Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

[heycods]

With lakes getting so low and ramps running short, thier seems to be lots of danger of falling off the end of the ramps and hanging your axle possibly taring it out from under the trailer. I have added a modification to my trailer to cure this, they usual hang up point is the front spring hanger or fender. I added a sloping angle iron 3X4" X2.5' to cure this problem, and eliminating hanging points.

 

[Sabbath]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Looks good.

Would smaller diameter wheels help to get the trailer lower to the water, and therefore meaning you dont need to go back as far?

 

[bigdee]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Good idea......looks good....nice job!

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

That might just work!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Very interesting! Almost ingenious!

My answer to the problem of shallow ramps though has been a tilting roller trailer and a smaller, lighter boat, in this case a 14' Lund.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

That is a excelent idea ans should work very nicely, and I know texes has had a lot of low water problems, I hope you all get some rain.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

I did something similar but it is lower, yours looks nicer, no pics of mine since my digital camera broke.

Nice job.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

that's cool

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Although you are on the right track, I don't know if that will do much. You need to have enough drop so that the tires meet the edge of the ramp ABOVE the center-forward point of the tire. Anything less and you still are forcing the tires against a perpendicular angle.

Basically, the bottom of the added piece needs to be below the middle of your axle for it to do anything. Any higher, and it doesn't help.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

I can relate to the low water in our lakes...dropping the trailer off the edge of the ramp is always on my mind.

Great idea BTW!!!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Looks good, even professional...

FWIW If you get in a bind, lowering your tire pressure can help by allowing the tire to conform to a sharp edge thus putting force on TOP of the ramp and not just against the end of it......

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Although you are on the right track, I don't know if that will do much. You need to have enough drop so that the tires meet the edge of the ramp ABOVE the center-forward point of the tire. Anything less and you still are forcing the tires against a perpendicular angle.

Basically, the bottom of the added piece needs to be below the middle of your axle for it to do anything. Any higher, and it doesn't help.

But the tire will roll up, what he eliminated was the trailer hanging up before the tire even hits the ramp.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

But the tire will roll up, what he eliminated was the trailer hanging up before the tire even hits the ramp.

It won't roll, at least not easily... The tire is still at a perpendicular angle to the edge of the ramp. Drop it down a couple more inches and the tire will be able to roll up and over.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Do you mean it will roll easier if you lowered it?

Sure I get your point, but I also know that it will in fact roll. Now wether or not the added resistance means anything to you in your situation is well up to you.

I myself know that if my trailer was off the end with his mod, my truck would have zero problem pulling my boat up. Others with smaller trucks and bigger boats have different issues.

I'm just saying that's a cool mod that would help me out if I had to deal with a low water situation.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Sweet mod! Now I've got something more to do before spring. :facepalm:

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Do you mean it will roll easier if you lowered it?

Sure I get your point, but I also know that it will in fact roll. Now wether or not the added resistance means anything to you in your situation is well up to you.

I myself know that if my trailer was off the end with his mod, my truck would have zero problem pulling my boat up. Others with smaller trucks and bigger boats have different issues.

I'm just saying that's a cool mod that would help me out if I had to deal with a low water situation.

Don't know if I'm reading you right, but years ago we had another drought here in Texas and I witnessed a guy who decided he was going to get his trailer back up the ramp after his tires fell off the end. I watched him rip the entire axle assembly off the trailer and he still didn't get it up. About a half dozen of us helped him get it up and he drug it over to the parking lot....obviously he had to make repairs to get it home.

Those of us who helped and were waiting our turn, did not make the mistake of driving off the end of the ramp....some just went home.

Mark

 

[ufm82]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

From the pictures it appears that the lowest point of contact on the additions is just slightly below the centerline of the hub. That would put the tire slightly above the edge of the ramp and will help get the trailer back up. Not easily as the trailer will have to rise up before moving forward but at least it's not an oblique angle. A taller piece of metal could achieve what the poster above is referring to- getting the rotational point of the tire above the edge. It wouldn't interfere with anything under the trailer either. Hmmm, maybe a patent idea there. "Low water ramp intereference prevention devices". LOL Maybe "Axle Loss Prevention System" or "ALPS".

 

[bigdee]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

I am not going to nit pick heycods innovation.....his effort will make what would be an impossible situation into a possible one...period. I give him a thumbs up.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

Props to ya, great idea! Might have to give that a look on mine. These darn lakes are pretty low. Going fishing on sat.

 

[AlanPAC]

Re: Low level lakes.Trailer Modifications.

One other thought, dropping off of the ramp onto the frame is going to unload the springs thereby letting the tires drop even further. Also, the brackets look aluminum and steel would be sturdier. Afraid the aluminum might deform too much. But... it is a TOTALLY GREAT IDEA!!!