Boat Trailers
OK so all this talk of heavy boats on trailers with the associated risks is starting to worry me.
I am running a 685 Cruise Craft with twin 4 strokes on a 3t trailer. Problem is that with a full tank of fuel and a couple of full water bladders plus all the fishing gear and bits and pieces that we lug around I reckon I am very close to my legal limit. This is especially so when we do trips away to Carnarvon, Coral Bay etc with all the additional gear that goes into the boat. So questions are:
- If I am running overweight and I am involved in a MV incident where towing may play a part, do I get any leeway legally ie do they allow say 10% over or is it 3,000 or less = OK, 3,001kgs or more = not OK
- exactly what is involved in upgrading the trailer from a legal limit of 3T to 3.5T
- I guess I have to assume new axles, springs, hangers etc but can I retain existing hubs, calipers, rims etc
- I am currently running ford slimline bearings in my hubs but I think these are too light and would prefer to go to a heavier bearing, does that mean new hubs and if I get new hubs does that mean new calipers as well.
- Can I get to 3.5T with 14 inch alloys (standard Dunbier issue)
- My trailer looks to be in reasonable condition but perhaps a couple of the cross members look a little tatty so if I am upgrading would probably change them over as well
Now having 10 thumbs and not being that technically minded I would be looking to have someone reliable do the work. Can anyone recommend anyone who can do the job from start to finish including the re-registering part ?
I would appreciate any feedback on the above and any recommendations for prospective people to do the work. I should add that I am SOR
cheers
Rob H
Posts: 5798
Date Joined: 18/01/12
hey Bruce, you don't say if
hey Bruce, you don't say if the trailer is Dunbier, only rims?
Your boat will be essentially the same as mine, allowing for 10 or 20kg on the outboards and a little on the trailer itself. Mine came in at 600kg trailer, and 2700kg with almost no fuel (50-100 litres).
First stop would be to speak to both Dunbier and/or Martins (take the trailer in there?).
While springs have ratings, generally they just look at the number of leafs and width (60mm?).
The rims should have a rating cast into them, but you can get 14" Ford pattern onto 3.5 tonne if you use loadsharing suspension (roller rocker etc rather than torsion/slipper). I have Mullins on mine and they are 1000kg each.
Have a look through this, and Ill chuck up some more info later if need be!
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/trailer-rebuilds-etc-pics-added
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
Best take the boat and
Best take the boat and trailer fully loaded to a weight bridge and see what it actually weighs.
Dinkum Auto Electrical A/C & Mechanical Unit 10/16 Kent way Malaga 0438755754 Also Mobile
Open 7 days except when we are fishn For all your auto electrical needs
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Hey RobIt was mainly your
Hey Rob
It was mainly your post and Bodies post that started me worrying (thanks for that !) But need to get it fixed, as you say you have an identical boat at 2700kg on the trailer without fuel. Add 300l fuel and then the two fresh water bladders I carry plus gear and easy over 3T I reckon. Yep its a Dunbier trailer.
I've just been out and had another look at the suspension set up, the brake controller and the tyres so that I freshen up my thoughts on the general overall condition.
Given that the price of a new trailer is almost extortionate - $16k from Roadmaster, a refurb is going to be the way to go I think.
Cheers
Rob H
Posts: 5798
Date Joined: 18/01/12
bugger 16K, if you were going
bugger 16K, if you were going get new go for a Peterson at about $12K.
Sounds like load share. Id probably take the trailer into Martins, or ring them, they will be able to tell you but I see their 9 leafx45mm twin axle is only 2500kg.
45mm sq axles are max 1500kg per axle
The various bearings have their own max ratings.
Good resources are Martins Trailer parts website
Spinny Things on Ebay
Huntsman123 on Ebay
Lots of info there
Alternative as I said to Bodie, is go to Transtyle (or Trojan) and order complete torsion axles with brakes and everything then its just a bolt on job for maybe $4.5K complete with rims and tyres.
I suspect your brake unit wont be up to it either, all the ones I see are 1200 or 1600psi, 1000psi is normally only drums?
That's how Id go next time.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Yep 1000 only for drums.
Yep 1000 only for drums. 1200 and 1600 for discs.
Have a look at bg trailers. Galv but I think about 11g locally ?
marble
Posts: 775
Date Joined: 03/09/09
look at alloy trailers too,
look at alloy trailers too, will drop a few hundred kilos straight away.
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
mmm . . . .Petersons $12.5k
mmm . . . .Petersons $12.5k for a 3.5t plus GST plus freight. Not much change out of $16k. Nice specs though.
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
Bruce, if your looking at a
Bruce, if your looking at a new trailer, check out Ace trailers. A Mate of mine just puprchasied one and they will do a trade in for your trailer aswell. Mate of mine has a 24ft Carribean with twin donks. New Trailer was about 12k fully optioned with 2 lots of spares and 6 new rims and tyres. Good thing is, local too. And made of Ali.
Im going to order the Trojan torsion axles hopefully today from the same mob Ace trailers. They also do tralier mods, repairs and so on. I will be putting in 2 x 2.2tonna Torsion axles which were quoted at about $1,100 each which included axles, hubs, Bearings, disc's and callipers and galvanized. Basically just bolt onto the Chassis and done!
