Best trailer for long distance towing?

[Poly]

julie,

Most people would say 8 years of regular use including dipping in the sea without changing the grease every 6 months was pretty good. I'd be inclined to just keep doing the same, perhaps with some more frequent regreasing. Is the rest of the trailer OK? - no point replacing a trailer just because the bearings have gone. I imagine some of the places you are towing are not the best roads (potholes, passing places that aren't quite big enough etc) - so I wouldn't abandon bunks too readily.

Bedajim's solution is obviously rather good, and its good that he's had good reliability out of it. Bear in mind that any copy (e.g. made locally) may not be so slick. Reading between the lines - I suspect he's more of an engineer than you, and probably closer to his tools and people he knows if it gets stuck. If it jammed half on/off 5 hrs from home in the middle of nowhere could you devise a solution? However it sounds like "immersion proofing" is perhaps less of an issue anyway (given your 8 yr life).

As an alternative to the "usual" bearing solutions, I have oil bath bearings on my trailer (it came like that I didn't spec them). Seems to be more common in the US. They are supposed to be better sealed - but also as you can see the oil through the clear cap - you can see if it were to get cloudy (from water). I've had mine for about 4 years with no issues. My only concern is if a bearing does go, finding spare parts won't be a case of going to the nearest motor factor.

Having a bunked trailer though I can sympathise that rollers may be better for smooth launch and recovery. I'm tempted to add UHDPE strips to see if it becomes easier to slide on/off.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Mollers

WTF is that?

Tut Mollers .. its a football managers term


Just read Julies original post and how thread got Hyjacked ,gonna get my bum kicked on this one

[Nos4r2]

Anyway, back on topic...

I think Julie has had a pretty good run out of a set of wheelbearings! 8 years is a very long time.

[Bigmuz7]

I just face the music and do bearings every 2 years and cables too if needed, even if the old ones are ok, I just bin 'em as , that is a preferred option to being stuck at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

I dont wash , and dunk hot, never had a problem so far with this strategy. ()

The only downside to this is the hubs often state theres a maximum number of times bearings should be pushed out to stop the hub inside diameter wearing too much

[Julie]

Thanks for all the advise.

I have the ‘tool’ and new wheel bearings and hubs (it was cheaper to buy the wheel bearing with hubs than without… dunno why?)

Luckily when it fell apart I was 15 miles from home on the return leg! Could have been much much much worse!

What I think my next step will be, is to take the RIB to some sort of trailer retailer who has a selection of trailers so I can picture how it would look on the different types.

Does any such place exist in Scotland/Northern England?

Thanks

[9D280]

As asked before, is the rest of the trailer gubbed too?

"Locally" Indespension have a place in Milngavie, and Autow in Perth are (were) a Snipe dealer. I think Sea & Shore in Dundee are someone's dealer too, but can't remmeber who tho'. Pretty sure Port Edgar Chandlery has a selection as well.

Other manufacturer that does good stuff is Mersea Trailers In Colchester. The Dixon bate / Snipe / Rapide buyout saga is well complicated, but bits of the old Snipe range I believe are now with Mersea.

8 years without a service? I'll have one of them please!

As for the Bunk / Roller discussion, there are trailers out there that combine both. (swing beam on the back for launch & the rest is bunks).

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Anyway, back on topic...

I think Julie has had a pretty good run out of a set of wheelbearings! 8 years is a very long time.

yep that's what I'd call a good trailer! if that's all that's gone wrong with it in 8 years can I buy the old one off you please, Julie.

there are not many UK trailers better than SBS or Parrymore if I had a choice of any trailer it would be a RIBA from Belgium or a Beda from Jim

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

there are not many UK trailers better than SBS or Parrymore

Mollers had a Parrymore under his old RIB - I didn't think it was particularly special - the roller bunk used to flip over when it was reversed into the water and stay inverted! I think Mollers resolved the issue with a couple of lengths of shock cord.

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

if I had a choice of any trailer it would be a ...... Beda from Jim

Me too, very well-engineered and lots of nice extras.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by 9D280

As asked before, is the rest of the trailer gubbed too?

And there lies the question........ looks OK to me But what would I know!

It's a snipe trailer, seems sturdy, came with the RIB, been bashed all over the place in the last 8 years.

Maybe take it for a service - if such things exist?

My next tow is a long one! Over to Uist, then Sky, then Mull....... Will be taking so many spares I'll need a support vehicle

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Mollers had a Parrymore under his old RIB - I didn't think it was particularly special - the roller bunk used to flip over when it was reversed into the water and stay inverted! I think Mollers resolved the issue with a couple of lengths of shock cord.

Grasshopper, the path to trailer enlghtenment does not always come from self righting rolers, in the eyes of a true disciple pleasere may be found in the simple things good welding, galvanising and geometry Parrymores have always fulfiled my happiness vessel with there abndant excellence in these demanding disciplines


They nearly all do that Certainly Indispension, Rapide and RM which I have owned have had that roller sticking fault, which on occasion put my Karma somewhat off balance.

I suspect brother M enjoyed his trip to the Tresco Mills trailer shock Cord shop

[Downhilldai]

RW: Have you ever encountered the good products of CLH Trailers in St Clears?

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I suspect brother M enjoyed his trip to the Tresco Mills trailer shock Cord shop

Trago Mills and he's no brawd of mine

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Mollers had a Parrymore under his old RIB -

No, the current trailer is a Parrymore. The 6.5 had a Nicholson under it.

Didn't go much on the Nicholson, Roller bunks flipping over, rollers on split pins and pulling off. The Parrymore, on the other hand, is a fine example of solid, over-engineering.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Mollers

No, the current trailer is a Parrymore. The 6.5 had a Nicholson under it.

Ah, my mistake. Must lay off the Betty Stoggs when down in Mollerland

Originally Posted by Mollers

The Parrymore, on the other hand, is a fine example of solid, over-engineering.

Agreed

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Must lay off the Betty Stoggs

Why?

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Why?

Memory failure..........




.........what was the question again?

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Memory failure..........




.........what was the question again?

At least she doesn't get nasty like that Evans guy.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Ah, my mistake. thumbs:

Grasshopper many backward steps must be taken whenn travelling the path to true enlightenment

[Julie]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Grasshopper many backward steps must be taken whenn travelling the path to true enlightenment

Oi boys!

You're messing up my genuine thread again!!!!!! Least nothings been removed (yet)

[Rogue Wave]

and there's me thinking I'd given you excellent purchasing advice and educated Dowhilldai in the process!

[Rogue Wave]

Is your trailer braked