Hello all,
Before my M arrives here in Aus, I'm doing my homework.
Every pic I can find (of boats in Aus), shows the factory/orig 2" hitch/coupler intact.
Now, according to the ADR's the hitch must have the Austalian standards label and be 50mm (see below)
My obvious questions is, have all you aussies changed yours, or is there a "work-around"?
I spoke with Phillip and he indeed did have to change his.
Thanks in advance
James
p.s. thankyou to everyone on the board for sharing their info, its this kind of support that makes buying a production boat that much more appealing!
12.2.1 50mm Ball Couplings
Ball couplings used on trailers with an ATM of up to 3.5 tonnes must comply with the Australian
Standard AS 4177.3-1994 and be installed so that the height of the centre of the body of the ball
coupling is between 350mm and 420mm from the ground when laden.
A coupling body complying with AS 4177.3 will be marked with:
· its manufacturer's name or trademark if Australian made;
· the mark ‘50’;
· the maximum rating for the coupling body in one of the following, as applicable,
– 750 kg; or
– 2000 kg; or
– 3500 kg;
· a code to indicate the serial number, batch, production date, or similar;
· the words ‘DO NOT WELD’ if the coupling body is manufactured from cast iron
or other non-weldable materials.
Towing hitch/Coupler Q's -->Aus
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Lease
- First Officer
- Posts: 290
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:07 pm
- Location: Canberra Oz; 1995 26X "MACMAC" Tohatsu 50
Hi Mr. Barry,
When my X was imported two years ago, the trailer was registered as standard.
Trailer regs are changing all the time, but I can't see that the hitch should be a problem. One idea may be to go to the Ttan website and pick up the specs of the hitch and check them against the required standard.
Aother idea would be to get a day permit and take the thing down to VicRoads and see if it passes. There is way too much mythology about the suitable-ness of Mac trailers in various states in Oz.
When my X was imported two years ago, the trailer was registered as standard.
Trailer regs are changing all the time, but I can't see that the hitch should be a problem. One idea may be to go to the Ttan website and pick up the specs of the hitch and check them against the required standard.
Aother idea would be to get a day permit and take the thing down to VicRoads and see if it passes. There is way too much mythology about the suitable-ness of Mac trailers in various states in Oz.
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MrBarry
- Deckhand
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:35 am
- Location: Melb, Oz; 06 26M E-tec 60
- Contact:
Thanks for the info lease.
Do I take it yours uses the standard coupling and you have a 2" ball?
The ADR's are clear---must be 50mm and carry AS markings.
Vicroads documents are far more fuzzy and seem to indicate "at least 50mm and comply with AS or ISO standards".
All that aside, it would appear that if you were to rock up to Vicroads and didn't get "the Nazi" inspector, you should get through (with regard to the hitch).
I doubt anyone seriously suggests that the US hitch is not suitable or strong enough, just that its not metric!
I will get them to throw in a couple of 2" towballs before shipping and go with that.
Just don't want some snivelling bureaucrat (or worse--lawyer) spoil my party.
Thanks again!
James
p.s. @James V.......our aussie laws and bureaucracy will give yours a run for your money!
Do I take it yours uses the standard coupling and you have a 2" ball?
The ADR's are clear---must be 50mm and carry AS markings.
Vicroads documents are far more fuzzy and seem to indicate "at least 50mm and comply with AS or ISO standards".
All that aside, it would appear that if you were to rock up to Vicroads and didn't get "the Nazi" inspector, you should get through (with regard to the hitch).
I doubt anyone seriously suggests that the US hitch is not suitable or strong enough, just that its not metric!
I will get them to throw in a couple of 2" towballs before shipping and go with that.
Just don't want some snivelling bureaucrat (or worse--lawyer) spoil my party.
Thanks again!
James
p.s. @James V.......our aussie laws and bureaucracy will give yours a run for your money!
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Pacamac-uk
- Engineer
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Tue May 22, 2007 12:49 pm
- Location: Exeter, United Kingdom, Former Mac 19 owner
Most Mac trailers or other US trailers for that matter are converted to UK/Euro/ISO spec when imported to the UK. I assume this was done by the Mac importer before sale in the UK. US hitches (2") cannot be used in the UK but I suppose you could find a 2" hitch somewhere although they haven't been used for 40 years or so. The 1mm difference between a 50 mm ball and a 2" hitch is considered dangerous as the hitch could detach under stress.
