Trailer emergency Westport MA pan-pan

[Catigale]

Paul

Harry is really happy with his guy in Uxbridge, I'll send contact info.

On my way to SFO, so might be a few days

[Catigale]

Preflight tool list

4x4 by 8 foot pressure treat lumber, no cracks
2 2x4 by 8 pressure treat possible side braces
Saw to cut lumber

Two ratcheting straps

Not to hammer this point too hard, but you need to secure that beam in at least three places; both ends and the middle, and better if it's secured on both sides of the break. The only thing resisting side-to-side load is what little is left of the original tongue, and if there's any side-to-side bending, the stresses will be very high right where the crack ends, since the vertical side walls of the tube would have been resisting that but are no longer there. So the crack is going to grow, possibly quite fast with any flex (metal seems to be mostly eaten away), and the only thing holding the whole mess together really is what's left of the steel. Which you don't want to lose.

My recommendation for the welder on site was based on hauling the boat. I didn't see where you said you're pulling an empty trailer. I've done a lot scarier stuff than what you're doing, in a former life (worked in a junk/scrap yard - if a piece of equipment like a crane is too old, worn out, broken, and dangerous to work in construction, it's a new machine in an old-school scrap yard ). Sounds like you've got the caution part under control, with the extra chains to the frame.

I'm envisioning a long strap which will spiral all the way around the 4x4 for as much length as I can get, then carefully positioned so I can tension it well.

I think if it can launch the boat, it will be fine for trailering an unloaded trailer.

[mastreb]

Dude, you have the WORST trailer luck! Did you do something to offend the trailer gods in a previous life?

Sorry to hear it man. I concur that a properly strapped 4X4 should do the job, but you're best off availing yourself of the kindness of strange men.

[kmclemore]

Preflight tool list

4x4 by 8 foot pressure treat lumber, no cracks
2 2x4 by 8 pressure treat possible side braces
Saw to cut lumber

Two ratcheting straps

Floor jack
Shoring lumber for floor jack

Deep Impact sockets to remove jack and tire mounts from tongue
PB blaster
Long breaker bar

Brake fluid
Bleeder wrench
Hose
Container with tight lid
Nitrile gloves

Jack stands

Long safety chain to pick up I beams to trailer home, safety for boat relaunch, shackles for same.

Steph, I think that four really good C-clamps or 'Pony' clamps may do better in securing that 4x4 beam to the trailer. I fear that if you just use the straps to bind it around the circumference that you won't be able to impart enough clamping strength for the beam to stay tight against the tongue. By putting the clamps on it you'll secure it better. Then use the straps to ensure it doesn't wiggle axially.

Also, if you rupture a brake line you may want to have a set of Vice-grips to clamp the tubing off.

[Highlander]

Why not buy about 4 - 4 X 6 U-Bolts with plates or what ever size u need & clamp the whole thing together , can a new tongue not be just bolted onto the old A frame like on most boat trl,s also like on the M Alum trl , also the coupler does not need to be welded on as most r bolted on . Mac trl,s r the only ones I have ever seen weld on , & I believe Roger stopped welding the couplers the last yr he made them , he started just to bolt them on like everone else , they come from the manufacturer with predilled monting holes no need to weld them on , this makes for a lot more easier maintenance

J

[K9Kampers]

So we set out from Westport with the trailer strapped to the hull. Somewhere in Long Island Sound, the trailer suddenly plunges into the depths... The remaining journey to Albany is uneventful.

[Catigale]

I was hot to get a new trailer after this incident but now I'm thinking

Second axle
Longer tongue with dinghy mount

Will get me 5 more years out of this trailer at about 1/3 cost of new.

Trailer founding in the sound......

[K9Kampers]

The dream is closer to becoming reality!... LINK

[Catigale]

Exactly, K9!!!

Kevin - I do like the idea of clamping as well as wrapping so I will hit Harbor Freight.



Also need...

brass plug for master cylinder to hold in brake fluid
Teflon and tape to plug brake line and hold fluid.

I doubt I will be able to re-connect brakes with the 4x4 in the way, but an unladen trailer is quasi-legal without brakes, and certainly safe.

[Russ]

I'd drop it in buzzards bay and tell the admiral it was a loss and we need a new trailer.

[mastreb]

I was hot to get a new trailer after this incident but now I'm thinking

Second axle
Longer tongue with dinghy mount

Will get me 5 more years out of this trailer at about 1/3 cost of new.

Trailer founding in the sound......

You know I'm not one to bend knee to the gods, but this just sounds like flipping them two birds and yelling "bring it!" during a thunderstorm to me...

[Catigale]

Well, it is a Catigale recovery day. Wish us luck!

[Johnacuda]

Well, it is a Catigale recovery day. Wish us luck!

Not only Luck, Good Luck.

You know, we have almost every avatar except for single and double axel trailer avatars, and possibly a floating slip trailer avatar...

[K9Kampers]

How bout a broken trailer avatar!

[Catigale]

Well....2100 hours and ....

Catigale is safely at home on Harrys trailer
Harry is enjoying a glass of wine on his boat, with a deeply filled karma bucket
My trailer is safely in the hands of an excellent welder for review and repair
I'm safely in bed after a 0430 -2100 day Spent with my oldest ....

Some pix to follow