M trailer

[DeMaster]

Went to local RV show yesterday. Arena Yachts displays the Mac there
so always go by to say hello to Jeff. Had not heard or missed the new
aluminum trailer for the M. Great improvement. To costly to convert
for x use.
DeMaster

[argonaut]

What -is- the cost to convert one of the new M aluminum trailers to an X trailer?

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I would think the cost to convert would not be much at all. The trailer structure itself needs no changes. Dimensionally the X and M are the same. The aft bunks just need to be built up with thicker wood in the center to fit the flatter X bottom profile. Some treated wood, carpet, and longer bolts along with some time with circular saw should get the job done easily. The X will sit a bit higher on the new trailer, but the new trailer with it's torsion axles sit's lower than the old one so the launching height should be about the same.

[Compromise]

Has anyone done this coversion yet? Anyone in the planning stages?
This may hvae been covered in another topic, but what's the cost on the new trailer?

[socalmacer]

I spoke to the factory (for whatever it's worth) on the use of an M trailer for an X boat and they said it wasn't designed for use with an X. I also spoke with the dealer I bought my X boat from and he felt it wouldn't be a problem to convert the M trailer to an X although he had never personnaly done one. He also noted the cost would be in the $2100 dollar range for an M factory trailer and the factory had plenty in stock - the good news. Hearing this, I went to the MAC factory site for a closer look at the M trailer.

If you haven't already done so, I would incourage you to take a closer look at the M trailer. The trailer looks very marginal in its ability to tow an empty boat let alone a boat with a little gear. weight. Plastic fenders have me also concerned along with the removal of the bow guides and other modifications. I'm going to try and get me a galvanized steel trailer that hopefully will hold up better than my original 26X trailer.

[kziadie]

When I last spoke to my Mac dealer, he said that the factory would not ship a trailer without a boat so that might be a problem for those of us not close enough to the factory to make a day trip to pick it up. Incidentally, he likes the new trailer but was a little leery because it is a bolt together trailer, not welded, and he thought that the tightness of the bolts would have to be checked periodically.

Kelly

[Jeff P]

After reading this thread I decided to sign-up and note my experiences with the new aluminum trailer. The trailer design, in my opinion, takes a minimalist approach in its completed state and overall quality, as does the boat itself when new, allowing the owner plenty of opportunity to get to know thier new boat as the mods begin. I would not recommend this trailer as an upgrade to the old metal trailer. Spend a little more and get one made to suit the application properly. I do love my M and expected the work but the trailer is too minimal for me personally, and I don't tow it with confidence.

[Ivan Awfulitch]

Then check out a used 26M trailer at $995

http://www.strictlysailinc.com/used%20trailers.htm

[TAW02]

I have had my M delivered to me from Inmon Yachts in MDR California all the way to Central Florida. 2300 miles. As tesimony to the durablility of this new aluminum trailer, the driver claimed to have moved along well at 70mph and even had a blowout. Stability was fine and he had no issues when it came down to slowing down and pulling to the side to change it. Apparently he did well because the tire was intact on the rim with only part of the sidwall blown-out.

Being that is a bolt-together trailer, I went around and check the bolt and could not find one of them loose.

I replaced the blown-out spare and the wife and I have been to Homestead Bayfront Park and launched (mid July of last year) for a cruise in the Keys once. And back and forth from central florida to Southwest Florida (165 mi each way) to Sanibel and Pine Island to launch in September three different occasions. For a total of well over another 1000 miles since getting the boat and trailer. Both of the original trailer tires blew, one while I was doing 65 and all she did was sway back and forth a little. Let off the gas and swifly came down to 30 mph due to excessive drag. Didn't feel as if I was in danger of having an accident during both tire episodes. As for having thoughts of adding a second axle, I say, not to waste the time or money. This trailer handles well and is not over-taxed or overloaded for this application.

In response to Jeff P who said;

"I do love my M and expected the work but the trailer is too minimal for me personally, and I don't tow it with confidence."

I love the way this trailer handles and I can understand his doubts. But I say give it chance and take short trips with it until you feel comfortable. Beware only of the original tires. I think they only last a few thousand miles. Replace them with the same size, but spend the money for Goodyears or a good name brand. I have put a thousand miles on a set of Goddyears and haven't even worn the titties of them yet!

One last note, I have checked the bolts on the trailer and they are still there tight as ever!

Big T

[richandlori]

bad mouthing the Mac Trailer is a sport on the Mac site....but has anyone ever had one fail? Has one ever been responsible for an accident? Sure they rust...all steel trailers do, but I think the reports of a "Mac Death Trap Trailer" are over-blown. But then again...what do I know....my wife would say "not much"

[Luke]

Rich, several of us readers of this website had frame failures last month. Our trailer tongues failed. Mine collapsed as I pulled the boat out of the water. Had the tongue failed ten minutes later I would have been driving 60 MPH on a highway--it would have been a catastrophe.
Pictures are available.

Luke
DreamChaser
1999 26X
Boardman, Ohio

[richandlori]

A 1999 trailer rusts and then the whole lot are bad? Look, the Mac trailer is as cheaply made as it needs to be and does the minimal job. I towed mine thousands of miles at 65-70MPH washed it off and touched up rust with primer and paint. It's nice that the new trailer is Al...but I still see a lot of over-hype when it come to the "MacDeathTrap Trailer". The user, not the Mac Factory is responsible for trailer maintenance.

[Night Sailor]

My '97 X trailer failed the first time I retrieved the boat from the water. It was windy and the bow hit the the left side pipe guide on the rear pretty hard and bent it over about 12 inches. I thought the pipe had bent but on closer inspection I found the whole corner of the fram on the rear cross member had only a half inch spot of welding. A temporary tack I'd call it. Maybe the welder went to lunch and forgot to weld it when he got back to work. I guess I'm lucky the boat made it from CA without a mishap, as I bought it from the dealer who had picked it up at the factory and was towing it to AR.

I had my welder weld the full length of the joint on all corners of the cross members. Now 10 years later, nothing has failed and there is no rust except on the brake drums, because I keep it rinsed in fresh water and touched up twice a year with Rustoleum. I did have to replace the original wood support boards after 7 years, but reused the original rug fabric to recover.

[Phillip]

I believe the Mac Trailer is a very clever design, and meets the needs of the boat perfectly.
It is also the easiest trailer i have ever had from a maintainance point of view. You can't get better.
For those not happy, there are 2 simple options available.
1. take it down to the Galvanising plant and have it treated or
2. sell it and have a 'better one' custom made.

For those of you who have never owned a "proper box steel galvanised trailer", take my word for it, they have issues, and if you could ever see the condition of the steel on the inside of the box after a few yrs, you night not sleep to well.
Also believe you have to keep the facts in perspective too.
A Mac 26 at around 1,500kg is only the weight of a 17'-18' cabin boat.

Solutions are so simple with a Mac....just maintain it....and that can't get any easier with the Mac

Cheers
Phillip

[MSS]

1. take it down to the Galvanising plant and have it treated

Been there, done that. Three seasons now and not a stain on the frame