Trailer Customisation - Extending Drawbar

[mikew4]

Check out custom fabrication work I have had done to my boat trailer.

- Fold out extending draw bar. Check out how it is secured in place in both the open and closed positions.
- Additional Prop Stand so can adjust jockey wheel when not connected to a vehicle.
- Relocated spare wheel up high onto the winch tower. Original Snipe mounting point too low as it grounds out even when being towed by a Discovery when making transition from slipway to horizontal ground.

All work done by Towbars : Front Push Towbars : Towing Brackets : Watling Engineers UK in St. Albans who have done a first class job ! All in for £650 inc VAT.

[Xk59D]

A guide price may help others?

I've seen a kit in USA with same features and looked identical to be honest, good to see options here though.

[mikew4]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

A guide price may help others?

I've seen a kit in USA with same features and looked identical to be honest, good to see options here though.

Updated post with price. To be clear, this is bespoke fabrication, not a kit. Dropped it in Monday AM, finished Tuesday PM.

[jeffstevens763@g]

does it drop onto a tow ball when folded back to?

[mikew4]

Yup. Neat eh?

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by mikew4

Yup. Neat eh?

yes it is like to see it in action when you get a chance brief report on its benifit over what you had guessing its to keep the vehicle completely out of the water?

[mikew4]

Its to deal with shallow water at slips and to keep car out of water / off dodgy terrain. Will report back when used it.

[Pikey Dave]

Nice[emoji106]

[mikew4]

Heres a video of it in action:

Click for video

[Xk59D]

The one I seen was identical in how it worked and latched on when not in use but I can't remember the cost of the kit, given it was probably in USA we can assume it won't be cheap to get it here though.

If I find it I will add a link.

650 quid is surprising but as bespoke it will vary on who you get to do it. Someone here should make a bolt on kit and make a few bob.

[Xk59D]

I think this Is the Same One I Seen.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?site...dFZwQuDQ_4:272

nice to see you doing same though, you won't be the last.

[mikew4]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

650 quid is surprising but as bespoke it will vary on who you get to do it. Someone here should make a bolt on kit and make a few bob.

Suprisingly expensive? I think otherwise, particularly when you consider:

- Parts were £190
- Labour was £460 (7hrs @ £55+VAT).
- Its a bespoke job that involved design & fab work for arm, same for spare wheel bracket and additional prop stand. Sadly this kind of thing is not available in kit form.

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by mikew4

Dropped it in Monday AM, finished Tuesday PM.

Obviously not galvanised then, Galvafroid or similar?

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by mikew4

Suprisingly expensive? I think otherwise, particularly when you consider:

- Parts were £190
- Labour was £460 (7hrs @ £55+VAT).
- Its a bespoke job that involved design & fab work for arm, same for spare wheel bracket and additional prop stand. Sadly this kind of thing is not available in kit form.

Yes it is expensive imo for what it is but that doesn't matter, it only matters to the person buying it and if you think 650 quid is good value then happy days.

[jeffstevens763@g]

There's a three piece one on eBay £120 coupling and ball very basic .
it's a good idea this one and well made if it's proper galv would I pay £650 no but the OP is happy result.just had a quick pice up

Tow ball £9
Coupling £28 60 MM box
3 MM wall box 3 m long around £100
So parts cost about right if it's galv

[breezeblock]

that will go rusty in no time if it was galvanised it would have been closer to the mark

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

There's a three piece one on eBay £120 coupling and ball very basic .
it's a good idea this one and well made if it's proper galv would I pay £650 no but the OP is happy result.just had a quick pice up

Tow ball £9
Coupling £28 60 MM box
3 MM wall box 3 m long around £100
So parts cost about right if it's galv

Stainless box wouldn't be much more, depending on supplier possibly cheaper.

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Obviously not galvanised then, Galvafroid or similar?

galvafroid is complete gubbins so if it is it won't last long looking nice unfortunately. in pics it does look like a sprayed on galv to be fair, perhaps it is pukka galv though?

why do you say it isn't galvanised? i know sod all about it but i was caught out with "galvanised" (i.e they used galvafroid) docking pole brackets i had made while back. Just curious if it was because of lack of time or what you made that comment?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

galvafroid is complete gubbins so if it is it won't last long looking nice unfortunately. in pics it does look like a sprayed on galv to be fair, perhaps it is pukka galv though?



why do you say it isn't galvanised? i know sod all about it but i was caught out with "galvanised" (i.e they used galvafroid) docking pole brackets i had made while back. Just curious if it was because of lack of time or what you made that comment?

Normally you're looking at a week turnaround for proper hot dip galvanising. They can rush it through if they have someone close, but even then you're looking at a couple of days.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Stainless box wouldn't be much more, depending on supplier possibly cheaper.

50x50x2 MM x 2.4 m £60 metals 4 you