Help! Failed torsion axle and have vacation planned in two weeks

[rthinkle]

I've gone through Dexter, filled out the warranty paper work - which they say is going to be the fastest route, but that I still am not likely to have an axle by the 4th of July for our vacation. We always pull the boat to northern Michigan (about a 500 mile trip).

I've tried calling all over looking for an axle, looking for a trailer, begging Dexter.

I'm all out of ideas. Can anyone think of a way to get my boat there? I'm desperate!

2008 Mobius LSV

[Kidder522]

Is there a lake around to see if anyone will rent/lend a trailer to you if their boat sits on a lift all summer? I would think this would be a tough find until yours gets fixed.

[zabooda]

Go on a road trip and pick it up yourself.

[rthinkle]

I’ll definitely be keeping my eye open for one. Thanks for the advice.

[mikenehrkorn]

You mentioned going to northern MI - where are you starting from? I'm in SW MI and might be able to help you out if the locations aren't too far.......

[rthinkle]

The boat is in Saint Marys Ohio. Fingers crossed at this point - this morning things looked bleak re: getting an axle. But Cindy at Dexter UFP has been amazing! I'm not holding my breath, but she processed my warranty request and have an order number. She wants me to check back at the end of the week, and her hope is that the axle is ready Monday (June 29), and I could pick it up. Technically I am in Cincinnati - so that would be a 5.5 hour drive, but well worth it. I've been reading and enjoying these forums since I bought the boat in 2008, all ideas are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!

[sandm]

good luck and hope it all works out for ya.
never swapped an axle so hope it's a quick couple hour job and off on vacation for ya :)

[secondsupra2004]

Wow! They are warranty an axle on a 12 year old trailer? Thats awesome.

[Max20]

I know it’s been a few days since you posted and I hope you have it all worked out. If not though, Dry Dock Boat Services sells trailer parts. They’re on the west side of Cincy near Fairfield. I bought parts to redo the brakes on my triple axle Sea Ray trailer last year. Worth a shot

[lawhog84]

I'm in the same boat. Father's day weekend the Torsion axle blew out on my '08 boatmate trailer. No trailer manufacturer or repair shop will touch it. I had my mechanic take it off and I took it to a weld shop. Quick fix for me, they welded the damn thing and it's not going anywhere. Down side is, I have no shocks on that side now, I have to cut the welds off when the new torsion axle comes in, and if those welds break on my 2 hour trip, I'm screwed. Dexter is kind and all, but 3-4 weeks for a replacement part when these are known to fault is piss poor.

[larry_arizona]

Sounds like it might not be a bad idea to inventory a spare axle.

How much are they?

I keep my axles numbered for just such an emergency.


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[jeffandkaren]

My Boatmate trailer axle failed, $2000 and no boat for two months, I’m personally done with Boatmate and done with Moomba if there’s no other options

[dakota4ce]

My Boatmate trailer axle failed, $2000 and no boat for two months, I’m personally done with Boatmate and done with Moomba if there’s no other options

Good luck with the other trailer OEMs.


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[larry_arizona]

I know Malibu makes their own trailers.....don’t most wakeboat OEMS use Boatmate?


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[sandm]

I know Malibu makes their own trailers.....don’t most wakeboat OEMS use Boatmate?


our first tige was on a metalcraft out of slc utah. you think boatmate is bad, try them.... it was trashed after the first season.
some oem's used to allow dealers to buy trailers from wherever they wanted but I believe anymore it's pretty much all boatmate unless you are in brack or salt water. seems those dealers spec from companies that specialize in salt.

our last boatmate trailer went from texas to oklahoma to nevada to minnesota and our current boatmate went from texas to minnesota to nevada and not an issue with either. I'd not have an issue at all using boatmate again but do understand the issues back in '08. that is a long time ago tho...

[larry_arizona]

Put 3000 miles on a 2018 Boatmate. Great trailer, no issues.

Each spring I checked and snugged up the bunk board bolts, but that is normal for wood bunks.


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[zabooda]

Don't throw out the baby with the bath water as Boatmate is used by many other boat manufacturers so you might get the bath water back. I had my Mobius for 16 years with no issues. The trailer gets no respect but if it gets you from point A to point B it has done it's job.

[larry_arizona]

My Boatmate trailer axle failed, $2000 and no boat for two months, I’m personally done with Boatmate and done with Moomba if there’s no other options

What year was your trailer that failed?


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[sandm]

What year was your trailer that failed?
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theirs was a 2008 vintage.
https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?35680-Boatmate-trailer-axle-failure

I can't believe that 12 year old stuff is getting warrantied. that should speak to the companies even if it does take a minute to get parts.

[larry_arizona]

theirs was a 2008 vintage.
https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?35680-Boatmate-trailer-axle-failure

I can't believe that 12 year old stuff is getting warrantied. that should speak to the companies even if it does take a minute to get parts.

Oh Geeez, cmon people, you can’t bitch about a 12 year old trailer.


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[zabooda]

Some people did get axles sent to them after their warranty but probably a case by case basis. There may be cases where axles were sent, the trailer sold and a request for a replacement. It wasn't good for Boatmate and their customers when it happened. This website brings out those common issues and corrective actions happen fast.

[sandm]

Oh Geeez, cmon people, you can’t bitch about a 12 year old trailer.



I don't disagree with you at all. I wouldn't have any expectation for a free replacement. doesn't hurt to ask but I wouldn't get upset if they said no.

boatmate in my experience is one of the better builders if not what could be said "the industry standard". I would bet 'bu fashioned a lot of their manufacturing from copying boatmate or hiring people from there.

[larry_arizona]

Only thing I like on that bu trailer is the parking brake.

Otherwise Boatmate and bu trailers are nearly indistinguishable. Bu definitely knocked off the Boatmate design.

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[sandm]

don’t most wakeboat OEMS use Boatmate?


2016 tige for sale that's sitting on a phoenix trailer. here's a great reason to use boatmate. we shopped an r21 back in '18 sitting on a boatmate. this r21 is sitting on a phoenix trailer and looking at the back, that trailer is NOT designed for that boat. the boatmate we saw an r21 on was meant for it....
wonder if there's any challenges launching or loading that boat on what looks to be a mismatched trailer.
https://www.onlyinboards.com/App_Themes/OIB/BoatPhoto/2020/10/21112828.jpeg
https://www.onlyinboards.com/2016-Tige-R21-for-sale-TAYLORVILLE-Illinois-118001.aspx