Trailer Refurb

Chris · 23 October 2011, 18:27

Just taken delivery of the new Rib.

Its sitting on a 2004/2005 SBS twin axle trailer which have not seen any maintenance in a number of years.

It's going to need new cables, shoes, etc. which I am fine with however the draw bar is also going to need some work. moves in an out however there is no damping. is this easy to change?

Trailer Guy · 23 October 2011, 20:06

Hi Chris

Not too difficult if you're fairly handy with a set of spanners.

If you post up the make of coupling I should be able to reply with a fairly easy guide to doing it.

All the best

Maximus · 23 October 2011, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Just taken delivery of the new Rib.

Its sitting on a 2004/2005 SBS twin axle trailer which have not seen any maintenance in a number of years.

It's going to need new cables, shoes, etc. which I am fine with however the draw bar is also going to need some work. moves in an out however there is no damping. is this easy to change?

Nice one Chris,all the Best with the new Boat!

Chris · 23 October 2011, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

Nice one Chris,all the Best with the new Boat!

Hi mate, yes it looks great, trailer not as bad as I remembered, just needs the brakes and draw bar sorting out,

Can't wait to get back out there.

Chris · 24 October 2011, 21:38

Had a good look at the brakes today. They are not looking to good to say the least however the back plates seem solid once you knock a few layers of rust off...

So looking at the state of them it's:

New Shoes / springs etc
New Expanders all round
New Reverse Levers
New Adjusters
New Cables (SS)
New Bowden cable covers

I already have one set of 2051 shoes so only need one more set so £250inc on parts to refurb these.

On top of the brakes we need to get a new damper for the draw bar, a new energy store spring for the handbrake and a new winch. Which will be about £220inc.

I had a look at the actual suspension units and the arms are rusty but seem solid, there appears to be an inch or so of rubber poking out around where the arms goes into the axle however this is the same on all 4 suspension arms. Is this normal I can't remeber seeing it on my last DB trailer?

Trailer Guy · 24 October 2011, 22:15

Hi Chris

It does happen with some manufacturer's axles. If there's still plenty of movement in the trailer arm (up and down, for the suspension) then your axle's fine.

PS. That looks like a Bradley coupling? Damper shouldn't be too hard to do

matt h · 24 October 2011, 23:33

yep that normal!!

Rogue Wave · 25 October 2011, 20:46

are they Alco axles cos if they are you won't have to go too far for some free bits

Chris · 26 October 2011, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

are they Alco axles cos if they are you won't have to go too far for some free bits

yes they are 2051 hubs.

Will be calling you shorty

I mean Shortly

Chris · 26 October 2011, 16:12

Stripped the hubs on one axle today and they have come up ok so it looks like we can get away with just fitting new internals, Ben thanks for your advice mate, much appreciated

Rogue Wave · 26 October 2011, 17:35

If they are Alco's can you whip em off with a Big Hex wrench and use replacement units

Chris · 26 October 2011, 19:48

Had a crack at the drum with an abrasive flapwheel and this is the result. Still quite a rough surface.

Should I just wack em on with a fresh set of shoes and rely on the shoes to bed them in or are these buggered?

matt h · 26 October 2011, 20:32

They will work but basically wont be as effective and will quickly wear the shoes. Try a flappa disc which fits onto a 4.5 inch grinderette, that will definately take off the corrosion but how deep has the corrosion gone that could be a issue,ive seen drums in that condition literally break away from the rims... Wire wheel wont touch that.
you can get them from G R Fastners in Stroud,

Downhilldai · 26 October 2011, 22:26

Lathe

matt h · 26 October 2011, 22:32

Yep!!

Chris · 27 October 2011, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Lathe

That might be an option it's only surface pitting, Ben (Trailer Guy) has given me a couple of ideas and they should clean up OK!

However just went to have a look through Mr Waves trailer parts collection and I think I might be able to get a couple of sets together out of that lot.

Cheers STU

Chris · 31 October 2011, 22:55

The worst bit is over (I hope). We managed to strip all the brakes and have a load of parts from RW to put back on again. Had the insude of the drums cleaned up by a local machinist and they are not too bad. Just need to order cables and the bits for the damper and it will be back on the road.

The backplates are OK, there are a couple of small holes near the bottom however they still seem to have plenty of thickness left after knocking away all the rust. Gave them a liberal coating of Red Oxide and will spray them with a coat of hammerite before putting it all back together.

Chris · 31 October 2011, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailer Guy

PS. That looks like a Bradley coupling? Damper shouldn't be too hard to do

Hi Ben,

We have undone the bolts that pass horizontally and vertically through the head and the bolt further down the bracket that looks like it goes through the damper. I am assuming the head should come off allowing the damper to slide out?

Trailer Guy · 31 October 2011, 23:08

Hi Chris

If you've undone both bolts, and knocked them out, then the head should come off. It may need a bit of persuasion.

Just to keep you on your toes, some Bradley dampers come out backwards...

PS. Good job with the backplates

Chris · 31 October 2011, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailer Guy

Hi Chris

If you've undone both bolts, and knocked them out, then the head should come off. It may need a bit of persuasion.

Just to keep you on your toes, some Bradley dampers come out backwards...

PS. Good job with the backplates

Thanks mate. After clouting all the bits off those drums I can see where you found those arms