USA Trailer Hitch in Australia

[Oskar 26M]

WestonW:
In reply to your question on the Oz Members thread regarding the USA trailer hitch.

Many people have had problems getting trailers with the 2 inch USA hitch registered. It seems that they are technically not allowed in Australia (it should be a 50 mm hitch). However, it also seems to to depend on the diligence of the inspectors you encounter when registering. My 26M trailer was registered here in WA by the boats original owners without problems, but had to be changed when I upgraded the trailer's load rating.

From both a safety and an insurance point of view it is probably safer to get it changed to comply with Australian Standards.

Do an advance search search on "hitch Aus*" and confine it to the Trailers and Towing Forum. There are quite a few posts on this topic.

[puggsy]

This is what i had to do to my unit...It seems a lot depends on the idiosyncracies of the inspector ...whether he has had a bad day or not.
Had to remove the hydraulic line from inside the main tow rail and re-route it down the side.
The galvanised extension looks longer than necessary but is a section given to me by a neighbour, also a sailer, and is VERY thick walled. It fitted neatly inside the MAC tubing and I utilised the two surclipped HD pins as the fixing. No welding. It can be disconnected if necessary but would involve also disconnecting the fluid line. But i really did like the US hitch with the electric overide. Had to lose all that. The brakes now are purely plunger style...the weight of the rig pushing the plunger...works o.k. and I tend to go
slow and steady.




I hope to go to Shark Bay next year, and the roads to there are good. Not much point in a super rebuild. Puggsy

[Oskar 26M]

Shark Bay is on my agenda too

[puggsy]

Hi Oskar...The would have to be the perfect SHARK BAY boat...All that shallow water and fish, fish, fish, everywhere...back in the 90's did a couple of seasons on a mates 30ft. cat. fishing professionally for school snapper off the top end of Bernier Island...nice memories...And worked at Nanga Bay resort for a season cleaning the pool and spa...just love the area...I imagine it would be a bit similar to Baja California...semi desert...
What do you reckon about sailing up the coast...do you think the 's would handle it???
Puggsy.

[Oskar 26M]

Hi puggsy
I dont know if the Mac would be up to sailing up the coast. I haven't had mine outside of Cockburn Sound yet, so I don't know how it handles in even a modest swell.

However, although I have been reading the FSC'c "Western Australian CRUISING" 3rd edition more than a little interest, I doubt that I would be up to sailing to Shark bay
I sail single handed, and have no blue water experience at all, and... lets face it I'm chicken. . SO I'm planning to tow Oskar up to Denham and go from there.

I gather that quite a few people have used Macs for extended cruising and have covered some fairly extensive distances, but I'm waiting hear if Mad Mike makes it to Hawaii before I form a firm view about the boats ability to mix it with the big league.

[puggsy]

Hi Oskar...I plan to be up there about Feb. March, April 09...I have these " mates" keen to do some fishing. As to experience at sea, my problem is that i DO have it, but also never tested a type yacht out in a bit of a blow. Have 'done' the area between Carnarvon and Bernier Island and it can get very rough...but never Southern Ocean rough. I put in a message to you about yor front roller mod. I think you did it. Send an email if you want. regards Puggsy

[kadet]

I don't know about the older Macs but the hitch on the new aluminium trailer is a 2 inch hitch with 1.6mm of deviation allowed for the ball i.e. From 49.2mm - 51.4mm this by any definition is a 50mm hitch.

The problem comes as the trailer is not plated to meet the Australian ADRs and Certified as meeting VSB1.

As the trailer is less than 4.5 tonnes in capacity (VSB) 1 "Building Small Trailers" permits manufacturers and importers of small trailers to self certify compliance of light trailers against the applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs), and in so doing to by-pass the certification requirements applicable to other categories of new vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.

The importer of the original Mac trailer must modify the trailer to meet VSB1 then supply a certification that it does. Most of this relates to the lights, wiring and safety chain.

Replacing the hitch is not required to meet VSB1 if the 2 inch hitch ( 50.8mm ) has allowable tolerances to fit a 50mm ball. The allowable tolerance of the original manufacturer determines if it can be rated a 50mm hitch.

