Made a monkey of my dinghy trailer, need advice

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sputnik57

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I have an Enterprise Dinghy road trailer that had rubber suspension axles. On one side the axle had started to drop causing the launch trolley wheel to touch the ground. I wasn't sure how to deal with this and a friend offered to replace the axles. He welded new axles onto the bottom of the trailer which looked a great job. However, like a prune, I didn't realise that when the trailer was lifted by a few inches it would mean the launch trolley can no longer be easily dragged onto the road trailer. The slight extra height means that the launch trolley wheels leave the ground before the trolley is properly mounted and I'm not strong enough to drag the launch trolley the last few inches to meet the clamp that holds it on the road trailer.

I'm a bit lost about what to do about it.

Can anyone suggest either a way to fix it, or preferably, some technique that a slightly built sort of chap might heave the boat holding launch trolley fully onto the road trailer.
 

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A set of the plastic ramps might just do the job. I'd been thinking along similar lines myself but I've not been able to get everything to line up nicely. But I didn't buy ramps, might try that.

Block and tackle might do the job too if I have a big enough gap.
 
I may be teaching granny to suck eggs but, it is important to lift the front of the trailer as high as you can to get the trolley on as far as possible before it starts resting on the trailer. After that I would suggest fitting a winch. You could get the purchase with blocks and tackle but I think you would run out of space for the last ,critical, bit.
If all else fails you'd have to replace the replacements with suitable replacements
 
Fair point but I think I'm lifting the front just as high as I can. Have to say, I'm surprised at the massive difference that the lift of a couple of inches has made.
 
My Finn goes onto a combi trailer in a similar fashion as I have 10” tyres fitted, and is a much heavier. I find that as long as the trolley is far enough on to the trailer that I can push the trolley down to the trailer spine it’s relatively easy then to grasp the boat and pull it the last couple of inches. In other words I think you just need to persevere and find a technique that works for you. I always feel,it’s not a good thing to have the trolley wheels very close to the ground once the trailer’s on the road.
 
sputnik57 said:
....a friend offered to replace the axles. He welded new axles onto the bottom of the trailer which looked a great job. However, like a prune, I didn't realise that when the trailer was lifted by a few inches....
Click to expand...

Not clear in the photos, but it appears your friend has welded new "indespension" units to the bottom of the existing suspension tube, and that's where you gained a couple of inches in height? I'm wondering if there was another way of doing this, without affecting the ride height.
 
penberth3 said:
Not clear in the photos, but it appears your friend has welded new "indespension" units to the bottom of the existing suspension tube, and that's where you gained a couple of inches in height? I'm wondering if there was another way of doing this, without affecting the ride height.
Click to expand...

Looking at the photos .... I see the Indespensions welded to the main cross frame ... which with the trailing arm design will automatically increase the frame height from ground ...

If the ramp idea is not feasible - then what about getting smaller diameter wheels to fit ?
 
penberth3 said:
Not clear in the photos, but it appears your friend has welded new "indespension" units to the bottom of the existing suspension tube, and that's where you gained a couple of inches in height? I'm wondering if there was another way of doing this, without affecting the ride height.
Click to expand...

That's exactly it. I didn't catch on to the impact until after it was all done. Totally my own fault. Not sure what the soltion would have been. I don't think the rubber suspension axles are repairable since they're pressure inserted (I think)
 
Refueler said:
Looking at the photos .... I see the Indespensions welded to the main cross frame ... which with the trailing arm design will automatically increase the frame height from ground ...

If the ramp idea is not feasible - then what about getting smaller diameter wheels to fit ?
Click to expand...

That's an interesting idea. Or larger wheels on the launch trolley.
 
Larger trolley wheels would hit the crossbeam and prevent the trolley coming forwards enough. I think mounting a winch if that is possible is the best solution. It's ehat I have on mine for use with a 400kg dayboat.
Not strictly relevant to the original post but, it is better to bolt the suspension units on rather than weld. Then they can easily be replaced if needed. Including by the roadside! (Been there, done that)
 
sputnik57 said:
That's exactly it. I didn't catch on to the impact until after it was all done. Totally my own fault. Not sure what the soltion would have been. I don't think the rubber suspension axles are repairable since they're pressure inserted (I think)
Click to expand...

You're right, the rubber inserts can't be changed. Apart from pressing them in there must be a fixing to stop the swinging arm coming out of the axle tube.
 
The problem I have come across with indespension units is the square tube that goes into the bigger tube with the rubber bits between them, rusts. For some reson they don't galv the inner tube.. So, have replaced the whole axle on a couple of trailers. Easy and quite cheap. 750kg axle with hubs is only 150euro off the net.
Said before, I don't consider Indespension as suspension, just a get around for the legal requirement to have suspension.. Far too stiff..
 
The suspension units look to be in the correct place so don’t see why it is higher than designed - but perhaps higher than with collapsed suspension unit.

What a combination trailer would usually have is a metal roller across the back, which with a typical A frame launching trolley the trolley rolls easily on the roller when the wheels come off the ground - eg Trident Vario 1 Road Base

Is there space to fit mudguards without hitting the trolley wheels?
 
dunedin said:
The suspension units look to be in the correct place so don’t see why it is higher than designed - but perhaps higher than with collapsed suspension unit.....
Click to expand...

I think the original suspension was in the ends of the square tube/axle above. The replacements have been welded to the bottom of this tube, gaining a few inches in ride height.
 
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