Posted by slangevar48 (crawfordceramics@…>)
My Freedom 25 was purchased without a trailer (but with a cradle)and I
have the desire to move it to other waterways. I already own a tandem
axel flatbed rated to 7,000 lbs and the thought occurred to me, why not
mount the cradle on the trailer and transport the boat like that? I
figure why buy a new trailer and have another trailer taking up space.
Has anyone ever seen a trailer rigged-up like this before? or ever
actually done this? I imagine I’d have to install a bow brace, pad the
supports amply and get 6-8 heavy duty tie-down straps and make some
anchoring brackets to tie the cradle to the trailer and create a mast
holder. but I’ve never seen this set up anywhere and wonder of DMV
would pass it? Any input would be appreciated.
Randy
“Slangevar”
Dunkirk, NY
Posted by katorpus (jrb@…>)
Randy…not to rain on your parade, but…
There are several factors here which you need to consider.
-
Weight distribution. You need to consider where the cradle needs
to “sit” on the bed of the trailer in order to provide the proper
fore-aft load balance. You can’t overweight the hitch, nor can you
underweight it without creating a dangerous situation. The position
of the axles on the trailer is a factor here, as well as the weight
of the trailer, the boat, and the cradle. “Goosenecks” have more
leeway in this adjustment than hitch-pull trailers.
-
Hitch rating. Your hitch type might not be able to handle a fully
loaded trailer rated at 7,000 lbs. Your vehicle might not either.
-
Cradle design. There’s a lot of difference in the stress placed on
both the cradle and the boat by a “static load” (created by the boat
being gently placed onto the stationary cradle by a crane) and
a “dynamic load” where the weight of the boat is, essentially,
hammering against the load points of the cradle. It’s like the
difference in standing on the round rungs of an aluminum ladder in
your bare feet and in jumping up and down on the same rungs. The same
consideration needs to be taken in matching the heavy “load points”
of the cradle with the structural “strong points” of the trailer.
-
Cradle attachment. Don’t plan on just lashing down the cradle and
boat to the trailer. That would be way-dangerous. The trailer needs
to be positively anchored to the frame of the the trailer, not just
sitting on the bed. You’ll have to consider the frame design of the
trailer in order to do this.
-
Center of gravity. There are more reasons than simply “bridge”
clearance" for keeping the load low on the trailer. The boat and
cradle will be putting a lot of load “up high” (and windage). The
overall width of the trailer will be a factor here as well. There’s a
lot of difference in how this load would affect a long, narrow
trailer as opposed to a short, wide trailer of the same “rated
capacity”. Any time you’re approaching the rated limit of the trailer
with the load (and windage), then you’re in a lot more danger with
a “bulky” load than if you were, say…hauling sheets of lead flat on
the trailer bed. This “torquing” puts a tremendous strain on the
hitch and tow vehicle, and can substantially alter the ability of the
tow vehicle to handle the load. Which would you rather pull with your
truck?..a seven thousand pound load of lead sheets or a seven
thousand pound load of potato chips?
— In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com, “slangevar48”
<crawfordceramics@…> wrote:
My Freedom 25 was purchased without a trailer (but with a cradle)
and I
have the desire to move it to other waterways. I already own a
tandem
axel flatbed rated to 7,000 lbs and the thought occurred to me, why
not
mount the cradle on the trailer and transport the boat like that? I
figure why buy a new trailer and have another trailer taking up
space.
Has anyone ever seen a trailer rigged-up like this before? or ever
actually done this? I imagine I’d have to install a bow brace, pad
the
supports amply and get 6-8 heavy duty tie-down straps and make some
anchoring brackets to tie the cradle to the trailer and create a
mast
holder. but I’ve never seen this set up anywhere and wonder of DMV
would pass it? Any input would be appreciated.
Randy
“Slangevar”
Dunkirk, NY
Posted by Bob Weeks (rweeks6508@…>)
Actually seven thousand pound is seven thousand pound the only difference is volume! Also remember some cradles were designed for the sole purpose of shipping. However that cradle will sit on a flat bed trailer of the eighteen wheel size. One of the trailer companies in CT make a very nice trailer for a 30’ boat, I looked into it when I was considering the F30 in Minnesota. Around $12K.
