Draw Bar extension for Launching

[Bigplumbs]

The main slip I use is a little shallow and I want to try launching and recovering my 17 foot bow rider on my own. I need to increase the length of my tow bar for launching and recovery only. Not for towing as it tows nicely balanced as it is.

I have found simple bars with a tow ball one end and a hitch the over but these give no steering at all as the tow is in effect hinged in 2 places.

I would like something like the attached pic and have googled around but cant find something similar in the UK. Anyone done this or know where I can get one in the UK. If not I will have to try and make one.

Dennis

 

[sarabande]

I do not think you could get a simpler or more robust design than that pic. Any decent agricultural steel shop could make something from that pic.

 

[simonfraser]

or trailer / caravan manufacturer.

 

[gjgm]

I have had the set up you propose and it might add some steering control, but not that much.
SBS trailers do/did it. Frankly, you reverse back to the water with the normal set up and then extend. Coming back out, it helps with the deeper water, but it still has a mind of its own after any distance. It is a better than a rope, but do not expect too much. Also, if the slipway changes angle, then you are fixed at the trailer end and pivoting at the car end, so it doesn't take much to ground it. That means that you end up part towing it out, and changing back to the normal trailer set up. 2 metres extension didn't make much difference in the end.
I hardly ever bothered to use it- just drive the boat off.

 

[Canopy Locked]

I think you will find this answers your questions

http://www.rib.net/forum/f49/trailer-customisation-extending-drawbar-74390.html

 

[Promarine11]

Agree. Roy or Andy at SBS Trailers.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Agree. Roy or Andy at SBS Trailers.

Tried SBS Gave them a call no help at all and didn't seem interested. That is despite me owning 5 of their trailers

 

[Promarine11]

Wow that was unexpected. How about http://www.angleseymarinesupplies.com/boat-trailer-rubbers.php they have a wide variety of general trailer spares including draw bars.

 

[Bigplumbs]

I have scraped together most of the parts from what I had at home so am going to make it myself

Dennis

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Not sure where you're based but I can recommend Ambrow Trailers in Christchurch. They have a very good reputation locally and definitely know what they are doing. They are engineers and fabricators, not just dealers and fitters. http://www.ambrowtrailers.co.uk/

Have you considered a front-mounted towbar? They make manoeuvring the boat on it's trailer so much easier it's hard to believe until you've tried it. It's pretty easy to push aircraft back using a tow-bar attached to the front hitch and the nose wheel but reversing them back takes a fair bit of skill and practice as you have a few pivot points to consider though it can be done (I've done it many times but I had plenty of opportunity to practice...)

A straightforward bar with a ball one end and a socket the other would be similar to pushing back an a/c using a towbar attached to the nosewheel I'd think but you'd need to leave the jockey wheel down on your trailer which assumes that the slip is smooth enough and firm enough for it - otherwise I can't see an issue other than the fact it's a bit pricey for the front-mounted towbar.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Not sure where you're based but I can recommend Ambrow Trailers in Christchurch. They have a very good reputation locally and definitely know what they are doing. They are engineers and fabricators, not just dealers and fitters. http://www.ambrowtrailers.co.uk/

Have you considered a front-mounted towbar? They make manoeuvring the boat on it's trailer so much easier it's hard to believe until you've tried it. It's pretty easy to push aircraft back using a tow-bar attached to the front hitch and the nose wheel but reversing them back takes a fair bit of skill and practice as you have a few pivot points to consider though it can be done (I've done it many times but I had plenty of opportunity to practice...)

A straightforward bar with a ball one end and a socket the other would be similar to pushing back an a/c using a towbar attached to the nosewheel I'd think but you'd need to leave the jockey wheel down on your trailer which assumes that the slip is smooth enough and firm enough for it - otherwise I can't see an issue other than the fact it's a bit pricey for the front-mounted towbar.

