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Let's Talk Trailers

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:31 am
by tgentry
We had some issues getting the boat on the trailer this fall, so it has me thinking about trailer mods. We already have a telescoping trailer tongue, which helps, but it still depends on a steep, long ramp. With the trailer backed up to the ramp drop off we still had to winch the boat up onto the trailer.

My trailer uses mobile home axles and it's time for tires, so it's the ideal time to consider drop or torsion axles. Does anyone here have experience with these?

I still need to take some careful measurements and decide what, if any, other mods need to be made.

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:47 pm
by clair hofmann
Tom
I have converted 3 trailers to torsion and built 1 utility trailer from scratch using a torsion. These were all warrenty return axles I got for free from a trailer dealer.I did what repairs I needed and I was good to go. They definetly have there advantages the biggest being no leaves to rust along with no hanger, shackle, and equalizer bushings to maintain.

Buying new can be expensive, especialy for 2 axles. I won't be using them on my 26 trailer converson because of cost. I did however purchase a 2 axle disc kit from Eastern Marine in Deleware. It includes 4 disc and calipers, a surge actuator and all required hoses and hardware. All I need now is time. Can't seem to find a good place to purchase that!

The one thing you need to figure out if buying new axles is the drop. The trailing arms and spindles come in a choice of angle which will dictate your drop. This was decided for me buy using used axles. I just used spacers between the axle and frame to set the height I wanted.

Clair

Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 6:13 am
by CaptainScott
Hi Tom,

One little bit of advice.
Keep the boat hull as low on thr trailer as possible.

Why and a Classic example.
Lady Jo, my 75 C22 came with an almost new beautifil trailer, new wheels, tires, winch, etc. It also had a tongue extension.

The 76 came with a noticably older trailer. It was quite serviceable but the wheels are rusty, no lights, etc. No extension came with the trailer under the 76. I feared the ability to launch the boat.

Well, come to find out the older trailer held the boat a few inches lower than the new trailer. I can very easily launch and have launched several times and different places with the old trailer, no extension, and no problems. My normal launch REQUIRED the toungue extension on the newer trailer but the older trailer in the same luanch works great without!

Yeah and it was just a few inches! difference. so in short, keep the boat as low on the trailer as reasonably possible.

I finally swapped the trailers and sold the 76 with a beautiful trailer under it. I no longer need or use an extension!!

Scott

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 5:47 pm
by Alanhod

Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 5:23 pm
by clair hofmann
With the torsion alxle conversion on my 2 Venture trailers, when I lower the keel 1 1/2" to take the weight off the hull, It sits on the axle. The rear crossbar on the trailer sits about 6" off the ground.
Clair

Goodies

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 3:55 am
by mariner
Since the topic header had already been created I have uploaded some interesting stuff to share.

http://www.yousendit.com/download/cEd0O ... R1B2Wmc9PQ

If anyone has other info on the oem c22 trailer please let us know. Thanks

Trailer Question from Newbie

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 7:42 pm
by bearley
Hi All,

I am considering (OK, more than considering) the purchase of a C-26 that is on stands about 100 miles from me. Can a typical C-26 trailer be used to pick up a boat on stands without the help of a crane? Maybe another type of trailer? I know a hydraulic trailer can do it, but the prices I've been quoted are huge! Thanks in advance for your help.

Bob

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:52 pm
by CaptainScott
Welcome aboard Bob!
I've done this with a C22. The trailer is not built to take the C26 directly off stands. You may want to check out what I did on my 22'er.
http://www.captainscottsailing.com/gall ... KeelRepair

Hang tight and some of the 26 owners may be able to help more.

Scott

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 4:55 am
by EmergencyExit
Bob, I removed (and reset) EE from her trailer a few years ago. Used a method similar to Scott's but I had cribbing under the front and rear of the shoal keel for support since I was concerned about there being to much weight on the beams across the bow. This did mean having to move and reset the cribbing under the keel as crossmembers of the trailer came into play, but it wasn't all that hard.

I'll look tonight and see if I have any specific pics that might be helpful.