As a new owner of a 1986 H23 and trailer I want to thank everyone who has posted information of the forum. There is truly a wealth of information here. THANKS!!! My new boat is immaculate...the trailer isn't. The trailer, a Ken's Welding model, has been in a storage yard for the last 16 years. The galvanized frame is like new but I'm replacing almost everything else, including the axle. I saw a post on one of the forums with a very brief note about using a drop axle for this trailer. The drop axle positions the boat lower for easier launching and retrieval. Can anyone elaborate on installing and/or using a drop axle on the H23/Ken trailer? Also, maybe a stupid question, but do they make drop axles with the square flanges for attaching hydraulic brakes? I would have thought yes, but I haven't been able to find one yet. Our local trailer company only manufactures small utility trailers...brakes of any kind seem to be foreign to them. Any source suggestions for drop axles with brake flanges? I look forward to your comments. Ed Doran
Drop Axle for H23 "Kens" Trailer
- Thread starter Ed Doran
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Partial answer/opinion
We have a Kearney trailer, not a Ken's, for our 1991 H23, so I have no advice about the drop axle. On the other hand, we replaced 100% of the braking components on our trailer in 2001, so I have a half-baked opinion on surge brakes. And that would be: if you have a large tow vehicle, maybe it's not worth the trouble. Not because installing the brakes was all that hard: it was perhaps an easy 2 weekend job. But rather because I don't honestly believe that most surge brakes work properly after the 1st season. Especially if you launch in salt water. The trailer mechanic who inspected our brakes before and after we replaced them said that he had _never_ inspected a trailer with surge brakes which worked, unless they were brand new like ours were (the 2nd time). He said most of them were a mess of rust and cobwebs (as ours were the 1st inspection). And I can tell you that I have no confidence that ours work now, despite protecting the actuator head (the hitch/master cylinder) from the weather with a custom cover. So my gut feeling is that with a 2500 lb boat, perhaps it's just better to have a full-sized tow vehicle (SUV or full-sized pickup), drive 55, and forget about the brakes. Face it: if there's an accident on the interstate and you have to jam on the brakes hard, you're in trouble anyway. And if you're careful, and going 55 in the right lane, you're probably fine. So now bring on the dissenting opionions: I'm interested in what others have to say.
We have a Kearney trailer, not a Ken's, for our 1991 H23, so I have no advice about the drop axle. On the other hand, we replaced 100% of the braking components on our trailer in 2001, so I have a half-baked opinion on surge brakes. And that would be: if you have a large tow vehicle, maybe it's not worth the trouble. Not because installing the brakes was all that hard: it was perhaps an easy 2 weekend job. But rather because I don't honestly believe that most surge brakes work properly after the 1st season. Especially if you launch in salt water. The trailer mechanic who inspected our brakes before and after we replaced them said that he had _never_ inspected a trailer with surge brakes which worked, unless they were brand new like ours were (the 2nd time). He said most of them were a mess of rust and cobwebs (as ours were the 1st inspection). And I can tell you that I have no confidence that ours work now, despite protecting the actuator head (the hitch/master cylinder) from the weather with a custom cover. So my gut feeling is that with a 2500 lb boat, perhaps it's just better to have a full-sized tow vehicle (SUV or full-sized pickup), drive 55, and forget about the brakes. Face it: if there's an accident on the interstate and you have to jam on the brakes hard, you're in trouble anyway. And if you're careful, and going 55 in the right lane, you're probably fine. So now bring on the dissenting opionions: I'm interested in what others have to say.
H23 Axle info
Just got a 1987 Hunter 23, and have the same problem, in the past with my powerboat I researched torsion axles, I purchased a new 10000LB trailer with duel axles and brakes. These axles are what I am going to go to for on my H23, No springs bolt right to the frame, no noise,drop axle or not they do sit a little lower due to no springs, smother ride. Measurements for the axle should be 66in brake flange to flange, 57 ½ in center-to-center for the sprigs, 6ft center to center for the axle hubs. Just do a search on the web for torsion axle, or ck Ebay item # 4555476562. George
Just got a 1987 Hunter 23, and have the same problem, in the past with my powerboat I researched torsion axles, I purchased a new 10000LB trailer with duel axles and brakes. These axles are what I am going to go to for on my H23, No springs bolt right to the frame, no noise,drop axle or not they do sit a little lower due to no springs, smother ride. Measurements for the axle should be 66in brake flange to flange, 57 ½ in center-to-center for the sprigs, 6ft center to center for the axle hubs. Just do a search on the web for torsion axle, or ck Ebay item # 4555476562. George
Go to Hyd Disk
I agree if your talking drum, disk are not as much work to maintain and work 100% better. George
I agree if your talking drum, disk are not as much work to maintain and work 100% better. George
H26 trailer info.
If it helps in any way, I recently overhauled my H26 trailer and replaced everything but the frame and axles. You can see the project documented in photos in the photo/project forum. I'll be happy to provide any general insight you may need since we have different size trailers. Procedures should be very similar anyhow. Happy sailing! Pat
If it helps in any way, I recently overhauled my H26 trailer and replaced everything but the frame and axles. You can see the project documented in photos in the photo/project forum. I'll be happy to provide any general insight you may need since we have different size trailers. Procedures should be very similar anyhow. Happy sailing! Pat
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