Adding Axle to Mac25 trailer?

MrBill_FLL · Aug 19, 2009

I know many folks have done this on the 26's. the 2nd axle was put behing the stock one. -on my stock trl I move it back 13" with good results.

Tom26M · Aug 19, 2009

Agreed

Phoebe 1 said:
Has anyone added an axle to a MacGregor trailer? Is it a good idea? $200 + $150 for tandem fenders. Didn't like the way the trailer bounced all over the freeway when I hit a little bump and hope the extra axle would help with that. I have also seen some advice that a tandem trailer is a must for long hauls. Any suggestions or opinion would be appreciated.

When I owned my Macgregor 25, it scared me to tow the thing. But I learned a few things. The OEM axle was too small and you could actually see the bend in it as it struggled to support the weight of the vessel. Adding another axle would have been my first line of trailer mods. The second axle would definitely be a larger diameter if possible. Another addition would have been trailer tires of a larger size (here again, if possible). A good 15 inch set of tires.

Maybe all this would have been an overkill but in the case of trailering 'less is not more'.

Trailering around with my M26 is easy and adequate for the job (trailer that is). Mostly because ballast can be dumped before trailering. On a 25 it must be added to the weight load on the trailer.

Tom

caguy · Aug 19, 2009

The single axle has been fine for me. I don't travel in excess of 60 mph. I've towed as far as Tahoe with no problems other than the bolts on the fenders working loose. After adding a second nut problem ended. When I tow I am careful especially on the 405 around Wilshire and Sunset overpasses I slow to 45. I keep an eye on the back of the car in front of me as an early warning that a dip or bump is coming. I don't tow with the motor on the boat. I have seen mod where a motor bracket has been added to the front of the trailer to reduce sway. When I load the boat for a trip all of the gear goes into the V-berth. I also have a 3'' ratchet strap with which I strap the bow down to the frame. That really made a difference in controlling the bounce. I shackle a short 5/16th cable to the bow and trailer because I don't trust the webbing on the trailer winch. The exposed section seem to last only about 6 months. I cut off the rotted section and tie a knot with the strap, I have had the stitching break loose. The only other caution that I can think of is to watch the front trailer tongue they seem to rust from the inside out. Speaking of rot I had to replace the bunks, they too showed no signs of rot until one broke. Fortunately it was while loading the boat at the ramp. We re-floated the boat and found a Lowes where we replaced them. Took less than two hours.

MrMikey64 · Aug 19, 2009

I'll have to add a few of those ideas to my trailering, Frank.
One additional thing I do is run a line/strap around the cockpit and tie it off on the traiiler.
Why??
When I first got her, I had to remove her from the POs yard - going over the bump of the curb (at a slight angle, since the road was narrow) caused her to shift to one side. I had to stop and use a floor jack at the rear of the boat to repositiion it There was no keel in her at the time, but it was scary enough for me not to take the chance of that happening again.
I noticed the same thing when moving a Mac21 recently - it too had shifted a bit on the trailer.
I do not know if this is a common problem, especially if you go over a large bump of some kind, but I feel a bit safer kowing something additional is holding that boat down.

caguy · Aug 19, 2009

MrMikey64 said:
I'll have to add a few of those ideas to my trailering, Frank.
One additional thing I do is run a line/strap around the cockpit and tie it off on the traiiler.
Why??
When I first got her, I had to remove her from the POs yard - going over the bump of the curb (at a slight angle, since the road was narrow) caused her to shift to one side. I had to stop and use a floor jack at the rear of the boat to repositiion it There was no keel in her at the time, but it was scary enough for me not to take the chance of that happening again.
I noticed the same thing when moving a Mac21 recently - it too had shifted a bit on the trailer.
I do not know if this is a common problem, especially if you go over a large bump of some kind, but I feel a bit safer kowing something additional is holding that boat down.

I do the same MrMikey, with the dock line, only because if the trailer and truck separate at 60 mph I hope to find the boat and trailer in the same vicinity. I like to rest the keel on the trailer when traveling to take the weight off the bunks but I don't give the cable slack because I want the weight of the keel to help hold the boat down over bumps.

