Trailer boating

AndieMac said:
Hi Jim

Have you thought of converting over to a disk-rotor and calliper arrangement for your boat trailer brakes? The open disk and calliper is easy to wash down after full immersion in salt water and far less likely to seize due to corrosion compared to the enlosed drum type.
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I was once the proud owner of a Cortina Mk2. As regular as clockwork the callipers used to seize, the remedy was to spray on wd40 while pushing the pistons in with a tyre lever, then pushing them out again with the brake pedal....repeat several times to free up.

....add salt water to the equation......:rolleyes:
 
AndieMac said:
Hi Jim

Have you thought of converting over to a disk-rotor and calliper arrangement for your boat trailer brakes? The open disk and calliper is easy to wash down after full immersion in salt water and far less likely to seize due to corrosion compared to the enlosed drum type.
Click to expand...

Discs on trailers are quite popular in the states, although I don't think it's because they tolerate immersion better.
 
aquapower said:
I have bee looking at new trailers at SIBS and not yet seen one with disc brakes, there must be a reason
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Yes, its due to the emergency braking requirements of road legal braked trailers in the UK.

There has to be a mechanical braking action using the breakaway cable. The hydraulic action of pistons and calipers is not deemed suitable (although I am sure someone could sort something as cars have emergency brakes as well and mechanical handbrakes on piston/caliper systems, but its all about working brakes at an affordable price)

American trailers permit both electric and hydraulic operation of the brakes.
 
mlines said:
Yes, its due to the emergency braking requirements of road legal braked trailers in the UK.

There has to be a mechanical braking action using the breakaway cable. The hydraulic action of pistons and calipers is not deemed suitable (although I am sure someone could sort something as cars have emergency brakes as well and mechanical handbrakes on piston/caliper systems, but its all about working brakes at an affordable price)

American trailers permit both electric and hydraulic operation of the brakes.
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Yes an electric pulse sent from the breakaway switch (should the tow vehicle become unattached) powered by an independent, trailer mounted small battery to the electric/hydraulic actuator, locks up all braked wheels in an extremely efficient manner.
 
rustybarge said:
I was once the proud owner of a Cortina Mk2. As regular as clockwork the callipers used to seize, the remedy was to spray on wd40 while pushing the pistons in with a tyre lever, then pushing them out again with the brake pedal....repeat several times to free up.

....add salt water to the equation......:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Boat trailer callipers are more sophisticated with stainless pistons etc., even the body can be cast stainless if you pay a few more dollars.

Technology has moved a long way from the early seventies :rolleyes: ;)
 
penfold said:
Discs on trailers are quite popular in the states, although I don't think it's because they tolerate immersion better.
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Nobody builds drum brake boat trailers in this country because of the chronic corrosion issues after full immersion in salt water, disks have proved themselves over the last twenty years to be the best reliable option, of course with a small degree of maintenance, which often is not much more than a hosing with fresh water and a squirt of lanolin during the lay-up period.

Personally I've had a faultless run from my ageing disk arrangement and they are not bronze rotors or stainless callipers, lanolin spray is quick, easy and effective.
 
AndieMac said:
Nobody builds drum brake boat trailers in this country because of the chronic corrosion issues after full immersion in salt water, disks have proved themselves over the last twenty years to be the best reliable option, of course with a small degree of maintenance, which often is not much more than a hosing with fresh water and a squirt of lanolin during the lay-up period.

Personally I've had a faultless run from my ageing disk arrangement and they are not bronze rotors or stainless callipers, lanolin spray is quick, easy and effective.
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What type of car are they off?
 
AndieMac said:
Hi Steve

I can't see from your photos what engages the brakes, is it a compression coupling (spring loaded arrangement behind the ball coupling to the tow vehicle) mechanically activating wire cable to brake levers on each wheel, or something more sophisticated?
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Hi Andie....hole in one mate !!!!... simple, nothing to go wrong AS LONG AS its greased regularly ..and believe me, IT IS !!
 
STEVEDUNSTABLE said:
Hi Andie....hole in one mate !!!!... simple, nothing to go wrong AS LONG AS its greased regularly ..and believe me, IT IS !!
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Yes I agree this system is simple, does work and it's incredible what a couple of pumps of grease will do at regular intervals in terms of getting the plunger shaft sliding efficiently.

I'm assuming your rig (trailer GVM) is in excess of three tonnes when ready for sea, and from the photos I can't see a vacuum reservoir tank, does it not require a breakaway system to independently hold the brakes on for a specific period of time should the vehicle and trailer part company?
 
rustybarge said:
What type of car are they off?
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Local Oz company PBR (for example) who produce brake components for General Motors vehicles, also produce a marinised version utilising their cast alloy calliper body, stainless piston and bolts, galvanised slide bracket, brass tube nut union and protective rubber boots covering slide bolt and piston.

Another local Oz producer Trigg, do a compact galvanised cast iron body with stainless piston etc etc...and fit grease nipples over the slide bolts for easy maintenance.

New Zealand company Alko and many US companies produce great marinised versions also.

Things like the solid steel pipe that runs the hydraulic fluid from the cast alloy actuator on the winch post is plastic covered to protect from corrosion also.
 
AndieMac said:
Yes I agree this system is simple, does work and it's incredible what a couple of pumps of grease will do at regular intervals in terms of getting the plunger shaft sliding efficiently.

I'm assuming your rig (trailer GVM) is in excess of three tonnes when ready for sea, and from the photos I can't see a vacuum reservoir tank, does it not require a breakaway system to independently hold the brakes on for a specific period of time should the vehicle and trailer part company?
Click to expand...

Hi Andie...yep it does require one an HAS one.. its a "dog leash" type clip on a small cable that is attached to the car on anything EXCEPT the tow hitch (lots of people here don't know that bit)... its designed so that on a "breakaway" it snatches the trailer brakes on and then snaps.... and the brakes cant be released except by hand..
 
Hi there,
we used to be a trailer boat fanatic for 10 years,
starting with a Zodiac 4,7m going through various sportfishers, and at the end a twin diesel engined 8,7m Karnic, just below 3500kg ;-) (not)
I still have and love that boat by the way, and use her occasionally for diving in local waters.
we pulled her 3 times from Belgium to Croatia, to SOF, Cornwall, Scotland, etc...

execpt in Croatia, we alway's launched her on a (decent) slibway without any problem, much quicker then using a crane... etc...
these posts might give some inspiration,


http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?212996-we-have-been-using-her-(holliday-pics)

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...om-Dubrovnik-to-Vieste(I)&highlight=Dubrovnik


http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?221528-Diving-trip-in-SOF-Cassis-(pics)

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?249511-Yes!-we-made-it-to-Scilly-s

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?297355-Diving-holiday-near-Oban-Schotland
 
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STEVEDUNSTABLE said:
Hi Andie...yep it does require one an HAS one.. its a "dog leash" type clip on a small cable that is attached to the car on anything EXCEPT the tow hitch (lots of people here don't know that bit)... its designed so that on a "breakaway" it snatches the trailer brakes on and then snaps.... and the brakes cant be released except by hand..
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Thanks Steve, I hadn't heard or seen of that type of breakaway system before, seems really simple though.
 
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