How to attach extra keel roller

[FiftySix]

Hi all,

I want to attach an extra keel roller onto my boat trailer just to give a bit more support to the boat, but I'm not sure exactly how to attach it on there. I don't want to weld, so could I just use a U bolt to bolt it onto the box section.

Thanks.

 

[Seajet]

Fifty Six,

it's hard to say without a photo or diagram of your trailer.

If this is an addition to the aft section of the trailer as a keel roller I'd suggest you need to have a long ( 12" +, difficult to say ) extension with at least two bolts holding it; if a case of supporting the hull you'll need a lot more, with brackets, vertical stays and hull support pads.

Just imagine the stresses on the poor boat on a trailer on a motorway let alone a modern A-road with WWII style potholes...

 

[FiftySix]

I have attached a photo of the trailer, and I want to position it about halfway between the bow snubber and the next roller back.

 

[Trop Cher]

so could I just use a U bolt to bolt it onto the box section.

Thanks.

View attachment 34659

That's what I would do and have done in the past on different trailers with no problems.

 

[FiftySix]

OK thanks. Also, would a 60mm U bolt fit onto 60mm box section, or would there not be enough gap?

 

[VicS]

OK thanks. Also, would a 60mm U bolt fit onto 60mm box section, or would there not be enough gap?

Yes sized by their internal dimensions

Look at the U bolts section on TrailerTek and click on more information for dimensions.

http://www.trailertek.com/acatalog/u_bolts.html

Good site for finding bits for trailers

http://www.autow.com/ is another

 

[Bilgediver]

Hi all,

I want to attach an extra keel roller onto my boat trailer just to give a bit more support to the boat, but I'm not sure exactly how to attach it on there. I don't want to weld, so could I just use a U bolt to bolt it onto the box section.

Thanks.

Check out these folk for parts.

http://www.indespension.co.uk/?gclid=CKWRrtK3irkCFUXKtAodsTAAdg

 

[Lakesailor]

Just so happens I did exactly that with a road trailer which I used as a launch trolley (that explains the lack of mudguards).
You need to be prepared to pack the roller bracket with steel shims to get it precisely the correct height for your keel (don't assume keels are straight).
You can use the steel saddles available for U-bolts to achieve this.

 

[davidpbo]

I would be inclined to use a piece of drilled flat bar or one of the u bolt backing plates mentioned with some long bolts to attach the roller to the trailer.

A u bolt onto a square section bar does not as seem like the best solution to me.

Alternatively get a piece of steel rod, bend it/get it bent to fit the section of the trailer and thread it, or use threaded rod.