Trailer height
About 90% of my trailer is going to the galvaniser tomorrow for stripping and re-galvanising. I've cut some roller brackets and welded on new conical rollers which has greatly improved the drive on ability of my trailer. I was only going to get the roller brackets done but I've decided that with surface rust starting, the whole frame is getting done.
Anyway, I pull it with a lifted 200 series and with the height of the tow ball on the cruiser, the ass end of the trailer ends up with about 90mm ground clearance. I know I could install a drop hitch which would help slightly but since I had the trailer in bits I decided to put the axles under the springs for a look.
Unfortunately the brake setup with offset axles means that to make it work the height change is a lift of 200mm giving a new clearance of around 280mm. The frame also sits level and the tow height matches the cruiser but it is higher than I really wanted to go.
Now I know I will need to drive the trailer further down the ramp (should be about 1m at Ocean Reef) to launch, the boat will tow a bit higher on the road, and other than higher storage height, but are there any other serious considerations I need to think about.
I think the shallow angle ramps will cause a problem and will mean the cruiser wheels will need to be in the water on these ramps.
Anyway, I have a few days turnaround at the galvinisers to decide whether I go with the lift or go back to the ass dragging setup I had. At least the trailer will be sparkling with new galv..
Any opinions appreciated.
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
clayd
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 07/12/15
Dropping towball height
Dropping towball height makes the most sense to me.
Tom M
Posts: 662
Date Joined: 22/09/15
Adjust it at the towball,
Adjust it at the towball, save yourself some anguish. Doesn,t sound like you need it to go offroad.
Tom M
Paul N
Posts: 480
Date Joined: 09/11/06
As above
Adjust at towball
That way it can be used on other cars as well
Bradmac73
Posts: 176
Date Joined: 22/03/17
drop hitch is the easiest.
drop hitch is the easiest. Also maintains the centre of gravity lower in the trailer which is always a good thing IMO.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
What Brad said
What Brad said
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
squidvicious1
Posts: 821
Date Joined: 22/07/10
What galvanisers are you
What galvanisers are you using?
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Using Hartway in Canningvale
They were the cheapest and they were good to deal with. Towed it down there yesterday and just unbolted the hitch, the spring hinge bolts and the cradle bolts. Theys said call on Monday.
All up 60 individual parts. Didn't do the axles and springs which aren't too bad and I'll just cold gal them after sanding the white rust off the axles. Didn't want the springs going into the heat and was too much stuffing around trying to mask the machined surfaces on the axles.
They charge $125+tax per meter and will include all the bits, even the ubolts. Mine is 6 meters. Had the guards and some of the roller brackets that were a bit flakeys sand blasted first . Will cost about $1000 all up and trailer will be gleaming again and should be good for 10 years. Maybe axles again in 2 or 3.
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Little trick when galving
Little trick when galving axled is to use silicone over your axle stubs. Cake it on real thick.
They come out well as the galv doesnt stick to it.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
and dont gal the springs
and dont gal the springs again
They suffer from hydrogen embrittlement during galvanising, basically the surface is no longer springsteel and prone to snapping
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.
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Seems like the drop hitch is probably the best option.
I was trying to avoid the cost of it and possibly get more clearance if ever going offroad but in reality offroad brings a whole lot more into the equation and with this boat and trailer it is highly unlikely.
Cheers for the input lads!
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
Increase tire size. I
Increase tire size. I changed from 13's to 14 inch rims to suit car