They usually fit a UK hitch complete to fit the UK standard 50mm ball. I believe the trailers arrive without a hitch fitted as the trailer is used as a cradle for shipping. Mine has an 'Indespension' complete hitch fitted to the trailer drawbar. This also has the triplelock hitch lock which automatically locks the trailer to the towcar which is useful. I suspect you may be able to get Indespension parts or similar in Oz.
They usually fit a UK hitch complete to fit the UK standard 50mm ball. I believe the trailers arrive without a hitch fitted as the trailer is used as a cradle for shipping. Mine has an 'Indespension' complete hitch fitted to the trailer drawbar. This also has the triplelock hitch lock which automatically locks the trailer to the towcar which is useful. I suspect you may be able to get Indespension parts or similar in Oz.
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MrBarry
- Deckhand
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:35 am
- Location: Melb, Oz; 06 26M E-tec 60
- Contact:
Thanks Pacamac,
Getting a 2" ball sent over with the boat is no problem. Its the legality of it. Both short and long term thats worrying me.
I'd really like to keep the original one as all the local ones look like ALKO units and fit very differently.(tried to post pic---I'm a few posts short!)
Anyway, as Lease said, there's a good chance i'll get it through registration with the std one and a 2" ball.
As I mentioned, every other mac in aus I can find (bar Phillips) has the original coupling, so it's possibly no biggy.
Getting a 2" ball sent over with the boat is no problem. Its the legality of it. Both short and long term thats worrying me.
I'd really like to keep the original one as all the local ones look like ALKO units and fit very differently.(tried to post pic---I'm a few posts short!)
Anyway, as Lease said, there's a good chance i'll get it through registration with the std one and a 2" ball.
As I mentioned, every other mac in aus I can find (bar Phillips) has the original coupling, so it's possibly no biggy.
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Lease
- First Officer
- Posts: 290
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:07 pm
- Location: Canberra Oz; 1995 26X "MACMAC" Tohatsu 50
Get the 2 inch ball by all means, but I don't think even that makes a difference really.
That 1mm difference is nothing if you think of the way that the capture tongues (my terminology for the moving bit that engages the ball) vary on cast iron hitches.
On the Titan hitch this part is adjustable by lifting a lock against spring tension and tightening, or loosening the nut. It's a good system and allows you to adjust until it is snug against the ball without binding.
I can vouch for the effectiveness of it after the workshop that did my last outboard service tried to lift the trailer off of the car with the forklift, without disengaging the hitch release first. I have the 50mm ball by the way.
Typical trailer hitch/coupling for hydraulic override (surge) brakes as used in Oz.
That 1mm difference is nothing if you think of the way that the capture tongues (my terminology for the moving bit that engages the ball) vary on cast iron hitches.
On the Titan hitch this part is adjustable by lifting a lock against spring tension and tightening, or loosening the nut. It's a good system and allows you to adjust until it is snug against the ball without binding.
I can vouch for the effectiveness of it after the workshop that did my last outboard service tried to lift the trailer off of the car with the forklift, without disengaging the hitch release first. I have the 50mm ball by the way.
Typical trailer hitch/coupling for hydraulic override (surge) brakes as used in Oz.
-
Phillip
- First Officer
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:49 pm
- Location: Sunshine Coast Australia 2000 26X Tohatsu 50hp
James (Mr Barry) and I discussed this subject at some length, and it isn't really a great issue.
The legislation covering a Mac Trailer is: "it is an imported vehicle".
The legislation covering such is a Federal Act administered by States and Territories. All must comply with the Federal Act.
I pursed this matter with the local Certify'er (Saftey Cert), then on to the State Auth, then to the Federal.
The Federal chap told me that under no circumstances could the coupling comply with ADR's unless I could find a 2" ball with Aust ADR's stamped on it....and that is an impossibility.
Told him I would be the only Mac in the country converted to an Aussie coupling.
He told me:
none of the others were legal,
there is some issue with public liability insurance too. Think he said this cover is carried by the tow vehicle and not the trailer, and a ball not to ADR's nullifies all Insurance cover, and liability rests with the driver or owner of the tow vehicle. I think I have that right.
Individual States do not have different standards or specs, and any Certifier that tells you otherwise does not know the laws they are complying with.
I think the crunch here is. the Trailer is an imported Vehicle, not a Aussie Factory or Home built trailer.
The State Auth guy was very good. One comment was;
the difference between a 2" ball and a 50mm balls is around 40 thou, and that is just too dangerous, and if it came thru our inspection station it would be taken off the road immediately. Personally I havn't a clue what 40thou looks like, so I took his word for it.
Personally, when I get my M in, I was going to bring in a 2" ball and see what happens then.
