Prepping a heavy duty trailer for dirt roads?
Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 22:09
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B0XER
Planning on doing the
birdsville track soon and through the
oodnadatta track as
well. I have no dramas taking the Prado on the trip, but my trailer is not a offroad type. Its a heavy duty galvanised 7x4 box trailer with large axle and 16"
wheels. Problem is I think
the springs might not be up to it (only carrying a dirtbike in the back so only 150kgs of weight or so).
The springs almost bottom out on the trailer with about 800kgs in the trailer if thats any help
Is it advisable not to take this trailer or will some HD slipper springs and offroad tyres suffice for these two roads?
What is the condition of these roads lately (have checked the road condition part of this site, but not much info)
Thanks
Reply By: Oldsquizzy (Kununurra) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 23:13
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 23:13
See if you can get someone to fit a second hand set of hilux front or similar springs and a set of shocks 80% rebound 20% compression.
AnswerID:
238722
Reply By: DavidT - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 08:38
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 08:38
good luck!!! make sure you take a couple of good tyres and i would replace
the springs, with the condition of the trailer as it is i would not take it i did these two tracks recently, we towed a heavy duty of road trailer we blew a tyre with major reults on the
birdsville the
oodnadatta no dramas, it is the gibber that will shred the tyres unless they are good quality tyres.
Dave T
AnswerID:
238761
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 08:46
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 08:46
Your trailer is very similar to what I used in the past on those tracks. You've got very little weight in it, so you won't have a problem. Main thing that kills them by busted springs and axles, is speed and overloading. And I'd suggest you keep your tyre pressures lowish.
You may want some rear windscreen protection from rebounding stones - a sheet of cardboard taped over the back will do.
Both tracks are maintained, graded roads. Theres a fair bit of stone around, and a little bit of corrugations if its due to be graded. We travel them at up to 80kph, if the conditions allow.
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Reply By: Member - Barry M (NSW) - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 10:54
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 10:54
Just returned from trip towing C/t on Odnadatta, Tanami etc, with HD off road
type trailer..no drama at all. Simple leaf springs (Shackle type) no shocks, no brakes, & 30 psi in 16 " tyres, highway pattern with 50% tread. Better tyres will lower your risk of damage, & it sounds like your springs need replacing. Close attention to packing & adjusting wheel bearings will prevent any problems there,
& as others have indicated..speed is the destroyer. Pack gear to minimise movement as loose stuff will break, rub etc. Ood track is in good condition in April,
Birdsville was better than most gravel roads where I live 2 yrs ago...oldbaz.
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238778
Reply By: gbdid - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 11:43
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 11:43
I was doing a search for bits myself recently and found these sites which might be of interest if you want to upgrade
the springs.
www.couplemate.com.au/
www.allstatestrailerspares.com.au/
Graham
AnswerID:
238783
Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 11:49
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 11:49
i recommend allstates, Vic is a very helpful chap to deal with and the pricing is good imo.
couplemate have a great website too, although I have not done business with them yet.
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499824
Reply By: Pomgonewalkabout - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 13:32
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 13:32
A bloke on the
Birdsville track lost a U bolt, so carry some spares.
cheers
AnswerID:
238805
Reply By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 16:42
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 16:42
Hey Boxer.
I have a 7x5 box trailer tradesman style and I put 8 leaf eye toeye type splings with the helper springs on top.
I wouldn't fit slipper springs for this trip, you could also take a spare stub axle and ubolts and fish plates, the stub axle I talk of is about 350mm long and if you break and axle all you have to do is put the stub on along side the other axle and it will get you out of trouble.
a spare hub and bearings don't take up much room either.
Cheers Steve.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: GerryP - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 21:31
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 21:31
Hi Boxer,
Have seen several abandoned trailers on various tracks. Most were not off-road and had broken the draw bar where it joins on to the front of the trailer. This is the area that tends to flex most with heavy loads over corrugations. You may want to make sure you have a fairly beefy A-frame (not just 2 inch angle like most garden trailers) and reinforce if needed.
Cheers
Gerry
AnswerID:
238933
Reply By: Pezza (Bris) - Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 00:37
Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 00:37
Where's the fun in having the bike on a trailer ?
Leave the trailer at home, get the missus to drive the car and you ride the bike, problem solved !!
Avagoodn
Pezza
AnswerID:
238984