Transportation

[Eric HoareParticipant @erichoare71058]

I have built a 2 metre model boat and fitted it to a 5×3 foot road box trailer. I found that it bounced all over the road which upset a number of items inside the boat. Would reducing the tyre pressure help? or is there another way I could reduce the bouncing around, knowing our British roads

[Eric HoareParticipant @erichoare71058]

Which is the best trailer to transport 2M (6’6″) model boat

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Eric

Reducing the tyre pressure will increase the 'bouncing' and inflict greater shock impacts on your model. I would increase the mass of the sprung area of the trailer which will help absorb the bouncing.

I don't know what your road trailer is rated to carry but I presume that it is somewhere between 500 to 750kg I would increase the weight (mass) of the trailer until it (and the model) get near to the maximum and then try towing again.

Paul

[Eric HoareParticipant @erichoare71058]

Thanks Paul, I did think of sticking some sand bags into the trailer but not until I had launched the boat last Friday. It was the first time I had transported it so wasn't aware of the problem. I think the trailer is rated at 500 Kg

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Eric

Try adding the sand bags but spread the weight out on the trailer frame to keep the centre of gravity low positioning as much as you can as near to the wheels / axel as possible.

Tow the trailer without the model before and after adding the weight to get an accurate comparison.

If this works have a wander around some scrap yards for some cast iron that you can bolt to the trailer (sash window weights are great for this)

If you are still getting 'bounce' I would suggest adjusting the trailer spring units (if possible as many are sealed units) or suspending the model in webbing slings.

Paul

[shipwrightParticipant @shipwright]

I have a 7 ft scale model destroyer and I decided that I wanted to provide the fully sprung support of a long wheelbase van (on the launching trolley the overall length is about 9 ft). The ship is strapped down on the trolley and the trolley is strapped down to the securing rings on the floor of the van. This approach works well but there is a drawback – I have to hire the van every time I want sail the ship and that is costly.

[shipwrightParticipant @shipwright]

…. and here is a photo :

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

A roof rack might be less bouncy…?

 

Here's an example page – there will be 7ft+ boxes there: http://www.halfords.com/motoring/roof-bars-roof-boxes/roof-boxes 

 

And here's one that you can use as a recovery boat!  http://boatboxint.com

Edited By Dodgy Geezer on 27/03/2016 21:38:16

Edited By Dodgy Geezer on 27/03/2016 21:38:45

[Eric HoareParticipant @erichoare71058]

Thank you for all these wonderful ideas, a roof rack is out of the question as the boat is too heavy to lift it up there. I will, however, increase the weight of the trailer by adding sand bags, this I feel sure will enable the trailer to hug the road better avoiding the small bounces. Will also have to avoid all these pot holes we have on the Isle of Wight but I bet you all could have something to say about that but that's another story…

[Eric HoareParticipant @erichoare71058]

For those interested I have posted some pictures in the gallery, the boats name is "Tia M." one other question, How much do you think it is worth, complete with trailer bearing in mind it cost me £800 and that without the 1000 hours I spent in the development and building??

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