Mick · Aug 20, 2009

I like many others have had the concern of pulling . I have a Mac 26S . I purchased it in the spring in Dallas, and towed it up to Oklahoma City. The previous owner did not tie it down I made sure it had two 3 inch cargo straps.
When I got home I replaced the rotted nylon strap for the bow winch with wire rope. Plus I added a nylon strap on the bow as a back up.
That being said. We live about 5 to 6 miles from the lake, the road is not the smoothest , but in good condition. I noticed that the trailer tongue , kept bouncing against the ball hitch. Then I came across this thread.
This AM I went down to a local trailer dealer & repair shop. He has been in business for 28 years , and has a great reputation for being honest.
Here is the info I got off of him.
First >the tongue weight should be 10% of the weight being towed. I figure the boat for 1600 lbs ( dry) , and the trailer for 400 lbs. That means I should have 200 lbs resting on the ball. I took a bathroom scale out ,with the tongue jack resting on it , I read 100 lbs.
Second > Options best is to install a second axle total here would be about $700. Next is to add weight to the front of the trailer, Lot of steel / lead. Or you can move the existing axle back a bit , which will put more weight on the tongue.
I will do something this winter, probably use the move axle option. I do have about 30 lbs of weights that I can put on the tongue as an experiment , not perfect but hope to improve a bit.
I sure am glad this thread popped up. I thought I was the only one to have this problem.

Fred · Aug 22, 2009

You might want to consider an equalizing hitch. Although I have a double axle I would credit the equalizing hitch with keeping the ride smoother.

On the subject of a strap, I have a ratchet strap that runs up from the end of the trailer over the cockpit (behind the rear cleats). This holds the boat down and also provides a forward force. This is very helpful when I load the boat on the trailer. Once the boat is on the trailer I tighten the strap and then it takes a much lighter "bump" to move the boat forward on the trailer against the bow stop. After the bump I have to retighten the strap and the boat stays nicely in position.

Timo42 · Aug 23, 2009

Tim, use a strap at the bow eye, another across the cockpit at the rear of the trailer, stay off the 710 fwy and use some penetrating oil on the springs to soften them up, they may be rusted solid. Weight in the bow will help. Maybe come down and look at trailers at the mast up storage at MDR, see what others in the area have done. Frank and Duane both have their boats down there. We're going out next weekend at least one day,
Tim

Timo42 · Aug 27, 2009

The bathroom isn't going anywhere,:bang: why not promise to do it Labor Day, you aren't going to want to be on the road then anyway.:dance: We may be riding on the beach in Oxnard Saturday though.

David Hall22685 · Aug 31, 2009

I just bought a Venture 25, 1975 model with what I assume is the unmodified 1975 trailor. I am pulling it from Louisville Kentucky to southern West Virginia. Am I in trouble?? Reading these posts about bouncing boats and second axles makes me worried. What should I do? I could pull my Hunter 170 from here to the moon without so much as a second thought, but now I am thinking again!

Timo42 · Aug 31, 2009

Tim, how's the smoke near you? Didn't go riding, people I was going with are horse haulers, they spent Sunday evacuating the fire areas, the fire is going slow enough they didn't need to call me, but one is on a farm in the Soledad mandatory evacuation area I talked briefly with her this evening, fire 6 mi away, think happy thoughts. Borrowed my friend's 30' Islander to go out with family Sunday, no wind, but for once I'm not complaining. Plan on borrowing it again this Sunday. Qoheleth, don't forget to repack the wheel bearings before you go, and take it slow. Tim

flynfol · Sep 1, 2009

same boat and trailer

Like previously stated, pack bearings, check tires for damage and pressure, don't load the boat heavily. Place spares and/or equipment in V-berth. No engine on transom. Tie/lash shrouds or anything loose. I place a racheting strap across the bow to the trailer, keeps it from bouncing. If you pull in the rain, interior will get a little wet. I've pulled this thing 1000's of miles and have yet to have a problem, but then I believe an ounce of prevention is worth 100 lbs. of cure

Adding Axle to Mac25 trailer?

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