Trailer reccomendations

[eyespy999]

Hi all

I currently have a 3.4m rib where ate engine and rib weighs in at roughly 140kg.

I need a trolly to sit it on where I can drag it 50m to the local slip to launch or du k it I. The sea where I can launch it at low tide.

The road trailer it is on weighs 125kg and it has been a struggle to recover today.

I could do with a trailer really a third of the road trailer if anyone can recommend a rib trolly.

Regards

[Bombardc2]

I have one of these for my 3.4 rib, doesn't weigh alot

[eyespy999]

Thanks for the reply. It looks to good for what I really need it for. I just need something that has those plastic wheels That I can submerge and don't have to worry about any maintenance.

[Nos4r2]

Change the bearings for bronze bushes? Or maybe use a sailing dinghy trolley?

[ShinyShoe]

Check out the dinghy chandlers - e.g. Trident

But bear in mind most dinghies weigh < 100kg and the weight is usually in the middle not handing off the back...

[steco1958]

Would a set of launching wheels be of any use, I have a set up the loft that will be going on Ebay at some time,

Zodiac Marine - Accessories - Launching wheels

[jambo]

Originally Posted by steco1958

Would a set of launching wheels be of any use, I have a set up the loft that will be going on Ebay at some time, Zodiac Marine - Accessories - Launching wheels

I have roughly the same sib set up for tender and I have the same problem so I got myself a lair of wheels. Problem solved!!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[chipko]

Hi, I use a folding launching trolley to drag my 3.5m sib plus engine up and down the beach and through the dunes.
I modified mine with the addition of a couple of home made bunks to support a sib. Not particularly cheap but pleased with the set up and ease of use it provides.
There are 2 sizes available;
NEW Folding Launching Trolley Dinghy inflatable Boat | eBay

LARGE Folding Launching Trolley Dinghy inflatable Boat Launch Max 16' Boat 200Kg | eBay

[apritch476]

Hi Chipkoo, I'd be interested to know a bit more about the home made bunks you added to the launching trolley. I'm just considering getting one for my 3.8m SIB, so just doing a bit of research before I spend the money :-).

Are you able to upload any photos?

Have you added the hitch for the car (I know it can only be used at low speeds and off road)?

Thanks

[chipko]

Hi,
The bunks are simply 38 x 69 x 2400 long sw timber studs, wood stained and covered with foam pipe insulation - lashed up quickly and has stood up well to two seasons use so far, but carpet lined would be harder wearing.
Have since fitted a tow hitch for non road low speed towing or manual pulling using a dolly.
For a 3.8m boat I would recommend going for the larger trolley.

[apritch476]

Originally Posted by chipko

Hi,
The bunks are simply 38 x 69 x 2400 long sw timber studs, wood stained and covered with foam pipe insulation - lashed up quickly and has stood up well to two seasons use so far, but carpet lined would be harder wearing.
Have since fitted a tow hitch for non road low speed towing or manual pulling using a dolly.
For a 3.8m boat I would recommend going for the larger trolley.
Attachment 95050
Attachment 95051Attachment 95052Attachment 95053

Looks good, and thanks for posting the piccies.

Did you try using the trolley at all without your additional bunks? How successful was it? Is your SIB an airfloor?

I need to keep the trolley as portable as possible, and so was hoping to avoid adding anything to it and was hoping that having 2' rubber snubbers running along where the tube / floor joins, in such a way that the ally floor is also supported, would be sufficient. Alternatively replacing the snubbers with rollers.

Just trying to find out how successful this is likely to be.

Thanks
Andrew

[chipko]

Hi Andrew,
Not used trolley without bunks, and sib is ally floor. Personally I would be a bit nervous using trolley 'out the box' as standard supports not really sib friendly.
Boat lives on trolley for the season and launch/recover in surf so long bunks more practical, and packability not an issue.
Your proposal of 2' long padded snubbers plus an extended bow support should work fine and distribute the load enough to reduce pressure points on the floor. Would recommend transom is supported on rear snubbers to take weight of engine.
Have you considered transom wheels? Very popular on here and for good reason. I sometimes use them when the surf is big as recovery is much easier.

Attachment 95067

[apritch476]

Yes, I've got transom wheels and would use them to launch. Problem is more when we're away in caravan and get pitched too far from water, the 380 is a heavy old beast to manoeuvre any distance by hand. I guess I could accept the outboard could go in the boot and I could settle for just the inflatable on the trailer.

Cheers

[chipko]

If you're just towing across campsite and launch/recovery with transom wheels then the standard supports on the trolley should be ok with a bit of extra padding - such as pipe insulation. The rear snubbers can turn through 90* and be adjusted to support transom with engine on. I've found it easier to pull with engine on as nose weight is much less.
Happy Boating