Moving Day at Sink or Swim Scuba: Acquiring and Transporting Our Backup Scuba Compressor
Brent Clevenger Oct 22, 2025
Moving Day at Sink or Swim Scuba: Acquiring and Transporting Our Backup Scuba Compressor
At Sink or Swim Scuba, we are always looking for ways to improve reliability and service for our divers and public safety teams across the Charlotte and Gastonia area. Recently, we took on a major project: acquiring and transporting a backup scuba compressor to ensure we can maintain consistent air fills and support growth at our shop and training center.
Preparing the Equipment and Trailer
This move required more than just muscle power. It took serious planning and custom setup. To make the job possible, we installed a heavy-duty receiver hitch on our Kaufman 17,000 GVWR Gooseneck Dump Trailer and mounted a new winch system designed to pull the large compressor safely into place.
The compressor itself is an industrial-grade unit, so having the ability to winch it up under control was essential. The trailer modifications turned out great, and the winch performed exactly as hoped: slow, steady, and powerful.
However, things did not go completely smoothly. During setup, we discovered a broken gear in the trailer’s landing gear, which made connecting to the truck a real challenge. Fortunately, with teamwork and patience, we got the trailer secured and rolling. The trailer is now back at the manufacturer for repairs, but it handled the job when we needed it most.
The Move: A Full-Day Effort
Moving this compressor was no small task. It took most of the day and a full team effort. We built custom ramps, rigged up safety straps, and winched the compressor slowly out of storage and onto the trailer.
In the past, we had to call in professional wreckers to move our main compressor to the shop, but this time, we took on the challenge ourselves. It was a stressful load, but our planning, new equipment, and teamwork made it a success.
Once secured, the compressor was transported to Stallion Air, a professional compressor service facility, for a complete tune-up and inspection before it joins our main fill system.
Why This Matters
For both recreational and public safety divers, reliable air fills are essential. Having a backup compressor gives us peace of mind that we can continue to fill tanks even during maintenance or high-demand weekends. It is one more way Sink or Swim Scuba continues to invest in quality, safety, and readiness for the dive community.
A Commitment to Our Divers
Every improvement we make—whether it is new training and specialty courses, shop upgrades, or behind-the-scenes infrastructure like this compressor—reflects our dedication to providing the best possible experience for divers in Gastonia, Charlotte, Lake Norman, and surrounding areas.
Stay tuned for part two of this project when the serviced compressor arrives at the shop, ready to become part of our daily operations.
Sink or Swim Scuba
4310K Wilkinson Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 823-0501
www.SinkorSwimScuba.com
