Getting ready to buy trailer

Invictus · Post by **Invictus** » Mar 30th, '10, 21:38

I'm getting ready to order a new Triad Trailer for my 25D. I would be interested in any recommendations that folks might have, such as:

- pads vs. bunks
- extension tongue vice not
- brake types

Background info: I plan on using the trailer to store boat in off season and when I'm deployed (I'm in the Navy). Also, I will be moving the boat myself from duty station to duty station (including the possibility of across country or even Hawaii). I am fairly ambivalent about having the ability to launch the boat myself, but curious to other's thoughts about launching via ramp (esp with a 25D) or using a travel lift...

Now that I think about it, the launching question probably answers the majority of my questions above...

Thanks!
Jeff

bhartley · Post by **bhartley** » Mar 31st, '10, 09:25

Jeff,

I would vote for screw-adjustable pads and keel guides. If you are set up to ramp launch with screw pads, it is no impediment to use a lift. Even if you never launch yourself, it is a perceived added value for resale. We have surge brakes.

As for the extension, you will be hard pressed to bury the 25D trailer enough to float her off without some kind of extension. So much is dependent on the length and angle of the ramp and the type of water. Fresh water is a lot easier on your trailer, brakes and rear axle of the truck!

We have an 8' tongue extension and our marina has a 12' extension. You have to be very good at backing to use either ( I just stand there and grimace). When the water is up at our lake, it is a very easy launch/retrieval. Travel lifts are quite rare on our inland lakes (we don't have any on Lake Hartwell) so ramp launching is the only real option.

We do pay to get the mast stepped. We step the mast on our SS23 ourselves, but the time and effort to step the 25Ds mast makes the cost look cheap!

Hope that helps a little.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TK ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bfbacvRXBD0/S7NUh ... C02107.JPG" /></a>

This is the trailer we built. The winch stand is removable and doesn't do much. It had to be removed when they dropped the boat on the trailer during our emergency lift-out.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6E ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bfbacvRXBD0/S7NUg ... CF0006.JPG" /></a>
This is the trailer we brought her home on originally. The stands were press-fit and bolt in place. I would NOT recommend this method. There was no bow support or stop and it did not seem to make any difference. We used a travel lift to put her on the trailer. With no keel guides or bow stop, we would have had a tough time.

Klem · Post by **Klem** » Mar 31st, '10, 10:09

I would echo what BHartley said. Pads that can be screwed up and down are ideal and might let you haul another boat if you ever need to. I would only get the extension tongue if you expect to try to launch the boat yourself. There are other ways to do it such as with a winch and a wheel on the front of the trailer or parking the trailer down the ramp at low tide and using the tide to do it but these methods are not very convenient and do require practice. Self launching costs people more than they realize because of the water contamination in bearings and rust. As far as brakes are concerned, I would recommend electric brakes with a brake controller in your vehicle. This provides the best braking performance and doesn't have problems with backing the trailer up hills which is an issue for surge brakes.

The other question to ask would be what is your tow vehicle? The trailer is definitely important but the tow vehicle is just as important. People tend to put a lot of emphasis on power when the emphasis really should be put on handling with the extra weight and braking.

Jim F · Post by **Jim F** » Mar 31st, '10, 14:21

You might look at the LoadMaster trailer from the folks in Ohio they have been great to work with and I just placed an order for one for my CD30K. There web site is Loadmastertrailerco.com not to be confused with the company with the same name in Fla. that make aluminum trailers. Triad makes a good trailer also not to take anything away from them but if you are in the central part of the country these folks might be closer. I would certainly check them out. I went with the screw pad and plan to launch by travel lift. Good Luck.

Jeff G · Post by **Jeff G** » Apr 1st, '10, 15:52

I've got a Triad Trailer for my 25D. I do not ramp launch. I use a travel lift to launch. If you're interested in the process I've posted a video on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6dpFUOOwmY

Sea Hunt · Post by **Sea Hunt** » Apr 1st, '10, 16:29

Jeff:

I have always heard very good things about Triad Trailers. They are located in North Carolina I believe

That is an excellent launching video

Thanks.

Two questions about the launching. First, it did not look like the two straps were tied together horizontally to prevent one of them from slipping "out and off" from the keel. Were the straps tied together

Second, I would have thought the aft strap would be positioned under the keel but forward of the bottom of the rudder. Is your location the preferred location for a CD 25D

I don't have one yet but I keep looking and I keep hoping

Thanks again

Sea Hunt · Post by **Sea Hunt** » Apr 1st, '10, 19:08

Jeff:

Sorry. I looked at the video again - in large screenmode this time.

I'm a dummy

The video clearly shows a strap being prepped to tie together the two slings. Sorry about that

I am still interested in your thoughts on the position of the aft strap.

Thanks,

Alan Holman · Post by **Alan Holman** » Apr 1st, '10, 20:07

Last fall when I was in the market for a trailer to haul my newly purchased CD25 I went to my local welding shop and asked their opinion.
My man Frank said buy a trailer if you want, but I can build you a steel cradle with removable jacks. You jack up the cradle and slide the trailer under it, lower the cradle onto the trailer, remove the jacks and insert four gizzmos to fasten the cradle to trailer where jacks were and Bobs your uncle you've got a boat trailer. Take the boat home to your yard, unfasten the gizzmos, insert the jacks, jack up the cradle with the boat in it, pull out the trailer, lower the cradle and you've got your winter storage.
I used a borrowed 7000 lb dual axle trailer to haul my CD25 from Bristol, RI to PEI, Canada, about 800 miles. When I got the boat home I put it in my yard and returned the trailer to the owner, my friend the Frank the welder. My boat and cradle weighed about 2 maybe 2.5 tons, your CD25d might weigh in at 3.5 to 4 tons and there are a lot of 10,000 lb GVW dual-wheel trailers around that can easily be rented. The construction industry uses them all the time. Trailers aren't cheap, and you really may not need one. If any one is interested I can take some pictures of my setup.