Second Hand Trailer....

Fishery Pokery · 11 July 2009, 23:18

Hi,
I have bought a SIB that came complete with a trailer, but have only limited knowledge of trailers and hoped you could help me with some questions.

1; There is a picture below that shows my trailer wheel. It doesn't have a mudguard/wheel arch, but the wheel is under the bunk that the SIB tube sits on. Is this good enough?

2; The wheel sits about an inch from the bunk. Is this normal? If the suspension bounces, will the wheel touch the bunk?

3; Lastly, when I was towing the trailer home (a short journey), I could hear a sound when on the move, not a grinding, maybe a metal on metal rubbing noise. Is this the bearings?

Cheers,
Geoff

Markyboyo · 12 July 2009, 03:07

Hi Geoff,

1.)I think that mudguards are a legal requirement. Claiming that the bunk of the trailer does the job if you get pulled over may not convince Mr Plod.

2.)I'd certainly think that the suspension would have more than an inch of travel and that it would touch. Is there evidence of this happening on the underside of the bunk?

3.) Jack up the trailer and spin the wheels. Any serious play/rumbling noises suggests its new bearing time! I wouldn't tow it again until you have done this, wheels falling off are definitely not good!

Cheers,

Mark

Fishery Pokery · 12 July 2009, 13:23

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your help. There is no sign of rubbing on the plywood bunk, but it is that close that it must touch, unless the suspension is already maxed out, which I doubt with the weight of my rig. I think I can raise the bunks a couple of holes. How high would you want it above the wheel?
I am hoping to take it to North Wales with me in August so what I am thinking of doing is this;
On ebay there is a store that sells build your own trailer kits. I could get a jockey wheel (which my trailer doesn't have, but is really well balanced), new suspension, mudguards, new hubs and bearings and maybe even new wheels. As I have never changed bearings or know how to measure them I could get a spare set at the same time, knowing I would have the right size. I would also have a new trailer barring the frame. The suspension at the moment is painted, so not sure how good it is.
Does this sound a good idea, or a waste of money?
Would you change the wheels, and if so do I get the biggest I can? Should I get them from a scrap yard, or purpose made ones?
If I get bigger wheels will it become more difficult to launch my boat?
Finally, do I need a winch for my boat (a 4.6m Sib), or is it not nessecary?
I know nothing of trailers, so please don't worry about teraching your granny to suck eggs!
Cheers,
Geoff

PeteH · 12 July 2009, 14:19

Hi,i looked about for ages for a trailer,ended up making my own with help from guys on here.]

Your idea is a good one i think,strip the trailer down to its bones so you basicly have the frame then build on that,i got my trailer build kit from ebay think they are called rphl leisure, ithink if you build one up you will know from the out set that every thing is safe and sound and all the bearing wheels etc are good,let us know how you get on..
Pete

Fishery Pokery · 12 July 2009, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteH

Hi,i looked about for ages for a trailer,ended up making my own with help from guys on here.]

Your idea is a good one i think,strip the trailer down to its bones so you basicly have the frame then build on that,i got my trailer build kit from ebay think they are called rphl leisure, ithink if you build one up you will know from the out set that every thing is safe and sound and all the bearing wheels etc are good,let us know how you get on..
Pete

I have been reading your thread with interest. Thats the company I am looking at Pete. I think this is the route I will take, also give me an idea of how the trailer and bearings are put together.
Any other advise, please feel free. Would you change the wheels?

PeteH · 12 July 2009, 18:23

Ive added i picture for you too look at on how the bearings assemble to the hub you need to pack it all together using grease,marine grade would be best,i tighten the hub nut hand tight and lined up the split pin through the nut(castle nuts),dont over tighten tho.
I think you might be best off with new wheels and tyres to be honest considering the price,i seem to remember my trailer build kit cost £160 inc post,for that i got
2 suspention units and mount plates
2 hubs and bearings to suit.
2 8"wheels and tyres.
Jockey wheel and mount
2 mud guards
tow hitch
light board and cable 5m
Break away cable

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/RPH-Tr...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

You may not need all this so you can buy direct from them the bits you need.

They where good to deal with but i did use the phone for the order rather than ebay,ordered the stuff on the monday afternoon delivered on the thursday.

Here is a link from pic below with more advice http://www.autow.co.uk/trailer_parts..._info_629.html

chris123 · 12 July 2009, 22:02

Might be useful to post a few more photos, showing the wheel / suspension unit from further way, and maybe one of the whole trailer?

Cheers

Chris

Fishery Pokery · 13 July 2009, 15:38

Does the size of the wheels matter?
Will I still be able to tow across the country with 8" wheels or would I be better off with 10" ones?
At work at moment, will try to post more pics later.
Cheers,
Geoff

PeteH · 13 July 2009, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff_Jubb

Does the size of the wheels matter?
Will I still be able to tow across the country with 8" wheels or would I be better off with 10" ones?
At work at moment, will try to post more pics later.
Cheers,
Geoff

Bigger the better i would of thought,it all depends on the clearance you have on the trailer.

chris123 · 13 July 2009, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff_Jubb

Does the size of the wheels matter?
Will I still be able to tow across the country with 8" wheels or would I be better off with 10" ones?
At work at moment, will try to post more pics later.
Cheers,
Geoff

My (DeGraaf) SIB trailer has 8" wheels, and tows quite happily (longest single trip to date 250 miles).

Cheers

Chris

Nos4r2 · 13 July 2009, 22:22

The only issues I can see with 8" wheels over 10" wheels are:-
Slightly less stability (but if the trailer is set up properly and isn't towed like an idiot it'll make so little difference as to be unnoticeable)

Tyres will wear out a bit quicker.

m chappelow · 14 July 2009, 10:09

i would go for 10 inch wheels if poss but there is nothing wrong with 8 inch as long as the ply rating is ok and the pressures kept up and the speed is kept reasonable ,if purchased from a trailer shop they should be ok but some 8 inch tyres have a lower ply rating as they are used for different things eg works trucks/trailer /barrows where low speed is used as they never go on public roads ,as NOS4 just said only other downside is the tread is not as much so they will wear down quicker ,i know somone that tows his boat to south of france each year on 8 inch and he has no probs .mart

fred bolton · 16 July 2009, 07:55

check the speed rating of the tyres some 8" tyres are only rated to 50mph.

Fishery Pokery · 19 July 2009, 10:21

Thanks guys,
I have treated myself to two new suspension units (550kg), two 10" 10 ply wheels, a pair of bearing savers, a pair of new hubs, two pairs of bearings (one spare), a jockey wheel, a tub of lucas lube and a pair of mudguards for just under £210 delivered.
No instructions though, so I am going to try and figure out how to fit it today.
Wish me luck!

PeteH · 19 July 2009, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff_Jubb

Thanks guys,
I have treated myself to two new suspension units (550kg), two 10" 10 ply wheels, a pair of bearing savers, a pair of new hubs, two pairs of bearings (one spare), a jockey wheel, a tub of lucas lube and a pair of mudguards for just under £210 delivered.
No instructions though, so I am going to try and figure out how to fit it today.
Wish me luck!

Good Luck

PeteH · 26 July 2009, 21:31

Any news on the refurb Geoff?