Number of rollers

[gtflash]

I'm sure there is a rule of rollers per weight? Anyone know it?

[Pikey Dave]

Never heard of such. You need enough to distribute the load, too many & it becomes difficult to adjust them so that the weight is even on them all, some my not touch the hull at all. It's a bit like engine propping, trial & error. Normally you would buy a trailer based on weight & length. Unless you go custom.


.....sh1t happens.......

[9D280]

as Pikey says it will also depend on how solid your hull is.....

I know an entrprise dinghy built like the proverbial outhouse sits on two rubber covered bars no more than a foot long each, and one keel roller up front. It;s been bouncing behind various cars since about 1975 (and probably more since before my mate's parents bought it) - no damage.

Then look at others that you have to hang from the gunwhales as the hull would splinter at first sign of even being sat on a roller!



FWIW back to Ribs, I evenly spaced mine, putting one support beam just ahead of the axle - trying to distribute the load But then realised that as the trailer went over bumps the side rails were flexing (only subtly, but enough for the middle rollers , traveling with the axle, to drop very slightly and then smack the hull) I have since moved them so the hull is supported at the extremes (not literally!) and so the trailer can flex all it likes underneath.

And before we gret into another "trailer quality war" it was set up more like I have it now when I got it, so was my underestimation of the flex rather than the trailer not being built from 3' deep RSJ that caused it....

[BogMonster]

Having gone for 20 rear and 16 front rollers on my new trailer, and found only half of them touch the hull at all, the benefit of lots of rollers is certainly limited...

[gtflash]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Having gone for 20 rear and 16 front rollers on my new trailer, and found only half of them touch the hull at all, the benefit of lots of rollers is certainly limited...

I have gone with my hunch and what looks ok

24 rear
12 middle
8 front, plus 3 keel rollers at front

8.1metre Rib

[willk]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Having gone for 20 rear and 16 front rollers on my new trailer, and found only half of them touch the hull at all, the benefit of lots of rollers is certainly limited...

You reckon? All 64 of mine are making firm contact!

[mick]

Originally Posted by willk

You reckon? All 64 of mine are making firm contact!

Eek 😳😳

[jonp]

Most boat and trailer manufacturers will tell you its the keel rollers that take the weight and the side ones are more for support and not load bearing. A boats hull is far thicker along its keel, once these rollers are set its easy to adjust the side ones.

None of my 24 rollers rattle but none of the side ones hold much weight either, I also trailer my boat all around Australia often doing trips in excess of 14000klm (which was my last trip to the top end ,Darwin and back)

Jon