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Hydro trailer wanted
- Thread starter SurfBeat
- Start date
SurfBeat
Active Member
Myself being a guitar player I would love to drive over to Austin and play my reverb driven surf music with Austin's soul driven bluez, however, enticing as that is, it is a tad too far to drive to pick up the Hydro Trailer.
On the other hand 99, if you wanna drive over to California on the Colorado River to deliver it, that would definitely work for me.
On the other hand 99, if you wanna drive over to California on the Colorado River to deliver it, that would definitely work for me.
Meet up half way....still pretty far for either one of you to go....but it's an option.
Lots of people travel....maybe one is going between California & TX. ......another option.
i assume these trailers are rare.
Lots of people travel....maybe one is going between California & TX. ......another option.
i assume these trailers are rare.
SurfBeat
Active Member
The trailers are not rare, just like most things I want, nobody has one for sale when I want to buy. I could by new, but I am not willing to pay an arm, leg and a nut for something I may use occasionally. I am sure when I stop looking for one there will be several posted for sale.
SurfBeat
Active Member
You Hydro Trailer owners, did you attach the mounting bracket to your PWC's?
Over the weekend I found a never used Hydro Trailer for $100 (I almost screwed up a few days earlier by buying a used one for $350 that needed the towing bar, hitch, straps, flag bra, etc. that could have cost another $300 bucks-so buyers beware), but before I start drilling holes in my Jet Ski to mount the hitch I thought I would check here to see if anyone had done that and had encountered any problems, or were problem free.
I need some replies.
Over the weekend I found a never used Hydro Trailer for $100 (I almost screwed up a few days earlier by buying a used one for $350 that needed the towing bar, hitch, straps, flag bra, etc. that could have cost another $300 bucks-so buyers beware), but before I start drilling holes in my Jet Ski to mount the hitch I thought I would check here to see if anyone had done that and had encountered any problems, or were problem free.
I need some replies.
SabrToothSqrl
Well-Known Member
SurfBeat
Active Member
For all you PWC'ers seeking information about Quadel's Hydro Trailers, you found the right Post, thus, today is your lucky day.
After an endeavor by an unscrupulous seller in Hesperia, CA to sell me his POS Hydro Trailer a few days ago, yesterday I found a brand new one for a hundred bucks and all it needed was the Trailer Hitch to hook the Hydro Trailer to my Jet Ski which will cost me $67 from Quadel Ind. (541) 269-7351. Ask for Tony.
First, before purchasing a used Hydro Trailer, hereinafter referred to as HT) be sure it has the Tow Bar! (the Towing Bar attaches to the HT and looks like a large wishbone, about 3" to be exact). If you don't have that part, and all of the hardware, then send off $102.00 to Quadel. (There is a substitute for the Tow Bar-see below)
Second, you also need a Hitch Kit that attaches to PWC. That item is a flat 3x3 piece of stainless steel that has a 3" long opening at the end for the clevis pin to slide into from the wishbone. If you don't don't have the Hitch, then send $67 to Quadel. Although Quadel makes three different Hitch Kits, I used the Butterfly. I (There is a substitute for the Hitch Kit-see below)
Although I haven't seen any after-market parts for sale, if you log onto "www.schoepski.com/states/illinois/hydrotrailer/camp.htm" you will find information revealing how a fisherman who turned his Yami into a fishing craft, substituted mooring whips for the Tow Bar and Trailer Hitch.
According to Schoepski, by substituting mooring whips for the stock Hydro Trailer Tow Bar, the HT became very "easy to attach, detach, and tow."
Schoepski further opined that "the old system (Hydro Trailer Tow Bar) made "it tough to get on plane," thus the trailer "really controlled the ski, and the max speed that one felt safe at was about 20mph."
Schoepski stated that using the substituted system enables his HT to be towed just like a "water skier, and he can now travel at speeds of up to "45 to 50 mph in calm water."
When I spoke to Tony at Quadel today he told me he gets his Jet Ski up to 40 to 50 mph on the ocean with no problems, so, as you can see there are two different opinions. Who is right, the manufacturer or a user? I wish someone who has a Hydro Trailer would address that issue.
Third, in response to individual components, I got a price list from Tony today, so I can pass on that information to you. (Quadel does not post a price list on its web-site, but does post a parts list. If he reads this post, maybe he will address that issue)
The bra will set you back $28; four velcro straps are $61; the flag and pole is $17; door gaskets $25 and the hydro-turf door cover is $25. All total: $325.00.
If anyone is reading this post, then it should be crystal clear that when you purchase a HT, you better ensure all of the parts mentioned above come with the HT, or, depending on which parts are missing, you may end up paying more than you can purchase a brand new HT for. ($686.00 as of the date of this posting)
Fourth, and very important, how to know you are dealing with a reputable seller before you take your hard earned dollars out of your pocket and pay a stranger.
Some jerk down in Hesperia, CA tried to sell me his POS Hydro Trailer last week for $350. I guess since he lived in the desert and his brain was fried, he though mine was also.
His POS Hydro Trailer needed all of the parts mentioned above, thus my reason for calling his Hydro Trailer a POS.
As for referring to him as brain dead, I based that opinion on his suggestion that the Trailer Hitch and Tow Bar were unnecessary; according to him, all I had to do was just tie a rope from the HT to my PWC and all would be fine. He related that is what he had done for several years.
