Trailer rebuild

[battleon]

I want to replace all the axle,springs,wheels, hub etc assembly on my boat trailer and am after advice and suggestions. It is a 18ft alloy cat with dual axle steel trailer. I am pretty handy with the mig etc so will do it all myself.

First off the trailer has never had brakes and as we only launch it next to home never bothered but now would like to travel a bit so brakes are necessary. Which type would people recommend? Hydraulic, Electric, Mechanical? Its likely to be towed by either of 2 different 4wd's so dont really want to have to set them both up. Boat and trailer would weigh around 1.5 - 1.8 tonne loaded.

Hubs.... Holden, Ford, Landcruiser? (Although dont want to spend a fortune or go off road too far)
Do I need to weld these on or can an axle be bought to fit.

Axle set up..... Round or square or doesnt matter?

Springs..... Galv or steel? Was thinking steel and wraped with denso tape.

Wheels.... Galv or painted ie sunraysia?

Electrics...... Are Led the way to go or some sort of submersible lights?

Any other considerations??

The top section of the trailer just needs clean up and paint with cold galv and the skids are ok as well. Photo Below of boat and trailer. (Missus calls it the "ugly duckling" but it a good sea boat and comfortable for fishing/diving.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd284/biggusstickus/MalsPlace013.jpg

[oldboot]

firstly "all trailer spares" at salsbury are very helpfull and well priced and their gear isn't nasty.

they have quite a bit of information on their web site too www.alltrailerspares.com.au (http://www.alltrailerspares.com.au)

I have no connection


hydraulic over rider is problay the go for the brakes if you are under the weight limit.

Galmet duragal is an excelent zink rich paint and it has more resin in it than most cold gal....... it goes a long way, looks good and works very well.

waving the oxy over any rust scale will make it fall off pretty clean.... just frizzle it with the oxy then scrub with a wire brush and repeat till bright

If you can go single leaf on the springs.

load ratings will determine your alxles an hubs

LED lights on any trailer will be more expensive but a great thing.

for any of the hollow sections make up a scraper to get in there.

If you get a standard trigger bottle and graft a length of micro irrigation tube and a 360deg spray head you can get lanolin spray all the way up the tubes.

cheers

[Noelm]

hhmm lets see, Hubs, either Ford or Holden depending on what wheels you can get for free, axles, square seem to be more readily available, springs, seems like gal springs are a mixed bag, some like them, some don't so take a pick on that one, wheels, gal or some second hand Mags will see you right, light truck tyres only (try to get non steel belted) lights LEDS are good, but expensive, submersable seem to be OK for a fair while, or a removeable Board is probably the best of all, that way it is only in/near the Water when you are going out on the Road, so there you go, nothing positive really, most a definate maybe!

[oldboot]

choice of hub and axle..... you will need to consider load.
square axles have greater load carrying capacity
ford hubs have greater load capacity than holden

cruser wheels on ford or holden hubs will require a reduction of load rating ( don't know why... just do)

All this mumbo jumbo about steel belts...... steel belt light truck tyres are fine....... tell me where you buy a non steel belted radial these days.
Any new light truck tyre will be better than any second hand pasenger tyre.

Check the load rating of your tyres...

with a boat that size you realy will need to check load ratings and stuff.

if the existing trailer has never been registered it may not have a compliance plate....... you will need to do a self assessment and get one attached.

It may be wise to not mention that it is an existing trailer.....call it newly constructed and make it look that way...........it may be simpler if it hasn't got a compliance plate.

if you go down to QLD transport or hit their web site you can get a couple of forms and information on trailers.....

some of that stuff is on all trailer spares wed site too.

cheers
cheers

[Noelm]

the problem with steel belts is if/when they get a small nick in them, the belt rusts to bits in no time flat, had three tyres "go to god" for that reason, so 3 out of 4 was a good enough average to look for something else, I know lots are in use for years without a drama, but if you can look for Nylon or whatever else they use, I found some, and they are 3 years old now, but by all means, go steel and see how you go.

