A bit more very part-time progress on the trailer build and refit.
The new draw-bar was extended considerably, the idea being that when on a boat ramp launching the tow car rear end can stay well clear of the waters edge and the boats keel should be a bit deeper and easier to float off and on.
The forward frame which holds the tilt hinge for the draw bar was moved back a bit from the original ones location. It just seemed like a stronger arrangement and i'm hoping that tilting the boat will also become easier. The new forward frame made from heavy steel channel was therefore longer than the original one.
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| Fitting the T-end |
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| Fitting new forward frame to T-end |
Aligning the draw bar , tilt hinge and trailer frame took some eyeballing and a center string line.
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| Tow hitch fitting |
The tow hitch refitting. Used the old attachment plates and bolts. Aligned and tacked them on, cut a slot for the brake lever arm to go through the beam. After fully welding all joins, 12 mm holes were drilled to allow for air escape from potential air-pocket corners (when in the molten vat)
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| Draw bar under towhitch area. |
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| Draw bar attachments for tow hitch, brake lever slot. |
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| Tow hitch adaptor plate - lugs are for brake lever pivot. Tilt hinge pin below. |
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| Trailer and draw bar taking shape |
At this stage the frame was welded up on top with down hand welding using 2.5 mm weld sticks on the 3-6mm thick steel joins.
Hi, writing this from the UK where I have just bought a similar sized (a bit smaller) 650kg trailer sailer which came with a very extended drawbar with some stainless steel checkerplate on the top of it so you can walk out and stay dry. I have not moved the boat yet and may never have to as it is where I will do most of my sailing on a lake, my question is, have you towed with this yet and if so how well does it tow in comparison to pre-long-draw-bar?
ReplyDeleteHi Steve, sorry I havent tow tested the trailer yet, still need to rebuild the winch post top, hopefully this week. Once ive got the boat onto it i can let you know how it went.
ReplyDeleteYour trailer's checker plate walkway sounds good. Although ive not seen any walkways on Investigator 563 trailers as yet, a friend once suggested i fit a checker-plate walk way within the A frame to facilitate hooking/unhooking the winch cable to tow ring on boat. still to decide on that, simpler means getting back out there quicker, sailing season has already begun here.
Hi Again Steve,
ReplyDeleteAfter adjusting the ball weight etc i've towed the boat through town at 50-60km/hr with the long drawbar and it seems rock solid to tow at these speeds, havent tested on highway yet (but did do a highway run before everything was adjusted and that was ok). The turning circle isnt as tight but i can still manoever/ reverse turn in back yard, after turning a few garden beds into lawn again! The biggest advantage of long drawbar is retreival and launching, the boat easily floats on and off now, with very little winch work.