trailer features

[Nick Hearne]

If you have a roller-coaster trailer why are you getting the bearings wet?
The only time I can see having to do this would be off a very shallow beach, as every slip I have used I have just backed up so the wheels are in the water, but the bearings are not & push the boat off! To get it back on just winch it back!

[bedajim]

Bloody hell

Don't you lot go to bed

Well it works for me so far only used it 4 times so still on a learning curve, the real reason i made it was i live in Rutland as far from the sea as you can get and didn't want the bearings to go on a sunday night 100 miles from home as they never go on Saturday morning outside of a bearing supplier & I'm lucky my boss is a good bloke who let me make it with steel from the racks at work scrap

I made it to launch at Wells Harbour slip which was our normal launch site with the old rib

I've made a couple including a big one for a sail boat my dad's with three wheels either side so that he could launch even with a flat tyre and sort it later

As for the bars on the launch trolley twin 40x 80 mm box 5 mm wall, i'd check what's on the your trailers main bars ? and think of the pot holes speed bumps you go over. the next one will have a 10 x 50 mm brace bar running down the launch bars but only to make it look right , as the bow in the existing bars is fine i'll try and get a pic

I've got a second winch to add to the launch trolley for slips like Warsash where the slip is very shallow and an idea to do away with the light board but that will have to wait as i got the boat to use and the trailer works as for the cost well that would depend on finish etc mine has axles that can each take the weight of the rig as I tried to cover most failures also anyone can give them away got to fund the scorp somehow

PS The main winch is two speed and the wife can winch the boat/trolley on on the slow speed which is great

What i really need is a trailer that the wife can tow and not terrify me and other road users

[Powerboats]

This is the trailer/cradle I had built earlier this year to carry any RIB from 4 - 7.5m.

It was not designed with launch/recovery on a slipway in mind as it is really for moving boats to and from exhibitions and for fitout to be carried out.

You can't see it in these pictures but it has ramps that stow on the forward frame of the trailer and slot in at the back to roll the cradle down.

It has LED lights and number plate built into the rear cross member.

[IBWET]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

If you have a roller-coaster trailer why are you getting the bearings wet?
The only time I can see having to do this would be off a very shallow beach, as every slip I have used I have just backed up so the wheels are in the water, but the bearings are not & push the boat off! To get it back on just winch it back!

I agree,

My bearings have never been in the water in must be dozens of launches, I put the trailer in until the water is just under the bearing and get someone to winch off (slowly at the last bit), checking the distance at the back between hull and concrete as I go.

Admittedly I have a nice sheltered slip, which may have something to do with it

What about a two wheel on one side system? Both rotating on the axle at about 165 degrees and a cheap attached jack allowing the swivelling out of one wheel and the swivelling in of the other for launching.

Not thought to much about the fine detail so no laughing.

[J S]

What about one like the lifeboat trailers where you can start and warm the engines before you launch.

James

[Rogue Wave]

[QUOTE=Nick Hearne;208145] If you have a roller-coaster trailer why are you getting the bearings wet?
The only time I can see having to do this would be off a very shallow beach, as every slip I have used I have just backed up so the wheels are in the water, but the bearings are not & push the boat off! To get it back on just winch it back! [/QUOTE:

[Downhilldai]

How about a trailer with a HIAB and lifting sling so you don't have to get it wet at all

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

bars that stop the roller cradles rotating 360 degrees, me sbs has them

the roller holders and cradles fixed so they are slightly stiff so they dont flop around or move in the water when the waves are breaking but move when pushed by the boat, sbs is like that

enough tie down points

longer drawbar so that dont need to get too close to water

waterproof light boards on each side that stay on and dont need to be undone/removed

stronger mudguards to stand on

bearing savers as standard

standard bearings instead of sealed ones that arnt

hub flush kit as standard

some sort of trailer security device built onto the trailer that is easy and quick to deploy

some sort of anti tip leg at the back/could be a security device as well

special loop at the front of the trailer for tieing a rope to or securing using a d link


hows that for starters!!!!

