Swing beam purpose

[gtflash]

My current trailer has non swing rollers and sometimes I struggle on shallow slips. I was trying to work out how or if a swing beam would help me, as it is a stepped hull.

I was observing the different trailer styles at the slip the other day. I genuinely do not understand the advantage of a swing beam roller assembly in comparison to straight assemblies like a bunk or roller bunk. My previous swing beam trailer used to work very well, however on recovery it was like driving up a mountain until the tipping point was reached, which caused the stern to dip in the shallow water. The only major advantage I can think of is weight distribution? Am I missing the obvious?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by gtflash

My current trailer has non swing rollers and sometimes I struggle on shallow slips. I was trying to work out how or if a swing beam would help me, as it is a stepped hull.



I was observing the different trailer styles at the slip the other day. I genuinely do not understand the advantage of a swing beam roller assembly in comparison to straight assemblies like a bunk or roller bunk. My previous swing beam trailer used to work very well, however on recovery it was like driving up a mountain until the tipping point was reached, which caused the stern to dip in the shallow water. The only major advantage I can think of is weight distribution? Am I missing the obvious?

On a non swing beam trailer, the hull acts as the fulcrum, so the weight of the boat is concentrated on one point of the hull, add a bit of physics into it (moments about a point) & you could be stressing the hull massively. This is why an un-hitched trailers nose will be 6' in the air when you try to winch a boat onto it. A swing beam allows the hull to sit in the cradle & the pivot point is transferred to the trailer chassis whilst the hull is supported in the cradle.

[Orwell boy]

personally I too am not convinced by swing beams ,I always load with dry brakes and when I did this with swing beam the rollers run over the tubes of the rib ,which I felt could not be good plan ,I went to genuine roller bunk and athough expensive I reckon its well worth it , however I totally see the fulcrum point theory as well

[gtflash]

WhenThe more YouTube videos I watch the more I am unconvinced they spread the load.

[simonl]

Originally Posted by gtflash

WhenThe more YouTube videos I watch the more I am unconvinced they spread the load.

I feel they spread the load, but it's pretty much a static load that I think any boat can take, Anyone ever heard any cracking sounds when pivoting on a single roller?

[GuyC]

The swing beam is akin to pulling the boat up a ramp rather than dragging it over an edge. Different slipways will yield different results but I would say they were generally beneficial.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by GuyC

The swing beam is akin to pulling the boat up a ramp rather than dragging it over an edge. Different slipways will yield different results but I would say they were generally beneficial.

100%[emoji106] over the years I've recovered boats in all sorts of scenarios. Most of the time, in ideal conditions, the swing beam has played little part. On the occasions when I've needed it, it's been a boat saver.

[spartacus]

Swing beam works for me more on shallow retrieve than on launch, so wouldn't be without it now.

[jeepster]

1) They make it far easier to launch and recover a boat....Allows you to do it on your own.
2) You don't have to dunk your axles in the water to launch your boat (just roll the trailer back till the tyres just touch the water, and your boat is ready for launch!)...So your bearings will not require constant maintenance, saving you boat time and money.

[ashtonmarine]

Hi
As stated above if you are beach launching and recovering the swing beam will act like a ramp as long as you dont put it in to deep which is what we see all the time. Drive it on or clip it on and then use the winch handle. Swing beams work great if used correctly but many people put them far to deep in the water.
To give you a better idea we often need to winch boats on from hard standings for lots of silly reasons and the swing beam means it is easy.