Aluminum Trailer Parts
My new Scot will be coming with a Trailex aluminum trailer. The Trailex site indicates everything is bolted (not welded). Does anyone know what type of bolts are used? I'm assuming it is stainless hardware. If so is there any dissimilar metals problem?
Thanks.
Glenn
Last Friday I went to western Maryland to pick up my new Scot.
Here are two observations on the trailer:
(1) The Scot sits much lower than on my old Tee-Nee trailer. Accordingly, the wheels are much futher apart.
(2) It is much lighter than my old Tee-Nee trailer. The effect on the towing experience was very noticeable. Not only was it easier to accelerate and stop but we also had improved gas mileage. About 2-3 mpg.
Glenn
FS 5919
Glenn
The aluminum will sacrifice before the stainless steel hardware. It is the prefered connection if metals are different.
Do you think it matters if the steel is stainless or galvanized?
Also I see aluminum bolts on McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum-bolts/=5k63mk). Do you have any experience with aluminum bolts?
Thanks!
Glenn
you should use galvanized bolts
stainless bolts are NOT!! as strong as steel or galvinized bolts
My new boat has a Trailex Aluminum trailer -- and Greg Morrison, et. al., have the same trailer.
These trailers are all bolted with galvanized steel bolts. I have not heard of any corrosion issues.
The aluminum Trailer has much less weight than the galvanized steel type, making towing easier. It is also lower to the ground making access to the boat easier on the rigging lot.
These trailers are not as strong as the steel trailers and will be more easily damaged if jack knifed or impacted.
Most of the racers who travel a lot have this trailer. The manufacturers instructions do recommend checking the tightness of bolts periodically -- but I don't know anyone that does that !! Any galvanic corrosion may help keep fasteners secure ??
I found that the lights are vulnerable to impact -- and have fixed a cover plate to help prevent this. You can see that on my trailer at the Lake -- I had seen too many broken tail lights on the rigging lots of Regattas where the boats are kept in the water and the trailers are moved around in tight spaces. The rigging lot at NSC is not like that.
I also put more electrical tape on the wiring of all of my trailers to help prevent abrasion. I also put lots of extra reflective tape -- but that's just my "thing" to increase visibility when traveling at night. I also put carpeting on the wooden boards.
I have also added extra end protectors on the roller axles -- Greg damaged his boat when it floated off center when retrieving and the front was deeply scratched by the end of the axle of the front roller. This may be overkill, but you can do the same later if you like.
My approach to the Scot is to install a "fix" on the boat, or the trailer, to address every problem that I encounter -- or, preferably, that I see others encounter !! I am currently looking at a "fix" to prevent the Jib Sheet from releasing the Pin on the jib track -- which cost us a race on the last day of the Season (to you !!).
Mike.