Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

[Krichbourg]

I'm rebuilding an old trailer that came with my old 12 ft. Alumacraft model R. It looks very similar to some pics of original Alumacraft trailers that I have seen posted in the Alumacraft forum. I believe TEE NEE trailers was one of their suppliers. The tilt function of my trailer was not operable when I acquired it, it was just bolted to the 2x2 channel. The channel broke where it was bolted and I have replaced it and the coupler with new. I have seen sources for the tilt latch mechanism but I would really like to rebuild this as it was originally.

Does anyone know how the tilt mechanism was originally attached?
Does anyone know of a source for the correct parts?
Does anyone have any photos will allow me to fabricate the necessary parts?

If I can see how the original was set up, I think I can take it from there. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Trailer SN is 10 1 65 L1 if that is meaningful to anyone.

Thanks again.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Tilt trailer rebuild

Re: Tilt trailer rebuild

Have you looked thru the other threads about Tee Nee Trailers?

Do a forums search

tee nee

tee nee trailer

Many threads show up.

Might not have to wait for the answer your looking for.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Tilt trailer rebuild

Re: Tilt trailer rebuild

Yes, I've been looking.
Haven't found a photo which shows what I'm looking for yet. Kinda need a closeup of that area. I'll keep looking. Thanks for your input.

 

[punja28]

Re: Tilt trailer rebuild

Re: Tilt trailer rebuild


i know its not the best shot but it looks very similar to the tilt trailer i got with my boat, and mine is made of c section. If you think it is possibly the same or close i will get a better shot for you. it would make sense as i have been told a couple times that my trailer is to small for my boat. I dont know really as it is my first boat.
P.S Ur rebuild looks like its coming along nicely. My is has a fair bit of rust, and im debating to rebuild or get a new one.

 

[Silver Heels]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

Are you sure the trailer is a Tee Nee? The only reason I ask is because I thought Tee Nees all has coil springs. At least all the ones I've seen had them.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

All Holsclaws had coil springs. TeeNees had teardrop fenders. To find a TeeNee with coil springs you'd have to go back to the 1940's

The setup on the pics above looks classic Gator, and its not that old. The u-bracket would have had a chain attached to each hole, then draped under the tongue. It tilted automatically, the chain kept it from tilting too far, then when the boat was on it returned to normal position. Some had a removable rod with clevis pin that went thru the tongue.

 

[punja28]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

I have no idea. I just bought the boat recently and it is my first one. Only put these up to see if you thought it was what you were talking about. Mine is made from c channel as well. The one in ur pics has leaf does it not? I will get a pic of the locking mechanism anyway and post it for you.

Oopps soory thought you were addressing me.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

A side question, does anyone ever use the tilt function? I've never seen it.

I've never seen it either!

But I do every single time!

I go to the ramp and back in so the trailer tires just get a little wet, pull the tilt lever and walk to the end of the dock while my boat unloads itself and gently glides back to meet me.

Before I start, the local onlookers snicker and say outloud that he dosen't know how to launch a boat since he didn't back in far enough to have the car's exhaust bubbling under water (like everybody else seems to have to).

But as the boat launches itself, the snickers get replaced with wide open mouthed stares and comments under their breath like "Oh, so that's what they mean by tilt trailer".

 

[richock]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

HI Krich-
I can maybe provide some pictures.
Looking at my tee nee trailer (made in SC yea) I thought that was the tongue break away, but I guess it's the tilt, so, you actually got me thinking, WOW I have a tilt trailer.... more incentive for me to get this thing refurbed myself. well maybe I hope these are some pics of the original tilt setup...

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

Are you sure the trailer is a Tee Nee? The only reason I ask is because I thought Tee Nees all has coil springs. At least all the ones I've seen had them.

No, I'm not sure at all. I don't suppose it really matters. I would just like to see an example of the tilt bracket/mechanism for a small trailer such as this. I can drill a hole and put a pin, but I'd rather do it correctly.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

All Holsclaws had coil springs. TeeNees had teardrop fenders. To find a TeeNee with coil springs you'd have to go back to the 1940's

The setup on the pics above looks classic Gator, and its not that old. The u-bracket would have had a chain attached to each hole, then draped under the tongue. It tilted automatically, the chain kept it from tilting too far, then when the boat was on it returned to normal position. Some had a removable rod with clevis pin that went thru the tongue.

This may be a Gator. Doesn't say anywhere. SN leads me to believe it's a '65 but not sure. Harder to find parts for the 2x2 tubing this is made of. There is a latch mechanism with a chain and pin similar to what you describe on another trailer I have (Gator) which you can see a glimpse of in the second pic in my original post. Thanks for the input.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

HI Krich-
I can maybe provide some pictures.
Looking at my tee nee trailer (made in SC yea) I thought that was the tongue break away, but I guess it's the tilt, so, you actually got me thinking, WOW I have a tilt trailer.... more incentive for me to get this thing refurbed myself. well maybe I hope these are some pics of the original tilt setup...
View attachment 82098
View attachment 82097

Thanks. Yours is different from mine. Mine is a very small light trailer, probably not a Tee Nee, it looks a lot like a trailer which was described as original to an old Alumacraft. They used Tee Nee for a while. My old Alumacraft is a '59 and I think the trailer is a '65 so who knows. Thanks again.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

A side question, does anyone ever use the tilt function? I've never seen it.

