any preference on suspension units

Stubber · 08 January 2014, 21:54

Hi all, has anyone got any preference on what make of suspension unit to fit as I am considering changing the ones on my boat trailer as they are 500 kg units and think the boat with engine and fuel etc weighs more than this (going to put on weigh bridge when get chance to check)
Have had bad luck with indespension unit collapsing before for no reason.
I know I am limited on what unit to fit with mounting plates attached to trailer and am thinking that if I have to remove these I might go for Bramber Flexiride unitsas they are a sealed unit so water cannot get inside.
Any thoughts or preferences on units@

hadd · 10 January 2014, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubber

Hi all, has anyone got any preference on what make of suspension unit to fit as I am considering changing the ones on my boat trailer as they are 500 kg units and think the boat with engine and fuel etc weighs more than this (going to put on weigh bridge when get chance to check)
Have had bad luck with indespension unit collapsing before for no reason.
I know I am limited on what unit to fit with mounting plates attached to trailer and am thinking that if I have to remove these I might go for Bramber Flexiride unitsas they are a sealed unit so water cannot get inside.
Any thoughts or preferences on units@

Hi stubber give these a call http://www.meredithandeyre.co.uk/ they make all trailer axles to measure also the ones with the sealed units i got a quote from them for mine think it was about £300 all in

Stubber · 10 January 2014, 18:23

Thanks will give them a call for specs on units

Stubber · 13 January 2014, 14:39

Have put trailer on weigh bridge (boat, engine, fuel and a few odds and sods that you would normally take) and it weighs in at 530kg so overweight for the 500kg units on trailer, have found knott avonride units that are rated at 550kg that will suit the mounting plates on trailer already or should I go for 750kg units to be on safe side and change the mounting plates ?, also if I go for 750 units will the ride be a tad stiff ?
Dilemma

beamishken · 13 January 2014, 15:34

Personally I wouldn't change them for a 50kg gain the 500 units will have a factor of safety built in anyway unless your woried about the legalities then id live with the 500kg units & keep a close eye on them for signs of fatigue
If I was going to change id definately go for the 750 units ride shouldnt be too much stiffer as you still have a substantial load on them

Stubber · 19 January 2014, 11:34

Have found that Indespension 750 kg units fit mounting plates on trailer, but the units are zinc plated and not galvanised, has anybody any experience of using these in salt water conditions and if so how have they lasted with corrosion issues,

beamishken · 19 January 2014, 12:58

Galvanising is zinc plating

Stubber · 19 January 2014, 13:53

I always thought zinc playing was an electroplating process where as galvanising was a hot dip process into a bath of molten zinc. But could be wrong

beamishken · 19 January 2014, 15:21

Different application method but same result a coating of zinc although thinner & more uniform with electroplating

Pikey Dave · 19 January 2014, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

Galvanising is zinc plating

Hmm! yes & no, hot dip galvanising is far superior to electroplating. Electroplating will have disappeared long before HDG has even started to show signs. They are both zinc plating, but very different systems.

beamishken · 19 January 2014, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Hmm! yes & no, hot dip galvanising is far superior to electroplating. Electroplating will have disappeared long before HDG has even started to show signs. They are both zinc plating, but very different systems.

Agreed but id have thought it unlikely anyone will hot dip axle shafts due to non uniformity so electroplating maybe the only option available
I dont remember seeing any independent suspension units that were hot dipped

Stubber · 19 January 2014, 16:09

There are some with all the components like shafts and mounting flange/body that are galvanised, the Knott ones seem to have body galvanised, but like I said the only 750 unit I can find to fit mounting plate on trailer is the Indespension unit and not sure how good they are going to be with corrosion resistance being dipped into salt water

hadd · 19 January 2014, 16:16

Hi, did you give these a call ...Meredith & Eyre Trailers | Tilt Bed Trailer | Plant Trailers | Tipper Trailer or could they not help you?

Stubber · 19 January 2014, 16:31

Hi Hadd, looked on the information on their website and the mountings are different to what is on the trailer bit it may be a possibility if no other options

hadd · 19 January 2014, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubber

Hi Hadd, looked on the information on their website and the mountings are different to what is on the trailer bit it may be a possibility if no other options

If you give them a call tell the guy what you want i sure they'll make it for you
he told me it take 10days to make, start to finsh fully galvanized & sealed axle he give me a price over the phone they just need the right mesurement for the axle plate so it can be welded in the right place they are based in Manchester

beamishken · 19 January 2014, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubber

There are some with all the components like shafts and mounting flange/body that are galvanised, the Knott ones seem to have body galvanised, but like I said the only 750 unit I can find to fit mounting plate on trailer is the Indespension unit and not sure how good they are going to be with corrosion resistance being dipped into salt water

We have standard painted units on our little rib trailer been on around 15 years and are still ok so id expect plated ones to be even better

Festinghouse · 19 January 2014, 19:09

personally i wouldnt go for anything other than galv. as hadd says give meredith and eyre a try, their stuff looks good to me - im about to buy a new trailer for work off them with my decision based on build quality.

Stubber · 20 January 2014, 17:02

Found a local supplier of Knott Avonride and Meredith and Eyre units, they had Knott stuff in stock and looking at 550 kg and 750kg units to compare made mind up on 750 units as it gives me a good leeway on weight to carry extra fuel etc, going to have to change mounting plates but at least it gives me more scope on units I can fit in the future but looking at these they should last ok, thanks hadd for the information and to everyone else's input