dogtrotter vs rpmillmaker

Without looking at the price or pointing out the fancy extras you don't really need.

What do you consider a better mill?
Rpmillmaker seems to be more free spinning. What advantedge does that give compared to the dogtrotter and what's the dogtrotter's pro's?

thanks

 

You get what you pay for simple (or as most have found out with RP you dont get what you paid for)

 

the dog trotter has all the bling bling but what you need all that crap for who know, rpmillmaker but far is the better mill free spinning mill and much cheaper i have spoke to people who have recived the mill and are very happy and others that havent recived anything after paying for their goods , but apprently there is a customs form you have to fill in and if done wrong the mill stays with them...
my money gos on the rpmillmaker mill but i do like the bearings used as wheels on the new dog trotter, some mills dont even use inline skate wheels just those shitty nylon ones.........

 

price or bling bling aint the question as you can read.


so you're saying RP mill maker is better cause it spins faster? How much turns does RP make and how much does dogtrotter make, can you answer that?

 

how much spins for 1 push that is. excuse my english

 

i have only seen one RP mills and i wasnt impressed at all and neither was the person who bought it. Not nearly as free spinning as advertised. he also had a trotter mill and thats the only one that he uses if that means anything to you.

 

of course, thanks

a good mill costs allot of money, especially including the shipment tax to holland. im willing to invest it but would like to read some facts first, cause people mainly brag about what they self or their friends got. I'v read allot of bad stories about what you're saying. Quality did not came near to what was advertised with and people who did not receive their mill and lost allot of money. What's with the form??? Sounds like bad excuse. Couldnt they just be attended the form was filled in incorrectly, correct it and get their mill sent????

 

do your own reserch you smart arse do you have you tube in dutch land???????

 

guess om doing my own rerearch
and dont think i did force you to reply

so if theres any more user experiences and people with facts instead of promoting their own mill. welcome

 

I have a dog trotter, I recommend bite the bullet, pay the price and get the product, simple, like already said get what you pay for.

 

Bas, I'll try to answer some of your questions. It all depends on what you're looking for in a mill. I have used RP's mills from the first generation to his collapsible and Killer Spinner Mills. I've also had experience with Gambler's first mills up to his standard mill now. And now I mainly use my own mills that we build in house. It all depends on what you're looking for.

It is true that the Killer Spinner is more free spinning than the dogtrotter. The advantages that most people note are, that the dog is able to really get a full cardio workout, and it best simulates free running. However, with that speed of the mill, despite having springs built into the roller bed, comes more shock to the dogs joints (But definitely less than if the dog was running full out on asphalt). Also, with the speed of that mill, due to the materials needed to make it faster, comes the noise. So depending on whether you care or not how loud your mill is, there is that compromise.

The dogtrotter, since the beginning, has always been an ultra smooth running will and very forgiving to the dogs joints with the lexan/composite slats. They flex just the right amount to act as enough suspension for the impact of the dogs joints when running full out. The main criticism for the use of composite slats are that when the dog drools from panting, the running surface does become a bit slippery. I haven't experienced too many problems with this myself. The dogtrotter's craftmanship is top notch as well, and very well built, with the finest materials. As everyone knows, the only drawback is the price. This is not to say that the RPMills are not well made too, but I'd have to give the advantage to the DT.

BOTH, incorporate a resistance brake. I hope you are not mistaking that as part of the bells and whistles. The brake allows you to to use your slatmill like a carpetmill, or like what we do, simulate weight pulling. The beauty of of owning a slatmill is the ability to perform those three functions with one device. You can free run your dog for cardio, you can have it resistance run like a carpet mill, and you can bait and brake your dog to simulate weightpulling (which is hardest when you live in an apartment/suburban type area).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel the only ones that have complained and/or have not received their mill, or have had extremely long wait periods, etc etc etc, are those from the USA. The customs here is really strict for obvious reasons. There is a lot of red tape and taxes/duties, etc. I have not heard complaints from other countries, but again correct me if I'm wrong. From my knowledge I would have to give RP the edge when it comes to worldwide sales because I know for a fact that his mills have been shipped / owned / used / and proven to work in a countless number of countries. If I lived anywhere in Asia or the middle east, then that would be my choice. However, in the USA, there is no better choice (that i know of) than your standard dogtrotter. I know that the price of the RPMill is hard to compete with, but depending on the country, the shipping/customs may not be worth it.

