Trailer advice please

[Happy1]

OK I am going to have a go at trailering /forums/images/icons/shocked.gif. The dealer launched my boat so I do not know what you do with a boat when you get it on the trailer e.g. what holds it on and stops it sliding off. I have a bunk up trailer with a winch and hook at the front end, I believe that hooks onto the eye at the bow of the boat, but I seem to remember there were straps over the boat holding it down. How many of these do you need, where should they go, and what other perils should I look out for. I bought an extending wing mirrior and have a number plate to put on the back of the boat. Can you tow it with petrol in it, does it go faster if you have the boat engine on? (just a little joke). Any relevant laws, advice, parking safety, can you go down hills in it, worth joing the AA e.t.c.

The trailer is a new Snipe double axle braked and I will be towing it with a Vauxhall Frontera 2.2 16v which is pretty new and should not break down (famous last words)

I look forward to my introduction to the gypsy / traveller way of life.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[jimh]

Hi,

I had many happy years trailer boating with few mishaps, largely down to pre - planning. First peice of advice, try to get to the new slip for a look before you arrive with the boat - if not possible, try to speak to somebody who regularly uses the slip. Try to run the launch / recover sequence in your mind - things your looking for are; preferable states of the tide to launch / recover, cross wind hazards, End of the slip clearly marked (one of my few mishaps!!), pontoon or other available to tie your boat up once you have slipped, parking (secure!!) for the trailer, car parking.

On slipping, remember to screw in your bilge bung plug, raise your drive leg / Outboard, remove you trailer board,have your fenders tied and ready, and have a painter / stern line tied.

As for the towing part, best way of reducing snake risk is to make the boat as light as possible compared to your towing vehicle weight - so move all your safety gear (heard you got a lot ;-) into the car (I always used to carry my fuel tanks in the car too). You need to lash the bow down to the winch post or similar - do not rely on the winch to hold the boat to the trailer while towing and also lash the boat down at the stern - there are normally hooks provided on the trailer for this. If using ratchet straps (personally I recomend them) avoid over tightening and damaging the boat.

Finally don't forget the trailer spare wheel and tools..

good luck!!

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[claymore]

You cannot be serious

No one asks these questions for real.
Do they?

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[sailbadthesinner]

Re: here goes

knowing your penchant for safety i cannot recommend trailering
however if you intend going ahead you need the following
you need at least ten straps attaching the boat to the trailer, any less is a total liability.

put two straps accross the top of the boat at each axle. then work out a cats cradle to keep the stern from slipping off. use a few attached to the cleats and then back to the trailer. you will be as safe as houses.

remember to leave the trailer handbrake on. you will eventually do this anyway and knacker it, so it is best to get it out of the way first so you never learn to rely on it. carrry four big stones to act as chocs, you can keep these in the boat. they will do very little damage rolling around in the cabin.

likewise leave the jockey wheel down on your first trip. you will do this also eventually so again best to get it out of the way. This is the wheel that looks like a small aircraft front wheel. it goes up and down, and that is about it. it is much more fun hand pulling the trailer around without it.

I would also cover any exposed parts of the boat wirth bubble wrap. fold it into to big padded areas and tape around any protruding points and along any side areas that may touch the trailer on launching. this will save you a lot of heartache.

the frontera is probably not adequate. i would get a trooper or landcruiser or a disco. the frontera is too weedy and the gearbox will give out too soon. plus they are girls cars anyway.

the most importantt thig is to remember is a pair of waders and a long rope attached to the bow when launching, about 10m should be ok. attach this to the car whilst launching. if you inadvertently let go in the panic of launch, the boat will not float away. ofcourse this tip needs to be measured against forgetting to untie it later and dragging the boat up the slip when you park the car. 10m of rope is usually enought that you notice before any damage is done to anyone else. ( hint you can put a loop around someones foot halfway along so THEY get dragged before the boat, it acts as a sort of alarm)

the number plate is a good idea, obviously not your own if you have to go via central london. the trailer should have lights on it that react to your car lights. the right indicator should come on constant when braking and the brake light should flash when indicating. other than that there are no real rules, well there are but the police donot understand them.

