Bending Trailer - Page 2

Jono · 26 February 2008, 15:02

JW ?

Don't weld Galv materials without removing the Galv..inside and out..or at least use the best fume extraction you can... the fumes are not good stuff..as well as not being good for your weld! Weld with standard Carbon steel consumable.

Limey Linda · 26 February 2008, 15:25

I discovered somethig yesterday that may be relevant. My trailer is made of low carbon steel, during the hot dip galv. process the steel hardened because it took me an hour to drill two holes in it. If your trailer is the same and it came already bent then they used heat to do it and maybe annealed the steel at that point and made it soft. So if you weld the repair you will anneal it further. I would replace or strighten it and use U bolts to splice a reinforcing section in.
Just an idea.

Jono · 26 February 2008, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

..... My trailer is made of low carbon steel, during the hot dip galv. process the steel hardened ......

..................

I'm being a bit of a numpty here, but I don't grasp how the temp of Galv process hardens the steel..or have I got my temps all wrong?

BogMonster · 26 February 2008, 16:15

That really doesn't look like a very strong bit of steel for a trailer drawbar, being a long single length without any support.

jwalker · 26 February 2008, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

JW ?

Don't weld Galv materials ... the fumes are not good stuff....

I know. I've had the lurgy more than once. But it is worth using stainless wire where you're gonna dip it into the sea or where you don't want your weld area to corrode. Try it.

Limey Linda · 26 February 2008, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

..................

I'm being a bit of a numpty here, but I don't grasp how the temp of Galv process hardens the steel..or have I got my temps all wrong?

Temp. of process is 460 C. maybe enough to case harden. It is only a guess as I could not think of another reason, unless the steel was hardened in the first place. It is HARD.

jwalker · 26 February 2008, 16:25

Torkin about carbon steels, I got a slice of EN8 last week to make a crankshaft pulley. It was the end of a bar. Fekk me it was grumpy stuff. I put it inside the wood burner then left it to cool overnight.... tough but smooth.

matt h · 26 February 2008, 16:27

what about re balancing the boat so that there is less weight on the drawbar end,

Jono · 26 February 2008, 16:38

Jeff...Me thinks I'd be more concerned about embrittlement of the S/S weld metal than it's benefits to "corrosion protection".. but I do like the "Grumpy stuff" reference for your and may try it in a meeting with the boys flying in to discuss making a job from a material that I don't like... Yeah "Grumpy Stuff".. I like it!

Limey...Could be a duff/cheap batch of drills?

Biggles · 26 February 2008, 16:43

I saw Hightowers boat being moved on and off the trailer yesterday. To me it seemd like the bit that was bending was actually flexing as the boat was winched on to the trailer. It just hasn't bent then stayed in one place. Its a bit like Uri Geller has been playing with it.

jwalker · 26 February 2008, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Jeff...Me thinks I'd be more concerned about embrittlement of the S/S weld metal than it's benefits to "corrosion protection"...

I hope not because the front end of my camper has been held together with it for the last 10 years or so....it must be due to fall off soon.

Nasher · 26 February 2008, 17:13

Andy

What a long thread in a short time

It doesn't look good, I agree it needs to be strengthened, and I think you will end up raising the front rollers to give you room to do it.

If I can be any help with the welding etc just let me know.
I'll also try to get over at the weekend to have a closer look to see if I can suggest anything.

Nasher

Jono · 26 February 2008, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

I hope not because the front end of my camper has been held together with it for the last 10 years or so....it must be due to fall off soon.

.....unlucky. Can I have first dibs on yer boat if you meet a sticky end?

Is your chassis Galv then? Zinc contamination of S/S welding will end in tears...

Limey Linda · 26 February 2008, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Limey...Could be a duff/cheap batch of drills?

Nope, had the same set for 5 years and no problems and I take good care of them. They are HSS not the cheap carbon steel ones and they did not go blunt/burn up. I had to use 4 pilot sizes and cutting oil to get to a 3/8" hole. The freeking thing is hard!!!

jwalker · 26 February 2008, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

.....unlucky. Can I have first dibs on yer boat if you meet a sticky end?

First person here gets it. I won't be caring.

Quote:

Is your chassis Galv then? Zinc contamination of S/S welding will end in tears...

Nah, I rebuilt the front end using galvanised sheet and fibreglass panels.

When I said to Andy Hightower about welding the galvanised angle, I kinda took it as read that he would know the zinc would need to be ground off, especially after the protracted thread the other week about it.

I did once make a set of brake backplates for a tripple axle trailer using stainless welding and they were fine except the galvanising didn't take on the stainless.

Like I said, try it. Giv itt arr bennd wiv de burminam skroodreyevur.

yorfuoj · 26 February 2008, 19:02

I am just having a look at your post.
Your trailer seems a bit weak, but ...

One defect came immediately when I saw the pictures :

For me the reason is your winch, which is pulling and forcing the bow down, and the counter-force is applied where your trailer is bending.

To solve, just move your winch up, in order to get the cable parallel to the trailer frame.
That's all !

Hightower · 26 February 2008, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

what about re balancing the boat so that there is less weight on the drawbar end,

Too much nose weight! It's already about 110 kg with a tank full.

Hightower · 26 February 2008, 19:44

I'm home this weekend and also have a prop that I keep forgetting to bring up the Church for you.

Andy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Andy

What a long thread in a short time

It doesn't look good, I agree it needs to be strengthened, and I think you will end up raising the front rollers to give you room to do it.

If I can be any help with the welding etc just let me know.
I'll also try to get over at the weekend to have a closer look to see if I can suggest anything.

Nasher

Erin · 26 February 2008, 19:45

Glad I didn't end up with an Admiral after all. Was on order but they were buggering about with supply dates so i cancelled the order. Pheww.

However, what about unbolting the A-frame bits from the side and haing some plates welded to the side instead, then refit the A-frame bars (possibly needing longer bolts). This would stregthen the joint better than plates on top and bottom and I'm sure the side rails would flex outwards enough to accomodate the extra thickness.

Hightower · 26 February 2008, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorfuoj

I am just having a look at your post.
Your trailer seems a bit weak, but ...

One defect came immediately when I saw the pictures :

For me the reason is your winch, which is pulling and forcing the bow down, and the counter-force is applied where your trailer is bending.

To solve, just move your winch up, in order to get the cable parallel to the trailer frame.
That's all !

Beleive it or not, it was level with the bow eye. It's just the draw bar is angled down from where it was.