[Bros]

the problem with steel belts is if/when they get a small nick in them, the belt rusts to bits in no time flat, had three tyres "go to god" for that reason, so 3 out of 4 was a good enough average to look for something else, I know lots are in use for years without a drama, but if you can look for Nylon or whatever else they use, I found some, and they are 3 years old now, but by all means, go steel and see how you go.

Remember your tyres only have a life of 6 years. OK towing around town with old tyres but you are running a risk towing at highway speed with old tyres irrespective of the amount of tread..

[Noelm]

correct, most trailer tyres are stuffed by that time, though of course there is a heap that keep on towing regardless, I guess most trailers do a majority of short trips, so the tyres do not get hot or fail, but out on the highway it is a nightmare, and of course failures usually happen on the annual holidays, with the family yelling in the back and a million cars on the road!

[bayfisher]

Firstly i would put the thing over a weight bridge you might get a shock at what it weighs fully loaded (as would a lot of boat owners) just to make sure that you only after a 2ton trailer rating. Aside from that its best to keep things simple, if your after a 2ton rated trailer i would just go with the mechanical brakes (disk on the front axle). Obviously you will need a new coupling of this is the case. For axles i would use 45mm round with ford bearings (1.5t rated per axle) and probably ford hubs(easy to find wheels anywhere any time). Do the axles need to be overlayed? or is a straight axle alright, if you can get away with straight that would be the way to go but you can also purchase overlayed axles already welded. you will however have to weld your own axle pads on usually. I would tend to stay away form gal springs and use plain steel I have heard and seen a few disaster stories with gal springs to blame. We use Active Fabrication at Beenleigh a bit and they would have everything your after and offer plenty of good advice.

Cheers Chris

[White Pointer]

Follow this link and then talk to them. I've found that they know what they are talking about and can help with set up - not just selling you stuff.

www.etrailerparts.com.au/index1.html?c548.html&1 (http://www.etrailerparts.com.au/index1.html?c548.html&1)

Whire Pointer

[battleon]

Thanks all so far for your replies.

I think the genaral consensis so far is for the Ford hubs, Led lights, pick up some 2nd hand alloy rims and go the LT tyres rated to suit.
Steel springs (not Galv) but would a single leaf be strong enough?

Square axles for a bit more strengh (although round still gives 1500kg rating). Current axles are straight so will not need overlay axles.

Brakes, I like the simple idea as well so mechanical would be easier for me to fit. I gather this process is not too difficult, any hints or things to look out for?

New coupling needed for brakes.

Clean and use Galmet duragal on the upper trailer.

I dont live in QLD but will organise a permit and weigh the boat just in case and I will email the trailer dealers suggested for some further advice and prices.

Anything I have not thought of yet??

[bayfisher]

I would not use parabolic (single leaf) springs is a tandem setup, What kind of tandem setup do you have do you have a rocker system? or twin slippers? There is a little bit of a saftey factor with multiple leaf springs becuase if one leaf goes your still likely to be able to tow the trailer home or to safety with parabolics your in real trouble. With axles there is no need for a square axle, generally round axles are about half the price and 45mm are rated at 1.5t per axle (3 ton overall) you could go up to 50mm or even 55mm but this would be overkill.

cheers Chris

[Noelm]

I guess one thing that has been missed (it might be just me of course) try to stay away from the "supermarket" Auto parts stores, the cheap rubbish they sell will more than likely fail way before any quality made stuff will, so spend a couple of bucks more and buy good springs and bearings especially, I have seen the Chinese made ones clap out in less than a week.

[battleon]

Thats a good point bayfisher so just doing a bit of research I would think 4 slipper type, 5 leaf, 500kg rated springs would do the trick? I shall compare prices on the axles.

Noelm, there certainly is some crap gear out there thats for sure but I will buy the quality stuff. Price is not really an issue but I dont want to waste money either on something I dont necessarly need if you know what I mean.

Thanks again

[oldboot]

I guess one thing that has been missed (it might be just me of course) try to stay away from the "supermarket" Auto parts stores, the cheap rubbish they sell will more than likely fail way before any quality made stuff will, so spend a couple of bucks more and buy good springs and bearings especially, I have seen the Chinese made ones clap out in less than a week.

I would go further and say... if you go to a supermarket type store ( you know the ones) you will pay more for an inferior product than if you go to a competitive specilaist trailer parts supplier.

