Replacement for Mac Trailer

[Semper Fi]

Fxwg80hd
Do you know the measurement from the rear corner of your boat to the center of the two axles?
Semper Fi

[K9Kampers]

Our new trailer:
Sea Lion model S-26T-6000BE
Galvanized
Dual Axle
Forward axle disc brakes
Goal Posts with PVC sleeves
Spare tire with mount
$3150

[Catigale]

Nice. Sure like that galvanised tongue, compared to the steel one....

[K9Kampers]

Finally swapped out the old Mac trailer for the new Sea Lion trailer, in my driveway. One thing I need to get tomorrow is a bracket keel roller to protect the boat hull from impacting with the aft end of the trailer tongue. The hull is a good 4" above the trailer at that point, but when launching & hauling...

[bcduncan]

it was rewarding to read all this information concerning the replacement for the 26x trailer. Mine is a 2000 model and even though, I launch it into the ocean here on BC's west coast, I wash it in fresh water every time, the trailer has still rusted beyond repair. So I am thinking of a galvanized trailer as that is what is on offer here in British Columbia, the cost is about $3800. thanks again for these comments, most helpful
Brian

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I also have a 2000 model trailer that I have kept going for a long time by washing it and spray painting it, but now its time for a new trailer. From the prices that people have been posting, isn't it better to get an aluminum trailer? Seems like galvanised isn't any less expensive.

[K9Kampers]

Finally swapped out the old Mac trailer for the new Sea Lion trailer, in my driveway. One thing I need to get tomorrow is a bracket keel roller to protect the boat hull from impacting with the aft end of the trailer tongue. The hull is a good 4" above the trailer at that point, but when launching & hauling...

Update:
The keel roller worked on the first launching with it, however, it failed (bent) on it's first haulout, and then failed even worse, worser, more worser (collapsed) on it's second launch. Have had a boat cushion lashed in place to protect the hull til I can fab something better.

Rant:
Due to the failing of manufacturer or dealer, I have lost one day of what was to be a 3 day weekend at Cuttyhunk. Pre-departure light check results in one taillight not working. Culprit... corrosion. The unit is not sealed, bulbs burnt, mounting plate corroded. Bought new LED submersible units to replace with...wiring job now reveals to use crimp-on connectors and clamp-on splicers...inside trailer frame where all gets wet at launch! Now I'm pulling all wiring out to solder / heat-shrink sheath the way it should've been done!

[Catigale]

Hows Cuttyhunk in OCT Andrew?

[K9Kampers]

Paul S. is has been out there since Friday. He says the place is a ghosttown. Only two boats in the pond.

Too many delays / distractions for me to make CH this weekend. AAAArrrrggghhh!! Going to Winnipesaukee instead for today...

[iredrider1177]

im towing my mac from ohio to long key in december, i have the stock trailer 06' i always considered it the weak link, but im goin anyways. we will see how i feel when i get back in feb. whether i keep this boat or sell it, if i keep her i plan to buy that same trailer.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

iderider, if your trailer is only 5 years old, it should still be fine unless it has really really been abused. The one I'm about to replace is a whopping 12 years old now, although granted, I only dunked it in salt a couple times a year and also used to spray paint any developing rust spots for the first few years. Now I'm giving up on it and getting a new one.

So I have just about made my decision now, although there is a lot of conflicting information out there, some vendors seem to think a shorter trailer is better (like the stock one) but most think it is better to be longer and support more of the boat. Also, there is one vendor who builds new aluminum trailers for Mac's but uses the original traverse style bunks as opposed to longitudinal. He says the boat needs keel support as opposed to the traditional longitudinal support found on most power boat trailers. I can't say I'm buying into that either as I think the more support the better. I like Aluminum and Stainless Steel trailers for the Florida climate and the nice thing about this area is that there are a lot of trailer manufacturers and they will even build a (very useful IMO) ladder onto the trailer like the stock one.

I'm looking very seriously at a company in Brandon (near Tampa) called TNT trailers (built by Tim Nobles), anyone of youse buy a trailer from him? They look like a great trailer and a great value. They also build re-branded trailers for a lot of boat manufacturers so sometimes its hard to tell what the trailer really is under the re-brand. Anyway, I'll let you know how it turns out and if you have any experience with this company, good or bad, please let me know.

Dimitri

[seaviewsystems]

Can anybody who has bought a LoadRite “Elite” model LR-AB27T6000102LTB2 (or B1) aluminum frame tandem axle trailer tell me what the serial number is of their trailer?

I went to order a LR-AB27T6000102LTB2 from LoadRite based on the discussions in the beginning of this thread but when LoadRite heard that I intended to use it with a Macgregor 26M the response was "Oh, no. The Macgregor 26M trailer is a single axle trailer". I told them that the reason I wanted the extra axle was because I was getting too heavy for a single axle and there are a bunch of folks who are running dual axle LoadRite trailers. LoadRite asked me to provide the S/N for one so that they could be sure to be providing me with the correct trailer. They are concerned that the bunker position will be wrong along with the height of the winch bracket. I am guessing that the bog standard "Elite" LoadRite fits fine as-is but it would be best if I could say "This particular trailer, S/N xxxx has a M26 on it and it works fine".

Soooo....If anybody could please climb about their dual axle aluminum "Elite" Loadright and tell me the S/N it wold make a number of folks happy.

[Tomfoolery]

That trailer has a 6200 lb rated capacity, and you're going to put a 2350+ lb boat on it, though it's probably more like 3000 lb fully equipped. If it were me, I'd ask them to use a lighter suspension for a softer ride but keep the same tires, wheels, and brakes, and bearings, and nameplate it for 4000 or 4500 lb gross. They may not do it (probably won't, in fact), as they are probably not in much of a hurry to deviate from a production design, but I'd ask anyway.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I suppose if you have a tandem, you don't have the run the tires at full inflation like you do with the overloaded single axle. This should also provide a softer ride I would think.

[DaveB]

Dimitri,
If you go to the Cayo Costa trip I will show you what happens to a Tandem Aluminum Trailer after 3 years.
This will be a good way for you to understand the corrision that happens and a way to prevent it.
Aluminum, Stainless steel fastners and steel cause corrosion if not seperated with plastic washers, wash with fresh water every time you lauch with a 5 gal. water jug on springs and fastners if more than a overnight trip. Even the trailer lights fasten direct to aluminum will cause major corrosion in 3 years in salt water if not protected.
There is a elect. field that is created with diffrent metals in salt water, these diffrent metals need to be seperated with plastic washers or rubber.
With your lights connected to Truck you are putting elect. thru all the wireing in the trailer and fastners.
The Tandem is a much softer ride and handles the rough roads way more than a single axel.
On toll road you will pay for the extra axel.
Dave

I suppose if you have a tandem, you don't have the run the tires at full inflation like you do with the overloaded single axle. This should also provide a softer ride I would think.