axle and not a tri-axle any thoughts?


Thanks Mike
Mac Attack :)

[NoSlack]

The Blackmans are sending out the new boats on Trail Right trailers.

F.E. Trailers are only a mile north of the Aros shop if your're in the east country of San Diego. http://fetrailers.com

If you're up in the LA area check out AB Trailers. He builds a beautiful aluminum trailer with a lot of the same components I went with. http://abtrailers.com

The brakes and axels from UFP look to be top of the line. Time will tell if they're any better than the rest of the stuff on the market.

Mike

[Old Blue]

and I say good riddance! Congratulations Mike. Sure is a nice looking ride for No Slack.

Please let us know how you like those torsion axles. Does it feel any different rolling down the road? Have you launched with it yet? I noticed you didn't stay with the rollers. The sharp entry on the front end of our hulls doesn't give much flotation for the bow during launch. I usually have to give mine a little bump down the ramp (on a short leash from the winch) to get her the first few feet off the trailer before I can back off. You definately wont be sliding off like you did with the rollers.

Looks good! No Slack will probably run a knot or two faster on the way in knowing whats waiting at the ramp.

Brian.

[NoSlack]

I really wanted to stay with a roller trailer but EZ Loader didn’t offer what I was looking for in my next trailer. The best they had to offer was a #7000GVWR for my size boat. That’s what I had, and I always felt it was a little light for the boat.

Having a trailer custom built locally, I could pick and choose from the best components available and track the progress as she was put together.

I’ve only made the one launch and struggled a bit to find the right depth so the boat would slide off without to much effort. The few extra minute I’ll spend at the ramp getting on and off the trailer are a small price to pay for the comfort of knowing my baby is safe and secure on the road.

As far as the ride goes, she’s sweet. Very smooth on the bumps and stops on a dime with the 4 disc brakes.

Mike