Re: [bolger] Re: Houseboat #481Trailer Question
Tractor Supply is a useful asset for those that have some farm equipment,
but they do love their stuff. If you don't need the exact part, you can
almost certainly find it cheaper somewhere else. (Of course the person
that's earning a living with his toys will value their ability to get him
back on the air quickly.)
Harbor Freight, Bargain Supply, e-bay -- farm auctions are fun, but beware
the chap that loads up a flatbed with stuff from Bargain Supply and sells it
for a profit an hour later. I recall that some people have bought used
boats, on a trailer, for less than the price of the trailer and then threw
the boat away. Lots of good parts in a used trailer.
Roger (I need a bigger barn.)
derbyrm@...
derbyrm.mystarband.net/default.htm
but they do love their stuff. If you don't need the exact part, you can
almost certainly find it cheaper somewhere else. (Of course the person
that's earning a living with his toys will value their ability to get him
back on the air quickly.)
Harbor Freight, Bargain Supply, e-bay -- farm auctions are fun, but beware
the chap that loads up a flatbed with stuff from Bargain Supply and sells it
for a profit an hour later. I recall that some people have bought used
boats, on a trailer, for less than the price of the trailer and then threw
the boat away. Lots of good parts in a used trailer.
Roger (I need a bigger barn.)
derbyrm@...
derbyrm.mystarband.net/default.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip Smith" <pbs@...>
> I noticed a bunch of trailer parts at Tractor Supply.
> This is a farm/ranch chain with lots of outlets
> generally east of the Missouri River. They had axels,
> fenders, wiring, wheels, hitches and lots of
> interesting things.
>
> There may be a Tractor Supply store near you and your
> soon to be trailer.
I noticed a bunch of trailer parts at Tractor Supply.
This is a farm/ranch chain with lots of outlets
generally east of the Missouri River. They had axels,
fenders, wiring, wheels, hitches and lots of
interesting things.
There may be a Tractor Supply store near you and your
soon to be trailer.
Phil Smith
Martha Jane "Pelican" soon to be moved from San
Francisco Bay to the Florida Keys.
This is a farm/ranch chain with lots of outlets
generally east of the Missouri River. They had axels,
fenders, wiring, wheels, hitches and lots of
interesting things.
There may be a Tractor Supply store near you and your
soon to be trailer.
Phil Smith
Martha Jane "Pelican" soon to be moved from San
Francisco Bay to the Florida Keys.
Paul asked about buying trailer axles. I am presently playing with
the beta version of Goggle's email service GMail, You probably have
read of the 'privacy' controversy where Goggle scans your email and
offers up 'context sensitive' advertising.
Well... GMail read your email Paul and suggests the website
http://www.etrailerpart.com/
...to buy trailer axles.
<grin>
BruceHallman
the beta version of Goggle's email service GMail, You probably have
read of the 'privacy' controversy where Goggle scans your email and
offers up 'context sensitive' advertising.
Well... GMail read your email Paul and suggests the website
http://www.etrailerpart.com/
...to buy trailer axles.
<grin>
BruceHallman
On Wed, 26 May 2004 00:40:26 -0000, GarthAB <garth@breaka...> wrote:
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Paul McLellan" <bys@c...> wrote:
> > I have just cut out and mocked up the trailer for the Bolger
> > Houseboat #481.
>
>
> Paul --
>
> I'm going to be building a 28' to 32' trailer later this year (I
> hope) for my Michalak Cormorant, and I'm curious about your yours. My
> boat will weigh a little less than yours does. How long is your
> trailer? Tandem axles or single? Brakes? And it's all made of 500
> lbs. of box steel? Tell us more. Where did you buy your axles,
> wheels, brakes, etc.? Any pictures anywhere?
>
> All best,
>
> Garth
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Paul McLellan" <bys@c...> wrote:
I'm going to be building a 28' to 32' trailer later this year (I
hope) for my Michalak Cormorant, and I'm curious about your yours. My
boat will weigh a little less than yours does. How long is your
trailer? Tandem axles or single? Brakes? And it's all made of 500
lbs. of box steel? Tell us more. Where did you buy your axles,
wheels, brakes, etc.? Any pictures anywhere?
All best,
Garth
(All finished building my daughters a fort/playset, and almost ready
to go 3-D with Cormorant)
> I have just cut out and mocked up the trailer for the BolgerPaul --
> Houseboat #481.