In theory your vehicle inspector should not be registering the trailer even if the hitch is changed to an Australian 50mm hitch as the rest of the trailer has not been certified by the importer. In reality they should be refusing registration until the trailer is certified by the importer or by an Australian manufacturer with an approved certification plate affixed to the vehicle.

Fortunately most state “vehicle inspectors” are not conversant with the federal regulations and most people seem lucky enough to get their trailers registered without hassle.

I personally had to get a safety certificate issued for the trailer before registration. Strangely the inspector accepted the original Macgregor Factory plate and issued the safety certificate for registration . Again the luck of the draw I suppose. So we have to jump through whatever hoops the bureaucrats decide as they don’t even follow their own regulations to the letter letting each one decide what or what is not required. So your mileage may vary from state to state and from registration office to registration office. However if you do have a certificate from the importer I would be politely telling them to get stuffed and follow the federal regulations and register the trailer, if not ask for their supervisor and put in a complaint. Without the certificate I would keep my mouth shut and do whatever they ask

[Phillip]

I don't know about the older Macs but the hitch on the new aluminium trailer is a 2 inch hitch with 1.6mm of deviation allowed for the ball i.e. From 49.2mm - 51.4mm this by any definition is a 50mm hitch.

Yes, exactly

The problem comes as the trailer is not plated to meet the Australian ADRs and Certified as meeting VSB1.

Yes

As the trailer is less than 4.5 tonnes in capacity (VSB) 1 "Building Small Trailers" permits manufacturers and importers of small trailers to self certify compliance of light trailers against the applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs), and in so doing to by-pass the certification requirements applicable to other categories of new vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.

The importer of the original Mac trailer must modify the trailer to meet VSB1 then supply a certification that it does. Most of this relates to the lights, wiring and safety chain.

Yes, I have solved that

Replacing the hitch is not required to meet VSB1 if the 2 inch hitch ( 50.8mm ) has allowable tolerances to fit a 50mm ball. The allowable tolerance of the original manufacturer determines if it can be rated a 50mm hitch.

Correct....but it does not have the ADR stamped on the hitch. Been to 1xFederal Dept and 4x State, and they all state the hitch must had the ADR Number stamped on it, otherwise it null and voids all 3rd party (injury to others) insurance on the tow vehicle = it is illegal

In theory your vehicle inspector should not be registering the trailer even if the hitch is changed to an Australian 50mm hitch as the rest of the trailer has not been certified by the importer. In reality they should be refusing registration until the trailer is certified by the importer or by an Australian manufacturer with an approved certification plate affixed to the vehicle.

Correct....but, I have solved that

Fortunately most state “vehicle inspectors” are not conversant with the federal regulations and most people seem lucky enough to get their trailers registered without hassle.

Those Depts I mentioned above have stated clearly the liability does not lie with the inspecting authorities....it lies 100% with the importer. That certifiate the importer recieves places liabilty on the importer alone....no one else....

I personally had to get a safety certificate issued for the trailer before registration. Strangely the inspector accepted the original Macgregor Factory plate and issued the safety certificate for registration

I didn't think of that one....and it is correct, as the info I have stamped on the new compliance plate is identical the info on the factory sticker.

Again the luck of the draw I suppose. So we have to jump through whatever hoops the bureaucrats decide as they don’t even follow their own regulations to the letter letting each one decide what or what is not required. So your mileage may vary from state to state and from registration office to registration office. However if you do have a certificate from the importer I would be politely telling them to get stuffed and follow the federal regulations and register the trailer, if not ask for their supervisor and put in a complaint.

A lot of complaints have gone in. The Caravan and Boat Dealerships who import are furious with backyarders short circuting the system. The Feds have said they are conducting a back audit now. If your trailer is illegal, they are exercising the 2 options they gave you on your original Import Cert....the trailer is either exported to country of origin, or destroyed by them, all at your cost....bringing the trailer up to ADR's after you get caught it not an option. It was explained to me that this comes under a Customs Act, not common law (something like that), and Customs don't have give-and-take....think that's how I interpreted it.

