What Roger should have built

[vkmaynard]

mallardjusted

How well does the 26X fit on the trailer? Did they take into account the flat bottom?

Victor

[DaveB]

I bought a new Aluminum Tandem 2 years ago, the springs between the two axels connection swing arm is what many call the torsion bar.
All I know is the boat travels on the road great with a 11 yr. old F150 with standard trans. V6 4.2 litter.
I paid $2800 with 5500 lbs gross weight, without brakes. I added Stainless steel Disk surge brakes a year ago to front axel.($500)
Here is pictures 2 years ago without disk brakes, trailor is 8 ft.6 inches wide but they do make the 8 ft. wide. (Continental makes the trailer, I bought thru West Coast Trailers).
Dave


http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x25/ ... 20Mac%20X/[quote="BK"]

[Hamin' X]

Most torsion axles use rubber inserts and square stub axles. It has been discussed here before.

~Rich

[mallardjusted]

v

kmaynard » Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:59 am

How well does the 26X fit on the trailer? Did they take into account the flat bottom?

Victor, It fits very nice. The original Mac trailer has very little bunk surface to distribute the hull weight. The Venture trailer has much more square area ..... On the ad there are a few pics of what the bunks look like ....

matt

[Patrick Gilbert]

Hello BK. The axles are bolted directly the chassis and have rubber torsion bars contained within. The wheel spindles are part of trailing arms inserted into the ends of the axles/torsion bar assembly and twist up and down. Each wheel is independently suspended by its trailing arm. It is modeled after the front suspension of early VolksWagen Beetles. There are several advantages to this design such as independent suspension, easy replacement of spindles if damaged, and no rusting leaf springs. The axles actually form part of the structural frame of the trailer because they are directly bolted to the chassis. The ride is also better than leaf springs because the un-sprung weight of the trailer is far less than a drop axle with leaf springs. Hope that helps.

Patrick Gilbert
"Tropico"(99macX)
Canyon Country, CA

[puggsy]

Hi Patrick...Could not help myself when I saw your new trailer...nice but a bit incomplete...
And where is the rear support for you mast...without one the mast will flex up and down too much...or maybe it was not stood up when the pic was taken?
the rear guide posts are good but how do you control any sideways drift of the bow in any sort of wind or tide?
Do you have any plans for side ropes or PVC pipe to control the bow? Many owners have fitted these. Of various plans but they all do the same job...to 'contain' the bow right up to the "V".

And have you considered a third 'roller' wheel [ not a 'jockey' wheel that raises and lowers] but a full size wheel fixed in line with the tandems...so the whole trailer can be disconnected from the towing vehicle and it can be rolled much further down into deeper water...if needed...





When the trailer is off the truck, the tow bar lowers and the wheel is operational...and the whole rig travels in a straight line down the ramp controlled by a 20 ft. cable from truck to trailer...or longer if needed...

[puggsy]

Here is a sample of the side supports...



Simple rope and hollow core swimming pool "spaghetti"

[BK]

Patrick, thanks for the detailed reply. I copied it for for my files. It is hard to believe I bought something I did not understand how it works or ask the question how it works to the salesperson. BK

[oldsalt16]

Hi Patrick,

Congratulations! You have a beautiful rig! Each time that I check this forum, I'm drawn like
a magnet, to take another peek at those pics of yours. For some time now, I've felt 'sea locked'. My original Mac 26X trailer has well under 100 actual miles on it (storage area to
adjacent ramp & back again) but cosmetically, it looks 20 years old. You mentioned Lake
Meade. I would like to see it and sail on it before it (or me) dries up. In my online research,
I think that there are other trailers that are equal to the ABT, but most of those companies
are East of the Mississippi. Here in So Cal, I definately think that you chose the best in the
West and second to none. I am very, very close to taking the plunge myself, though I may
opt to go one step down from yours in GVW in the interest of $$$.

Patrick, I hope to benefit from your knowledge and experience with this model. After five or six months of use and reflection, Is there anything at all that you would have added, deleted, or altered? Your input will be greatly appreciated. If you prefer, a pm is fine.

Thank you kindly,

Earl

[kmclemore]

Crikey... is that a Girling master cylinder I see on there!!??

[Catigale]

...and whats with the New England camoflage hitch coupler

[DaveB]

You have to name it...Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper, Kids would love that when you tell them to say it 3 times fast.
Dave

Hi Patrick...Could not help myself when I saw your new trailer...nice but a bit incomplete...
And where is the rear support for you mast...without one the mast will flex up and down too much...or maybe it was not stood up when the pic was taken?
the rear guide posts are good but how do you control any sideways drift of the bow in any sort of wind or tide?
Do you have any plans for side ropes or PVC pipe to control the bow? Many owners have fitted these. Of various plans but they all do the same job...to 'contain' the bow right up to the "V".

And have you considered a third 'roller' wheel [ not a 'jockey' wheel that raises and lowers] but a full size wheel fixed in line with the tandems...so the whole trailer can be disconnected from the towing vehicle and it can be rolled much further down into deeper water...if needed...





When the trailer is off the truck, the tow bar lowers and the wheel is operational...and the whole rig travels in a straight line down the ramp controlled by a 20 ft. cable from truck to trailer...or longer if needed...

[Patrick Gilbert]

Hello Earl.
Thanks for your compliments on my rig. As I mention in earlier posts, I will definitly travel a great deal when I retire in four years and the boat/trailer will gain alot of milage. The large trailer GVW rating (excessive?) that I voluntarily selected is due to my desire to carry many days provisions onboard and not have to worry about the weight loading on the trailer. I can load the boat heavily and still have the security of extra weight capacity rather than traveling with the thought that the trailer is overloaded. My experience traveling down the road with this new trailer is summed up in one word, confidence. There is no sway at all and very little feedback on the steering wheel when big trucks pass by.

Now that my old trailer is empty in the backyard, I have noticed how much flex there is in it. When your boat is off your trailer, push the bow winch post sideways back and forth (port/starboard) near the top and watch how the trailer flexes. Much of the stock MacGregor's trailer strength is gained from the boat positioned on the lateral bunks with the 45 degree rear bunks keeping the boat centered on the trailer. I really think that my new trailer has the strength to carry the boat without any stress at all.
I am glad that I went overboard on the capacity rating and know that I am not going to have any trouble with my rig as long as I provide the proper maintainance.
I am also very happy with the manufacturer, ABT Trailers. They took good care of me and I am sure they can fit your boat on a lighter rated trailer.
They moved from Sun Valley, CA to the San Bernadino/Riverside, CA area. Their phone number is still the same and they are easy to find on the net.

Patrick Gilbert
"Tropico"(99macX)
Canyon Country, CA

[puggsy]

What year is the ?...It has only one black window band....

"old " SEAHORSE had two....