I am setting up a tilting trailer for a Marstrom Tornado. This is being done in Solidworks, so I can see the issues before the steel work starts. It is built on a standard boat trailer, with wheels larger than most cat trailers use, 14 inches. I read about needing a stable platform, and this one was available, with a nice 3x3 frame. It ought to stay put with the boat on board due to its weight. The track is about 7 feet. When the boat is centered on the trailer, the lower hull is over the wheel, making the boat a foot taller. But to get out side of the wheel, means the boat will be off to one side by 8 or 10 inches, which would put the boat and the center of gravity slightly offset. Not ideal. Has anyone run into this issue? I know you ideally want everything centered, but not sure how critical this distance is.
I am going to have the lower hull be on the passenger side of the car, and the lifted hull on the drivers side.
I can imagine even on a perfectly centered trailer, the tilted trampoline or hull will make towing a nerve wracking operation.
I have images and will try to get them in an album.
Thanks for passing on any experience.
ctcataman wrote:
I can imagine even on a perfectly centered trailer, the tilted trampoline or hull will make towing a nerve wracking operation
I towed my 20x10 Mystere on a custom tilt trailer. Other than lower fuel economy, and reduced acceleration, it was easy to forget it was behind you. It tracked without a wobble or bounce.
https://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=106792&g2_GALLERYSID=aee0c58298fa28971105504f8a8de16e
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
Trailered mine Ca to Mich & back; down the Baja hwy (1K miles) twice & back, never a problem. Though I did stop at a truck stop in Co once when very dark clouds loomed ahead. Pete
prindle pete
Back in the 80´s I used a Marstrom tilting trailer for my T. Very easy to use with a winch and the boat upside down when transporting it. Height 3,1m, width 2,5m. Might find some old pics of the tilting mechanism. with the boat centered on the trailer.
That trailer for the Mystere is pure art! Wow.
Edited by ctcataman on Apr 05, 2018 - 10:45 PM.
Nice trailer Edchris77. I notice you don't have the trampoline on. That has been my limited tilt trailer experience-need to take the trampoline off or you have a giant billboard, and in both cases need to load up the bottom of the trailer with concrete to get the C.G back down to normal.
If you are going to take the trampoline off, might as well undo 8 bolts and rack the boat up. Its easier to trailer and an arguably smaller footprint.
I notice you don't have the trampoline on
It was off for the photo where the rig is attached to my van. The main needed replacement,(shipped from the manufacturer in 3 days, $525 USD), & i wasn't sure about a 500km trip on an Interstate style highway, so they were removed.
Some of the other photos showed the previous owner trailering with both main & front tramp installed. He towed using just a mid-sized Subaru car, without issue, though his route was fairly heavily treed.
That trailer has a pretty wide track, but if I were in Southern Alberta, during a strong Chinook wind, I think I would hesitate.
The C of G is OK, that fibreglass sail box & other gear weigh more than the hulls/beams, & the trailer itself is fairly heavy, even being aluminum.
I agree, if I had to remove the tramp each time, I would never buy one. The 10' beam makes it very difficult for a single person to install, as you can't reach to feed & pull.
With the electric winch, I could raise the mast & rig solo.
Edited by Edchris177 on Apr 06, 2018 - 05:22 PM.
E C Hilliard
Nacra 5.7
Bombardier Invitation
I trailered my F20c on a tilt trailer and never removed the tramp. I put several thousand miles on it, sometimes with 30+ mph crosswinds and never had a problem. I fabricated my trailer using a pontoon trailer frame with the widest axle possible on it. I think between the wide axle and weight of the trailer it was very stable at highway speeds.
I pretty sure I posted this before, but here is a video showing the trailer and how easy it was to load and tilt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PsAZADGRm0
We have an aluminum trailex tilt trailer for the Tornado. When the boat is flat it is offset to the left. We have
towed with the tramp on several times. Once when it was quite gusty we chose to take back roads and stay below highway speeds. We mounted a very heavy pvc tube low on the trailer and the plan is to install another
on the opposite side to help keep some weight down low. The trailer is extremely light. There is no assist built
in to tilt the boat. I can raise it myself but it takes a lot of effort. With two is is quite easy to tilt. Lowering is
easy with the help of gravity. If you need any measurements let me know.
Pete
Edited by pknapp66 on Apr 09, 2018 - 02:19 PM.
H18m
p16
Venture15
That is a great looking trailer. The blocks seem like a great way to conform to hull and distribute the load. Did you buy it like this?
Pete
Do you have more photos of the Trailer? I apologize if they already are in an album, I don't know how to search photos.
I can scale off images pretty easily but any rough dimensions, esp pivot location from center line and height would be super helpful.
John
Not sure if these links will help...
https://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=106278&g2_GALLERYSID=6c43c5025f0d9ffc82b5b14f38d4d95c
https://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=106280
https://www.thebeachcats.com/forums/viewtopic/topic/14764
Edited by randii on Apr 11, 2018 - 12:54 PM.
ctcataman wrote: That is a great looking trailer. The blocks seem like a great way to conform to hull and distribute the load. Did you buy it like this?
The blocks came with the trailer and I am assuming that they were standard on the trailex trailer. The wood was rotted but easily replaced with some carpeted pressure treated. I can get you pics and dimensions on anything that you need. Usually over at the boats location several times a week.
Pete
H18m
p16
Venture15