The best indicator is couplings....have a close look at the cheap overseas made couplings, the fit and casting quality is nowhere near the quality of the stuff that comes from South Australia and if you buy from suppliers like mentioned previously you will pay no more........and you will have a greater choice of couplings.......I'll correct myself..... you problay will pay a little more because you will problay select a better coupling than you would otherwise.

cheers

[Noelm]

that's another fair point oldboot, I have seen some crap at a much greater price than a reputable brand at a specialist shop, I guess it is just marketing or something, you think of a part or timber or something, and the best advertised retailer pops into your head!

[oldboot]

I guess I've been pushing my own barrow so long, I am in the habit of not buying retail unless I absolutly have to.

And I have found a number of ( in reality wholesale )suppliers who are happy to deal with you no matter who you are and have one price or based their discounts on quantity alone.

So if I buy from "trailer specilist A"...... he buys his products from a manufacturer or manufactures in house... and sells directly to me.

If I buy from "popular retailer B"....... he wants a full retail margin. (50% on cost) ..... buys his products from a wholesaler of asian imports who also wants a full margin (50% on landed cost).... add allowances for freight ( they pass that cost on) and you easily end up paying more for a lower standard product, with less choice, little or no product knoweledge and little or no service.

Then add the cost of display packaging.......That three colour print, cardboard header card attached to that jocky wheel problay cost you $3.
That similar three colour print retail box or the blister pack with the three colour print insert the bearing kit came in problay cost you $5.
You bet they mark up the cost of packaging.

I am always happy to walk out of a hardware supplier with a box of goodies rattigin arround in unsealed plastic bags and oily paper, because I know I havent paid for packaging that I have to pay to dispose of.

cheers

[bayfisher]

Thats a good point bayfisher so just doing a bit of research I would think 4 slipper type, 5 leaf, 500kg rated springs would do the trick? I shall compare prices on the axles.

Noelm, there certainly is some crap gear out there thats for sure but I will buy the quality stuff. Price is not really an issue but I dont want to waste money either on something I dont necessarly need if you know what I mean.

Thanks again

Not quiet because you are going for a non load sharing suspension you will need heavier slipper springs. The ADRs refer to wheels and tyres fitted being rated at 120% of normal load on axle if non load sharing suspension is used. With springs i would be inclined to go at least this much or more (600kg springs per wheel or heavier). Non load sharing suspension can cause serious amounts of stress to be placed on individual springs so heavier is better.

Cheers Chris

[oldboot]

The single leaf springs certainly do present far less of a problem with corrosion...and ...remember with multi leaf springs only 1 leaf is continuous and connected to the chasis.

If you can manage it you would be farr beter off retrofitting a load sharing suspension.

Any of the decent trailer suppliers will have all the brackets & pivots to make it go.

When it realy comes down to it... trailer parts arent expensive. you mught as well have it the way you wnat it.

cheers

[battleon]

http://www.etrailerparts.com.au/disc_rotor_setups.jpg
Online Price




http://www.etrailerparts.com.au/spac.gifPrice: $1441.50


Very popular tandem setup for car trailers and those driving long distances.
2 x 45mm Round Axles. (2900kg capacity).
2 x 10" Galvanised Disc Rotors.
2 x Anchor Plates welded to Axles.
4 x Bearing Sets - complete.
2 x Ford or Holden or Landcruiser lazy hubs.
2 x 5 ALKO Leaf Eye to Eye Standard Tandem Springs. 60mm wide (2000kg).
2 x Rocker + Hangers + Shackle Plates + Shackle Bolts.
2 x Zinc U Bolt Sets.
1 x 2000kg Zinc Override Coupling.
1 x Park Brake.
Brake Cable Kit.


So do you think this would be a good set up and price from Trailer Parts Super Store. I will change the U Bolts and coupling to Galv ones?

This price also includes Ford Hubs, Brake Lever, Led Lights and number plate lamp, side lights and axle assembly.up
or



Sorry erstore Australia Sales

[oldboot]

Sounds like evreything is there.

But it does pay to go and eyball the products and satisfy yourself of the quality.

As far as price.....let your fingers do the walking.

cheers