Without the certificate I would keep my mouth shut and do whatever they ask

I am trying hard to get the Feds to either strictly enforce their reglations, or change them to allow the use of the US hitch. I have another letter of complaint going in this week, with a copy to my local Member of Parliment nicely demanding this.
Personally I want to see the US hitch stay on the trailer...not because of cost....it is a far superior unit in every way.

Spoke to a Fed on the phone a yr back...he told me that if i get an engineer to issue a certificate saying the US Hitch met their specs, then I could have the US hitch approved for Australian use and an ADR issued for it.

Somthing has to be done....the current situation with the backyarders is rediculious.
If you come up with any more info Kadet, would be pleased to read it.
Cheers
Phillip

[kadet]

Well Phillip this is the actual low down of the current ADR 62/02 unfortunately the "trailer buddy" meets SAE J-684 which is not exempted under ADR 62/02 only ECE 50/01 (Europe) standards.

ADR 62/02 states in part

12.3.2. Up to 3.5 tonnes ‘ATM’
‘Couplings’, other than those at clause 12.3.1, specifically designed for
use between towing vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes ‘ATM’ when
installed in the design configuration must withstand the relevant static or
dynamic forces nominated in clause 12.3.2.1 or clause 12.3.2.2 when
these forces are applied separately at the intended ‘Coupling’ centreline,
without incurring any residual deformation that would interfere or
degrade the function of the assembly or any breaks, cracks or separation
of components. The static forces must be maintained for not less than 10
seconds.

12.3.2.1. Up to 3.5 tonnes ‘ATM’ – Static Testing
12.3.2.1.1. Longitudinal tension and compression of minimum (N) 1.5 x 9.81 x
‘ATM’ (kg) for the ‘ATM’ at which the ‘Coupling’ is rated; and
12.3.2.1.2. Transverse thrust of minimum (N) 0.5 x 9.81 x ‘ATM’ (kg) for the ‘ATM’
at which the ‘Coupling’ is rated; and
12.3.2.1.3. Vertical tension and compression of minimum (N) 0.5 x 9.81 x ‘ATM’
(kg) for the ‘ATM’ at which the ‘Coupling’ is rated.
12.3.2.2. Up to 3.5 tonnes ‘ATM’ – Dynamic Testing
12.3.2.2.1. Horizontal alternating force of minimum +/- 12 kN acting in a line
parallel to the ground and in the longitudinal median plane of the towing
vehicle for at least 2 million cycles. The frequency is not to exceed 35
Hz, and must be chosen so as not to coincide with any natural frequency
of the system.

It would be a simple matter for an automotive engineer to test the coupling and certify it to meet the ADR.

But VSB1 http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/ ... index.aspx and the Administrator of Vehicle Standards permits manufacturers and importers of small trailers to self certify compliance of light trailers (under 4.5 tonnes) against the applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs), and in so doing to by-pass the certification requirements applicable to other categories of new vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 simply follow VSB1 certify your trailer if it meets the AS requirements. VSB1 allows for self certification no testing required if it meets the AS.

Clear as mud hey. What one rule the ADR says must be done is reversed by another rule VSB1. I can see why Australian manufactures get peeved when they have to jump through the hoops but an importer can bypass the rules so to speak. However the importer must certify against the AS and in doing so if they do so falsely can be liable to a $13200.00 fine per offence. You have to pay money for a copy of the AS but from what I understand the Mac trailer should meet it's requirements, especially seeing how ligatious the US is, I would expect it exceeds it .

I don't what chance the little guy has when even the big boys get it wrong
see below link for an example.

http://www.recalls.gov.au/view_recall_d ... Auto=15556

[Lease]

I thought that I might add to this thread, rather than start a new one.

My boat is a '95, and whilst I've done what I could to keep the trailer going, now that I've moved to the ACT, the frame is not going to survive an inspection. It's alright, but rust is rust, and the time has come.