This will rate my trailer to 3.5T
Advantage is the torsions axles are lighter and you no longer need leaf springs which is one less moving part which rusts that needs replacing.
Hopefully have all the parts in the next week or so will post up some pics once done.
Rob H
Posts: 5798
Date Joined: 18/01/12
other advantage is the
other advantage is the torsions contribute to the chassis strength.
Bodie I thought it was a long wait for the Trojans?
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
It was according to trojan
It was according to trojan themselves. Spoke with Guy form Ace trailers who said he's got stock in Perth so no probs there!
Just a matter of getting him on the phone now to order!
Rob H
Posts: 5798
Date Joined: 18/01/12
that's lucky-especially if
that's lucky-especially if the brackets are at the correct frame width?
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
snappermiles
Posts: 2100
Date Joined: 05/11/10
guy from ace trailers is the bloke to talk to
i bought my trailer from him and so did the old boy since then we have had heaps of mates go the same way!! great trailers at a reasonable price! mine has done three trips to the mackeral islands with not a problem!
ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
Sounds great and all but if
Sounds great and all but if he doesnt call you back its a bit of an issue!
No call back in a week and a half!
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Crikey, $16k for a
Crikey, $16k for a trailer.........I got a 3.5t MagicTilt ali trailer from the US for US$5,500 which was about A$5,200 at the time, great trailer, tows perfectly. Has bunks, not rollers, I will not go back to rollers now I have bunks, they are so much easier to float the boat onto.
Still, with exchange rate now and transport plus other costs (I needed it to sit my boat on), I guess costs would be well over A$10k.
Downside is US spec everything, so parts may be an issue??
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
Seaquest
Posts: 1131
Date Joined: 22/10/09
If your looking for a new
If your looking for a new trailer give Terry a buz from Tezzas Trailers 0410 565 665. He built mine for around $12500. It's rated to 3.5t and set up for a ally boat but he builds them to order. Its built to last and is a dream to drive on.
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Cheers for that Brendan.
Cheers for that Brendan. Looks like its all open channel as well. I may give him a ring. Meeting up with Guy from Ace Trailers on Thursday and then another local builder on Saturday. That should provide me with enough info to decide whether to refurb or buy new.
Just one out of the blue, would it be a problem if I went to an even heavier trailer say 4T ? I can only pull 3.5t with a cruiser but it shouldnt make a difference if the trailer is registered heavier so long as i dont go over 3.5T ?
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
I feel your pain and concern
Never had an issue with the boats I have owned, but trailors????.
Bloody had my fair few mishaps. So even though I have a current 5.4 Trailcraft Ali that came with a standard single axle, the first thing I did was add another. Then upgraded all the specs on the rims, calipers etc.
Probably overkill for what I have, but at least I know that if a tyre blows (happened) or I loose a rim (happened) the remaining axle will get me home. Poor old trailers just cop it. Everything in them gets drenched in salt.
Spend an age cleaning the boat, but the poor trailor gets minimal attention from me in the past. That is not the case now.
I am so bloody paranoid now after the mishaps that I probably spend more time and almost more coin looking after it.
It is due for a hub service again so more $$$ as I am like you, mostly 5 thumbs on each hand.
Had the trailor rated with the upgrade and is 2.5T, way over what I need for the Traily. But feel more confident with the security, plus can laod it to the hilt for trips, leaving the Cruiser free for the important stuff.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Belly Fish
Posts: 499
Date Joined: 09/03/12
4T brings bigger issues
Ace Trailers built mine back in February this year...fantastic trailer. Got 220mm ali I beam, 2.7ton axles, oversized hubs/bearings, walkway, 2 spare wheels with hubs/bearings, full keel and bunk rollers. Really is overspecced to give me comfort.
However, anything registered over 3.5T requires a 75mm tow ball, and that was a step I didn't want to take so it's registered for 3.5T.
MetroMako
Posts: 245
Date Joined: 17/07/12
price
12500 thats a bad price u good buy a new boat for that im sure theres cheaper.
seadoggystyle
Posts: 43
Date Joined: 26/08/13
That is very expensive.
That is very expensive.
Seaquest
Posts: 1131
Date Joined: 22/10/09
Show me where you can get a
Show me where you can get a full drive on Australian built trailer for a 7.5m boat with electric over hydraulic disc brakes and rated to 3.5t under $12500. I looked everwhere and this was one of the cheapest.
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Ignore them
I dont think they have ever tried to price one up. $12,500 is fair/cheap.
The other way to go would be to bring one from the states...but then you have compatability issues down the track. Not a great problem, but just one more issue to have to worry about. Plus they are generally aluminium and "I" beam (less maintenance issues).
