Laurie's Trailer Talk

New Look

LaurieP — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:30:25 +0000

So, what do you think of the new look of the page? I think it looks great! Would really love to hear your comments, suggestions and would love to have so questions thrown my way. Looking forward to hearing from you.

SEMA Show

LaurieP — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:26:12 +0000

Just a reminder that we will be attending the SEMA Show in Las Vegas in November. Look for us at booth 33197!

Questions from a customer

LaurieP — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:24:18 +0000

Hi there. Hoping you all are having a great day. I am going to use this as a way to post an answer to a customer who I am guessing is getting my response blocked by his security settings/software. I’ve made no changes to spelling, etc. and have included my response as well. Maybe one of our readers can assist?
So here goes!

Question: I installed the couple mate on my tow vehicle. I have adjusted it as far back as possible and it likes about one quarter inch form lining up correctly over the ball when it makes contact it is too far foreward and I have to move the tow vehicle forwaard to get it to line up. Is there a fix for this?
Thanks
Dean
Repsonse: Dear Dean,
Thanks for your inquiry. I am having difficulty understanding what you reference. Can you take a photo of your installation and trailer so I can
get a better idea of a solution for you? A top view looking down at the ball would be ideal. Thanks!
Laurie

Here’s the link…….

LaurieP — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:58:33 +0000

Unfortunately I can’t get the whole thing to post, but here is the link.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/proboatradio/2010/08/10/trailer-boating-with-laurie-pedrick

Interview with Pro Boat Radio

LaurieP — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:44:05 +0000

So we had our interview with Barbara Jean of Pro Boat Radio. It was great fun and I think it was informative as well. We will try to post a link for folks who have an interest.

Podcast tomorrow

LaurieP — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 01:38:21 +0000

Well tomorrow I will be doing a live podcast with Barbara Jean from Pro Boat Radio. Just one of our topics will be Durahub Extreme, the next generation in bearing protection! Pop on Pro Boat Radio and have a listen. We will be posting a link so that you can listen another time. Have a great day whether you are camping, boating or just out having fun!

Hot August Nights

LaurieP — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:29:00 +0000

Well, Hot August Nights has begun in earnest! For those of you that are not aware, Hot August Nights is an event held in Reno, Nevada the first full week of August every year, celebrating classic cars and hot rods. This year Couplemate is participating and has a booth for sales. Wow, there are alot of folks that have stopped by to tell me how much they love their Couplemate. More than a few couples stopped by and remarked that it truly is “The Marriage Saver”. If you are in the area, stop by and say hello – we are located inside the Big Boys Toy Store at the Reno Events Center.

Brake question

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:48:06 +0000

I have a tandem trailer I have just bought and in the process of making necessary repairs. I live in Dalby so unfortunately I cannot bring the trailer into you, however I am frequently in Brisbane and plan to purchase the necessary gear from you. So far I have replaced the shackle bolts and bushes and there was a couple of places where plates have been chewed into so I have welded on extra plates with 5/8 holes either sides of these plates. Hope this will work.

I am having a few issues with brakes. The front right handbrake mechanism is very tight and it will not release the handbrake. I have tried to free it by loosening it (without success) and using inox and still no good. The front left works well and the rear wheels (not that they are hooked up) seem to have the handbrake mechanism seized. Can you please advise if I can buy
a new backing plate to suit these brakes? I can email you a few photos if you like. (on the drum assembly it has 254 x 57E. & max dia 256.3 & hol-0042).

Replace the entire electric backing plate will solve the problem.

I have been advised to change these drum brakes out for discs buy a few of the mechanics at work. Can you please advise what cost would be involved and if this is possible and if we can use the existing axles?

OK, mechanical disc brakes stop at 2000kg so you need electric all round.

Currently the brakes are electric (the trailer also has electric override brakes) and I have a controller in the vehicle. I find that loaded (2.5t) the trailer brakes alone will not lockup on bitumen at about 60km (when I was setting up the brake controller as per the instructions) – is this ok?

They do seem to perform ok when towing. As the trailer is also boat trailer I have been advised that hydraulic/electric brakes would be ideal but I understand they are costly. Due to the length and tilt of the trailer the wheels do not go into the water (but there is always a possibility when on the beach and driving through water). I also noticed that a couple of the electric magnet assembly have a slight crack in them – it this ok? If you cannot see any issues with the current setup this would be good news.

(a)Take the override coupling off and replace with an electric coupling.

(b)Replace wiring to 4mm. You are currently getting voltage drop and that is why your electric brakes are not working properly.

(c)You have two options if it is a boast trailer (1) Replace the electric brake when they rust out (2) Buy hydraulic disc brakes all round and use an electric/hydraulic controller.

(d) Sand contains salt so even if those electric brakes SMELL salt they will rust.

I have been told the stud pattern is Ford F100 or Suzuki. What would it cost to change out to 6 stud pattern (assuming I stay with the drums) so I can run prado tyres?

Prado are a 5 stud Landcruiser Patten. You need to decide whether you are going to go back to electric or upgrade to all galvanised disc system.

I am a little worried that putting larger wheels on will mean the trailer will not sit level with the vehicle, but ideally I would like to have prado tyres fitted so they are the same as the tow vehicle. Can you also advise if the prado stud pattern is the same as a Landcruiser?

Larger wheels on a boat trailer are uncommon. Most boat trailers run 13″ to get as close to the ground when launching as possible.

I would recommend 13″ Disc Hydraulic with Electric/Hydraulic controller.

Suspension Question from a customer

LaurieP — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:01:50 +0000

Well today I got a phone call from a customer that was having some suspension issues – seems that everytime he towed his trailer things were shake, rattlin’ and rollin’. So he asked for my advise. Well, we have a set of shocks on the way to deal with the rough roads of Southern California and prevent further damage. Thanks for the call, that’s what we are here for. Please get back to us when you return from your vacation and let us know how the shocks worked out for you.

Hello and Good Day

LaurieP — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:41:52 +0000

Well,
This is the first post for me and I want to welcome everyone to this forum. We expect to be able to answer your legitimate questions with a bit of humor and good advice! So warm up your typing fingers and fire away!