New Trailer Design/Type

[hamjet41]

Team,

New to JBNZ web board and apologies if there is already a thread elsewhere; I'm getting a new alloy boat made (4.6m) and seek design ideas for the trailer - ideally a tandem braked set up but need to understand the best roller set out and design type - fixed rollers vs the wobble type. Are generic mass production trailers used for 4-6m boats suitable and what do I need to know.

Any ideas/suggestions welcomed.

AJ

[sandgroper]

forget the rollers.bunks are the way to go.hardly any rollers left if you go to any popular river launch spot on a weekend youll see some ideas.

[CBBR]

i think tandem trailers look cool but when you start launching in the tricky spots they can become an issue my

[mohawk]

Love the look of my ali tandum , but in reality it sucks  ..... Floats away , dog too move around the yard , just a realy but tows nice over bumps  ..
Go single axel and teflon bunks    , Theres a good reason 90% of new jetboats are set up this way  .

[Paul]

but in reality it sucks ... dog too move around the yard

Have to agree, tandem trailers are a bit of a to move around.  As they pivot around the point at the middle of all four wheels, you're actually dragging all the tyres slightly sideways when you spin it around (= difficult), wheras the wheels on a single axle just run forwards\ backwards (= easy). A single axle should be fine with the weight.

[hamjet41]

Thx for all the feedback; teflon bunks it is and still to decide on tandem/single. My previous trailers were single axle and never had any problems but always liked the tandems - agreed they are a pain to move around.

Can anyone point me to a good picture of a Jetboat trailer with bunks - I live in SYD (Kiwi of course) and want to get it right.

Cheers

[mohawk]

Check out harris marine site

[Blondeone]

I have a tandem with a 4.4m, on it.
With Bunkers.
Yes pain to move, but just put the Jockey wheel up higher and it takes the weight off the front set.
Great to tow, very stable, don't bother with a spear tyre as just run on three if you get a flat.
Also if you are unlucky enough to have a blow out, with a tandem its no issue as it remains stable.
Great also for river launching as the weight is distributed between four instead of two tyres,so less of the sinking feeling..

[JR]

I have a tandem with a 4.4m, on it.
With Bunkers.
Yes pain to move, but just put the Jockey wheel up higher and it takes the weight off the front set.
Great to tow, very stable, don't bother with a spear tyre as just run on three if you get a flat.
Also if you are unlucky enough to have a blow out, with a tandem its no issue as it remains stable.
Great also for river launching as the weight is distributed between four instead of two tyres,so less of the sinking feeling..

Tandems with a rocker box in between the springs are a waist of time and money..Stactic spring you can put the jockey wheel higher and work fine...But for shingle river launching Single all the way... Cheers JR

[Carl]

Sorry to invade your thread but I have been thinking of fitting rockers to my trailor as suspension needs overhaulin but do you not recomend it? Im going to replace springs etc anyway, should i just stick to the original static setup? A set of rockers is about $300

[PM]

I prefer not to use rockers as they force the wheels further apart which means excessive lateral load on te bearings during tight turns. I fit tandem wheels so I can fit my hand (vertically) between them.

[Hacky]

Hey hamjet41 what type of alloy boat are you getting, I'm waiting on one as well.      

After using wobble rollers many years ago, I would NEVER use them again unless you put about 50 on as they put dints in the bottom of my 17' mexico at every roller   

[Hacky]

Sorry to invade your thread but I have been thinking of fitting rockers to my trailer as suspension needs overhauling but do you not recommend it? I'm going to replace springs etc anyway, should i just stick to the original static setup? A set of rockers is about $300

Rockers will also raise the height of your trailer which means you have to go back further to launch, also means more moving parts and more maintenance.   Rockers not really necessary on light trailer and boat package

[Carl]

Thanks PM and Hacky very usefull information!

[JR]

Rockers will also raise the height of your trailer which means you have to go back further to launch, also means more moving parts and more maintenance.   Rockers not really necessary on light trailer and boat package

After building many trailers and not only boat trailers.. Rocker box's will not lift the hight of your trailer much ( The pivot point of the box )... Rocker box trailers are only good for high load carrying,,, As thay Spread the load over both Springs/Axle's..
Holder and Slipper per axle ( Ie spring and Hanger) will not spread the load as a rocker box but is way easier to shift around...But i only work with heavy transport trailers so what would i know... 2cCheers JR