But...when someone said they come without the coupling and the trailer is used as a cradle and lifted by forks, then that got the mind moving. That is exactly what mine looked like.
At the end of the day, the coupling cost me Aud$465 (?)and Aud$40 for the new fitting on the end of the hydrolic hose.
I know it complies.
Against the price of the boat it is bxggxar-all, so I am not worried.
I would still try importing a 2" ball tho, infact maybe a couple of them. And see how you go. Prepare for the worst case scenario, and anything less is a bonus.
Try and see James....and let us know the outcome.
Cheers
Phillip
The legislation covering a Mac Trailer is: "it is an imported vehicle".
The legislation covering such is a Federal Act administered by States and Territories. All must comply with the Federal Act.
I pursed this matter with the local Certify'er (Saftey Cert), then on to the State Auth, then to the Federal.
The Federal chap told me that under no circumstances could the coupling comply with ADR's unless I could find a 2" ball with Aust ADR's stamped on it....and that is an impossibility.
Told him I would be the only Mac in the country converted to an Aussie coupling.
He told me:
none of the others were legal,
there is some issue with public liability insurance too. Think he said this cover is carried by the tow vehicle and not the trailer, and a ball not to ADR's nullifies all Insurance cover, and liability rests with the driver or owner of the tow vehicle. I think I have that right.
Individual States do not have different standards or specs, and any Certifier that tells you otherwise does not know the laws they are complying with.
I think the crunch here is. the Trailer is an imported Vehicle, not a Aussie Factory or Home built trailer.
The State Auth guy was very good. One comment was;
the difference between a 2" ball and a 50mm balls is around 40 thou, and that is just too dangerous, and if it came thru our inspection station it would be taken off the road immediately. Personally I havn't a clue what 40thou looks like, so I took his word for it.
Personally, when I get my M in, I was going to bring in a 2" ball and see what happens then.
But...when someone said they come without the coupling and the trailer is used as a cradle and lifted by forks, then that got the mind moving. That is exactly what mine looked like.
At the end of the day, the coupling cost me Aud$465 (?)and Aud$40 for the new fitting on the end of the hydrolic hose.
I know it complies.
Against the price of the boat it is bxggxar-all, so I am not worried.
I would still try importing a 2" ball tho, infact maybe a couple of them. And see how you go. Prepare for the worst case scenario, and anything less is a bonus.
Try and see James....and let us know the outcome.
Cheers
Phillip
FWIW, 2" balls come with different shank diameters. 3/4" is Class II, rated at 3,500 pounds, and usually found on 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" Class II ball mounts. 1" is Class III, rated at least 5,000 pounds, and usually found on 2" x 2" ball mounts. You can also get them with 1-1/4" shanks to fit Class IV/V mounts (10,000 pounds or more), where a 2-5/16" ball is normally used.
You'll also find different shank lengths. Just make sure you get the right 2" ball.
--
Moe
You'll also find different shank lengths. Just make sure you get the right 2" ball.
--
Moe
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puggsy
- Captain
- Posts: 571
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:30 am
- Sailboat: Venture 25
- Location: MACLESS but not quite BOATLESS in Perth Western Australia
TRAILER HITCH
I have just been through the TRAUMA of getting the MAC M trailer through licensing in Western Australia.
I had to change the 'you beaut' USA hitch to the same as shown by LEASE, in his picture.
Here, the authorities operate on 5o mm ball.
And on looking up the website to get compliance facts, you would not believe something can be so VAGUE.
The whole process seems to be up to the traffic inspecting officer. PLEASE DO NOT FRONT UP ON HIS BAD DAY.
It took me two day to get it right. But hey!, they did approve the sidelights being fixed on with VELCRO... I remove all my lights before launching. The tail and stop lights are mounted on removeable boards.
I would, though, question why the sole australian agent has not approached the authorities and got the trailer supplied to ALREADY comply with aussie specs straight from the container?
I had to change the 'you beaut' USA hitch to the same as shown by LEASE, in his picture.
Here, the authorities operate on 5o mm ball.
And on looking up the website to get compliance facts, you would not believe something can be so VAGUE.
The whole process seems to be up to the traffic inspecting officer. PLEASE DO NOT FRONT UP ON HIS BAD DAY.
It took me two day to get it right. But hey!, they did approve the sidelights being fixed on with VELCRO... I remove all my lights before launching. The tail and stop lights are mounted on removeable boards.
I would, though, question why the sole australian agent has not approached the authorities and got the trailer supplied to ALREADY comply with aussie specs straight from the container?