oh it is advisable to carry a spare wheel for the trailer. preferably somewhewere totally inaccessible so you have to unhitch the boat and unpack the car.

follow these simple rules and you will have years of happy trailing.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>I can't walk on water, but I do run on Guinness</font color=red>

 

[DavidJ]

In the past I've driven thousands of miles with a Sealine 240 and Sealine 195 on the back (not both at once!) and experienced, I recon, my share of almost every problem going. About 90% of problems are due to dunking the trailor in sea water. Brake linings, bearings, brake cables, actuators just don't like it. In the end I had mine craned in every time. The economics will depend on frequency of 'dunking' so if you're doing it every weekend then craning is obviously out.
I only used one decent (lorry) strap over the cockpit area and that was fine. Of course the front is held by the winch. I also fitted a stabaliser bar which really worked and damped out any snaking.
I think all trailor manufacturers skimp on bottom rollers so I fitted some more.
Load the car up not the boat, helps stability and you have enough weight on the rollers already.
Although my weight and tyres were to spec I had load of punctures. Again I think the manufacturers work on the limit so if you do too then expect problems. I carried a spare wheel and a spare tyre.
Hope this helps and .....have fun especially if you intend taking it down to the Med.
ps I towed my 195 with a 2.2 Frontera and it's ok after you've wound it up a bit.
David


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[jon_bailey]

Re: here goes

Great advice.

You must also remember to have absolutely no regard for other road users unless they have more all up wieght than you do. (From what I understand this will only be large fully laden artics).

Now you have a dual axle trailer you can qualify for the trucker areas of roadside cafes and it is important that you only eat fried food.

Wave to everyone else who is towing a trailer. This will complete the plank effect.

Remember to leave the lighting board on until after you have launched and it is flooded with sea-water. Also do not disconnect the light cable from the car after unhitching so pulling off the socket. Again this will happen sooner or later so you might as well get it over with.

Leave something in the trailer that is quite heavy and will only blow out when you are going along the motorway. Remember that the 60 mph limit when trailering is a minimum.

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[jon_bailey]

Did you ever actually weigh the Sealine 240 and trailer. Just wondered what the actual was compared to theoretical?

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[Happy1]

You lot are so bloody funny, you actually think I am going to leave the rocks in the boat without wrapping them up!! Anyway do I need to take off the prop to save the life of the odd motorcyclist who may be unlucky enough to be behind me when I try to stop this Rig, and do I need a long vehicle sign, if so wher do I get them. Can I get a CB radio as my VHF doesn't link into other truckers and will it work with my handheld VHF aerial?

I just got the price of the Toyota landcruiser, oww, too much to pay for the odd time I am going to trailer the boat, mind you I could always do some hairdressing in the Frontera while I am camping /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

Do I need to tell the Coastguard I am coming down, or will my CG66 and EPIRB details be on MARS /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

Thank you all so much for your invaluable advice. (Anyone know the name of a boat transportation company? if not I may start up a business moving boats) /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[sailbadthesinner]

that is it!!!!
you genius.

you could combine it all
you could transport, clean, launch and skipper boats for owners to scared or inexperienced to try
you could crew also

they could avoid the water altogether and you could video the experience and post it on a site for them to view. all they need to do is buy a blkue blazer and join a thames club near their office.

it could be Happy 1s boating experience.
its a goer.


ooh stop it i am hurting myself.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>I can't walk on water, but I do run on Guinness</font color=red>

 

[gjgm]

