Trailering wood runabout straps series#

An alternative system is oil bath lubrication, which uses a reservoir of oil to continually coat the bearings as the rotate. Hub Bearings - Hub bearings are typically protected by grease, packed inside the hub and forced into the bearings to prevent friction and heat build-up. Shock absorption is provided by the bar’s torsion resistance, typically rubber cords located inside the axle housing. A soild metal bar is attached to the trailer frame the opposite end featues a lever attached to the axle. Torsion beam suspension uses a torsion bar as the weight-bearing spring.

Trailering wood runabout straps series#

The most traditional form of suspension, leaf springs consist of a series of curved, slender steel plates, placed atop each other, which flex to absorb shock. Suspension - Wheels can be linked to the trailer frame by one of two primary suspension methods – leaf spring or torsion beam. Wiring and brake lines should be run in conduit and secured to the inside of the structure for protection.Īxles - Tandem axle designs are best for loads under 3500 pounds above 3500, a tandem axle design is best. The finish offers a superior layer of protection, and is almost a must for saltwater boaters.Īluminum trailers are made from aluminum I-beams, which offer a superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to steel, but offer less protection than tubular designs. Galvanized trailers offer far superior corrosion resistance, but do not offer the potential for color. Metal is dipped into a bath of liquid zinc at 500degrees C, a process known as hot-dip galvanizing, and come out with a protective coating of silver-colored zinc. It does, however, require more perioidic maintenance to keep looking fresh, as any metal that starts to rust will quickly affect the paint. Steel is most commonly painted, and can be color matched to your boat for that custom look. Steel, however, can rust, a fact which will affect not only the look of your trailer, but also its structural integrity over time. Steel can also be painted to match the color of your boat or tow rig. Tubular steel offers excellent strength, as well as protection for wiring and brake lines, which can be run inside the frame. Frames are typically made from steel or aluminum. Boats under 3500 pounds can typically be hauled with a single-axle trailer those over 3500 pounds are best carried by a tandem-axle model.įrame -The frame of a trailer gives it its structural integrity. You need to know your craft’s wet weight, as it accounts for fuel (8.5 pounds per gallon), water (6.5 pounds per gallon), and other items like the batteries, gear, and add-ons brought aboard.

Weight means more than just the manufacturer’s spec sheet claims. Do not use LOA (which can be influenced by extended swim platforms) as an indicator of boat length, as a trailer only supports the hull’s running surface.

In general, trailers are typically about two feet longer than the boat itself. Length should be measured from the farthest point at the bow to the end of the hull’s running surface. For trailerable boats (those under 8′ 6″ in beam, take into account two measurements - length and weight. Size - It’s obvious a trailer should fit your boat. Here, in no particular order of importance, is what you might want to know about your trailer. So, I’ve put together some information, an “everything you wanted to know about boat and pwc trailers…but we’re afraid to ask” sort of thing. In the long run, that could be a big mistake.

Another reality is that, while many of us can recite the spec list about our craft, we know little about the trailer. Most of us dream about keeping a PWC or boat at our waterfront dock, but the reality for most of us is trailering, loading our prized possession onto a wheeled cart and towing it to the water.