Trailer suspension replacement -help/advice needed

L

lucky83

New Member
Joined
10 Aug 2022
Messages
1
Visit site
Posting on behalf of my partner
He bought a second hand boat and trailer - trailer suspension could do with being replaced and he's having problems finding the right type/ones that will fit current suspension mounting plates
Info Plate - is hard to read (was part covered in paint!
The manufacturers logo is snapped off - just the top right hand part of a black circle remaining -if that means anything to anyone? Model no seems to be 400 14 b (or maybe p)
Capacity seems to be 400kg GVW 600kg
Axle /suspension says 520 x ? then Avon 7 (or maybe 8) /9 or ???
Trailer has 2 wheels in total and is unbraked
Current Mounting plates measure (approx) 265mm by 130mm with 6 holes (approx 115mm apart)
Looking at new suspension units
up to 550kg seem to have 6 holes but are on smaller plates (we looked at the units and they seemed much smaller than the current ones)
750kg+ seem to have similar sized plates but have 8 holes....
I read somewhere that 750kg units do have plates with 8 holes - maybe it is a new(ish) thing?
Is there some way of converting 6 hole plates to 8 hole ones? Or does he need to buy new mounting plates and take it to be welded? (Guess the boat would need to come off to do that and he only has a dry berth)
(Boat is a 150 GTS Picton -not sure if this is the original trailer or not -if there is such a thing )
Grateful for any help/pointers - thanks in advance
 
Have you looked here: Indespension
As long as the plates are the same size I can't see a problem drilling holes to suit the new suspension units.
If the ratingplate is indecipherable then nobody is likely to pick up a change of suspension units. Obviously make sure that the trailer frame and suspension units are rated for your load.
 
Thanks
andsarkit said:
As long as the plates are the same size I can't see a problem drilling holes to suit the new suspension units.
If the ratingplate is indecipherable then nobody is likely to pick up a change of suspension units. Obviously make sure that the trailer frame and suspension units are rated for your load.
Click to expand...
We looked at doing this - as much as we can tell (the dimensions are to the mm!) that the four outer bolts will line up - but we would have to make four (per plate) new 12mm holes through 5 mm steel plate attached to the trailer. We would definitely need to do it with the boat off and we would have holes quite close together (new hole -2.5cm existing hole 2.5 cm new hole on both sides of the plate) and are a bit worried that would cause a weak point. (The fact that the 750kg suspension plates seem now to be 8 bolt suggests that there have been issues with the strength of 6 bolts -so they must be under some stress - if that makes sense?) For only slightly more hassle/expense we can have new 8 hole plates welded on.

chris-s said:
You could try Bramber Trailers they make a lot of different suspension units for trailers of all sizes.
Click to expand...
I can't see any on their website - I guess I can give them a call

Someone at the boat yard has just told us that these (larger suspension with 6 holes) are almost impossible to get now. And our current suspension units are still sound and we would be better to spend time cleaning them up (removing rust and painting them) so they last as long as possible. He did recommend replacing the hubs too. So I guess for now we will do that and face having new plates welded on when we have to...
Thanks again for your help
 
At the Indespension link above the 750kg (per pair) units are 6 hole with small plates going to 8 hole with large plates for 1500kg.(per pair). You can always speak to them but it should be OK to to use the smaller suspension plates on a larger axle plate.
If you are concerned about strength you can always use large washers and high tensile bolts.
Apart from the cost you definitely don't want to use higher rated suspension units as they will have no give and rattle the boat mercilessly on our pot-holed roads.
If the rubber is sound and there is not too much rust then a good clean and paint is the way to go.
If the bearings rumble you can just replace the bearings and not the complete hub. There should be a size marked on the bearings and you can get them quite cheaply from an industrial supplier.
Keeping the bearings well greased and out of the water will greatly extend their life.
This should leave you with more cash for presents for the boat.
 
Might have some to suit. The holes are 120mm centres along and 85mm centres front to back. The plate is 265x110. Thought I had a pair but I've only found one of them. The one I've located is complete with hub. Sorry, no indication of load rating. Unuused but a bit of cosmetic surface rust. Let me know if suitable and hopefully can locate the other one.
 
MikeCC said:
Might have some to suit. The holes are 120mm centres along and 85mm centres front to back. The plate is 265x110. Thought I had a pair but I've only found one of them. The one I've located is complete with hub. Sorry, no indication of load rating. Unuused but a bit of cosmetic surface rust. Let me know if suitable and hopefully can locate the other one.
Click to expand...
Similar seem to be available new from Towsure (may be where I got these).
Trailer Suspension Units And Hubs 500kg 10cw- 10in Wheels
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top