Replacement for Mac Trailer

[seahouse]

I’ll clarify; nowhere did I say that the tandem was inferior in other respects to the two-wheeled trailer for a Mac-sized boat, in fact, I stated quite the opposite in my post above.

Seahouse wrote-

if I were to do any amount of highway long-distance traveling with a boat the size of a Mac today, I would certainly consider a tandem conversion.

So I was merely echoing Mastreb’s, Dimitri’s, and other’s, observations, and answering RobertB’s, Ray’s, and other’s, query by explaining the reason tandem trailers have decreased maneuverability over two-wheeled trailers, in a way I think (/hope) any other readers can understand/ determine for themselves, too.

Sorry- trying to stick with the science- didn’t mean to step on any toes.

- Brian.

[Sumner]

... didn’t mean to step on any toes. - Brian.

I don't think that is/was the case at all.

We have all just clarified what we were trying to say in the first place.

I try and look at these threads as if we were all sitting around a table at a restaurant or bar discussing something and the conversation goes some thing like this...... "I say, you say, I say a little more and then someone else says something". Here it just takes a little longer between the "I says and you says" It is all just conversation not "I'm right and your are right or wrong" ,

Sum

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[seahouse]

Yeah, thanks- I added that more for anyone who wasn't looking at it in that way, Sum.

- Brian. We're all on the same page.

[Highlander]

Yeah, thanks- I added that more for anyone who wasn't looking at it in that way, Sum.

- Brian. We're all on the same page.

OK What was that pge # again ! their was more than one right

J

[Phil M]

I thought I would post a follow up after living with the new 27' Loadrite for 18 months. Concerning worries about the #6200 pound capacity suspension. It works fine and has a great ride. Much more cushioned and gentle than the original Mac trailer. I would not recommend lowering tire pressure to soften the ride. It reduces load capacity and leads to overheating and side wall failures. It is wonderful not to have to load and unload gear from the boat every trip for fear of overloading the trailer. Launching and recovery are much better due to nice target bunks and a great two speed winch. The extra tongue length allows backing the trailer further down the ramp when needed without putting the vehicles rear wheels in the water. No “Mac Bump” required. Extra road clearance for the motor is nice. You can leave the motor down (50HP Honda) and no chance of dragging it like I did with the Mac setup. Lastly on the 27' version I am able to use transom tie down straps (from the rear trailer bunk to the motor transom bolts) and no longer have to throw a long damaging strap across the gunwales/cockpit. Love the trailer and would recommend it to anyone.
Semper Fi

I also own a Loadrite, and am presently trying to work out a bearing problem with the dealer. Progress is slow, but its winter and I am not going anywhere. It is just that I did not expect to have any problems in the first summer of using my new Loadrite.

[mastreb]

Another advantage of the stock trailer unique to San Diego is that UFP, who makes the stock axle, is here in town.

[hschumac]

Any experience on rollers vs bunks? Everything I have seen in this thread is bunk.

Also looking at stock trailer replacement. Many of the used trailers I have seen are roller. Wasn't sure if this would be a bad idea for my. .

[Johnacuda]

A lot depends on the ramps you are planning on using. I stuck with bunks on the stock trailer. Since it sits so low, I've got great coverage at my ramp. Rollers might be a better option if your ramp is very shallow, has a drop-off limit, or anything else that might keep you from submerging the bunks. I've also hears of people using a product called liquid-roller to reduce friction on the bunks, but I've never tried it.

[Catigale]

....if this discussion gets any more civil Heath is going to fire all the mods.....

(Seriously, thank you for the civilized behaviour )

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

You sound bored there Catigale

I maneuvered my tandem through a very tight alleyway last night, through the grass and I have to say that a big part of the hand maneuvarability penalty just comes from the sheer weight difference. I think my tandem is about 1100 lbs and rolling that on two axles is just plain heavy. I can't do it by myself in the grass..and its darn difficult to move even on pavement. Frankly, I have to enlist at least 2 of my kids and with 3 helpers, it becomes much more tolerable. With my stock trailer, which was around 700 lbs (not only because of one axle but also because there was a lot less steel in it than the amount of lighter aluminum in my new trailer), I could push it around much easier and even get it through the grass with just one helper.

[DaveB]

I agree, Tandem Trailer is so much better on the highway for long distance. No one wants a blowout in a single axel trailer going 60-65 mph.
That second wheel is there for a blowout, bearing freeze, failed springs etc.
Better to be safe.
My Aluminum Trailer weighs 999 lbs /with front brakes 1150 lbs. includeing all attachments.
Dave

[seahouse]

One trailer hand manoeuvering technique I use (it won’t work well with a tandem axel trailer, if at all, though) for moving short distances, is to chock the wheels so that you are only moving one wheel at a time, and take advantage of the leverage offered by a long tongue. It’s also useful for breaking the tires free if they happen to have settled into a soft surface a little bit.

Put chocks (or use bricks, or short 2X4’s, etc) behind both wheels, assuming you want to move forward, and just pull the tongue to one side, as far as you have space for. Now move the chock(s) forward against the back of the wheels and push the tongue in the other direction. Now move the chocks forward against the back of the tire(s) again, and so on, “ratcheting” the trailer forward. No need to pull on the tongue if you don’t want to/ can’t, just push on it instead, if you like. You can use a length of 2X4 as a lever between the edge of the tongue and the ground, if you want to really increase your leverage and lessen your work.

It’s not fast, but it’s easy. Well, truth be told, it IS faster than getting your vehicle, hitching it up, and driving it forward, if you’re only moving a few feet so you can cut the grass under it or making clearance for something else to pass by. And likely easier, too.

-Brian.

[RobertB]

I guess I am getting a bit too old, but I would never consider trying to move my boat/trailer without a car or truck hooked to the hitch. I have a smaller boat I do this with but not two tons of (BLUE) boat.
With one or my two current axles, I park my boat the exactly same way in the same place - never noticed a difference.

[Tomfoolery]

I made a trailer hitch for my little lawn tractor out of scrap plywood. 2x2 hole for the ball mount, slips over the vertical bars for the grass catcher, and I can move my trailer to the backyard for storage. I don't use it to move the boat, though, as that's pushing it.

I can move my 2-axle steel trailer around the driveway myself without the tractor, but I sometimes have to impulse the tongue sideways to scrub the tires in a sharp turn, but it's not a problem. Better with help, though.

I have to snake the boat into the space next to my inlaws' garage, which is a tight-ish S-bend as the garage opening is far to the right in the pic below, jackknifing to tongue over at the end since there's a tree in front of the boat. I intentionally overshoot at the end, then go forward a little to unload the tires.

You can actually see some twist in the steel frame when jackknifing, as there is nothing to back up the hangars. I may add some cross members this summer, as I don't want to start popping welds or cracking the main members.

[Sumner]

I guess I am getting a bit too old, but I would never consider trying to move my boat/trailer without a car or truck hooked to the hitch....

Yep and 3 hernia operations will teach you to use a vehicle also . If you can put a hitch on the front of the vehicle you can go about anyplace you want. Unless someone is on pavement I don't see how anyone is pushing the trailer, even empty, around on grass or gravel with the small wheel on the tongue ,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links