I'm going to be building a 28' to 32' trailer later this year (I
hope) for my Michalak Cormorant, and I'm curious about your yours. My
boat will weigh a little less than yours does. How long is your
trailer? Tandem axles or single? Brakes? And it's all made of 500
lbs. of box steel? Tell us more. Where did you buy your axles,
wheels, brakes, etc.? Any pictures anywhere?
All best,
Garth
(All finished building my daughters a fort/playset, and almost ready
to go 3-D with Cormorant)
I sure would like to see some pictures of the houseboat.
Grant
on 5/24/04 6:15 PM, Paul McLellan atbys@...wrote:
Grant
on 5/24/04 6:15 PM, Paul McLellan atbys@...wrote:
> I have just cut out and mocked up the trailer for the Bolger Houseboat
> #481. It looks inspiring and will cause me to push a little to finish
> the boat sooner. Launch date is set for Canada day which is July 1
> with at least a couple of trials beforehand.
> I do have a major question on the distance from the centre of the ball
> on the trailer hitch to the front of the boat. I have measured a few
> trailers and the variance is quite profound from a mere 22 inches for
> the sharpie "Turtle" to 48 inches on other trailers. Considering the
> front of the boat is 8 feet wide and I will be pulling it with a pick
> up which has the distance of the bumper between the ball and the tailgate.
> Any advice or experience will be greatly appreciated. I will be
> disassembling the trailer and bringing all the pieces to a
> professional welder. I am extremely pleased with the design and end
> product. I believe with the tandem axles it will be rated for a 4000
> lb load which is very robust for the expected load of 2500 lbs for the
> Houseboat.
> The entire experience has been a great learning curve and the savings
> by doing the job myself are quite significant and cuts the overall
> price by more than half and increases quality and load factor by 1/3.
> IMHO Thanks Paul McLellan quite elated after chopping up a quarter
> ton of 1/8th inch square pipe and clamping like crazy. thanks Bruce
> for inspiring me to have a lot of "C" clamps on hand.
>
>
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, or flogging dead horses
> - stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
> - Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
> - Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax:
> (978) 282-1349
> - Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> - Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
Paul,
Two factors generally govern the tongue length: (1) clearance between
boat (and winch) and tow vehicle, especially with square-bowed boats
(don't forget the corners), and (2) balancing the trailer so that about
10% of the total weight is supported by the hitch. I would try to have
the tongue length at least half the width of the tow vehicle, and don't
forget clearance between (the corners?) of the lowered tailgate and the
winch stand. If the wheel placement is adjustable, the tongue length is
not as important for balance, but on most ready-made trailers the wheels
are left in place and the winch and bunks are adjusted to get the right
amount of tongue weight.
Good Luck,
Ford Walton
Paul McLellan wrote:
Two factors generally govern the tongue length: (1) clearance between
boat (and winch) and tow vehicle, especially with square-bowed boats
(don't forget the corners), and (2) balancing the trailer so that about
10% of the total weight is supported by the hitch. I would try to have
the tongue length at least half the width of the tow vehicle, and don't
forget clearance between (the corners?) of the lowered tailgate and the
winch stand. If the wheel placement is adjustable, the tongue length is
not as important for balance, but on most ready-made trailers the wheels
are left in place and the winch and bunks are adjusted to get the right
amount of tongue weight.
Good Luck,
Ford Walton
Paul McLellan wrote:
>
> I have just cut out and mocked up the trailer for the Bolger Houseboat
> #481. It looks inspiring and will cause me to push a little to finish
> the boat sooner. Launch date is set for Canada day which is July 1
> with at least a couple of trials beforehand.
> I do have a major question on the distance from the centre of the ball
> on the trailer hitch to the front of the boat. I have measured a few
> trailers and the variance is quite profound from a mere 22 inches for
> the sharpie "Turtle" to 48 inches on other trailers. Considering the
> front of the boat is 8 feet wide and I will be pulling it with a pick
> up which has the distance of the bumper between the ball and the tailgate.
> Any advice or experience will be greatly appreciated. I will be
> disassembling the trailer and bringing all the pieces to a
> professional welder. I am extremely pleased with the design and end
> product. I believe with the tandem axles it will be rated for a 4000
> lb load which is very robust for the expected load of 2500 lbs for the
> Houseboat.
