I need a trailer

tehguy · 14 August 2013, 10:46

Hi all I need a trailer for my RIB. It is 3.8m in length with a 25hp outboard in the back. I prefer to buy second hand (new are so expensive) and doesn't need to be anything fancy although a winch would be nice and brakes (so it can be parked and left on a slope).

Alternatively does anyone know anywhere in Plymouth I can hire a suitable trailer for say £15 max per day or whatever? My boat is stored fairly close to a public slipway and has sea legs on the rear however it requires a minimum of two strong men to launch and recovery is even harder when you're exhausted and at low tide etc, most of the time we end up just tying the painter to the roof rack of a car and towing it along the road the couple of hundred metres to its storage place

I just want to be able to easily launch and recover it single handedly or with minimal help and also be able to take it to other places.

Thanks!

Ian M · 14 August 2013, 11:21

Believe me, for a SIB you REALLY, REALLY do not want the pain of a braked trailer.

tehguy · 14 August 2013, 11:34

Hi thanks for the reply. Why not?

Ian M · 14 August 2013, 12:07

I cannot answer that any better than here;
http://www.rib.net/forum/f49/trailer...ork-57318.html
In particular, post #4

AJ. · 14 August 2013, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by tehguy

Hi thanks for the reply. Why not?

A lot of maintenance and additional costs compared to unbraked trailers. If it isn't being used much the brakes might seize and it is just hassle.

Get unbraked and use a wheel clamp that will in effect chock the wheels and stop it from moving have a look at bulldog wheel clamps

PeterM · 14 August 2013, 12:20

A small rib is so light weight you don't need brakes to tow. A good sized wheel chock or two will be simpler to stop it rolling away on hills.

lakelandterrier · 14 August 2013, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ.

A lot of maintenance and additional costs compared to unbraked trailers. If it isn't being used much the brakes might seize and it is just hassle.

Get unbraked and use a wheel clamp that will in effect chock the wheels and stop it from moving have a look at bulldog wheel clamps

+1

thomas · 14 August 2013, 12:27

If you leave a braked trailer with the brakes on then you risk them locking up and not being able to move it - but expect you've been put off them by now anyway.

tehguy · 14 August 2013, 23:57

Advice taken - do not get a braked trailer.

So now the more important question - where to buy one?

john noon · 18 August 2013, 21:18

I have a small trailer for offload use and having it roll away would be inconvenient so I cut the wheel off and installed a flat plate.

So far unless the camp site is steep the trailer stays put without brakes. To steep or loose I just tie it to the nearest tree.

Fully loaded with the 12 foot sib, 15 hp motor and all the camping gear it generally stays put even though it is in the 800 lb range

John

ShinyShoe · 18 August 2013, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by john noon

I have a small trailer for offload use and having it roll away would be inconvenient so I cut the wheel off and installed a flat plate.

erm... that'll make it not roll?

Sunstreaker · 18 August 2013, 21:55

I have found when I wanted a trailer they are a challenge to find. I have ended up with decent trailers when buying small boats.. I spent months chasing trailers only to find they sell vey quickly or were in an awful state. consider looking at dinghies selling with trailers they can often be cheaper than just buying the trailer. You can then sell the dinghy on.

Poly · 18 August 2013, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

erm... that'll make it not roll?

I think he means the jockey wheel.

tehguy · 19 August 2013, 00:24

That will cause another problem for me I think, when retrieving on slippery ramps, as my car is front wheel drive. I'll have to just leave the trailer hitched to the car and park it up somewhere!

Nos4r2 · 19 August 2013, 01:01

With a small trailer like that you're not going to have a problem with the car being front wheel drive.

john noon · 19 August 2013, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I think he means the jockey wheel.

IThe wheel on the post for jacking the trailer tongue up or down. If that is the jockey wheel then yes.

The small plate will dig into loose ground and keep the trailer from moving, even works on small inclines on ashphalt (tarmac).

john

Poly · 19 August 2013, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by john noon

IThe wheel on the post for jacking the trailer tongue up or down. If that is the jockey wheel then yes.

I'm guessing if you were determined enough you could fit a second jockey wheel (one with / one without a wheel) to still offer ease of movemement when required?

john noon · 22 August 2013, 14:23

Never thought of that, now you got my hamster wheel working overtime

Going to look for a used one this weekend

John

tonto · 22 August 2013, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I'm guessing if you were determined enough you could fit a second jockey wheel (one with / one without a wheel) to still offer ease of movemement when required?

You can get them from various on line shops. I use one with a flat foot to take the weight off the jockey wheel. It is connected on a post and split pin, so folds horizontal when i am towing the boat

My drive is on a slope from top to bottom, and right to left, and it works for me

tehguy · 22 August 2013, 22:41

A perfect used one came up locally. Picked it up this evening!