Undersize trailer part 2

So, spoke to the dealer today, to get his point of view.

After a few polite discussions, I asked what he thought of the weight, and how they go usually with trailers etc. I then said how heavy my boat was with half tank of fuel and some fishing gear etc

I then said it would be even heavier with a full tank of fuel, and how do people get these to the ramps legally......

He said, and I quote, "its your choice to fill the tank full of fuel".

 

WHAT THE .......my choice....who doesn't fill the tank full of fuel.

 

I just assumed that my boat, 6.2, soft top, would be well under weight, considering they sell 6.7m, hardtop, with the same trailer as mine. (he even said these weight 1870kg unloaded, so as soon as you put fuel in your over the limit!!!)

 

Rang consumer protection. Can't do anything as I am the second buyer (didn't deal direct with dealer). If I could get the original buyer on board to complain, maybe, but seems like a lot of hassle for potentially no reward.

 

Anyway, buyer beware of course. Just absolute crap that they can do this.

 

Anyone have a trailer rated to 2.5t for sale?? Or does anyone have amny recommendations for a trailer.  :)


quest's picture

Posts: 248

Date Joined: 03/08/15

That sucks!

Wed, 2016-03-09 18:10

That sucks mate. Sorry to hear.  I woud be pissed off too if my trailer is under size.  I have a 6.1m plate ally and my trailer recon 2000kg I better chuck it on the weigh bridge and check if I can fill my tank with fuel.

Posts: 812

Date Joined: 09/10/06

 I recon 70% of boats on the

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:12

 I recon 70% of boats on the road are illegally being towed by owners that either dont know the legalities or dont care. Dealers selling  new boats should be made to inform buyers there options. 

Mate if the trailers in good nic it can be upgraded. Certainly wont be cheap but cheaper than a new trailer.

Call Paul at Fremantle trailers. He can advise cost vs new trailer. 

ranmar850's picture

Posts: 2702

Date Joined: 12/08/12

Have you contacted the trailer manufacturer?

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:24

 You may be able to upgrade with springs and, of course, the mandatory breakaway braking system, if the frame is strong enough. Only the trailers' designer ( usually in-house with the bigger builders) can answer this. And, of course a new VIN plate will need to be issued.

edit--oh, and if the dealer came that crap with me, he would probably be getting a backhander. Not verbal, an actual backhander. I've heard the Barcrusher dealer is a tosser, but this takes the cake.

Stevo81's picture

Posts: 1278

Date Joined: 16/04/12

Name the dealer

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:41

 I agree, that attitude is no where near good enough

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Auslobster's picture

Posts: 1901

Date Joined: 03/05/08

Insurance?

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:24

 Technically,if the trailer is overloaded as per the manufacturer's specs, as soon as you put fuel, dive/fishing/safety gear, your lunch, etc on board, does this not mean that your boat and/or car insurance would be voided in the event of an accident?

ranmar850's picture

Posts: 2702

Date Joined: 12/08/12

Short answer-Yes

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:26

 ^^^^ . I'd also be putting it all over the net, alerting all the Barcrusher owners out there. Let him feel some heat. Cockhead.

Posts: 211

Date Joined: 02/01/12

 From the first post I

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:57

 From the first post I believe his boat is a coraline

Percula's picture

Posts: 273

Date Joined: 23/09/08

Insurance

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:30

 Is my biggest concern. Once your over weight and you have a crash or something, You won't get paid a thing. Too big a risk for me.

 

Also mine is not a barcrusher.....

Percula's picture

Posts: 273

Date Joined: 23/09/08

Also yes

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:35

trailer manufacturer said I can upgrade for about 4K. Not sure if this is the way to go or get a new one 

Auslobster's picture

Posts: 1901

Date Joined: 03/05/08

Another question...

Wed, 2016-03-09 19:52

 ...what about duty of care? If I'm reading all this correctly, it seems that boat/trailer dealers are knowingly creating an unsafe road environment by not informing their customers about potentially unsafe loading practices.

What are we supposed to do? Carry all the gear and fuel separately on the way to ramp and load it on after the boat is launched?

Percula's picture

Posts: 273

Date Joined: 23/09/08

fit for purpose?

Wed, 2016-03-09 20:04

Yep, absolutely they are!

Considering he told me the 6.7 hardtop weighs 1870kg dry. 200 litre fuel tank, bait, ice, fishing tackle, saftey gear, you are a long long way over and not insured.

dowders's picture

Posts: 112

Date Joined: 23/01/11

 I have the Coraline 6.7m

Wed, 2016-03-09 20:14

 I have the Coraline 6.7m hardtop, and i bought it second hand privately about 5 years ago. The trailer did not have breakaway breaks or hydraulic breaks etc. when i bought it and i thought there is no way that this is legal. I ended up getting a brand new trailer made specifically for the boats weight with breakaway breaks etc, i just ended up selling the old trailer on boatsales.

Colt_Striker's picture

Posts: 624

Date Joined: 26/07/09

Sounds like dodgy dealer.

Thu, 2016-03-10 07:43

Sounds like dodgy dealer. When I brought my Wellcraft dealer advised me & I also checked with licensing trailer as a minimum is supposed to be rated with boat WET weight. Meaning all tanks & fluids full. WHich made a 500kg difference to what was required & pushed my dunbier up to the next rating.

carnarvonite's picture

Posts: 8669

Date Joined: 24/07/07

Consumer Affairs

Thu, 2016-03-10 07:57

Give all the details to consumer affairs because the dealer is liable, he sold it to you knowing full well that it wasn't legal and therefore is responsible for either upgrading the trailer or providing one that is suitable.
Publicity also helps bring this to an end because its the last thing they want with all the other boats sitting on trailers that are too light for the boats.