Amercian boat trailer Conversions

I would try the major boat trailer manufacturers ( Hayling Trailers, RM, Mersea etc).

Another option is to speak with trailer parts suppliers, Indespension and Peaktrailers, to get some technical advice on the availability of parts.

http://www.peaktrailers.com/

http://www.indespension.co.uk/b2c/jsp/catalogue.jsp

In the past I have found it not much more expensive to change the whole axle than buy and pay to fit brake components, bearings, cables etc.

Peak trailers make axles to fit the width of the trailer and you then know all the components are new at the same time (brakes, bearings. cables and supsension rubber).
 
An American ball is likely to be 2in, a tad smaller than the European 50mm ball. Not a lot, just enough to be insecure...

From memory (check before you trust your pride & joy to it!) the 50mm ball has a flat top, the 2" is, err, ball shaped.
 
Here's a response I made on another forum on the same subject;

"Don't waste your time, the axle width will most definitely be in excess of
the maximum allowed on UK roads, measure the overall width! Could be a major
job with a hacksaw /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Secondly, are the brakes hydraulic? (Not allowed) Does
it have a proper hand brake, not a chain? (Must have). Imported US trailers
are OK for launching, storage, pulling around yards or whatever but most are
NOT legal for use on UK roads"
 
lol, lets put it like this american trailers are not braked in any way, they are jst sales room trolleys. totally illegal in europe. if you want to tow your boat and let it push you and your car/jeep etc into an insurance nightmare accident go for it.
 
Wow some wild statements here about US trailers. I can guess at vehicles being generally heavier thye might have larger trailers with no brakes but surely there is not much difference.

Brakes here in Oz can be mechanical overide. Operated by a telescopic hitch, or most common hydraulic with a master cylinder operated again by overide from a telescopic hitch or for heaviest loads independantly operated electric brakes which can be controlled by the driver. On heavy vehicles brakes are vaccuum operated from the trucks vacuum system. Some trucks will have 3 trailers with 100 tonnes total so yes real brakes.

I can't imagine hydraulic brakes are illegal in UK but then perhaps it is so. You need to find out. Presumably your trailer must be inspected before it is licenced. (as is the case here) So there must be standards. If the trailer has remotely operated brakes then it might be better to get the towing vehicle modified than modify the trailer.

Re tow ball size. The different sizes are available here ie 1and 7/8 th inches 2 inch or 50mm so you should get a ball to suit the trailer hitch.

Ultimately we need more info on what you have on yopur trailer and what you need. olewill
 
unless its changed in the last years, and I doubt it as we are so EU flavoured these days, then its ok as a marina launch trolley, but otherwise you may as well start from scratch for road. People do indeed use them on the road, but heard of one guy who had an accident. Car and boat written off. Insurance paid nothing.
 
Many American trailers have electric brakes which, I understand, are not legal in UK. The lights will be different too. In the US they use the brake lights as turn flashers. Not OK either.
Andrew
 
Thanks for the input, I know about the brakes and lights, I was looking to see if anyone does a conversion to cable drum brakes from my hydraulic discs and supply a UK spec tow hitch.

The lights will be on my trailer board!
 
The point most of are making is that unless you do the whole conversion properly you might as well start from scratch. The biggest problem would be the axle width. From memory the UK max width is 2.3 metres if your towing vehicle is under 3,500 kg
 
It's true they have electrostatic brakes. I actually got these to work...well to a fashion...if I hit the breaks they locked completely...no granular applying...just on or off...quite good for getting around corners at speed...but a bit of smoke.

Turns out there was some sort of box you bung in the dash that regulates based on foot pressure. All academic as someone else says, totally illegal in this country. We basically ripped out the electronic pads and welded proper pads in with the mechanical mechanism, changed over the coupling (torched off the old one and welded a new UK spec one in) and changed the tires.

Job done...

T
 
The one I used for a couple of years towing a Norman Conquest had hydraulic override brakes with a lever you could pull to work them by hand, sealed bearings and integral lights with direction and braking separate. I could not be doing with swapping those about to make orange indicators so used a trailer board. The trailer, I was advised by drivers doing the work, knocked the socks off EU stuff for smooth braking and generally being well-behaved. Titan I think but as boat and trailer are long sold I could not say for sure. Too wide of course but was never an issue in practical terms.
 
Hi Sharlo 25,

Why do you want to change your Hydraulic Disks to the useless caravan cable drum brakes that we have in the UK and which are unsuitable for marine use?
 
Yes I am a bit horrified that hydraulic overide brakes are illegal in UK.
They work very well and are common here in Oz. The electric brakes are regarded as very good and up market. Actually required when heavier trailers are used.If that is what EU does for regulations well......

I would have thought it unlikely that the axle is too long. Around here and on my trailer the boat sides extend well beyond the wheels so it is the width of the boat that matters. Mine was designed with max towing in mind. Hull right out to 2 metres beam and no rubbing strips.

I wish Shario 25 lived closer to me I would make an offer for the hydraulic disc brakes. olewill
 
BTW Sharlo 25,

When you take your Hydraulic disks off (You'll probably end up swapping the axle) can I have them please?

Seriously - as I want to do some experiments.
 
Just so you know [ QUOTE ]
Braked trailers must be fitted with a parking brake that operates on at least two road wheels on the same axle. At all times it must be capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action without the use of hydraulic, electric or pneumatic systems – i.e. Operated by rod or cable action. The efficiency of the handbrake must also comply with EEC Directive 71/320/EEC; i.e. It must be capable of holding a stationary trailer on a gradient of at least 16% (1 in 6.25)

[/ QUOTE ]

also [ QUOTE ]
Maximum Trailer Dimensions

Towing vehicle up to 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0 m
Width Maximum 2.3 m

Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 12 m (min 4 wheels)
Width Maximum 2.55 m
Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 m
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 m

[/ QUOTE ]
 
Hello Lakey thanks for that. Sorry I am a bit late this thread may have died of old age. It looks to me like 2 blocks of wood put under the tire would be the best parking brake. olewill
 
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