But BAS, I'm no expert when it comes to Europe, but don't you have quite a few 'millmakers' on your continent? Off the top of my head I know of JWMillmaker and the Balkan Boys mills. The thing is with these dogs, there are fanciers everywhere, and I bet you could find a mill right under your nose in Holland. It doesn't even surprise me anymore how many mills I've run into just collecting dust in a garage or shed.

BAS, PM me with your goals and what you're trying to do and accomplish and maybe I can help you out. Slatmills are wonderful tools, but there are many ways around them to accomplish the same goals. Just keep in mind, that MOST don't own slat or carpet mills, but are still very successful.

 

any chance of seeing one your in house mills bud as you have used a wide range of mills but you still opt for designing and building if im correct i really like those bearings that dt uses as his wheels what kinda wheels do you use and how free spinning is yours and how does yours differ from those others...
thanks in advance kf

 

thanks caine, that was very useful for me

 

Yes, thank you. Very usefull information indeed.

 

Have a original Gambler mill back 10 years ago and new Dogtrotter...quality material and craftsmanship!

YIS

 

the dog trotter is well built, pretty, and quiet. with that said, it gets less than one revolution on a good push. to me, that is not acceptable for a slat mill.
Caine, I would also be interested in seeing the mills you build. I'm not sure if you are aware of it or not, but the brake on the dog trotter is not a standard feature. I am interested in seeing the mills that the folks at pit pro make. If it was me and I was looking for a slat mill to use it for what is intended(free turning) I would not get a dog trotter.

 

King Fisher and TRJudge:

http://slatmill.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/budget-wood-slatmill-project/

That build and my other builds were featured on here as I also researched and designed my own mills. I only opted to do so for the benefit of those around me because not everyone could afford the luxury of buying a mill and used ones were hard to come by. I did not improve much upon anything being sold out there, but the cost of the builds were extremely less than that of RP's and the DT. I've built a couple for friends and those close to me in my spare time. The wood mill, still achieves 7 consistent spins. It is nearly identical to the early generation Gambler mills with regards to the skate board 53mm wheels and the use of go-kart two piece split rims / axle / bearings / cassettes / hubs / etc. The wood frame was used for the 'budget' aspect, and the ease of building with it since I'm no 'welding' expert. The wood also flexes a little and tends to have some noise and vibration absorbing properties. It is extremely quiet when used on household carpet, or if the legs are bottomed with rubber flexco, mouse pads on a cement garage or basememt. The cost to build this wood mill with the premium parts was $500.

My first attempt which had kennel fence tubing as a frame, and $10 Tractor Supply Store Wheels, and rubber belt cost about $250.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuhKkpVS_5c

My second attempt with roughly the same parts, but a metal frame cost $350 because of cost of square tubing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXweIScx4Is&feature=related
It got around 3-4 free spins once broken in.

Braking System. I understand the braking system does cost extra, but it's worth it. For those that already own mills, all that is needed is the cheapest a go-kart disc braking system you can find that fits around your axle. Then any bracket can be fabricated to support the brake caliper.

 

Caine: i real enjoyed reading your post....I would like to talk to you more about conditioning.

I have purchaced the DT, i run into some problems with the shipping company. Make a long story short, you can count on Bob, great customer service. Aslo, Bob has done a great job marketing the mill as a tool for all pet owners to have.

Before purchasing the DT, i was at Rollbars yard, he had a few mills for sale. The best mill on his yard was a Robert L. The belt was conected by staples (10 spins with one push). The mill was only good for hogs 44 and less.

 

joker: PM me if you want to chat.

Robert Lemm mills. I have never seen one in person, or a video, but have heard nothing but good things about them. If anyone has any up close pictures or videos of one, please post or share.

 

judge dont know what mill you got but less then one revolution is not true or atleast with mine mine gets three to four.