Trailer

[Mistral]

I have the steel trailer for my 2005M modified to Australian standards. My wife, never having sailed before, now enjoys it and time permitting want to go out more and more. I am not concerned about the steel trailer, as long as it is well maintained, but she is concerned about towing it long distances. The plan is the Whitsundays in the near future, so she wants a double axle trailer.
So the question is
1 Trailer manufacturer in Oz that can do a custom made trailer
2 Get the mods done locally

Anybody has any ideas?

[Boblee]

Why not use your existing trailer? if it is legal we have towed ours many thousands of k's the only pressing worry is the tires.
If you go for a tandem it will be harder to tow and heavier but did see one that had the existing wheels removed and a frame with the tandem attached bolted so that it could be moved for weight distribution which was a fairly easy fix.
BTW you will love the Whitsundays it is magical but too many people, are you going with others or by yourselves?

[Mistral]

Hi Bob,
I tend to agree with just making sure the existing trailer is up to scratch, but I also need to keep the wife happy.
I might get the original trailer modified and change the tyres, etc. to a dual axle, if I can't convince the wife.

The plan is later on next year, as we have several overseas trips to do first and at this stage just by ourselves.

[Berber Boy]

Hi Mistral,

I agree with Boblee that it is really the tyres that are the critical factor but if you must have the 4wheel then I would think that any reputable trailer outfit can make one up or modify existing. I had a custom trailer built for for my Farr 5000 by TRACER in Narrabeen and they did a great job.
I heard recently that the Whitsundays are great but are really getting overcrowded.

cheers

BB

[davidbagnall]

Hi mate
I agree with Boblee. We do a lot of distance travelling (mostly ~250km and a few over 600k one way) and have every confidence in the trailer. But turf the OEM tyres as they really really suck (Sorry Roger) and get proper truck ones (we went for ones with a much higher rating than needed and the boat tows like a dream.
I never liked the original steel drum brakes so we also replaced them with proper marine disk brakes.
Remember that if you go dual axle it will be a pig to reverse and turn as the wheels will be fighting you all the way esp if you keep the 15" wheels.
I regularly spray fish oil (every 3 launches) over the trailer and I have no rust issues at all (mine is a 97) so a well maintained trailer works for us and there are just so many trailers our there and we just don't hear of catastrophic failures of well maintained trailers.
You must drop in and say hi to the Moreton Bay Macs on the way up!!!!!
cheers
Dave

[The Mutt]

Our trailer is the standard steel Macgregor that Scott converted to dual axle, we are in Sydney, if you are up this way at any time you are more than welcome to look over, measure up, etc.

While I have never towed a single axle Mac trailer, our's follows like a dream, tight round-abouts are ..... interesting .... that is probably the best way to discribe it, that would be more the length than dual axle config.

Glenn

[Mistral]

Hi Glenn,

We are in Sydney this weekend, but too late to organise anything. Is it possible to show or send some pics?

Dirk

[trip01]

Same concerns here whether to go tandem. Had a blow out with the ST225/75D 15 tyres while returning from TCB, 2 weeks ago. We didn't feel the blowout, instead heard it as we had the radio off. It shook the inside & moved the boat sideways on the trailer. Had to jack up the stern and push off to straighten.

So far cannot find a suitable tyre to replace, ie with the high load index in 15".

The OEM's have a 113 load index or 1150kgs @ 65psi which are 8 ply.

I want 117 LI or 1280kgs @ 80psi, these are 10 ply. Wife would be satisfied with 117's in lieu of tandem as we plan a Whitsunday trip also. Other wise just towing from home to the boat ramp on and around the island. And doing so without a spare.

Boat weights 1160kg, trailer 320kg. That's 1480kg without accounting for the outboard. The total weight would be border lining the 1600kg threshold for single to tandem axel.

So far I have found a Maxxis M8008 which is 225/75R 15 28.3" diameter, 8.9" wide, (same as OEM) load index 117 or 1280kg @ 80psi. This tyre is not available in Aus.


