Let down by the AA with boat trailer

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I hope not

Must just be me then!

[jwalker]

The condition of that axle slots nicely into the thread a week or so ago about trailer axles and corrosion etc. That axle would be consider to be galvanised but the moving parts are not so a gavanised axle actually is only a partly galvanised axle. IMO it's about time these suspension manufacurers got their arses into gear and produced a proper rust resistant axle. I'm certain they know the limitations of what they produce so to deliberately fit these parts into an axle on a boat trailer is pretty close to unfit for purpose in my book. Oops, a wee rant, couldn't help maself...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

I disagree. The Green flag never attend themselves so when a contractor comes out its to get you home and as quick as possible. I was with them for some time but not once did they try a repair. Its quicker for them to get you home then they are free for the next job. Theve been paid so why bother repairing

The RAC and AA at least try a repair as it saves the need to pay to outsource for recovery, plus it gives them the 97% repair on site stats they sell policy on

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

That's what I'm on about, they turn up & either get you home or take you to your destination & don't bugger about, what more do you want from a rescue service? If you're at the side of the road with a broken axle, they ain't going to mend it are they? Chances are, if it's mendable I'd do it myself without calling them out.

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

That's what I'm on about, they turn up & either get you home or take you to your destination & don't bugger about, what more do you want from a rescue service? If you're at the side of the road with a broken axle, they ain't going to mend it are they? Chances are, if it's mendable I'd do it myself without calling them out.

Agreed but sometimes its a simple fix. For example a family member had a fan belt go, they recovered! Had it been the AA or RAC they'd have repaired and she could have been on her way. She had to wait 1 1/2 for the first call out guy, then another 40 for the recovery truck.

Obviously if its beyond repair then hey have no other option.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Agreed but sometimes its a simple fix. For example a family member had a fan belt go, they recovered! Had it been the AA or RAC they'd have repaired and she could have been on her way. She had to wait 1 1/2 for the first call out guy, then another 40 for the recovery truck.

Obviously if its beyond repair then hey have no other option.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago, broke down on the A66 on my way to Glasgow in a Citroen Dispatch van, fanbelt went. Called Green Flag, they turned up, called the Citroen main dealer in Penrith, no fanbelt on the shelf, had to order one in for next day. I opted to be brought home. Even my main dealer didn't have a fanbelt in stock & had to order it in. No-one carries stock these days, everything is on a next day delivery, if you're lucky

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by jwalker

IMO it's about time these suspension manufacurers got their arses into gear and produced a proper rust resistant axle. I'm certain they know the limitations of what they produce so to deliberately fit these parts into an axle on a boat trailer is pretty close to unfit for purpose in my book. Oops, a wee rant, couldn't help maself...

But, isnt it the cost of the solution which no one will pay? that is the reason why we are stuck with the problem. Not saying Ive worked it out .. but the man that does, for sensible money, I agree will take home the bacon, and it cant come soon enough for sure.

Get thee out to the shed .....

[kerny]

AA have been good to me ... the fuel pipe had bust on my Terrano while on holiday in Cornwall the nice chap from the AA pieced it up for me which took him a good hour that was 5 years ago and it's still on there

[wavelength]

+1 for green flag. Always been quick and completely hassle free for car or trailer. Been with them for years.

[wiLlfish]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Get thee out to the shed .....

noe nead.

I av bin livvin inn de shedd orl weak paiyin forr a momint ov weekness wen inn mi cupps

Topp tipp: Ifn yew lyke livvin inn yorr howse, downt shagg yor missisis sisster.

[mick]

National breakdown now the green flag are the one for me only broke down once and it was the oil pump but when I go abroad they cover my caravan and boat and in the past have flown tyres out to me

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

But, isnt it the cost of the solution which no one will pay? ......Not saying Ive worked it out .. but the man that does, for sensible money, I agree will take home the bacon, and it cant come soon enough for sure.

Get thee out to the shed .....

Yeh, well, perhaps I should get out to the shed cos I worked it out long ago... so, Mr Indespension, you can have this for free: make separate stub axles which are held in via a Morse taper and a single big nut at the back of the arm, galvanize the inner bar and arm, ream out the galvanizing from the tapered hole after the galvanizing. Job done. This will also allow the replacement of a rusting stub axle if necessary so you can make more money. If you want to do it properly, make the stub axle out of one of the tough grades of stainless steel.

Actually, you can keep the royalties but send me a good Macallan at Xmas time. Ta.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by jwalker

make the stub axle out of one of the tough grades of stainless steel.

Ding ding .. instant punter turn off .. cos it costs ££££ dont disagree with a word of your thinking .. but the punters will not pay

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

In contrast soon after I first met my wife her maestro has a "dislocated gear linkage" which the AA just 'relocated' at the roadside (one for their stats). It didn't make it the rest of the way home before it went again [but I came out and improvised a repair with a shoe lace whilst she was waiting for them to come back]...

Sounds to me like they did you a favour

I think?

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Ding ding .. instant punter turn off .. cos it costs ££££ dont disagree with a word of your thinking .. but the punters will not pay

Well I dunno, I paid extra to have galvanized units when I build my trailer, I wasn't aware at that time that all I was getting was the outside box galvanized. Surely I can't be the only one who'd pay to have the peace of mind of non-corrosion. Wouldn't you?

[willk]

JW: I fear you have underestimated the level of "tightness" on the go at the mo. I myself succumbed recently and instantly felt the pain and embarrassment of trying to make €15 do the work of €85...

The times we live in

[Downhilldai]

ALKO axles have a heavy cast arm and the suspension units I have used to replace the failed part have solid 1/2" steel crank arms. These will outlive the trailer, so why, as jwalker says, do Snipe & Peak choose to use pressed steel RHS crank arms on a boat trailer?

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

ALKO axles have a heavy cast arm and the suspension units I have used to replace the failed part have solid 1/2" steel crank arms. These will outlive the trailer, so why, as jwalker says, do Snipe & Peak choose to use pressed steel RHS crank arms on a boat trailer?

IIRC I had Alko gear on the trailer that came with the 8.5 I used to have, and I still have the dent in my wallet to this day when I bought new cables and shoes to re-line both axles. (which failed just as quick as any other brakes assy)

But I dont follow your post ?

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

ALKO axles have a heavy cast arm and the suspension units I have used to replace the failed part have solid 1/2" steel crank arms.

What failed .. you mean you put an ALKO axle on a generic trailer with a knacked axle ?

[Downhilldai]

No, just making a point that other manufacturers make their suspension units and axles out of beefier material, eg heavy cast arms by ALKO and solid steel arms on independent suspension units I bought recently (manufacturer unknown). These independent units are bolted to a new axle beam which replaces the failed PEAK axle on my SNIPE boat trailer.
I couldn't find a replacement axle 'off the shelf' to suit the trailer, so I made up a new beam with bolt on suspension units.

[Bigmuz7]

So how much were the ALKO axle units then ?

[Downhilldai]

ALKO axles are around £150-£200, but all the ones I saw for sale were the wrong size, so it would have been a special order item, which may have cost more.

It's only a small 500kg trailer, so I made up an axle from 50x50 RHS and welded some angles and flat plates on it, then got it galvanised. The 500kg suspension units which are now fitted were around £50/pr.