Stainless Steel spindles for boat trailer keel rollers

[Gazza.Boyne]

Looking to do some maintenance on my trailer. Will be replacing keel rollers. Anyone know where I can purchase stainless steel spindles for the keel rollers instead of just the standard zinc coated spindles. Thought they might last a lot longer & not seize up as much.

cheers Gazza

[Schulzy]

I just used 16mm round bar. Heaps better then gall.

[odes20]

Yep for mine, just bought the bar at a steel seller and cut them to size and drilled the split pin holes with a sharp drill

[Horse]

Same here. Much cheaper than premade

[odes20]

Not sure what rexway123 was disagreeing with on my last post? , but to clarify I bought marine grade stainless bar and cut to size. Used on rollers for my tandem trailer carrying 20 footer

[Spiderpig]

I made 15 x today cost me $5 each to make out of 16mm 316 stainless round bar.

[wags on the water]

316ss is the way to go. It’s slightly more difficult todrill than your 304ss. Ask specifically for 316ss or they’ll just sell you 304and then you’ll be in this predicament in a couple of years.

[Gazza.Boyne]

Thanks guys, I'm assuming you all have drill presses at home.

[wags on the water]

Thanks guys, I'm assuming you all have drill presses at home.

No mate. you don't need a drill press to drill a 3mm hole - or several.

[tropicrows]

Make sure your drill bits are sharp, otherwise you will just work harden the stainless and never get it thru.

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[Schulzy]

Also buy a cutting compound like rocol messy but keeps your drill bits sharper longer unsure why you would need 316 over 304 stainless if you keep them greased you shouldn't have a problem had mine in for 3 plus years no rust stains. I also use stainless pins

[wags on the water]

Also buy a cutting compound like rocol messy but keeps your drill bits sharper longer unsure why you would need 316 over 304 stainless if you keep them greased you shouldn't have a problem had mine in for 3 plus years no rust stains. I also use stainless pins
Everyone has a different reason. 304 is a free machining stainless steel (easier to drill/machine) and will rust/corrode quicker than 316. The general consensus is that SS doesn't rust/corrode - it does, it just takes longer.

[Schulzy]

Well aware that stainless rust but for the hassle and the job required of it 316 is a bit overkill but each to there own. Corrosion is a little different

[gunna]

Also buy a cutting compound like rocol messy but keeps your drill bits sharper longer unsure why you would need 316 over 304 stainless if you keep them greased you shouldn't have a problem had mine in for 3 plus years no rust stains. I also use stainless pins


I thought the idea was NO grease ??

[Schulzy]

I thought the idea was NO grease ??

Dunno didn't say in the post but it saves a lot of hassle if you do. Personal choice I don't have any issues getting my boats off the trailer. I have galvo on my new dunbier had to reverse to get the boat off. Greased my rollers slides straight off. There is a bit of friction on your rollers because I thought that they were ment to take most of the boats wait. That's wat I thought anyway could be wrong

[gofishin]

Gazza, from memory you have bought a 685? Maybe?? Std. trailer with 200mm grey keelrollers? if so they are 5/8 or 16mm pins. If another type of trailer & red 200mm rollers they could also be 3/4 (19mm) pins.

I installed 316 pins 5+ yrs ago under my current boat, no grease ever, still work 'as new'. Have used 316 pins for years, my old man too, & they were always still good in all boats even after 20 yrs!


... Ask specifically for 316ss or they’ll justsell you 304 and then you’ll be in this predicament in a couple of years.
If you get a full length (or cut length etc) check the un-cut end forthe colour code. ‘Red’ = 316, ‘Green’ =304, ‘Light Blue’ = 303
Cheers
Brendon

[odes20]

Yep don't muck around. Go 316 every time in all marine situations . Bolts screws pins shafts

[Gazza.Boyne]

Thanks guys, think I will go with 316 stainless for the spindles.
Brendon, yes I've got a 685 Cruisecraft on the Redco trailer with 200mm grey keel rollers. I am going to upgrade the keel rollers, was thinking of going with red poly keel rollers or poly keel rollers used on Mackay trailers. Any thoughts on best keel rollers for the 685 Cruisecraft.

cheers Gazza

[gofishin]

Don't know the std/Redco trailer that well, but I don't think you would call it a true 'combination MR & KR trailer', where the KR's are supposed to take a good proportion of the weight, as opposed to the Mackay MR/KR - which has a lot more KR's.

The grey KR's rollers are quite soft, have an inner plastic sleeve and are nice on glass, but I wouldn't load them up with too much weight unless they are bogies.

I have an alloy skid trailer, but have added some red KR's in 200 and 300mm over X-frames and axles to stop the keel foot kissing them on occasion. I went with 19mm pins and have found them to be excellent. However, they do leave a slight red trace on the keel, where as the grey ones probably wouldn't.

Have never used the Mackay or Polly ones on glass.

Cheers
Brendon


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