[Alberg30] re:trailer purchase

[RABBIT649 at aol.com]

Subj:   Re: A 30 Trailers   
Date:   9/10/02 1:29:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time    
From:   <A HREF="mailto:RABBIT649">RABBIT649</A>   
To: <A HREF="mailto:public-list at alberg30.org">public-list at alberg30.org</A> (Alberg 30 public list)

Dear trailer purchase team:
This sounds great but I have some observations. First, I agree with Dan that 
we should go with the 7,000 pound axles. Triad says they do not like a three 
axle arrangement because of the side forces in turning situations, so a dual 
axle arrangement that meets specification (13, 200# exceeds the dual 6,000 
axles) is ideal. If the 7,000 lb axles are substituted, how does that effect 
the price differential between Glen Schwartz and Triad?
What is the quality of the prefabbed parts overall (axles, brakes, lights, 
hardware, etc.) in the Glen Schawartz trailer? Do we know? Name brand parts 
or offshore?
I think there should be both a bow and rear overhang support.If you are 
standing or working in the cockpit out of the water, there is nothing 
supporting that overhang and who knows what happens going over rough road.
Finally, the unknowable: how well can this two man fab crew pick up the 
details of the next few pieces they make WITH THE SUPERVISING DESIGNER 
SUDDENLY ABSENT and the original piece not there for comparison?
Finally what is their guarantee compared to Triad?
I may be wrong, but all this does not add up to making a $1400 difference 
worth it. 
I say, go with Triad.
But, I must tell you that a sudden deal-you-can't-refuse bargain property 
purchase which will take all my free cash may force me to drop out of the 
trailer purchase, so don't go by me. Do what you think best for the group and 
I will go along if I can.
Paul Cicchetti
#23 Ashwagh


In a message dated 9/10/02 12:04:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
dpinson at attbi.com writes:


> Subj:RE: A 30 Trailers
> Date:9/10/02 12:04:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time
> From:    dpinson at attbi.com (Dan & Gay)
> To: Richard.Hansen at carlisle.army.mil (Hansen, Richard D LTC Student), 
> RABBIT649 at aol.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Guys,
> 
> The price differential is compelling. While I believe distance has 
> eliminated me, you might find it interesting to "disguise" Triads offering 
> to get a more fair comparison. Or, at least nail down some more details 
> that Triad specified. I don't know how flexible either mfg is. The $1,300 
> difference might be quickly eaten up by a few changes. I made a few notes 
> (green) in context for you review if you choose...
> 
> Again, Richard, thanks for taking the lead in this.
> 
> Regards,
> Dan
> 
> 
> >> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Hansen, Richard D LTC Student 
>> [mailto:Richard.Hansen at carlisle.army.mil]
>> Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:29 AM
>> To: 'RABBIT649 at aol.com'; 'Dan & Gay'
>> Subject: FW: A 30 Trailers
>> 
>> 
>> I have scanned but wish to read again. I am leaning towards this trailer.  
>> Interested in your thoughts?  RDH
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Crufone at aol.com [mailto:Crufone at aol.com]
>> Sent: Saturday, September 07, 2002 10:37 AM
>> To: Richard.Hansen at carlisle.army.mil
>> Subject: A 30 Trailers
>> 
>> 
>> Richard,
>> I will try and answer some of your questions, but I don't know if I can 
>> meet your Mainsheet publication deadline.
>> We started to build the trailer on Thursday, two days behind schedule, so 
>> I am running a bit behind on my original schedule, as posted on the A 30 
>> page.
>> 
>> The first day the basic frame was built and yesterday we built most of the 
>> superstructure.  Monday we will finish details like fenders, jack mount, 
>> mast/boom rack and spare tyre mount. Monday afternoon it goes to the 
>> painter and Wednesday we finish lights, reflectors, hitch details, etc.
>> 
>> Thursday I pray I get to head for Port Clinton, OH
>> 
>> Questions about the Alberg Trailer
>> 1. Trailer construction material? Weight of trailer?  (I believe that it 
>> is made from Cold Rolled Steel, and I don't know the alloy.  Estimated 
>> weight is 2800# and load capacity is 10400# equals GVRW of 13200#).   
>> 2. Time to manufacture and deliver trailer?  ( Glen estimated one week to 
>> build and paint.  Time to deliver depends on where you live).
>> 3. Cost to deliver?  Cost to pick up at factory? (Delivery @ $1.50/mile - 
>> oneway.  No cost to pick up at factory).
>> 4. Payment plan available? Financing? Interest rates? (Cash, check, 
>> MasterCard,Visa, Discover card).
>> 5. Group buy discount scale...Discount for 2? 3? 4?  More than 4? (Glen 
>> feels that the savings for additional trailers has been accomplished 
>> because I have done all the engineering and drawings and have worked daily 
>> directly with his men to fabricate the first trailer.  To a point I feel 
>> that he is correct.  Because I have been present there has been very 
>> little down time. I can keep ahead of the mfg. team, marking locations and 
>> running the plumb bob.  This shop is basically like the one at Triad, 
>> i.e., a welding shop that builds trailers.  One man cuts and one man 
>> welds.  After all is tacked together both men weld).
>> 6. Can electric brakes occasionally be used for salt water launch if 
>> immediately rinsed? (Launching with electric brakes in salt water is NOT 
>> RECOMMENDED.  Personally, I would not launch with any brake system in any 
>> water.  You might get away with the combination of Hydraulic brakes in 
>> fresh water, salt water is nasty for any concealed system, i.e., brakes). 
>> I agree here. I wouldn't care for anything but a float-off model.
>> 
>> 7. Bow ladder available and cost? (This is a custom shop so "anything you 
>> want can be made."  A bow ladder would cost $75.00).
>> 8. Additional "stands/pads" to support boat while moving and or hull 
>> resurfacing? (I have talked with many boat people about this, three 
>> stantions on each side of a 30 foot boat is plenty for transport and to be 
>> able to back off one at a time to work on the hull surface). 
>> I assume that the stantions (poppets) are adjustable and that there is a 
>> support (not necessarily adjustable) for the bow. I agree that 3 per side 
>> is adequate allowing one per side to be removed/retracted for hull work.
>> 
>> 9. Type of hitch (gooseneck or trailer) and is it convertible? What is 
>> conversion? (My trailer is for a 2-5/16 coupler ball.  The height is 
>> adjustable. I am having load leveler bars and an anti sway bar added.  
>> Again this is a custom shop and you can have a gooseneck trailer made if 
>> you wish).
>> 10. Number of axles?  Is more axles an option? (My trailer is being built 
>> with two 6000# axles, both with electric brakes.  Each axle cost $392.70.  
>> Glen and I looked at three 5000# axles and two 7000# axles and decided on 
>> two 6000# units, based on my intended usage.  You can have four axles if 
>> you wish there is plenty of room on the frame. The tryes that I am using 
>> are 16"- 10ply, with 8 lug wheels, rated at 3042# each). 
>> Note that Triad has beefier tires and axles. I'd be tempted to go with 
>> 7000# and the heavier tires specified by Triad.
>> 
>> 11. Any warrantee on workmanship, welds, rust, brakes, etc? (One year 
>> warranty on materials and workmanship from the builder.  No rust warranty. 
>> Goodyear tyres carry a mfg. defect warranty form Goodyear and the Dexter 
>> axles carry a 5yr warranty from Dexter).
>> 
>> 
>> Richard,
>> 
>> This should answer most of your questions.  I have estimated forward the 
>> cost of my trailer completed to be $5,605.  This includes title, tax, 
>> license, the boat stands I purchased separately from Brownell and 
>> incidentals for the support padding and reflectors, etc.  I will be making 
>> modifications to my drawings and adding mfg. dimensions when the trailer 
>> is completed.  All things considered, I believe that this represents a 
>> considerable savings over the $7000 to $9000 cost that you researched 
>> earlier.  I will have invested perhaps 40hours of my time and if I pay 
>> myself $35/hour that makes $1400 and the total cost is back up to $7000.  
>> I had the time and my out of pocket is the $5,600 and not the $7,000.
>> 
>> Since I have done the engineering and drawings, which is essential for a 
>> good custom trailer, perhaps whoever purchases a trailer built by Glen 
>> Schwartz would be willing to pay me a $200 fee for the work I have done.  
>> A $200 fee is reasonable to save the $1400 on the total cost.  Maybe 10% 
>> of the savings is reasonable, as a fee.
>> 
>> Anyway, if I were you I would wait until I actually fit the boat to the 
>> trailer and transport it back to Indianapolis for the "final report" 
>> before I made my decision.  I have made digital pics during the mfg. 
>> process and will continue to do so.  I will also make final pics upon 
>> completion and travel pics once the boat is on the trailer as well.
>> 
>> My interest in this entire project was to build an excellent trailer for 
>> my A 30 (at something under the cost for a Triad Trailer) and then share 
>> that information with the Alberg Group. The fee that I refereed to is not 
>> important and not necessary, but I suggested it as a gesture for my work.
>> 
>> I will be busy working on a local Regatta the rest of the weekend.  I 
>> don't have your telephone number, so if you would like to talk, call me @ 
>> 317-253-7351.
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> Michael Connolly #133
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 

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