> The entire experience has been a great learning curve and the savings
> by doing the job myself are quite significant and cuts the overall
> price by more than half and increases quality and load factor by 1/3.
> IMHO Thanks Paul McLellan quite elated after chopping up a quarter
> ton of 1/8th inch square pipe and clamping like crazy. thanks Bruce
> for inspiring me to have a lot of "C" clamps on hand.
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, or flogging dead horses
> - stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
> - Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
> - Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
> - Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> - Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
Just want to say: I built a utility bed trailer when i was in
highschool borrowed a stick welder and scrounged alot of parts
including the axle and leaf springs off a 64 3/4 ton international
travelall......unless that thing had 1500 lbs. on board it would
catch air at every teeny little bump in the road. Beware having too
beefy a springs on your trailer.
Jason
highschool borrowed a stick welder and scrounged alot of parts
including the axle and leaf springs off a 64 3/4 ton international
travelall......unless that thing had 1500 lbs. on board it would
catch air at every teeny little bump in the road. Beware having too
beefy a springs on your trailer.
Jason
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Paul McLellan" <bys@c...> wrote:
longer the tongue, the easier it is to bacl the trailer accurately.
Also you need space to work between boat and tow vehicle. Plugging in
the lights, raising and lowering the jackstand and maybe the tailgate
of the truck and perhaps operating a winch.
Tandem wheels are great, but not cheap, as you will need brakes and
break-away switch etc.
Cheers, Nels
> I have just cut out and mocked up the trailer for the BolgerHouseboat
> #481. It looks inspiring and will cause me to push a little tofinish
> the boat sooner.I am no trailer expert, but in my experience I have found that the
longer the tongue, the easier it is to bacl the trailer accurately.
Also you need space to work between boat and tow vehicle. Plugging in
the lights, raising and lowering the jackstand and maybe the tailgate
of the truck and perhaps operating a winch.
Tandem wheels are great, but not cheap, as you will need brakes and
break-away switch etc.
Cheers, Nels
I have just cut out and mocked up the trailer for the Bolger Houseboat
#481. It looks inspiring and will cause me to push a little to finish
the boat sooner. Launch date is set for Canada day which is July 1
with at least a couple of trials beforehand.
I do have a major question on the distance from the centre of the ball
on the trailer hitch to the front of the boat. I have measured a few
trailers and the variance is quite profound from a mere 22 inches for
the sharpie "Turtle" to 48 inches on other trailers. Considering the
front of the boat is 8 feet wide and I will be pulling it with a pick
up which has the distance of the bumper between the ball and the tailgate.
Any advice or experience will be greatly appreciated. I will be
disassembling the trailer and bringing all the pieces to a
professional welder. I am extremely pleased with the design and end
product. I believe with the tandem axles it will be rated for a 4000
lb load which is very robust for the expected load of 2500 lbs for the
Houseboat.
The entire experience has been a great learning curve and the savings
by doing the job myself are quite significant and cuts the overall
price by more than half and increases quality and load factor by 1/3.
IMHO Thanks Paul McLellan quite elated after chopping up a quarter
ton of 1/8th inch square pipe and clamping like crazy. thanks Bruce
for inspiring me to have a lot of "C" clamps on hand.
#481. It looks inspiring and will cause me to push a little to finish
the boat sooner. Launch date is set for Canada day which is July 1
with at least a couple of trials beforehand.
I do have a major question on the distance from the centre of the ball
on the trailer hitch to the front of the boat. I have measured a few
trailers and the variance is quite profound from a mere 22 inches for
the sharpie "Turtle" to 48 inches on other trailers. Considering the
front of the boat is 8 feet wide and I will be pulling it with a pick
up which has the distance of the bumper between the ball and the tailgate.
Any advice or experience will be greatly appreciated. I will be
disassembling the trailer and bringing all the pieces to a
professional welder. I am extremely pleased with the design and end
product. I believe with the tandem axles it will be rated for a 4000
lb load which is very robust for the expected load of 2500 lbs for the
Houseboat.
The entire experience has been a great learning curve and the savings
by doing the job myself are quite significant and cuts the overall
price by more than half and increases quality and load factor by 1/3.
IMHO Thanks Paul McLellan quite elated after chopping up a quarter
ton of 1/8th inch square pipe and clamping like crazy. thanks Bruce
for inspiring me to have a lot of "C" clamps on hand.