boat trailers

[jonboyes]

I own a four winns sundowner 205, with a 150 hp johnson O/B, I am after a second hand trailer, can someone help me out, what specification trailer should i be looking for, single / twin axle, length, capacity, good makes ??, what sort of money is reasonable ??

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[tcm]

hi

The acceptd wisdom hereabouts is that nice rollers make launching easy peasy, but more spensive than no rollers. Also, more wheels is more stable - the weaving is more prone to happen on single axle . so i'd have that if poss.

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[Guest]

cept that two axles means twice as many wheel bearings to go wrong, and twice as many brakes to bind...

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[Guest]

cept that two axles means twice as many wheel bearings to go wrong, and twice as many brakes to bind...

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[tcm]

ah but half the load and braking force required on each, so less likely praps?

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[SteveJ]

depending on the weight of the boat you may have to do 2 axles. the four winns is heavy for the size of boat. i suggest that you try to have the boat weighed with full tanks etc and then contact somebody like SBS trailers to find out what they suggest from their range and gfo from there. if you tow the boat a long disjtance definatly have a twin axle trailer

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[maxtorque]

Try Parrymore in staines: 01784 464636.
Excellent service, have been in the trade for 47 yrs, know everything there is to know about trailers for boats and happy to offer free advice. Also the cheapest too!!!
I have a boat, it had no trailer, I rang around, they provided sound advice. I now have a trailer!

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[jfm]

Not all rollers are alike

Not just any rollers, they have to be "roller-coaster" rollers. This are different from the normal rubber rollers.

If you get roller coasters, you wont need all that clanky "break back" stuff on the trailer. Just get one big heavy and galvanised. As others said, 4 wheels better than 2 in most repects. Only downside to 4 wheels is that if you are on bumpy roads and have a massive overhang at back of car, ie distance from back axle to towbar (like volvo 940 estate, a truly terrible towcar despite what caravanners say), then the trailer will shake the car a lot and is uncomfortable for passengers.

$ wheels means less snaking on motorway at speed, ok if puncture, etc. Always launch it with the brakes out of the sea water (this is only possible if you have roller coasters), and if you cant do that then at least keep the front axle out of the water so those brakes will work.

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[BarryH]

Re: Not all rollers are alike

Thers only one person that sort of asked the right quesrion. "Whats the boat weigh". This will determin what trailer thats needed. Most single axles go up to about 1800 kgs max. It doesn't end there though. What you need to know is the wieght of the boat with the normal gear/kit that it will have on board and a full tank/s of fuel. This will be over what the manufacture will quote, especially for a boat with an outboard. That'll be your starting point.

Twin or single axle? They all snake if the outfit isn't balanced properly. When I first got my boat and the former owners hadn't set the rig up properly, it used to wag its tail at anything over 45 mph. Single axles will be easier to manouvre in tight situations and 4 wheel trailers don't like to change direction fi its more than a gentle slow curve.

Never liked Rollercoaster swing beams. They don't give support where its needed. Along the length of the keel. I've seen one hardy pilot that has started to crack as a result. It was at Parrymores funnily enough.
Bearings don't give pout because they are imeressed in water. They give out because they sit idle for long periods of time. Last year I greased and cleaned the bearings once. It was used every w/e and is still running happily on the same bearings this year with no play and no rumble. Just use the thing!

The one thing that salt water will kill is brake shoes. Don't know why but it does. Its worth inspecting the cables, shoes, and mech's every couple of months. Apart from all that have fun with it. You'll see and do more and go more places than a marina based boat. Italian lakes, Ireland, med, Lommond!

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[BarryH]

Re: Not all rollers are alike

Just re read my post. It sounds loike I don't look after the bearing. Jus to put the record straight. They've been checked twice this year already plus the christmas strip and service/repair. Well it gets me out the house between christmas and new year!

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[hairofthedog]

I have sent you a PM as I may have just the thing you're after.

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[jon_bailey]

I'm sure you will need a twin axle but remember all trailers are plated that give max all up weight. Also remember you'll need to have a vehicle that will tow boat and trailer and do not underestimate the weight of all the xtras inc fuel, safety equipment, toys, etc etc.

I am pleased with my roller coaster trailer made by Rapide so for more info send PM as I also know someone who can supply.




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[gjgm]

just be cautious on buying secondhand,especially USA trailers that may not be legal in UK- (and can cost up to £1500 to fix). Also although the galvanised frame may look fine, its the brakes etc that cost you the money,usually caused by frozen cables that lock the shoes onto the drum and ruin the bearings for you. Unless you know, I d spend the £35 or so getting a trailer specialist to check it out for you,otherwise you you could be in for many £s of bills. Also, if you are going to launch and recover alot and in the sea, theres nothing for it but regular servicing ,usually about £35 plus whatever needs fixing.You can consider stripping off the cables and brake parts and using it as a launching trolley, and re-fit if you re on the road, if its a rare event. If you re not using it much for launching,lucky you! You wouldnt get into a wreck or a car with duff and locking brakes, so you certainly dont want 2 tonnes up your boot on the motorway. Guess I m saying, its not something to scrimp on. New, id guess£2000-2500, dont know secondhand. There were some posting some months ago (Happy1 probably) about securing the boat on the trailer. Might want to read those. Otherwise, if you know the trailer is in good condition, its pretty relaxing.

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[gjgm]

just be cautious on buying secondhand,especially USA trailers that may not be legal in UK- (and can cost up to £1500 to fix). Also although the galvanised frame may look fine, its the brakes etc that cost you the money,usually caused by frozen cables that lock the shoes onto the drum and ruin the bearings for you. Unless you know, I d spend the £35 or so getting a trailer specialist to check it out for you,otherwise you you could be in for many £s of bills. Also, if you are going to launch and recover alot and in the sea, theres nothing for it but regular servicing ,usually about £35 plus whatever needs fixing.You can consider stripping off the cables and brake parts and using it as a launching trolley, and re-fit if you re on the road, if its a rare enough event, but its alot of hassle. If you re not using it much for launching,lucky you! You wouldnt get into a wreck or a car with duff and locking brakes, so you certainly dont want 2 tonnes up your boot on the motorway. Guess I m saying, its not something to scrimp on. New, id guess£2000-2500, dont know secondhand. There were some posting some months ago (Happy1 probably) about securing the boat on the trailer. Might want to read those. Otherwise, if you know the trailer is in good condition, its pretty relaxing.

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