beach launch trailer mods
Submitted by Deleted on Fri, 2014-10-03 18:03
just about to start my beach launching adventures around WA ( sort of ) and iam thinking that a draw bar extension is the best way to keep my colorado semi dry. my question to the beach launch gurus is how have you gone about your extension, bearing in mind it i would like to be able to simply remove extension and go to normal trailer set up once retreval is complete. also my boat is a 5.5m plate ali with 90hp 4 stroke
if you have any pics this would be awesome to see. cheers in advance
scotto
Posts: 2470
Date Joined: 21/04/08
3rd wheel
The old drop down 3rd (or 5th if you got a dual axle) wheel is your best friend for nearly all beach retreivals, but i am leaning towards investigating benefits of a fold away draw bar extension for launches, just to keep the ute on the nice firm dry sand as much as possible.
The 2nd best investment ive made was the biggest winch i could fit in my bullbar for when it all goes horribly wrong!!
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
yeah should have mentioned
yeah should have mentioned third wheel will be installed for when needed to snatch out thats straight forward, the third wheel is great up north so you can push the boat out to tide point but when its a straight forward launch like lancelin i would prefer a longer draw bar straight in and out
Swompa
Posts: 3786
Date Joined: 14/10/12
I have a smaller section of
I have a smaller section of RHS that runs inside my draw bar. My hitch is bolted directly extension and when I don't need it, it just slides back inside and is pinned in two places.
i have seen a few yachts do the same thing.
lastcast
Posts: 215
Date Joined: 04/04/13
beach launch
Personally have a bar similar to swompa and I also carry two rolls
Of old swather belt, you can guess what that's for.
Funny thing is I've used it to help out otherd way more than I've. Needed
It.
Other thing is, I spent 2+ mins trying to show a couple pics butcouldn't
work it out, I'm not a slouch with computers either. Wassup with that.
scano
Posts: 1246
Date Joined: 31/05/07
Same as swompa
Go for a square tube steel that fits "just"inside your existing drawbar. My regular trailer steel is 3mm thick so I made the centre sleeve of steel 5mm for added insurance. I then secured the sleeve inside with 2x m16 stainless bolts and spring washers ect. For your trailer plug wiring, run it on the outside if the square tube frame and mount it inside some conduit and secure to to the trailer with some c clips firmly sikaflexed and cable tied as you go. When you want to beach launch it is simply a case of remove your m16 bolts, slide out the internal steel drawbar to the desired length, and the reinstate the front m16 bolt to lock it in place.
If you want further info pm me your email address and I can forward you some pics of mine.
scano
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
beach launch
Hi Gilly
Your boat is about the same size as mine, drop down wheel works but its a bit of a struggle with the weight of your boat. The hard part is winching back on when the weight of your boat has the hitch end pointing to the sky, I just have mine for emergency use and the benefit of having a spare hub and bearing ready to go but places in the NW this is the only option
A slide out extenable draw bar possibly wont work if you have cable trailor brakes as the mechanism probably goes through your draw bar meaning you cant slide anything down there
I am currently in the process of making a swing out style draw bar, its a bit difficult on my trailor so I havent completed it yet and I will need to use a telescopic section of beam to get any real benefit. I am of the thinking that an extension less than 2m isnt worth the hassle but any more than 4m and the span of the draw bar might end up with a bend
have a bit of a google and you will see some good examples of different draw bar setups, its quite common on our south coast particularly around Denmark and also in south oz
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
Yup brakes will be in the
Yup brakes will be in the way
sea-kem
Posts: 14857
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Swing out draw bar is the way
Swing out draw bar is the way to go, I've seen one in action at Gnaraloo. Thing you have to think about though is you'll end up parked on the softer sand so will possibly need tracks to get you momentum started.
Love the West!
Daaron Holmes
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 25/04/10
Had a slide out drawbar
Used it for Lano on a 5.2 rib.
Bought some parts for it from The trailer place in O'Connor, and they suggested it wasn't legal.
Never checked that fact out tho.
Insert humerous comment here....
sea-kem
Posts: 14857
Date Joined: 30/11/09
They're probably right,
They're probably right, that's why mist go for the swing around type so it doesn't affect the integrity of the original hitch.
Love the West!
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
correct
any mods you make to your trailor like that (including goosenecks) are not legal according to what I have been told by martins trailer parts.
I am making mine so it all bolts on and no additional holes in the trailer so if I ever need to go over the pits............... what drawbar?
DTrain
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 10/02/12
Swing out drawbar
Saw this on the TV a couple of weeks back. Looks like it works pretty well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSJn2k2cOQs
sea-kem
Posts: 14857
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Yeah that's the type of
Yeah that's the type of hitch I mean. Tough boys them one's lol
Love the West!
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
Yup that's the same idea and
Yup that's the same idea and video I watched. Cheers for the input lads now it's time to get it built
hezzy
Posts: 1519
Date Joined: 27/11/09
mine was a 5.3 metre plate
mine was a 5.3 metre plate ally with a 90 yammy , tandem trailer, I put a 4 metre draw bar extension on it , similar to swompa , it had its own tow hitch & was held along side the main draw bar with pins metal straps and could slide in & out and it fitted inside the main draw bar, same pins secured it ,its own tow hitch fitted onto the 4by
very handy at low tides or soft beach launches to have the extra 4 metres
brakes are not a worry like this , remember your not towing it on the road , its only for beach/short duration type situations ,with low speeds usually your main draw bar trailer is not compromised so insurance .licence issues are not an issue imo
hezzy
OFW 11
evil flourishes when good men do nothing
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
yup understand that braking
yup understand that braking isnt a problem but the braking harness is a problem mainly the size of the bolt heads and nuts, i think changing the bolts is the first place to start and make them a flat head style bolt so they dont obstruct the second draw bar. also sliding a bar inside the original bar will not be possible unless i get the braking harness welded instead of bolted and iam not looking to do this.