I have a front mounted tow bar that I bought on ebay for my Disco 2 last week. Still to fix it. This will not help the fact that the slip is a gentle slope and I need to get the boat further into the water. Hence need the longer bar. I think with the parts I have acquired I can make one similar to my first pic. I will post some pics when finished

Dennis

 

[Trickyh]

Have you considered a break back trailer instead? I have a Tyrone Snell break back used with my 16ft lugger. The back (when broken) creates a steeper ramp. I also use the winch around a temporary pulley to aid getting the boat off on particularly shallow ramps.

 

[gjgm]

Have you considered a break back trailer instead? I have a Tyrone Snell break back used with my 16ft lugger. The back (when broken) creates a steeper ramp. .

Only you cannot buy them anymore (new).
OP. -maybe SBS no longer do them for a reason... The bar aligns down the side of the A frame, so at the towbar end it is way off being aligned with the trailer. That is why reversing is not very practical, though it might help a bit when towing out. However, you now have a pivot of course between the car and the trailer, so it doesn't even tow behind you but can wander off.
Anyway, you have the parts....

 

[Bigplumbs]

Only you cannot buy them anymore (new).
OP. -maybe SBS no longer do them for a reason... The bar aligns down the side of the A frame, so at the towbar end it is way off being aligned with the trailer. That is why reversing is not very practical, though it might help a bit when towing out. However, you now have a pivot of course between the car and the trailer, so it doesn't even tow behind you but can wander off.
Anyway, you have the parts....

The whole thing will only be about 150 mm out of line and the bar will connect half way on its length to the trailer tow hitch. I only have to push it down the slip about 20 m so I don't think the things you suggest will be too much of a problem

Dennis

 

[Bigplumbs]

Have you considered a break back trailer instead? I have a Tyrone Snell break back used with my 16ft lugger. The back (when broken) creates a steeper ramp. I also use the winch around a temporary pulley to aid getting the boat off on particularly shallow ramps.

That is a cost of about £3000 against £9.99 which is all I have spent as I have most of the materials

 

[Trickyh]

That is a cost of about £3000 against £9.99 which is all I have spent as I have most of the materials

Do you want to buy a trailer?

Obvs you could get second hand and sell on your own, but whatever.

An £18 snatch block helps getting the boat off when launching single handed. I just drop mine over one of the eyes welded near the axle.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00QO8X3CE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[gjgm]

The whole thing will only be about 150 mm out of line and the bar will connect half way on its length to the trailer tow hitch. I only have to push it down the slip about 20 m so I don't think the things you suggest will be too much of a problem

Dennis

Well, for £10 it is certainly worth a go !

 

[Bigplumbs]

It is actually £9.99 Here are the parts I have managed to scrape up from around my various sheds and old cars. I knew that long piece of galvanised box section would come in handy some day. I can even use al least one of the bolts already on the trailer so hopefully no need for any holes to be drilled. The bracket from the old winch is perfect

Dennis

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I have a front mounted tow bar that I bought on ebay for my Disco 2 last week. Still to fix it. This will not help the fact that the slip is a gentle slope and I need to get the boat further into the water. Hence need the longer bar. I think with the parts I have acquired I can make one similar to my first pic. I will post some pics when finished

Dennis

Sorry Dennis - I didn't write a very clear post. I'm saying that, if you've got a front mounted towbar, you will probably be able to cope with a simple bar and two hinge points, especially if the bar is a reasonable length.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Well I have been on and off this job for a few hours doing other things but it is working far better than I thought particularly as I scavenged 90 % of the parts. Total cost will be £15 excluding the bits I had. This is the hitch and some bolts.

Here are some pics nearly finished.

You will see that I have clamped the hitch ball to the trailer so it is adjustable and also so I did not have to drill the trailer as it is galvanised and don't want to introduce a rust point.

The bracket is made from an old boat winch I had and the tow balls were from scrap cars I had in the graveyard.

All I have to do now is fix the hitch and adjust the ball on the trailer to suit the length I finish up at so it can be folded back for transit.

I think this will work quite well and will give me that vital 1400 mm ish more I need so I can drive the boat on and off with it still on the Discovery and keep the car out of the water

Dennis