So I called Phil King of Synergy because I know that he does frames. My running gear, axles, and springs are all good, so this seems like a reasonable option. The trouble is that I really struggle to keep a discussion going with him (this be the second attempt in two years) and I'm not now sure what I've heard over the phone. This is what I thought I heard

- The frames (he called them chassis) are designed for the M. Can be modified for X by relocating bunks
- They are galvanised
- There are 2 versions? One $800, and one $1,800?? This is where I can't rely on what I heard, because if there are two, and these are the prices, I don't know what the difference is.

I'd really like to know, because this seems to be a very cost effective way of upgrading.

Anyone know the correct story that I should have heard??

[Boblee]

LOL Lease
He has/had a few spares laying around there when we were there but would suggest the $800 one would be standard and the $1800 one could/would be Gal dipped but whether that is with brakes and to Aus standards?
I found it was just easier to go and have a talk with him personally, he is a great bloke but his way of doing business originally caused me to think he was shonky however nothing could be further from the truth.
It's just terribly difficult but interesting to source what you want and then get him to bill you LOL he is a very generous man and in his effort to help perhaps he confuses.
My suggestion would be to go and have a look it is just over the hill from Canberra but perhaps stripping down your old trailer and galvanising it may not be a bad idea, if there is somewhere close by, perhaps he can suggest someone to do it.
Bob

[Lease]

Thanks Bob. I really would not speak against the guy, I just come away confused.

I don't think that medical work will do it. When I first got the boat, the trailer was good, but it sat on the sea wall at St. Kilda Marina for three months whilst I got accommodation sorted out. It was another year before I got to it with a powerd wire brush, fish oil, and paint. That certainly slowed things down quite a bit, but the job was done when the boat was on the trailer, so it wasn't perfect.

I had the boat off here last week and went to get a new hitch put on, since the one that i have is the old titan one, and I knew that it wouldn't pass in the ACT for transfer of the Vic rego. I was also going to get some work done to the brakes and the inspection by the same mob. They took one look at it, and we became bad friends straight away. They were prejudiced about all trailers and trailer components from the US and basically laughed out loud at the structure. Getting them to accept some rust was clearly out of the question. Honestly, these guys were the pencil-neck know-it-alls who think that every other company in their line of work is a cowboy and that nothing short of a tonne of RSJs are good enough for a boat trailer.

I really get sick of this type of attitude. Like many people, I look at the structure of the trailer and think that it looks too light. I am intelligent enough to acknowledge however, that the Macgregor Corp has built thousands of these things, and I am yet to hear of a properly-maintained one failing for want of structure. In fact, I have in the past, by misadventure accidentally stress-tested my own trailer by towing the boat from Paynesville to Melbourne one time with tanks full. So I know they can handle over 2 tonne!!!

So the options that I have are narrowed down to three:

- Get a new Aussie spec trailer. Given that reputable builders build anything over 24' as if it has to tow the Queen Mary, so that they weigh over a tonne themselves and cost well over $10K, that one is out.

- Rehabillitate the old frame. Can't see that being worth the cost if I can get a new gal-dipped one for $1,800. Not when I think about stripping it all down and taking it to get sandblasted, welded, etc., and still ending up with mild steel protected only by paint.

- Buy a new frame from Synergy. Very happy to support them, but just need to know what I am going to get so that I can price the project. I can do the running gear changover myself, but you need to look at the thing to see what's included. Are the mounts for the springs already welded on? is the post there? is there much work involved in making the bunks fit an X, etc?

As you say, I may need to go up to the Gong and check it out for myself. Would be good to know from someone knowledgeable even still.

Cheers

[Boblee]

Lease
When we did the Whitsunday trip a couple of years ago there were some x trailers there and they had been modified fairly well so whatever you do it might be good to have a look at some and perhaps talk to Phillip here as he has been importing 's in, was going to suggest the aluminium trailer but it would be hard to fit the to it and it probably wouldn't pass our specs
Agree you don't need a trailer like some of the aussie makers use which look like they are heavier than the boat IMHO the original trailer is ample until you really start loading it up and then it needs some modification.
Bob