I am looking to covert the yard trailer that came with my Hunter Legend 35.5 into something I can take on the road for short distances. What would be the appropriate axle and wheel configuration be recommended?
Show us your trailer setup
- Thread starter Canonshooternb
- Start date
Strikes me as a big boy engineering question!
Seriously, I would engage an engineer with competence and experience in trailer design for such loads before attempting any work. The existing structure may not be adequate for dynamic loads it will experience on the road. And adding wheels, towing, and suspension components each present issues that need real engineering design.
Finally, will the resulting trailer be legal on your local roads?
Seriously, I would engage an engineer with competence and experience in trailer design for such loads before attempting any work. The existing structure may not be adequate for dynamic loads it will experience on the road. And adding wheels, towing, and suspension components each present issues that need real engineering design.
Finally, will the resulting trailer be legal on your local roads?
I personally don't like this type of trailer for any other use then what it was intended for, a yard trailer. Although a few in our club haul their boats approx. 15-20 km's on them, the push load down a hill with no brakes makes me cringe! Sandusky's comment about being legal, isn't a big problem for most of us eastern Canadians, the leo's usually will work with us, unless of course we pull down the overhead wires.
CSNB try this one out, used to haul my 35.5 with no issues and then modified to haul the extended length of the present 40.5.
Tri-axle, electric brakes on all wheels, lights, hitch and safety chains are all highway legal, trailer has been inspected each year with no issues. I can get you the measurement the next time I'm down to check on the boat. Will find the pix and download.
Tri-axle, electric brakes on all wheels, lights, hitch and safety chains are all highway legal, trailer has been inspected each year with no issues. I can get you the measurement the next time I'm down to check on the boat. Will find the pix and download.
Here are the pictures of my trailer: 
Wooden inserts will hold the small skeg on the keel just off the center shoe and will allow you to center the boat on the bulb. Stabilizer jacks on the rear of the trailer allow for more trailer stability if your on uneven ground in the yard with the boat on the trailer and in summer I use them to lift the entire weight of the trailer off the suspension along with the tongue jack. All eight (8) stands are adjustable and can be lowered side to side to allow for putting on anti-fouling paint.
Wooden inserts will hold the small skeg on the keel just off the center shoe and will allow you to center the boat on the bulb. Stabilizer jacks on the rear of the trailer allow for more trailer stability if your on uneven ground in the yard with the boat on the trailer and in summer I use them to lift the entire weight of the trailer off the suspension along with the tongue jack. All eight (8) stands are adjustable and can be lowered side to side to allow for putting on anti-fouling paint. 
Agree, I have already removed these axles and looking at installing 3-5000 lb axles. Currently the travel distance is under 3 km. Not looking for highway speeds but will be adding brakes to help
Axles are 5000 lbs with six ply springs. the weight of the present boat doesn't bottom the springs. Are you going from the marina to Romeo's Marine or a location of similar distance?
Here's a short article about the conversion from 2 axles to 3. This was done for a number of reasons, the boat and trailer are about 11,000lbs, and two 5k axles are nowhere near capable of that. Three axles also provide over the road security in case a bearing decides to exit the planet, that still leaves two on that side so that we're not sitting in the weeds in the middle of nowhere.
https://meriachee.wordpress.com/2014/10/07/well-heeled/
https://meriachee.wordpress.com/2014/10/07/well-heeled/
I very much agree with the weight issue, however for short distance hauling 2-8k axles can sometimes be the answer. If you are in a tight spot, a 3-axle trailer has a tremendous amount of drag when turning. Watch the rear axle on a tri-axle trailer making a sharp turn, the rear wheels drag sideways. But for over the road use,3 axle will definitely give you a much safer, smoother ride. FYI,My shop has built trailer for over 34 years.
Attachments
Just found a great deal on 3 - 6000 lbs axles with brakes for $400 each. Looks like a great start to a trailer build
No, just the axles and electric brakes new from princess auto. I am watching Kijiji and the flyers for wheels, tires and spring sets.