I reckon I spend more time keeping the trailer clean than the boat these days. Always easier to do when the trailer is new. Getting used trailers is a bloody nuisance. I reckon too many people overlook the quality of a trailer when buying a used boat. For me, having a good quality (newer) trailer is probably as important (if not more important) that the age/hours of the motor or the boat. Its not the be all and end all, but it can be a deciding factor.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
seadoggystyle
Posts: 43
Date Joined: 26/08/13
Ok, yes on looking around at
Ok, yes on looking around at prices $12.5k is fairly cheap for a 3.5t trailer. Would work out much cheaper to bolster up existing, especially if your looking at doing most of the work yourself.
seadoggystyle
Posts: 43
Date Joined: 26/08/13
You could try this one, might
You could try this one, might be too big for your boat though.....
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mandurah/boat-accessories-parts/boat-trailer-tri-axle-4-1-2-tonne-gvm-for-30ft-craft/1031969877
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
Brue, i just ordered the
Bruce, i just ordered the reaplcement axles, hubs, callipers and so on for mine from Transtyle trailers in Melbourne. Got the run around here from Ace trailers who didnt bother calling me back and Martins didnt stock torsions suitable for my weight requirements.
Ended up going for
2 x 2.5 Tonne Transtyle torsion galvanized axles
Galvanized 12" 6 Stud Land cruiser lazy hubs and 12" Ventilated Rotors with one spare Lazy hub.
Kodiak Stainless Callipers
6 x 6 stud Landcruiser Allow Rims and Tyres (With a load rating of 1,180 KG)
Full spare set of bearings
Stainless flexible hydroulic brake hose kit.
5k plus delivery.
Not a cheap exercise but wanted to really beef up the running gear, and this should do it.
Rob H
Posts: 5798
Date Joined: 18/01/12
deja vu (all over again)
that'll do the job Bodie!
Would love to have a look next time Im in Perth if that's ok?
Only thing Id have maybe done different is have SS discs and Dacro calipers-depending on how long your trailer sits unused.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
Mate no probs, can check it
Mate no probs, can check it out anytime.
Thought about the SS Discs, i have Darco discs now and they look fine after 5 years. to go SS was another $1,600 or there abouts.
Good thing is, it only takes 2 weeks to get them too!
snuffs
Posts: 140
Date Joined: 06/08/12
Gents - I have one willing to
Gents - I have one willing to sell atm. Been away overseas for past month, so haven't chasen up any interest until now. link is here http://fishwrecked.com/forum/boat-trailer-sale . Will let go for $8k. Placing it back on the market as of now.
seadoggystyle
Posts: 43
Date Joined: 26/08/13
Yes good job well done.
Yes good job well done. Sounds cheaper than the new option too.
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Thanks guys for all of the
Thanks guys for all of the responses and advice. It's obviously a subject that we are all going to talk about at one stage or another. i've got one more guy to check but so far Ace have the best offer coming in just under $12k. Just need to find a home for mine !
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
I recommend Ace trailers. A
I recommend Ace trailers. A very pleasant man to deal with and the trailer is fantastic.
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
(No subject)
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
Getting our trailer made
Getting our trailer made there soon great bloke to deal with.
Dinkum Auto Electrical A/C & Mechanical Unit 10/16 Kent way Malaga 0438755754 Also Mobile
Open 7 days except when we are fishn For all your auto electrical needs
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Yep, trailer being built by
Yep, trailer being built by Ace now, should be finished 10/12. Build time 2 weeks and 2 days including registering, pick up on Friday. With Guy, nothing is too much trouble and he is happy to do little add-ons.
Registered to 3.5T, torsion axles, keel rollers with V guides and wobble rollers, alloys, spare for under $12k, very good price.
jng
Posts: 488
Date Joined: 03/08/07
Highly recommend guy from ace
Highly recommend guy from ace trailers- Built a trailer for my 7.5m ally- registered to 3.5t keel rollers with bunks, and a v guide- around the 11k mark. still yet to launch the boat with it yet, quality built trailer and a great bloke to deal with.
nate80
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 12/05/13
Hey Bodie, how did you go
Hey Bodie, how did you go with Transtyle? How much was the freight in the end? I'm about to build an ally 3.5 ton rated trailer with torsion axles. Will place order with Hoang as soon as my current trailer sells.
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
"•If I am running overweight
"•If I am running overweight and I am involved in a MV incident where towing may play a part, do I get any leeway legally ie do they allow say 10% over or is it 3,000 or less = OK, 3,001kgs or more = not OK"
Insurance wise would be unlikely to be a problem if your just a tad over but well over (100kg or more) could be another scenario. Property damage cover possibly declined and if you seriously injure someone possibly facing recovery of cost of injury. If that were to happen I wouldn't be mentioning the water bladders - just standard load (but I didn't tell you that)...
Policing is a separate issue and would depend on the officer involved.
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos
Rob H
Posts: 5798
Date Joined: 18/01/12
hit the nail on the head
hit the nail on the head Paul
The insurance company wont be at the scene but will have access to the Police reports, whatever they may contain.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Thanks Paul, all moot now as
Thanks Paul, all moot now as have a new 3.5t aluminium trailer under the boat. However your comments echo my thoughts and is worthwhile for all boat owners to consider when trailing their boat.
Rob H
Posts: 5798
Date Joined: 18/01/12
weighed mine when we got back
weighed mine when we got back to Gero, 1/2 tank fuel=came to 2650kg. No water fishing gear etc on board though.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.