Moving the swing beam

JSP · 02 July 2009, 20:04

I'm thinking of moving the rear swing beam as far back as possible to help with the nose weight.
Before I do, does anyone know a reason why I shouldn't?

JSP · 02 July 2009, 20:04

Nasher · 02 July 2009, 20:19

John

I think you'd be better off moving the axle a small amount.

It looks like you can only move the swing beam back a few inches, and that won't have as much effect on the nose weight as moving the axle.

Nasher

chewy · 02 July 2009, 20:20

Which bits the swing beam?

JSP · 02 July 2009, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

John

I think you'd be better off moving the axle a small amount.

It looks like you can only move the swing beam back a few inches, and that won't have as much effect on the nose weight as moving the axle.

Nasher

Ahh forgot to mention I'm doing that too. Has half an hour of pricing up brake cable ready for moving until I forgot it was my old trailer that was braked

Moving the swing beam is also to put more support under the transom.
Cheers mate

JSP · 02 July 2009, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Which bits the swing beam?

Just behind the wheel you'll see a small bracket. This holds the swing beam with the rollers.

Nasher · 02 July 2009, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Which bits the swing beam?

The swingy beamy bit

Nasher

JSP · 02 July 2009, 20:35

Now ya see that cross beam just by the swing beam. Does the sing beam need to be close to that for structural support?

Nasher · 02 July 2009, 21:16

John

Assuming you still have sailermakers old trailer, and you've not modified it drastically since I borrowed it from him. You don't have the additional cross member, just the axle holding it all together.
You'll be fine moving it back a few inches.

You may finf the attached images of your trailer useful.

Nasher.

JSP · 02 July 2009, 21:35

That's what was worrying me as the axle is allot further off, in relation to the cross beam in your pick, to the swing beam. Wouldn't like things to start bending.
I was hoping to move it back to just in front of the screws for the blue extending arms.

Nasher · 03 July 2009, 10:08

I'm sure you'll be OK with that.

Nasher

9D280 · 03 July 2009, 10:43

No reason why not, but remember that if you have the rear roller too far aft then if you brake hard and your RIb isn't absiolutely rigidly held from moving forward, it could potentially fall forward. I almost had that on my first outing with mine, got to the water to find the centreline of the rear roller about 1/4" behind the transom! thankfully it was a 4 roller per side and so didn't drop. Yours being a twin roller if that happens you may need to go buy some fibreglass as you won't have another roller to support it should it walk foorward, and the beam will tip forward as the forward roller takes al lthe weight, it swings forward and your hull meets the metalwork below.......

Personally, I'd move the axle - It's easier if you are unbraked!

........ or buy a bigger engine

Tino · 03 July 2009, 14:07

Moving the swing beam will have little or no affect on the nose weight unless you move the winching post too.
Moving the axle is easy. Just mark before you do anything and carefully measure the movements.

Cheers
Tino

Nasher · 03 July 2009, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tino

Moving the swing beam will have little or no affect on the nose weight unless you move the winching post too.
Moving the axle is easy. Just mark before you do anything and carefully measure the movements.

Cheers
Tino

Exactly my thoughts, however JSP wants to get some support further back under the engine as well.
Moving the winch post forward would do this, but then the axle would need to be moved further forward than ever to lighten off the nose weight.

John
I think you're in for some fiddling mate, but that axle has to move.

Nasher.

JSP · 03 July 2009, 16:55

This will have you head butting the keyboard. I've already got the nose weight spot on.

I have my reasons for moving things about though. Just no time to type it.

Nasher · 03 July 2009, 21:03

Joooooohhhhhhhnnnnnnn.

jyasaki · 04 July 2009, 06:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Post 1: I'm thinking of moving the rear swing beam as far back as possible to help with the nose weight.
Before I do, does anyone know a reason why I shouldn't?

Last post: This will have you head butting the keyboard. I've already got the nose weight spot on.

Yup; That will do it.

jky

JSP · 04 July 2009, 11:28

I have my reasons for jiggling things about (such as launching), plus I have the use of a deserted slipway and road to keep trying it out until I'm happy I have it how I want it.
Plus, I've got no more nuts and bolts to mess around with on the RIB and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms

Hightower · 04 July 2009, 16:43

You could move the swing beam further back towards the ends of the trailer, however you will have to move the boat further back too by moving the winch post. It's at the winch post stage you can fine tune the roller positions relitive to the Transom.

BUT.....Why move things back if the nose weight is right? You realize that you could make the trailer unstable on the road by having a nose weight that is too light.

JSP · 04 July 2009, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

You could move the swing beam further back towards the ends of the trailer, however you will have to move the boat further back too by moving the winch post. It's at the winch post stage you can fine tune the roller positions relitive to the Transom.

BUT.....Why move things back if the nose weight is right? You realize that you could make the trailer unstable on the road by having a nose weight that is too light.

Oh yeah, not to worry mate. I've messed about with normal trailers for years. I've already moved the post and boat back on the trailer to get the nose weight right.
The bow is far to close to the hitch, when I'm putting the boat into the garden I have to jackknife it abit and the bow ends up touching the back of the van. Also want to set the trailer up so the transom is sitting lower on the trailer.
Believe me I could go on and on ...

And like I say, I have a deserted road and slipway to test things out.