Excellent thanks

and to recapp here are the other points

Walkway
Beach wheels (like em)
Strong Jockeys
guide /launch ramps
back stands (powerboat's trailer)

IBWET I'm probably being a little obtuse, yeh yeh not for the 1st time, but could you explain your idea a bit more. ta

I am a great fan of James trailer an so full of admiration for the fact he got of his arse an made it. So it gets a big from me.

what is the best material for a trailer Galvanised steel or Aluminium

[Hugh Jardon]

couple of others for you as well

spare wheel included on trailer in useful place with secure fixing

boat access step on trailer frame somewhere useful, is handy if it can be moved around and retightened

two speed winch complete with a brake, mine has a removable handle...but not sure how handy that is

rear light board sliding bars that have a tightening mechanism that is easy to do up undo

cable slack points for wrapping spare light board cable

hitch that has built in security lock but also fits standard bulldog hitch clamps....mine is wierd and non standard,

over center brakes rather than ratchet type

plastic type rollers rather than rubber ones that are harder to use and leave marks

splitpinned rollers rather than the grip washers that break, if grip washers ued then 2 or 3 at a time used

range of dedicated inexpensive boat straps available at time of trailer purchase, ratchet mechanism close to trailer than midway

wheel lock nuts for spare wheel or other device

lock nuts available for main wheels

opportunity to buy a spares pack....roller, secure devices ie grip washers etc

[Rogue Wave]

thanks again.


re step I always like those fold down types you used to get on Landies, control yourself Codders!

[Downhilldai]

1. A metal rod for the brakes, rather than stretchy cables, which always need adjusting.
2. A winch post with a security chain/cable for the bow eye. Why don't these come as standard?
3. Galvanised wheel rims.
4. A spare hub/drum kit, packed with grease and a spare splitpin, for those Sunday nights....
5. Low roller bunks allowing easy launching in shallow water and easier to climb in and out of the boat
6. An optional 2' high metal post with fitted towball which you can bolt down to your garage floor, to hold the trailer still and prevent it from tipping while you climb around in the boat. Have an eyebolt attached to this, so if you have an incline into your garage, you can attach the winch strap to the post, to winch the outfit into the garage. I've got one and it's great.

Do I detect a new business venture Mr Wogue Rave?

[bedajim]

Sod it I'm going to get a mooring and one of those floating things to put the rib on

1 trailer for sale little used with most extras as standard

[IBWET]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

IBWET I'm probably being a little obtuse, yeh yeh not for the 1st time, but could you explain your idea a bit more. ta

A central pivoting point where the Indespension unit currently resides, two arms, one carrying the road wheel/bearing, the other a slave wheel designed for slipping only.

When the road wheel/arm is vertical and in place the other wheel would be as vertical as poss without interfering with the boat.

When you are going to slip, undo the locking pin (after taking the weight with the attached cheap jack), swivel the slave wheel down, lock it in place raise the jack, launch the boat! Reverse to recover.

I'm on 10%.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Sod it I'm going to get a mooring and one of those floating things to put the rib on

1 trailer for sale little used with most extras as standard

I'll have the trailer

[floater]

how about some sort of inflatable thing that slips under the rear and floats the trailer

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by floater

how about some sort of inflatable thing that slips under the rear and floats the trailer

Ahh you've seen Davdi Manning recovering a Rib

[Chris]

- Disk Brakes
- Hydraulics rather than crap cables
- Built in lighting thats waterproof (ie LED's)
- no need for a trailer board (number plate holder that folds out the way)

Chris

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by IBWET

A central pivoting point where the Indespension unit currently resides, two arms, one carrying the road wheel/bearing, the other a slave wheel designed for slipping only.

When the road wheel/arm is vertical and in place the other wheel would be as vertical as poss without interfering with the boat.

When you are going to slip, undo the locking pin (after taking the weight with the attached cheap jack), swivel the slave wheel down, lock it in place raise the jack, launch the boat! Reverse to recover.

I'm on 10%.

Three wheels two for on the road one for launching more stable on the road and easy to lock in position?

5% is the offer

[genoa]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Sod it I'm going to get a mooring and one of those floating things to put the rib on

I think they look like a great idea, saves all that hitch up and ditch stuff as well as having to moor up, get the car keys, realise you've a wet bum so the car'll get wet, get the trailer to the water, go back to the boat, realise you've left the boat key in the car, go back to car get key, back to boat, realise tide dropped so need to reverse car a bit more, etc etc.

Wouldnt it be great just to go flat out onto a bit of plastic get off the boat and go home!

Anyone got any recommendations on good boat lifts that dont require power (I'm up a river generally)