Yes! The ramp closest to my house is rough. Basically a steep little dirt road that dumps into a creek at high tide. Not nearly as worried about getting the truck stuck with the tilt. At the good ramp on the other side of the Island, I don't need it. Nice to have when you do.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Tilt trailer rebuild

Re: Tilt trailer rebuild

View attachment 81846
i know its not the best shot but it looks very similar to the tilt trailer i got with my boat, and mine is made of c section. If you think it is possibly the same or close i will get a better shot for you. it would make sense as i have been told a couple times that my trailer is to small for my boat. I dont know really as it is my first boat.
P.S Ur rebuild looks like its coming along nicely. My is has a fair bit of rust, and im debating to rebuild or get a new one.

Hard to tell from that pic. Your trailer looks beefier than mine but the mechanism could still be the same. I'd love to see a better shot if it's not a chore for you. I'm mostly done with this trailer. I need to decide what I'm going to do with regard to the tilt feature, shore up a weak joint on one of the cross members, finish painting and put it back together. The black on the 2x2 is rust converter, good stuff get some. I converted all the rest before the blue paint. You should be able to fix or replace just about anything on your trailer. A good sheet metal shop can help with materials or welding if needed. Thanks.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

I have no idea. I just bought the boat recently and it is my first one. Only put these up to see if you thought it was what you were talking about. Mine is made from c channel as well. The one in ur pics has leaf does it not? I will get a pic of the locking mechanism anyway and post it for you.

Yes. Mine has leaf springs.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

I do have a Gator tilt trailer and it looks nothing like yours. C channel is different as is the whole tilt design. Mine is an early to mid 60s model. Leads me to believe it's not a Gator but then I could be wrong. The earlier models, 1950s Gator used round tube stock. I would also guess that the numbers you see are also not original manufacture because I can't recall anyone welding numbers into the steel. Most are stamped or have a tag.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

I do have a Gator tilt trailer and it looks nothing like yours. C channel is different as is the whole tilt design. Mine is an early to mid 60s model. Leads me to believe it's not a Gator but then I could be wrong. The earlier models, 1950s Gator used round tube stock. I would also guess that the numbers you see are also not original manufacture because I can't recall anyone welding numbers into the steel. Most are stamped or have a tag.

My 1964 Gator looked exactly like the OP's. Unfortunatly I sold it and don't have any appropriate pics.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

I do have a Gator tilt trailer and it looks nothing like yours. C channel is different as is the whole tilt design. Mine is an early to mid 60s model. Leads me to believe it's not a Gator but then I could be wrong. The earlier models, 1950s Gator used round tube stock. I would also guess that the numbers you see are also not original manufacture because I can't recall anyone welding numbers into the steel. Most are stamped or have a tag.

I still suspect it's a Tee Nee trailer. I saw a post in the Alumacraft section of an old Model R, like mine with the original tilt trailer. It looked just like mine. I know Alumacraft was using Tee Nee for a while back then. Doesn't really matter anyway. Looks like I'm going to get a bracket made to mount on 2X2 channel and make something work. I'll post what I come up with when I'm done.
Thanks for all the input.

 

[dwzctrls]

Re: Tee Nee? Tilt trailer rebuild

I just got a Tee Nee tilt trailer along with a 1958 Crestliner boat that has a totally different tilt mechanism. It has another hitch ball up front that releases for tilting. The main ball is on another beam bellow the tilting beam. I've only found 1 like it on internet searches. Anyone know how collectable this is and what it might be worth to someone looking to restore it to go along with a vintage boat? It works great as it is and everything seems to be pretty much original except the lights. Not much rust either.

 

[Jabaking]

I'm rebuilding an old trailer that came with my old 12 ft. Alumacraft model R. It looks very similar to some pics of original Alumacraft trailers that I have seen posted in the Alumacraft forum. I believe TEE NEE trailers was one of their suppliers. The tilt function of my trailer was not operable when I acquired it, it was just bolted to the 2x2 channel. The channel broke where it was bolted and I have replaced it and the coupler with new. I have seen sources for the tilt latch mechanism but I would really like to rebuild this as it was originally.

Does anyone know how the tilt mechanism was originally attached?
Does anyone know of a source for the correct parts?
Does anyone have any photos will allow me to fabricate the necessary parts?

If I can see how the original was set up, I think I can take it from there. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Trailer SN is 10 1 65 L1 if that is meaningful to anyone.

Thanks again.

I can not help with the tilt issue but u just bought a trailer similar to this do you know what the beating size is? Not sure if it was normal for the period but it has one round flat hub assembly Ashdod a flat square one. Thank you.