upgrading trailer
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- Rank: Lubber
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Posted: Feb 12, 2013 - 02:19 PM
I have a trailex trailer supporting our nacra 20. The trailer does fine no issues. In my quest to always improve, I wanted to ask this forum if anyone has upgraded their trailer to support more weight. I would think the first thing to upgrade is the axel and leaf springs. Has anyone done this, is this a job I can do in my driveway, where did you get the parts, etc. I'm looking to only increase my capacity by a few 100 pounds. -
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Posted: Feb 12, 2013 - 04:08 PM
Which trailer do you have? Does the tongue extend the length of the trailer? Suspension wise, any change you make may hurt you unless you actually carry the weight. Your trailer is probably rated and capable of handling much more weight than the N20 as it is.
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Greenville SC
Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 07:34 AM
i have removed the axle, replaced my leaf springs (and bearings) and put it all back together.
was done in a driveway in about an hour
All my parts were purchased from a local trailer shop (http://www.rentztrailerhitches.com/) -
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 07:58 AM
Make sure your tire load rating correlates as well.
I've gotten parts in the past from http://www.etrailer.com and http://www.easternmarine.com
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Jeff R
'88 H18 "Jolly Mon"
'10 C2 USA1193
NE IN / SE MI
cramsailing.com
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 09:12 AM
What is your trailer rated for now?
When I burned up a hub/spindle on my Magic Marine trailer I replaced the entire axle-spindle-hub assembly with one rated for 2500 lbs and included grease fittings on ends of the spindles so the hubs can be repacked without removing anything.
The entire thing was shipped already assembled and it just bolted on. It was custom made by Champion Trailers based on measurements I gave them.
The axles that come with trailers are generally rated for the minimum, I like having the extra margin since most of my road trips are 400 miles plus. Also, keep good tires!
http://www.thebeachcats.c…ictures/?g2_itemId=32097
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 10:01 AM
75 lbs... under $35 in shipping ?
WOW -
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 10:44 AM
Actually the whole experience with Champion Trailers in Slidell Louisiana was a "WOW".
I called them with my measurements at 11:00am Monday and they built the axle/hubs assembly, gave it to UPS that evening and UPS dropped it on my doorstep around 11:00am on Tuesday.
WOW!
Looks like prices have gone up a little since 2007 but here's the one I bought, love the "Spindle Lube" setup.
http://www.shopchampiontr…RINGS/productinfo/ABS25/
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 11:02 AM
That rocks
yea that is cool. I am in the market for a new axle with hubs for my jon boat trailer, that looks great.. after reading the description, i am now worried i blew out my grease seal by over pumping my cat trailer (as i pumped it up pretty full a few weeks ago when i noticed a squeak).. need to go check..
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 02:34 PM
Just for the record, you are already using 12" or bigger wheels, no?
If you are using 8" wheels, the first thing to do is upgade wheels and tires.
$0.02
Edited by klozhald on Feb 13, 2013 - 02:35 PM.
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 02:58 PM
The lightest trailer axle I can find is a 2000 pounder so even if you have that you should be fine, Trailex trailers are very light so you probably have less than 200 pounds of trailer, and 500 pounds of boat and gear and another 100 of box, spare, personal gear etc so you should have plenty of capacity left. A pic would help.
I agree with tires likely being the weakest link. I run 13s on both my trailers and would not run anything less than a 12 if you go any distance. JMHO, YMMV, Richard.
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Lake Perry KS
H-18
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 03:11 PM
thanks for all the responses. this forum is great for figuring stuff out.
i talked to a few "trailer guys" today, and they all gave me this opinion: yes i can upgrade the tires, axle, and leaf springs, but here's the problem: my boat and gear weigh no more then 700 pounds. if i upgrade everything on the trailer and its rated to carry 2500 pounds, when i put my 700 pounds on the trailer, it will be so UNDER WEIGHT that every bump on the road will NOT be absorbed by the leaf springs or tires, bur rather the boat. this will be the equivalent to when i trailer my trailer around with no boat, the trailer bounces all over the place because there is no weight on it. i certainly do not want my boat bouncing around like that.
so yes, it looks like upgrading is easy, but no, it may not be a good idea unless you can actually justify it. -
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Posted: Feb 13, 2013 - 06:24 PM
Take your "updrade" cash and take a sailing lesson.
I highly recommend Robby Daniels of Red Gear Racing
https://www.facebook.com/robbie.daniel.18
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Posted: Feb 14, 2013 - 05:26 AM
IMO, most trailers that come with the boat, are suitable for that boat, the best upgrade you can do is:-
1) increase the size of your wheels, especially if they are 8" wheels,
2) install submersible LED lights and side markers
3) install bearing buddies to wheel hubs
4) make sure your rollers are spinning freely and that there are no sharp edges to gouge hulls, go with cradles if obtainable or use the rubber "V" type boat stops.
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Posted: Feb 14, 2013 - 07:31 AM
are you suggesting to use these instead of a cradle to hold your cat on the trailer?
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Posted: Feb 14, 2013 - 07:51 AM
I used that exact thing for years on my Hobie 16 and 18, it is not the same as the modern cradles we have today but they are way better than a single roller. The Nacra trailer I am sure has cradles already. HTH, RIcardo.
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Lake Perry KS
H-18
N-5.5 UNI +spin
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Posted: Feb 14, 2013 - 01:12 PM
Yup! On my old Prindle 18 trailer, rollers on the rear, double "V"s up front. But you can only use them on boats with asymmetrical hulls, (.....duuh!) the sharp "V" of the hulls fit snug into that rubber "cradle".
Another distinct advantage of the asymmetrical hull shape...
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Posted: Feb 14, 2013 - 08:22 PM
One thing you need to watch for when getting new leaf springs and a new axle. The leaf springs usually have a big rivet right in the middle of the spring right where the axle attaches. You can either get your axle drilled to accept the rivet or you can use large washers as shims to make the leaf springs fit flat to the axle. I tried drilling mine but it was a lot tougher than I thought and was going to remove the galvanized finish. I ended up opting for the washer method although the drilling method would be more stable.
See if the company you purchase your axle from can provide either shims or machine the axle to accept the rivet if you have one. -
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Posted: Feb 25, 2013 - 05:51 AM
I upgraded my hobie 16 trailer, I think the additional capacity will be sufficient
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Greenville SC
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Posted: Feb 25, 2013 - 05:04 PM
Might even handle a double-stack.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
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Posted: Feb 26, 2013 - 12:42 PM
I am looking at doing this possible this spring as well. I want to be able to double stack my P16 on my P18 and if I do that now my springs pretty much flatten out and my tires rub on the fenders. I was able to bring 2 P16s on it down from Idaho without any trouble but probably was at the limit of what it could handle.
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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
1982 Prindle 18
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