ive only gone n done it - ive finally bought a boat!

GrahamHR said:
Nice looking boat. Is the single axle trailer up to the job though ?The boat must weigh at least 2,500 kg .
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steve930 said:
I think there's an axle missing from the trailer! I remember Simon mentioning in an earlier post that the trailer required work, hence why he had it delivered on a lorry
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It's missing a hub on that side. I need to get new Hubs ordered and work out how to Jack this lot up safely to change it all.


I did get 90% of the camping top on last night but needs to be wet to stretch it a bit and I need a few new clips and a new zip... I think I can safely say the financial trip has started lol
 
Trolley Jacks are very good as well and I use one a lot. Sometimes however a Bottle Jack is more convenient and can get into spaces better. At the prices you can get them for I say have both

Dennis
 
steve930 said:
I've always used my 3 tonne trolley jack without issue, after all you're only jacking one side at a time so not lifting the entire weight of boat & trailer
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Bigplumbs said:
Trolley Jacks are very good as well and I use one a lot. Sometimes however a Bottle Jack is more convenient and can get into spaces better. At the prices you can get them for I say have both

Dennis
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Ive a 2 ton trolly jack - i had used it to jack it up to get a block under the front and also jacked up around the wheels to get the tyres sitting right although there was a lot of pressure on the jack - it wasnt keen on lifting it all up. I'll try the bottle jack first as ive got 1 to hand, failing that i'll go find me something a bit more heavy duty
 
My first boat was also an American build and came with an American trailer that would have failed on almost every account the VOSA requirements. It looks like yours may also be an American trailer and unbraked. Be aware that the penalties for towing an illegal trailer if caught are quite severe. In the end I replaced everything from the drawbar hitch to the axle and wheels in consultation with Indespension who modified the axles to mate with my drawings. Stupid things like the pattern of the wheel studs and corresponding loads and available tyres all conspired to ditch everything but the frame. Like you I had to do the conversion while the boat was on the trailer because I couldn't tow the boat to water. You can buy a double axle kit including wheels, hubs, mudguards and hitch from Indespension. I chose Alco and got the lot 4 years ago for about £1100.
Four tall axle stands and two large bottle jacks (borrowed from a HGV mechanic friend) and we managed to do the conversion in the morning. The biggest issue was the manufacture of plates and brackets to take the new axle. I used plates and had them made and galvanised locally.
Then came the issue of IVA inspection of the trailer because there was a legal question of, did the sum of the parts changed make this a new trailer with old parts or and old trailer maintained, and IVA bowed out saying only a court of law could decide and that would only occur should there be an accident. In hindsight, given the spend, it would have been far simpler to just buy a good second hand double axle trailer with plates for the average going rate of £1400 and repair that if required. So, before you start embarking on upgrading / repairing your trailer you may just wish to verify you do not fall into the same trap. Sorry to be a miseryguts.
 
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BruceK said:
My first boat was also an American build and came with an American trailer that would have failed on almost every account the VOSA requirements. It looks like yours may also be an American trailer and unbraked. Be aware that the penalties for towing an illegal trailer if caught are quite severe. In the end I replaced everything from the drawbar hitch to the axle and wheels in consultation with Indespension who modified the axles to mate with my drawings. Stupid things like the pattern of the wheel studs and corresponding loads and available tyres all conspired to ditch everything but the frame. Like you I had to do the conversion while the boat was on the trailer because I couldn't tow the boat to water. You can buy a double axle kit including wheels, hubs, mudguards and hitch from Indespension. I chose Alco and got the lot 4 years ago for about £1100.
Four tall axle stands and two large bottle jacks (borrowed from a HGV mechanic friend) and we managed to do the conversion in the morning. The biggest issue was the manufacture of plates and brackets to take the new axle. I used plates and had them made and galvanised locally.
Then came the issue of IVA inspection of the trailer because there was a legal question of, did the sum of the parts changed make this a new trailer with old parts or and old trailer maintained, and IVA bowed out saying only a court of law could decide and that would only occur should there be an accident. In hindsight, given the spend, it would have been far simpler to just buy a good second hand double axle trailer with plates for the average going rate of £1400 and repair that if required. So, before you start embarking on upgrading / repairing your trailer you may just wish to verify you do not fall into the same trap. Sorry to be a miseryguts.
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Not at all - and take on board your thoughts - my intention was to basically keep the frame and change all other parts for new anyway at a similar cost to what you mentioned.

It currently does have brakes and have been advised it is uk road legal (just not in its current state)

it appears to have a 6 stud pattern on the hubs but as i was changing these im looking at going to a 5 stud pattern with a suitable weight rate

i had planned on keeping the 'independent suspension' setup opposed to solid axles as it looks like the rollers in the centre would foul an axle without raising the whole lot up to accommodate.

i had looked about for a trailer separately but after factoring in location and travel - i wasnt far off buying a new 1
 
In that case, the conversion is fairly straight forward and quick. Good luck and hurry, because the season has started :encouragement:
 
BruceK said:
In that case, the conversion is fairly straight forward and quick. Good luck and hurry, because the season has started :encouragement:
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hurry... id love to but living in the highlands makes getting parts delivered interesting as its easier to get cargo to mars than here for some reason!!

and i keep getting side tracked by looking at the more interesting things - you know... chromed/stainless accessories
 
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