Trailer in need of repair

oGaryo

oGaryo

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Nov 2008
Messages
8,203
Location
Isle of Wight
Visit site
I've an Escort trailer and have noticed the mounting brackets are severly corroded to the extent that I think there's a real risk they'll collapse sometime soon..

I've looked on several sites for replacements to no avail so can anyone point me in the direction of parts for these trailers please?

I'll post a picture up of the brackets as I can't think how else to describe them effectively.

many thanks
 
If its an american spec trailer then it won't meet the european regulations. Bin it and get another one. In the long run it'll be easier to service and source spares for. Probably not what you wanted to read but hey ho........
 
blimey.. how do I check if it's conforming to EU standards? indeed, what's the difference between an american spec and european trailer pls?
 
Some differences are width/coupling/brake system and even galvanized wheels, so I am told.

Has it got lights fitted to the chassis?
 
thanks.. it's got a lighting board.. the only thing on the chassis are reflectors. the previous owner fitted a new axle and wheels as part of the deal and it has one of those inertia brake controllers/dampers... however, he's taken off the brake because they kept ceasing with being dunked in salt water... I believe I need to look at the curb weight of the towing vehicle and then calculate some sort of percentage to see if I can tow leagally without brakes.. I've a 2006 plate Shogun 2.5td Sport
 
Towing laws I am sure state that max your allowed to tow without breaks is 750kg, for your boat I would strongly suggest breaks being a must.

Check out the type of axle that was replaced as breaks might be able to be retro fitted to the trailer, tow hitch aswell might need to be changed as us tow balls are off a different size to ours

hope this helps
 
thanks for the advice guys... the hitch ball size is fine as I've connected it to my car already, it has brakes (removed), new axle and new wheels/tyres and the frame is galvenised.. it's been used in the uk for at least 4 years frwquently so together with the fact it has a damper fitted, I'm fairly confident it's worth hanging on to as it'd seem to have been converted to UK spec already.. width is 2.35m so I think that's ok (within the 2.5m limit from what I've just read on a trailer site specifying UK law).

Anyways, thanks for the advice on the trailer in general, I'll certainly bear that in mind... here's the brackets I'm reffering to, don't look too healthy do they /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif a specialist order from the trailer manufacturers to replace or something that's pretty standard and available from a 3rd party?

front bracket:
Trailer%20front%20runner%20bracket.jpg


rear bracket:
Trailer%20rear%20runner%20bracket.jpg


and here's a picture of the trailer as a whole if that helps

Trailer.jpg


Hope you can help, cheers Gary
 
Just a couple of points:

The hitch may well still be US spec even though it seems to fit. We use 50mm, they use 2".

Someone once delivered my boat by road for me and only found when they arrived that the US hitch was linked to an EU tow ball. It didn't fall off, but it COULD and you would be in deep if it caused an accident.

With regards to trailer width: The law states that a trailer should be 7'6" or less and that the load may project 1' either side. If I convert these figures, the trailer should be 2.286m wide. Now that may have been rounded since we started going all metric, but you need to double check because US trailers are nearly always too wide for EU rules in my experience.

Lastly I know there is an issue with the brakes on US trailers. Not sure of the top of my head what the problem is, but a standard US trailer's brakes do not comply with EU rules.

All this is a great shame cos personally I think US trailers are great bits of kit.

All the above if from memory, so I accept I may be wrong but please get it checked out.
 
Bottom line is if it doesn't meet the EU regs for construction and use then your not insured.
Yes its too wide for EU use. In saying that I haven't come across one policeman that can understand the laws.

I got pulled into the check area on the way into Poole a couple of years ago. Even the ministry man was head scratching and my trailer was produced by Bramber in the UK.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top