where are you, out of interest? Anyway,2 angles-on the road, and at the water. On the road there are some impossible to get a definition of rules, but if its a new trailer , that must be legal ! There are some web pages for trailer association that give some legal details, but roughly 7m length and 2.5 wide (but. it isnt quite so simple).Things to remember are its alot longer now, so remember when turning or roundabouts. And it slows down alot slower! Speed wise- and mpg wise, due to the shape, its alot better than a brick-shaped caravan. Wheel jockey raised, but if you look at the bottom of the adjustable barrel where the jockey wheel attatches, it is angled. Use that angle on the pipe to wind the jockey wheel up to lock it in place. Otherwise, the jockey wheel spins on the journey and winds itself back down to the road. Which tends to make it unusable. Check the weight on the hitch by some cheap bathroom scales and a piece of wood cut to length and used upright so the hitch is at the towbar height.ie the trailer is level, to get an accurate weight reading. I ve read it should be 50kg, but it depends on vehicle. You should find it somewhere- Ive seen it up to 100kg on some vehicles. If it is way off, you will need to move the boat forward or backwards so it sits more evenly over the axles, and then move the winch pillar to meet the bow again. The idea of course is to ensure the total weight isnt sitting on the towbar, or isnt 2m behind the axles. You really need to get this correct or towing will not be funny. Remember too, when you load up the boat afterwards that extra weight mustnt then upset the balance you have now set up. Trailer board must be beyond the prop which must be covered with high visble bag-bucket. Leg raised. Add another tie from bow eye to trailer going 1m towards the stern as this stops the boat crashing through the winch post and into the car in a crash.. Tie-strap from transom lifting eyes forward towards axles to stop the boat slipping.if winch breaks. I have read you should not tie the boat downwards onto to trailer as it stresses the trailer, unless your talking about a plywood dingy. A power boat isnt going to bounce off ! Stop it sliding, but it should be free to ride on the trailer suspensionCheck the bearings after 5-10 miles-they should not be red hot ! Myabe a small tie over some of the canvas cover,because if it blows loose on the road it will probably rip-mainly lifts around boat windscreen
At the water, let bearings-brakes cool, unless you wish to buy some new bearings. Check the rear bung is in, remove lights and ties, . Do all the boat preperation away from the slip, fenders warps, lunch etc, or you will seriously piss off those ready to use it.
ASk someone else for some tips on this location. Maybe the slip stops short at low water, in which case you dont want to fall off it. Maybe its very shallow, or very slippery at low tide, strong currents etc. With boat now tied on at the winch only, and the boat as far in water as possible, lower leg enough to ensure water can get in to cool it. Dont just lower it all the way unless you are sure its deep enough or when you come of the trailer you may find its your very expensive leg the boat slips back and jams onto. Start the boat, and make 100pct sure engine is running smoothly and check gauges espec temp, before unwinching or untying. You dont want to have floated off and drifting away with the engine having died. You may have to jump the trailer forward with the car to get boat to slide off, depending on water depth. If you are on your own, just make sure you arent mooring for so long the incoming tide is now half way up your car door! At the end of the day, you should try to float-drive the boat on as much as possible, maybe using the winch to guide it, or stop it drifting,but the winch isnt an industrial hoist ! Dont over use it to wind the boat out of the water onto the trailer. Its use is to HOLD boat onto the trailer. Id add a tie on as well the winch. I saw someones winch break half way up the slip. Dangerous and very very expensive. Make sure your hitch is truely on- and launching too if youve come from boat park. Ive also seen a boat come unhitched half way up the slip. Think about that if there are kids down at the waters edge, or ask them to move to the side. Wash boat and especially trailer bearings, but away from others who want to use slip.
Generally, think of others who want the slip and their safety, and ask others for advice. You ll save making the mistakes they already have made ! But first few times are going to be stressful, I m afraid, so maybe try on a weekday or evening. Saturday midday isnt the time for the most stressfree first attempt.,but if its going slowly and others are waiting a little humility and request for suggestions will appease most !!
After a few times it will seem like second nature, but its very easy to slip up.. No petrol, batter flat, transom bung in the boat not the transom... 30 seconds checking will save you alot of embarrassment ! I m sure others have some similar and some different thoughts, but so far this has worked well for me...Have fun.

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[TomIsitt]

Re: here goes

You didn't mention launching the boat immediately you arrive at the slipway, while the trailer bearings are still nice and hot. Nor did you advise him not to start the boat engine until the boat's in the water and unhooked from the trailer (or warming the engine up with the boat on the trailer, but making sure the leg is well clear of the wet stuff).

What kind of crappy advice is this???? ;o)

Incidentally...I happen to be the world record holder for a motorcycle towing a trailer (149mph). so I know what I'm talking about here!

