Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

[lakelover]

I bought this 1987 tilt trailer last year and noticed the way the front half & back half are hooked together. Essentially there is only one 1/2" bolt holding the front and rear halves together and when towing, it seems that bolt would bear the full load. Is this common?

My other tilt trailer has "T" behind the tilt joint and is fastened to a crossbar with two bolts.

Do I need to be concerned about this? I could drill and add another bolt and lose the tilt capability but I like that feature.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

That is how they work. My car dolly has the same sort of pivot on it.

The load is being shared by the bolt and the pin when the pin is in.

Good idea to pull the bolt out and make sure it is not rotted out every couple years.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

I don' think the pin would have any part of the load, it goes under the tube, not through it. I'd feel better if it went through, that's what got me thinking about it.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

Have you ever looked at the pin in your receiver hitch? It is no different than a 1/2" bolt. They pull 10k pounds all the time. I would guess that ANY boat on a tilt trailer is much less than that.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

That's a good point I didn't think about. I guess I'll just check it periodically and not worry about it. Thanks guys.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

My guess would be is that trailer is 2000# or less capacity. Also to confirm yours, I just piacked up a 1997 Spartan R16 tilt and it is made the same way. One 1/2" bolt for the piviot. It also has slipper springs that are only attached by one 1/2" bolt on each spring.

The Gator tilt that I'm currantly using is also on one 1/2" piviot bolt and that trailer was made way back in the early 60s!

 

[lakelover]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

The one I mentioned above that has 2 bolts fastening it is a 1965 model; the one with one bolt is 1987. Just cheaper to build them that way I guess & they hold up apparently. The older one has a lot more class (and is in better shape).

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

I'm sure it's not just your every day run of the mil 1/2" bolt. if you ever replace it, be sure to get high grade steel.

Just sayin'

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

I would be more worried about that flimsey sheet metal bracketing the 1/2" bolt goes thru and the welds that keep it on that sheet metal crosschannel.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

remember, the front of the boat is latched on to the winch stand, so a lot of the "pull" is up there. And the boat is tied to the trailer in the rear. You could almost pull the bolt and drag it along like a two-part logging trailer. Ironically, it's probably more secure with the boat tied on than empty.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

All good points, a many of which I never considered. Glad I asked!

 

[57crestliner]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

And I use a waist strap to tie boat to trailer in center. Old tin,(but 18 foot!), original trailer rusted out couple years ago. Got a used shorelander and swapped single-trees. First trailer was a tilt. Loved it for shallow water. Shorelander tilts, but as yet unused.

 

[frankzz]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

Anybody know where I can get parts for a Cox tilt trailer with some kind of spring loaded lever mechanism to release the pivot point. That's the part I need. Thanks.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

Frankzz. Never heard of a Cox trailer but still the same, a question like this is best asked in a new thread. For one reason it will get better responses and for two it's not polite to what's called hijacking another persons thread by aksing an unrelated question.

 

[Evinbuck]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

You might consider replacing the bolt with a new hitch pin like on your receiver. That is if they're the same diameter. I also have a tilt trailer with a grade eight bolt however my frame is designed a bit different having two stabilizer bars that are fastened to the trailer frame but they hinge to allow tilting. Makes for three attachment points. I'd recommend using a nylon stop nut on a new bolt or a cotterpin and castle nut to assure it stays put.

 

[frankzz]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

new to this. will remember about the new topic advice next time. but since someone engage me on this here; i guess i'll just continue this time. Here's a picture of the part in question> It's actually the last, rusty part that I'd like to find. Thanks for any help you guys can give. I's

 

[bigdee]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

I would replace with a standard grade 2 or 5. A bolt of a higher grade is heat treated and quenched which makes for a high tensile strength but is more brittle. The grade 2 will bend (alot) before it breaks. The pin in your hitch receiver is similar to a grade 5. If it makes you feel better you can re-locate the pull-pin from under the tongue to the center of the tubing by drilling through it.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Tilt trailer - is this a concern?

new to this. will remember about the new topic advice next time. but since someone engage me on this here; i guess i'll just continue this time. Here's a picture of the part in question> It's actually the last, rusty part that I'd like to find. Thanks for any help you guys can give. I's

Frank - Welcome aboard. If you start a new thread about your specific question I'll post pics of my Cox with the same arrangement. OK?