Sure, Jason, sure!!! Anyone who has ever towed another PWC knows that such advice is 100% BS; by following that advice the trailer will bang the heck out of a PWC if towed for very long and at speeds over 5 to 10 MPH. Who in their right mind would want to tow a trailer for miles at 10 MPH?
Because the seller had a brand new HT in his garage sitting next to the POS Hydro Trailer he wanted to sell, IMO he knew full well he was pimping off a POS.
All you folks from S. CA that may be looking for a HT, watch out for that one, or something similar or you will be throwing money away. If you can get it for $25, then maybe, and that is a big maybe, the sale may be fair to both parties.
So, bottom line, know what parts you need before you buy a Hydro Trailer AND watch out for unscrupulous sellers.
I hope this info is useful to those looking for a HT. I don't think you will find a more detailed Post on any site regarding this subject.
After I attach the Hitch Kit to my HT and use it I will be in a better position to update this post with an answer proffered by Night Rider on a sister Forum, "Why The Heck Would Anyone Want A Hydro Trailer?
Of course, maybe someone reading this post has the answer to that question????
Good Luck, grasshoppers.
After an endeavor by an unscrupulous seller in Hesperia, CA to sell me his POS Hydro Trailer a few days ago, yesterday I found a brand new one for a hundred bucks and all it needed was the Trailer Hitch to hook the Hydro Trailer to my Jet Ski which will cost me $67 from Quadel Ind. (541) 269-7351. Ask for Tony.
First, before purchasing a used Hydro Trailer, hereinafter referred to as HT) be sure it has the Tow Bar! (the Towing Bar attaches to the HT and looks like a large wishbone, about 3" to be exact). If you don't have that part, and all of the hardware, then send off $102.00 to Quadel. (There is a substitute for the Tow Bar-see below)
Second, you also need a Hitch Kit that attaches to PWC. That item is a flat 3x3 piece of stainless steel that has a 3" long opening at the end for the clevis pin to slide into from the wishbone. If you don't don't have the Hitch, then send $67 to Quadel. Although Quadel makes three different Hitch Kits, I used the Butterfly. I (There is a substitute for the Hitch Kit-see below)
Although I haven't seen any after-market parts for sale, if you log onto "www.schoepski.com/states/illinois/hydrotrailer/camp.htm" you will find information revealing how a fisherman who turned his Yami into a fishing craft, substituted mooring whips for the Tow Bar and Trailer Hitch.
According to Schoepski, by substituting mooring whips for the stock Hydro Trailer Tow Bar, the HT became very "easy to attach, detach, and tow."
Schoepski further opined that "the old system (Hydro Trailer Tow Bar) made "it tough to get on plane," thus the trailer "really controlled the ski, and the max speed that one felt safe at was about 20mph."
Schoepski stated that using the substituted system enables his HT to be towed just like a "water skier, and he can now travel at speeds of up to "45 to 50 mph in calm water."
When I spoke to Tony at Quadel today he told me he gets his Jet Ski up to 40 to 50 mph on the ocean with no problems, so, as you can see there are two different opinions. Who is right, the manufacturer or a user? I wish someone who has a Hydro Trailer would address that issue.
Third, in response to individual components, I got a price list from Tony today, so I can pass on that information to you. (Quadel does not post a price list on its web-site, but does post a parts list. If he reads this post, maybe he will address that issue)
The bra will set you back $28; four velcro straps are $61; the flag and pole is $17; door gaskets $25 and the hydro-turf door cover is $25. All total: $325.00.
If anyone is reading this post, then it should be crystal clear that when you purchase a HT, you better ensure all of the parts mentioned above come with the HT, or, depending on which parts are missing, you may end up paying more than you can purchase a brand new HT for. ($686.00 as of the date of this posting)
Fourth, and very important, how to know you are dealing with a reputable seller before you take your hard earned dollars out of your pocket and pay a stranger.
Some jerk down in Hesperia, CA tried to sell me his POS Hydro Trailer last week for $350. I guess since he lived in the desert and his brain was fried, he though mine was also.
His POS Hydro Trailer needed all of the parts mentioned above, thus my reason for calling his Hydro Trailer a POS.
As for referring to him as brain dead, I based that opinion on his suggestion that the Trailer Hitch and Tow Bar were unnecessary; according to him, all I had to do was just tie a rope from the HT to my PWC and all would be fine. He related that is what he had done for several years.
Sure, Jason, sure!!! Anyone who has ever towed another PWC knows that such advice is 100% BS; by following that advice the trailer will bang the heck out of a PWC if towed for very long and at speeds over 5 to 10 MPH. Who in their right mind would want to tow a trailer for miles at 10 MPH?
Because the seller had a brand new HT in his garage sitting next to the POS Hydro Trailer he wanted to sell, IMO he knew full well he was pimping off a POS.
All you folks from S. CA that may be looking for a HT, watch out for that one, or something similar or you will be throwing money away. If you can get it for $25, then maybe, and that is a big maybe, the sale may be fair to both parties.
So, bottom line, know what parts you need before you buy a Hydro Trailer AND watch out for unscrupulous sellers.
I hope this info is useful to those looking for a HT. I don't think you will find a more detailed Post on any site regarding this subject.
After I attach the Hitch Kit to my HT and use it I will be in a better position to update this post with an answer proffered by Night Rider on a sister Forum, "Why The Heck Would Anyone Want A Hydro Trailer?
Of course, maybe someone reading this post has the answer to that question????
Good Luck, grasshoppers.