That was a beautiful explanation on the workings of the tilt trailer, but I just
want to emphasize one thing. You mentioned that you don't need to submerge the
hubs! That in itself is enough reason to use the tilt feature. When I think of all
the things that can happen when you submerge a wheel hub, none of them are good.
Your hubs can take in water even when they are fitted with bearing buddies if they
are not used properly. If your hubs are still warm when they hit the cold water,
it creates a vacuum sucking water into the hubs and subsequently the bearings. How
many trailers have you seen stranded alongside the road in the summer that were
outfitted with bearing buddies? Chances are they experienced bearing failure.
Before launching, you want to check the bearing buddies to ensure they have adequate
grease in them to maintain a tension on the entire assembly. I always carry a
grease gun filled with marine grade grease so I can give my bearing buddies a couple
of squirts if necessary. Unfortunately this little tidbit in usually not contained
in the instructions that come with the bearing buddies.
Good sailing!
Steve Eustace
P-15 #1157, Kokopelli 2
Euless, Texas
DAVID_KAUTZ@HP-Sunnyvale-om5.om.hp.com wrote:
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Bill,
>
> I didn't use the tilt feature on my trailer until Harry showed me how.
> In fact, all of the retrieving problems that I experienced on my first
> outings were related to backing the trailer too far into the water.
>
> I had read somewhere that the trailer had to be backed in until the
> rear bunks were submerged. With the P-15, this meant that the stern
> was still afloat, even after the boat was all the way up to the bow
> stop - it was a crap shoot when pulling out as to whether the keel
> would end up on the rollers or not. Anyway, if you use the trailer as
> a "float-off", it never tilts.
>
> So I go sailing with Harry, who has a tilt-trailer in a gorgeous shade
> of orange, He backs down near the water, the tires are in but the hubs
> aren.t, I figure he's just stopped to check something but he lets the
> boat go, the trailer does a big ka-whump and his Potter is launched.
>
> I do the same now - water just below the hubs. I've been leaving the
> winch line on and cranking the boat down to moderate the rather sudden
> launch velocity that results when the trailer tilts up if I've got my
> outboard mounted.
>
> To retrieve, back the trailer in to the same point - people WILL give
> you strange looks - on my trailer the aftmost roller is still above
> water - pull the bow up against the roller and winch. The trailer
> folds, pulling the bunks and roller under water, the tension on the
> winch line helps the boat self-align and it comes up on the trailer
> straight every time.
>
> Keeping the roller spindles lubed seems to help in minimizing the
> effort required when winching - Francesca often does the cranking.
>
> I've never seen a P-19 launched from a tilt trailer - in fact, I don't
> think I've ever seen a 19 launched from anyting other than a "Baja"
> style trailer - but I'd hope it would be similar to the P-15 method
> only "scaled up". Bigger wheels, bigger winch, bigger boat, etc.
> Another advantage to not backing in so far is that there always seems
> to be better traction higher up on the ramp, especially when
> retrieving at low tide.
>
>
> Dave Kautz
> P-15 #1632 Tilly Lucy
> Palo Alto, CA
>
>
>
> ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
> Subject: Tilt trailers: Why?
> Author: bblohm-at-boi (bblohm@boi.hp.com) at hp-boise,mimegw7
> Date: 4/12/99 1:01 PM
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Ok, let's try this one on for size. What's the advantage of
> the tilt trailer? How is it meant to be used?
>
> I have launched and retrieved Dream Catcher with the trailer
> locked and unlocked, and it doesn't seem to make any difference.
> It may well be that my launching and retrieving skills are
> sadly lacking. Obviously, tilt trailers wouldn't exist if they
> didn't have some use, but what?
>
> Bill B.
> P-19 #454, Dream Catcher
> Nampa, ID