Bob
From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of katorpusSent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:51 PMTo: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.comSubject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Re: I want to make a Hybrid Sailboat trailer
Randy…not to rain on your parade, but…There are several factors here which you need to consider.1) Weight distribution. You need to consider where the cradle needs to “sit” on the bed of the trailer in order to provide the proper fore-aft load balance. You can’t overweight the hitch, nor can you underweight it without creating a dangerous situation. The position of the axles on the trailer is a factor here, as well as the weight of the trailer, the boat, and the cradle. “Goosenecks” have more leeway in this adjustment than hitch-pull trailers.2) Hitch rating. Your hitch type might not be able to handle a fully loaded trailer rated at 7,000 lbs. Your vehicle might not either.3) Cradle design. There’s a lot of difference in the stress placed on both the cradle and the boat by a “static load” (created by the boat being gently placed onto the stationary cradle by a crane) and a “dynamic load” where the weight of the boat is, essentially, hammering against the load points of the cradle. It’s like the difference in standing on the round rungs of an aluminum ladder in your bare feet and in jumping up and down on the same rungs. The same consideration needs to be taken in matching the heavy “load points” of the cradle with the structural “strong points” of the trailer.4) Cradle attachment. Don’t plan on just lashing down the cradle and boat to the trailer. That would be way-dangerous. The trailer needs to be positively anchored to the frame of the the trailer, not just sitting on the bed. You’ll have to consider the frame design of the trailer in order to do this.5) Center of gravity. There are more reasons than simply “bridge” clearance" for keeping the load low on the trailer. The boat and cradle will be putting a lot of load “up high” (and windage). The overall width of the trailer will be a factor here as well. There’s a lot of difference in how this load would affect a long, narrow trailer as opposed to a short, wide trailer of the same “rated capacity”. Any time you’re approaching the rated limit of the trailer with the load (and windage), then you’re in a lot more danger with a “bulky” load than if you were, say…hauling sheets of lead flat on the trailer bed. This “torquing” puts a tremendous strain on the hitch and tow vehicle, and can substantially alter the ability of the tow vehicle to handle the load. Which would you rather pull with your truck?..a seven thousand pound load of lead sheets or a seven thousand pound load of potato chips? — In FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com, “slangevar48” <crawfordceramics@…> wrote:>> My Freedom 25 was purchased without a trailer (but with a cradle)and I > have the desire to move it to other waterways. I already own a tandem > axel flatbed rated to 7,000 lbs and the thought occurred to me, why not > mount the cradle on the trailer and transport the boat like that? I > figure why buy a new trailer and have another trailer taking up space.> Has anyone ever seen a trailer rigged-up like this before? or ever > actually done this? I imagine I’d have to install a bow brace, pad the > supports amply and get 6-8 heavy duty tie-down straps and make some > anchoring brackets to tie the cradle to the trailer and create a mast > holder. but I’ve never seen this set up anywhere and wonder of DMV > would pass it? Any input would be appreciated.> Randy> “Slangevar”> Dunkirk, NY>
Posted by Herman and Gail Schiller (hschiller2@…>)
You should note that the boat transporter trailers do not have a bow
brace/roller. They use straps that run diagonally fore and aft (ala’
spring lines) to keep the boat in place while accelerating or
braking. Herm
At 04:51 PM 4/16/2008, you wrote:
My Freedom 25 was purchased without a trailer (but with a cradle)and I
have the desire to move it to other waterways. I already own a tandem
axel flatbed rated to 7,000 lbs and the thought occurred to me, why not
mount the cradle on the trailer and transport the boat like that? I
figure why buy a new trailer and have another trailer taking up space.
Has anyone ever seen a trailer rigged-up like this before? or ever
actually done this? I imagine I’d have to install a bow brace, pad the
supports amply and get 6-8 heavy duty tie-down straps and make some
anchoring brackets to tie the cradle to the trailer and create a mast
holder. but I’ve never seen this set up anywhere and wonder of DMV
would pass it? Any input would be appreciated.
Randy
“Slangevar”
Dunkirk, NY