Snipe Trailers

DJL · 15 September 2005, 22:47

Evening all,

My trailer suspension sheared off on the way home on Monday. The wheel ended up at an awkward 45deg angle, and took the mudguard with it - luckily no damage to the boat

.

Anyway, just to say, if you have a snipe trailer with the integrated suspension axle setup, keep an eye on the suspension arms, as it would appear it doesn't take much rust to severely weaken them. Mine was only three years old, washed with fresh water after every use and stored in a garage.

Richard B · 15 September 2005, 22:53

Good to hear no damage to your boat.

Have you got it all sorted out now?

Hightower · 15 September 2005, 22:57

Can you post a pic Dan? Would be nice to see what actually happened.

DJL · 15 September 2005, 23:11

The new axles sitting by the front door - just need to swap them over.

Sorry about the quality of the picture, it was taken with my phone. Apparently they can't galvanise those bits so they rust really quickly.

bogib · 15 September 2005, 23:13

Shite to hear we have the same problem changing annualy or if you are lucky every other year, very high level of salty water seriously problem we are having with somekind of acid at our powerboat club slipway, we need to change anodes and trim tabs every year.

Good for the business

Bogi

bogib · 15 September 2005, 23:16

We buy our trailers from Shorelander, Riba, Motova and Karavan we bought some Bramber trailers as we ran out of trailers and those we will not buy again looks like your Snipe not very strong and with too many clamps.

Bogi

DJL · 15 September 2005, 23:26

I think that box section was to thin and had been flexing slightly, causing the surface rust in the middle to flake off and then the newly exposed area would rust and flake off etc. The ends where I had been keeping an eye on the rust are still really solid, the rust only being superficial, however the middle area where it sheared is paper thin.

Hightower · 15 September 2005, 23:41

I have an older snipe break back trailer Dan and I think that my arms are solid. I'll check tomorrow, because they're really rusty.

Thanks for the pic,

Andy

Downhilldai · 16 September 2005, 00:06

I changed the axle on my newish Roller Coaster trailer ten years ago, as I was spending too much time (and money) changing wheel bearings. I splashed out a couple of hundred quid on an ALKO galvanised axle at the time and I've only had to replace the bearings once since - amazing. The axle is still in really good nick and puts the rest of the trailer to shame. I'd recommend ALKO trailer stuff to anyone.

Mollers · 16 September 2005, 07:42

Don't 90% of the trailer manufacturers use the same "Indespension" suspension units? That kind of breakeage is pretty rare. More common is bearing collapse and the wheel falling off. I had a Hallmark for years under a 21ft hardboat, it was good. Have a thing made by a firm called Nicholson now. Not so good. The upside is that it has "Bearing Buddies" fitted which are great. Downside, the rollers are held in place with washers and split-pins. The pins rust, become thin and bend which allows the rollers to drop off. I'm slowly replacing them all. There's 64!

Nos4r2 · 16 September 2005, 13:40

I've never looked that hard at suspension arms-if you remove them would it be possible to pour cold galvanising paint into them for protection then paint the outside?

Stuart M · 16 September 2005, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollulnan

The upside is that it has "Bearing Buddies" fitted which are great. Downside, the rollers are held in place with washers and split-pins. The pins rust, become thin and bend which allows the rollers to drop off. I'm slowly replacing them all. There's 64!

I've got bearing buddies on my trailer (3-4years old) and just had it serviced - bearings like new!

Re: Split-Pins - I'm taking all the rollers off and re-greasing and replacing split pins with stainless ones. It's a lot easier to get on and off the trailer now (5.6m avon) - especially with the winch strop disconected!

Jon penrith · 07 May 2013, 06:43

Just read this thread as I was wondering if this was a common problem.Was on my way from Littlehampton to Oxfordshire when the exact same thing descirbed in this thread happened to me.Appears to be only relatively light surface rust on the suspension arm but it failed in exactly the same way as detailed at the the start of this thread.Only difference is my mudguard is still intact.I was amost home and on a country road so not going very fast.......thankfully.
So what are my options please?(apart from buy a new trailer).
1/ buy a replacement snipe part from company who took Snipe over.
2/ Get a custom made replacement(I see theres a company in Launceston Cornwall does that) I dont know how the price compares with a genuine Snipe part.The custom made one is about £200.
3/ Is there another type of axle I can buy off the shelf that is better/ stronger & will fit?
Just to clarify it is not an axle where you can buy and fit new units to the end of the axle, you have to replace the whole axle as the rubber type blocks are in the end of the galvanised box section.
thanks
Jon

Nos4r2 · 07 May 2013, 07:32

Is that an unbraked trailer?

Jon penrith · 07 May 2013, 12:29

Yes it is.model number R13-360 capacity 360kgs, axle 145 x 10 peak

Trailer Guy · 11 May 2013, 17:09

Hi Jon

Just back from sailing around in the Irish Sea, apologies for missing your call.

I've left you a voicemail just now (Sat 11/05 circa 1800).

I can do a replacement (made to measure), galvanised, 500kg GVW axle for around £130.

All the best, Ben

Nick Hearne · 11 May 2013, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailer Guy

Hi Jon

Just back from sailing around in the Irish Sea, apologies for missing your call.

I've left you a voicemail just now (Sat 11/05 circa 1800).

I can do a replacement (made to measure), galvanised, 500kg GVW axle for around £130.

All the best, Ben

Very good price

Tim M · 13 May 2013, 21:57

Jon, yes this is a common fault on Snipe trailers. If you search you'll find a thread from about six months ago that I started after the same thing happened to me. There were others also with Snipe trailers. The suspension arms are, IMO far too flimsy. I replaced mine with an axle from Extreme trailers which had solid cast arms rather than the welded box section used on the ones Snipe used.

Jon penrith · 14 May 2013, 09:57

Trailer guy, thanks for your message but by the time I got it I had already ordered a new axle from merseatrailers which should be arriving tomorrow.Once i have fitted the axle I will call you regarding your trailer service.

Trailer Guy · 14 May 2013, 10:02

No probs Jon, it should be nice and easy to fit, but if you get stuck just drop me a line and I'll happily chat you through it.