Ohlmeier and AL-KO VT: in the same boat
“It’s not the wind but the sail that determines the direction,” as a Chinese proverb says. This is also the view of Ohlmeier Anhängercenter GmbH. The family business from Leopoldshöhe, North Rhine-Westphalia, manufactures made-to-measure boat trailers of the highest quality to individual customer requirements. On board for more than 20 years now: AL-KO VT quality components.
Custom-fit boat trailers made to measure
Ohlmeier boat trailers have been delivering quality for more than 45 years
Custom-fit boat trailers, manufactured to order, have shaped the business of the Ohlmeier quality manufactory for more than 45 years. The Ohlmeier product range covers everything that boat owners need: from 500-kilogram trailers to Slip-Master trailers, an innovative hydraulic boat storage system by Ohlmeier with a permissible gross weight of ten tonnes. The trailer manufacturer from North Rhine-Westphalia is particularly proud of the fact that everything can be designed down to the smallest detail to meet customer-specific requirements: the traditional company plans and develops each trailer for each individual boat together with boat owners and/or dealers. “There are no limits to individuality for us,” says Nils Stamp, Junior Managing Director at Ohlmeier. Thanks to decades of experience in building boat trailers and close cooperation with boat builders, dealers, and boating clubs, this innovation leader has made a name for itself throughout the European boating scene.
From blacksmith to boat trailer manufacturer
Quality craftsmanship since 1963
Ohlmeier boat trailers was founded as early as 1936 by August Ohlmeier at its present location as a blacksmith’s shop for vehicle construction. In the early 1970s, Hermann Ohlmeier, in the second generation, shifted the focus to trailer manufacturing for boats. From the very beginning, quality and durability have formed the core of the brand. In 1989, the third generation, Martin Ohlmeier, joined the company and expanded the philosophy of the quality manufactory with the goal of always being the innovation leader in the industry.
AL-KO VT makes your wishes possible
Flexibility for every application
Ohlmeier has been relying on AL-KO VT expertise for two decades: “We work closely with AL-KO, not only for axles but also for add-on parts or winches,” says Stamp. One of the main reasons for this close partnership is Ohlmeier’s individuality when it comes to trailer construction: Before trailers can be built, the boat data must be available. “Weight, size, height, shape and even the hull design all play a crucial role in how the trailer must be designed.”
Other important factors include the placement of the helm and weight distribution, depending on whether, for example, an outboard or inboard motor is powering through the waves. According to Stamp, these aspects define the boat’s centre of gravity and therefore decisively influence the layout of the trailer and the axle design. Stamp: “For a sailing boat, the centre of gravity is relatively central, for a motorboat it is further towards the rear.”
To take all these individual customer requirements into account in trailer construction, says Stamp, “you need a partner who offers real flexibility.” This applies, for example, to axles with waterproof bearings, a particularly important factor during launching – when the boat is backed into the water with the trailer. Frequent launching leads to corroded wheel bearings, which can then overheat as a result of the increased friction. Stamp: “Thanks to waterproof bearings, corrosion-related replacement of wheel bearings has become very rare.” “Quality, safety and individuality. That’s what Ohlmeier customers expect from their boat trailers – and that’s exactly what they get.”
Boats are in the best hands with Ohlmeier and AL-KO VT
A close and successful partnership
In close partnership, AL-KO VT supports Ohlmeier’s commitment to quality, relying not only on its own expertise, but also on that of DexKo Global,” says Pierre Auf dem Brinke, Regional Sales Manager North at AL-KO VT. “Boats are a valuable cargo, and, thanks to Ohlmeier and AL-KO, customers know they are in safe hands.”
AL-KO VT expertise for custom builds
Driving safety and comfort matter to customers
The trailer specialists at Ohlmeier build around 500 trailers every year and always keep a stock of AL-KO VT products such as chassis components from 750 to 3,500 kilograms, or cable winches and stabiliser couplings in the warehouse. For special custom builds, Ohlmeier involves AL-KO VT experts directly, developing projects in partnership. “That applies, for example, when axle units have to be built so that they are adjustable to balance the weight.”
Stamp knows why there is no alternative to AL-KO VT components: “Our customers expect quality, and we expect the same quality from our suppliers. You can rely on AL-KO.” AL-KO VT is also the default choice when it comes to safety and ride comfort. “After all, we’re dealing with valuable cargo here. A boat alone can cost up to 250,000 euros. If something falls, it becomes really expensive.”
AL-KO VT Trailer Control for utility trailers
The anti-sway system for safe handling of the trailer
Safety is particularly important when handling trailers. For this, AL-KO VT, for example, also offers ATC for utility trailers. The ATC (AL-KO Trailer Control) is an anti-sway system that detects dangerous lateral accelerations of trailers via sensors. Specifically, as soon as the trailer starts to sway even slightly – for example due to slightly excessive speed or a gust of wind – the sensors detect these lateral movements and ATC gently applies the trailer brakes via Bowden cables. This brief but effective intervention stretches and stabilises the entire combination. ATC is available in various versions for trailers with a maximum permissible gross weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. AL-KO VT Trailer Control can only be retrofitted in conjunction with an AL-KO VT axle and AL-KO VT wheel brake.
