Shockies on the boat trailer

[Lucky_Phill]

Here's a question for the knowledgeable.

I intend taking my 4.3mtr tinnie to FNQ ( the cape really ) and I would like input on the subject of adding shockies to the trailer. ?

Apart from the standard boating gear, there will be about 140kgs extra weight (2 x spare tyre & wheel, Roof top tent on rack, extra fuel tank, remote anchoring system )

Would shockies be an advantage or a waste of time ?

cheers

[Lucky_Phill]

I have looked back through the history here and found a thread about this.

Seems the only drawback is the corrosion problem, but if one only adds the shockies for the " once a year off road " trip, it appears to be worthwhile.

LP

[shakey55]

Having a thought about this, as many years ago we took a boat up there. Having done the trip without shocks, if we did it again we would put some on just for the trip to give a better ride, but as you mention RUST, that’s why we didn’t do it. In hindsight we should have and just removed the shocks when we got home.

I say do it and remove when you get home.


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[Fed]

Shooting from the hip I would have said to to put them on but thinking about it for a bit I believe adding shocks would be harder on the rig than without shocks.

[Dignity]

The other consideration is loading too much gear into the boat, usually in the past we avoided loading up the boat as chance of hull damage increases. Learnt that from one of the first trips up that way.

[shortthenlong]

The other consideration is loading too much gear into the boat, usually in the past we avoided loading up the boat as chance of hull damage increases. Learnt that from one of the first trips up that way.

The couple of times I've trailered a tinny up the cape I went with this philosophy. Tried not to think of the boat as a box trailer and didn't carry too much extra gear in it. I did do some weight calculations and bought some new leaves that matched the weight as you don't want to go to too heavier spring and start cracking mounts etc due to excessive bouncing. Never went as far as adding shocks.

Matt

[tunaticer]

Shocks come into play when the trailer hits corrugations / pot holes.
Depending on the design of the trailer and load vs spring capacity it could be either good or bad for your trailer and or boat.
Heavy spring set with light loading will cause damages to both trailer and boat.
Springs loaded to about 80% capacity will benefit from shocks ONLY if the mounting of the shocks is correct and the correct travel and load ratings are in the shock's specs.
Light springs with near maximum load will not benefit from shocks....shocks do not take load, they simply control axle bounce.
Do your research on your setup to see if it will either damage your equipment or protect it.
Every trailer and boat is different, simply taking advice is silly.

[Lucky_Phill]

Thanks guys, yep, I was just thinking about the " bounce " over 200 k's or corrugated road.

There are some trailer specialists down my way, so it might be worth a chat or visit with trailer. As noted, I am not going to use the trailer like a box trailer and the extra weight does not appear to be above the intended weight capacity of the trailer.

I'll keep this thread going with the build of the RTT rack.. project. stay tuned

cheers

[Dignity]

Off road is not the issue generally as you drive to the conditions but the gravel roads are the issue as Jack alludes to. Early after they're graded is great, later in the season after all those vehicles with crappy suspension in particular have been through and caused all the deep corrugations is what causes the problem. From memory it's called "tramping", Fraser is a great place for this especially from bloody tourist buses, they cause a real problem there as they wait till there shockies fail before replacing them.