Kind Rgds
Dave

2008 alloy trailer / 26M 2008 / Yamaha F60

[trip01]

Here we go on the Yokahama 818's...

75 series 225/75R16C 121/120 R load rating 121/120 (1400kg) and speed R (170km)

http://www.bobjane.com.au/load-speed-ratings.html

Except these are 16" which means new rims.

Anyone had luck with replacement rims of 16" I know the stud pattern is 545 or 5 114.3cm (these are a Ford rim) But what offset (neg or pos)

http://www.vortextuning.com/vortex_tuni ... ment-guide

And rims - alloy or gal

Kind Rgds
Dave

PS another option in the Yok 818's is the 70 series 225/70R15C 112/110 R - this is a 15" with lower profile of 70 (same width) which would be handy for launching ie trailer would sit lower on the boat ramp. Perhaps the suspension could be lowered also. The diameter difference in the 75 to the 70 is approx 2 inches. This would mean the trailer would sit 1 inch lower, ie 1 inch at the bottom of the wheel, then the suspension change difference of say 1 inch, this would give 1 inch at the top of the wheel.

Negs would be the LI of 112/110 is lower than the OEM of 113. Any comments welcome please...

[trip01]

More on tyre size...
The Yokohama RY 818's in 225/75/16 are too big in diameter to fit in guard without upping the suspension.
OEM diameter 718.5mm or 28.3" (these just fit on mine)
Yok 225/75/16 (as above) 743.9mm or 29.3"

On the other hand the RY 818 in the 70 series 225/70/15 is 697mm or 27.4" in diameter (1 inch less than OEM) (load index 112/110) Fit on OEM rims. However lower Load Index. (OEM 113).

http://www.yokohama-online.com/fileadmi ... MA_Car.pdf

Next Q - are these available in Aus.

Kind Rgds
Dave

[The Mutt]

Hi Glenn,

We are in Sydney this weekend, but too late to organise anything. Is it possible to show or send some pics?

Dirk

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier, Mother-in Law was admitted to hospital, we got home late on Sunday night and will probably be spending most of the week there.

The PO, Scott posted some info on the forum, Chip did a lot of the math http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=487
look here as well
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... hilit=axle
and here
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... hilit=axle

Let me know any details you are after and I'll get together whatever photos and measurements you need after things settle down our end.

Note: the inspector when we registered the trailer thought it came from factory as a dual axle.

Glenn

[bartmac]

For sale.....I don't know whether anyone may be interested in a Mac M trailer ,single axle unregistered,still has the USofA hitch,reasonable condition,will need some work,located Northern NSW Bought to replace our rusty but modified X trailer but have bitten the bullet and sandblasted and painted it ..........so this one will just sit and rust

[igooba]

Can anyone recommend a good trailer builder in the Sydney area with Mac experience?
Also I am looking at Sales Trailers in South Sydney, can anyone comment if you think this is a good deal?

- 24ft trailer fully Gal custom built trailer 2.5m wide
- twin axel
- 4 x disk brakes mechanical
- 3 tonne running gear (was 1k cheaper for 2tonne)
- LED lights, Bearing Buddies, Jap bearings
- Winch post with ladder and guide posts at rear
- Skids and rollers up the middle
- Spare wheel mounted
- Rego Establised
$7,900

thanks for your help
peter

[Boblee]

Boy am I glad I have a MIG and don't mind DIY actually I thought it had to have electric brakes on both axles once you got over two tonnes which is one of the reasons why I have resisted changing to duals as it bumps up the weight.
Personally would be much happier to have a single axle with 16" cruiser 6 studs, it would mean changing the guards but that would be minor, the extra load carry for 16" would be much better and the heavier rims would be much safer.

[keith]

This is whats on my 99 X trailer
I think the guards are original and the supports have been cut and extended 40mm
The overall width is exactly 2.5 meters