Ramlin VIN anyone?

Chris -

Would my Ram-Lin '04 206 Trailer VIN help? You got it if needed...........

Shot Chris an email yesterday with my VIN. Really curious to see how the ordering process goes as I've toyed with the idea of trailer replacement for a while now.

I was checking out the Promo, that is one serious boat lift ! it says Dexter what body of water are you guys on there? About once a month I drive from Co to Mi . Ill take 70 east then return 80 west.
Kirk

Updating this thread since we have the new trailer back in Iowa - huge thanks to Eddie and JBear for picking up and storing the trailer.



Even more thanks to Hollywood and his future bride for dragging it from Orlando to Chicago, storing it for a few weeks and meeting me in Chicago.



The valet guys at the Lowes hotel got a kick out of us pulling into the parking ramp. Thought we were going to make it before the gate dropped. Luckily stopped just before we ripped the gate (or guide poles) off in the process.



After getting the trailer home we were pleased to find the color was a perfect match. I was a bit concerned about this as Ramlin said they had the color codes from that year but we went ahead and sent a guide pole from the existing trailer just in case.



That's about where the good news ended for a while. Brother Ben and I lifted the boat off it's storage cradle and onto the trailer.





Now for the bad news -

As you can see in the picture above, we noticed some major differences in the bunks compared to the other Ramlin's we've seen in the past and the early 90's CC trailer we have sitting outside. Long story short - the bunks are too wide and stay parallel too long allowing the bow to drop. This keeps the last 60" of the bunks from touch the hull making the boat unstable. Most importantly, the frame and bunks drop by 3/4" in the last 60" which was the biggest problem. Take a look at the pics below.



Daylight = Not good


The good news -
I called up the good folks at Ramlin and told them about the issues we were facing. (Thanks to Tim, Joe, Zach and Reid for filing my questions in the process)

After sending them a bunch of pictures and measurements we were pleased to hear they're going to take care of us and make it right. We discussed a few options to make the current trailer work but couldn't come up with anything that would be 100% right.

I'm very happy to report they're going to build a new trailer frame for us (swapping our running gear and bolt on parts over) which is a great excuse to make the first weekend of the River Run.

We chose to make this trailer as period correct as possible. You'll see the color matched wagon wheels w/chrome trim rings and kept the badging off the trailer so we could source ourselves (they sent us all the current decals anyway). Plan is to add white decals with white "Nautique" step treads.

Good suggestion by Tim on the wheels!!


The rest of the trailer is all current technology with Fulton jack, torsion axles, brakes, swing tongue and transom tie downs etc.

Overall - I'm still very pleased with the build quality and look of this trailer. The staff at Ramlin has been very understanding and willing to work with us to make this right. I'm looking forward to reporting back after the River Run with the finished product and more good feedback from our experience with Ramlin.

Like I said before, trailer looks awesome, too bad the boat doesn't fit!

I suspect the different taper of the frame rails is your main (and possibly only) problem. I wouldn't rule out he possibility that the 3/4" vertical taper at the aft end may in fact be accommodating the hook in the hull. Tough to be sure since the nose is allowed to sit waaaay too low. Glad they're doing right by you and will be able to do a test fit on the re-do before leaving the state!

I agree with everything Dave says. But I have to disagree with Tim on the glad their taking care of it. They don't have much of a choice, they screwed up! You gave them a vin, they knew what boat you had and they just didn't start building trailers

That sure is some pretty white sand.

Hate to hear about the troubles.

I can agree with you guys on wanting them to pickup the trailer and drop off a new one but we didn't have the most straightforward process when ordering, so I'm trying to work with them instead of demand things and hope for the best. Beggars can't be choosers. So far it's worked out but we'll see in a few weeks.

Since we wanted to make the trip down to see some of you clowns I offered up bringing the trailer back for them to replace while we're in town. Had I been a normal customer working through a local dealer and not planning to go to Florida anyway I'd be pushing for them to do all the heavy lifting.

Considering the circumstances around this purchase, the issues we're facing and the potential outcome we're very happy customers.

The guys (and gals) down at Ramlin have been very helpful and supportive. I made sure to tell them I'd continue to be an advocate of their product for anyone looking to put a period correct trailer under their late 90's/Early 00's Nautique. So I'll stand by my word unless something changes in the coming weeks.

I thought the straight frame rails were unusual but haven't seen a factory tandem before. Oh well, glad to hear it will be corrected.

quinner wrote: Still scratching my head, Ramlin must have built 100's or maybe even 1000's of trailers for that hull and they can't find the instructions, lol.

I was too, evidently they had a miscommunication of sorts with the build sheets. I've sent over all the measurements we could get our hands on in hopes there's no such issues with the replacement trailer.

Time will tell but I've been on the phone with their production manager over the last few weeks and feel confident they'll get it done right.

quinner wrote: And where is Pete on the subject, he just scolded poor CBR Dude for building his bunks the same way Ramlin did, lmao.

I just caught this!! Seeing Ramlin's bunks, it was the first thing I thought of!

Chris,
Sorry you had this problem. I hope they take care of you. I do agree with others that they should be delivering you a trailer at your doorstep.

Steve, I'm back in Iowa but the boat and trailer are still in FL at Ramlin. Dad is working a show in Orlando tomorrow night and is planning to get the boat Wednesday morning.

We did tour their facility and got to see the new trailer frame last week. Awesome shop and great people down there. The new frame looked great. I had to catch a flight so we didn't have a lot of time to pull measurements but it looks much better than the previous frame.

I'll hopefully have some pics of the boat on the trailer later in the week!!

+1 on the quality Ram Lin does. Dad had them basically build a new trailer for his '75, identical to the original. My only disappointment was evidently they "couldn't" do a custom shade of white.

Smoking Hot !!!!!!!!!!

Very, very cool! They have come a long way from my 2000 trailer, that's for sure. Very nice!