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[Happy1]

Brilliant, thanks, I have heard about this weight thing for the trailer on the hitch, is there some calculation you do with the kerb weight of your vehicle - something else?

I bought a barrel lock for the Snipe trailer hitch as the SAS hitch lock I bought didn't fit a Bradley hitch (so going cheap if anyone needs one!). I also have 3 SAS wheel clamps and movement alarm. I was concerned the boat and trailer could get pinched while I was having my truckers big boys breakfast. I also have a big chain to put over back axle and thread through trailer so should be safe enough. Cheaper to leave the wife in the car on guard duty I guess /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Happy1]

Is it worth doing a trial run without the boat on the trailer this weekend? May be an opportunity to see the roundabouts e.t.c. My GPS in the car is very good so I can see what is supposed to be there round most corners.

My trailer seems to go the opposite way to the car when reversing, I will need to work this out as when I have the boat on I won't see a thing, perhaps better to have someone in the boat with one of my motorola walkie talkies when reversing.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[DavidJ]

No, my supposed weight was only 'from the book' My actual could have been quite different.
David

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[claymore]

Happy
When reversing - be sure to use full lock and be bold. This way you will ensure that you get the trailer around and that you get a nice series of dinks and broken lights on the back of your vehicle.
You also need to make sure that when you are trying to hitch the trailer on, there is no-one there to guide you back as this really does give you an excellent opportunity to do terminal damage to the vehicle number plate.
If you are going on the motorway - it really is better to just stick to the middle lane.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[sailbadthesinner]

this is truly insufficient
you should invest in rabid rotties immediatley.
2 trackers and 1000 db movement alarm#

parking at the truckers rest, they will soon be able to un hitch the boat and wheel your pride and joy into Big Vern's unit. All whilst you are contemplating death by congealed egg. The current security devices you propose merely add to the value of 'the haul.'

i would also have Um Qasr as homeport and put stickers on the side saying ' it is is totally safe to move this boat whilst the anthrax cannisters are stowed.'

this will ensure you travel unmolested

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>I can't walk on water, but I do run on Guinness</font color=red>

 

[Happy1]

I have had two crashes in that vehicle in two weeks I DON'T need any more. The first one a woman hit me in the front, no insurance, no driving licence, no tax, no MOT, bald tyres, no seatbelt, when I got out to see if she was alright she drove at me and off, luckily the cops were behind another car facing me, saw what happened and chased her, caught her and reported her for all the offences. It doesn't help me as I have full no claims and this will knock off a life as they will not get any money back. Then on launch day a low concrete pillar jumped out on the slipway and did in the drivers door, I had only got the car back the day before, so was really peed off!!! So I am a little nervous about driving down a motorway at 70mph with a bomb on the back. I was thinking of sucking all the fuel out to make it less hazardous and lighter, otherwise I would need to get the hazchem sticker to put on it, I have one of those for my dive tanks as it is a requirement under British law.

Still live and learn, perhaps I will appreciate Chatham marina when I get back /forums/images/icons/wink.gif



<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Happy1]

OK how about wiring the trailer direct up to my new Honda EU10i generator, it throws out 240v 1,00o watts, that would give a thief a shock /forums/images/icons/wink.gif Unless of course they nicked the generator first!!

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[claymore]

Stop being such a wuss. If you totalise it on the motorway you may as well have the tanks full then it will all explode which could even get you ahead of Iraq on the News at 6

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[Alistairr]

Bearings are always the first thing to go on trailers, especially twin axles. One thing you have to watch is when you arrive at your destination let the bearings cool before you submerge them in water, Sliping the boat when the bearings are still warm will cause cracks to appear and they will fail quicker than they should.

I personally preferred using ratchet straps, 2 at the stern and 1 at the bow, i wouldn't trust the winch on its own as quite often they loosen off as the boat settlesonto the trailer, secondly on abunk trailer 1 strap at the stern the boat can still move left and right over the skids, best use 2 straps, tie port side down and tie starboard side down. (talking from experience).
The most important thing i do when trailering is after putting the boat on to the trailer and tieing it down, is to drive for say 10mins or 10miles then stop and check all the straps are still tight. As i said earlier the boat always settle after it been rocked a few times..



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