Does anyone here know whether or not it is necesary to keep the daul axle trailor with an H260 on it propped up on jacks/cinderblocks? I worry that the wheels and/or tires may warp from sitting unmoved for 3-4 months.
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Ken Shubert
No Problems
My H23.5 with a single axle trailer sits without jacks all winter. My tires have died of old age and never developed any flat spots. I'm sure the tire people will tell you that relieving the load and deflating the tires somewhat is a good idea however. By the time I pull the boat in the fall, I'm so cold and wet that I just park it and forget it! Ken S/V WouffHong
My H23.5 with a single axle trailer sits without jacks all winter. My tires have died of old age and never developed any flat spots. I'm sure the tire people will tell you that relieving the load and deflating the tires somewhat is a good idea however. By the time I pull the boat in the fall, I'm so cold and wet that I just park it and forget it! Ken S/V WouffHong
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John Revenboer
Tires OK
I have not yet had any problems with the tires when parking my H260 for the winter in the Midwest, New England area or Canada.
I have not yet had any problems with the tires when parking my H260 for the winter in the Midwest, New England area or Canada.
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Michael Bell
No problem
The only problem I've seen with tires on a trailer were those that sat for years in the sun. And I mean like 10 years in the same spot.
The only problem I've seen with tires on a trailer were those that sat for years in the sun. And I mean like 10 years in the same spot.
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Ray Bowles
Al, Relieving some of the weight upon the tires
will help prevent what is called weather checking/cracking. Flat spotting is something not to worry about, but tires left in the same position, through various seasons will start to split on the sidewalls. The load on sidewalls can also lead to rust between the rim and tire sidewall. VERY much so if you have tires that don't hold air to proper spec's through the winter. It also pinches and folds the sidewall cords if the tire goes completely flat and the weight of the boat and trailer rest on it until you find out next spring. It can reduce the load bearing life of the tire. If this problem becomes severe enough it can lead to sidewall failure. A fairly quick and easy way to remove this load from the tires is to use a floor jack to raise each side of the axle(s) and slip a concrete block under the axle. This way the trailer rails stay properly tensioned by the weight of the boat on the bunks and the tires have no load. Blocking the trailer frame itself, if done improperly, can stress the frame rail beams. Because one side of my trailer's tires are 1/2 in snow and ice, and the other 1/2 in the sun, and because the otherside is in "Moordores" solid icy winter grip until late April I always block the axles up. Just some busy work to make me feel better while awaiting spring thaw. Ray S/V Speedy
will help prevent what is called weather checking/cracking. Flat spotting is something not to worry about, but tires left in the same position, through various seasons will start to split on the sidewalls. The load on sidewalls can also lead to rust between the rim and tire sidewall. VERY much so if you have tires that don't hold air to proper spec's through the winter. It also pinches and folds the sidewall cords if the tire goes completely flat and the weight of the boat and trailer rest on it until you find out next spring. It can reduce the load bearing life of the tire. If this problem becomes severe enough it can lead to sidewall failure. A fairly quick and easy way to remove this load from the tires is to use a floor jack to raise each side of the axle(s) and slip a concrete block under the axle. This way the trailer rails stay properly tensioned by the weight of the boat on the bunks and the tires have no load. Blocking the trailer frame itself, if done improperly, can stress the frame rail beams. Because one side of my trailer's tires are 1/2 in snow and ice, and the other 1/2 in the sun, and because the otherside is in "Moordores" solid icy winter grip until late April I always block the axles up. Just some busy work to make me feel better while awaiting spring thaw. Ray S/V Speedy
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Tom
Tire Covers
Hi Al, I don't jack up the trailer, but I do cover the tires with canvas covers to shade them from the sun and elements. See the link below for ready made covers that cost only $10 for a set of four. By the way, where in Boston do you sail from (you can reply directly to twarneke@mediaone.net)? Fair winds... Tom
Hi Al, I don't jack up the trailer, but I do cover the tires with canvas covers to shade them from the sun and elements. See the link below for ready made covers that cost only $10 for a set of four. By the way, where in Boston do you sail from (you can reply directly to twarneke@mediaone.net)? Fair winds... Tom
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Joel
Trailer Beam Stress
Ray, I'd be interested in what you referred to as "improperly blocking the trailer resulting in trailer beam stress". What I have been done the last two years (and what I thought I read on this list previously) is I use 2 cinderblocks under the aft most cross beam on the trailer. This prevents the backend from tipping all the way to the ground if anyone climbs aboard the boat while the boat is on the trailer. I then use to jack stands under the front diagonals of the trailer (where they converge to the trailer hitch and tariler jack). These are placed just high enough to make sure the bow of the boat is higher than the stern on the trailer so that it drains properly. They are also used to keep the weight oif the trailer off the trailer jack over the winter. By the way, this is on an H23 with a single axle trailer if that makes a difference. The wheels of the trailer are still in contact with the ground and are fully supporting the weight. Am I causing undue stress on the trailer? Also, Al
Ray, I'd be interested in what you referred to as "improperly blocking the trailer resulting in trailer beam stress". What I have been done the last two years (and what I thought I read on this list previously) is I use 2 cinderblocks under the aft most cross beam on the trailer. This prevents the backend from tipping all the way to the ground if anyone climbs aboard the boat while the boat is on the trailer. I then use to jack stands under the front diagonals of the trailer (where they converge to the trailer hitch and tariler jack). These are placed just high enough to make sure the bow of the boat is higher than the stern on the trailer so that it drains properly. They are also used to keep the weight oif the trailer off the trailer jack over the winter. By the way, this is on an H23 with a single axle trailer if that makes a difference. The wheels of the trailer are still in contact with the ground and are fully supporting the weight. Am I causing undue stress on the trailer? Also, Al
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