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Ensign Sailing Forum

Hull 1343
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I made it down the mountain safe and sound after getting new tires. Actually, I barely knew the boat and trailer were behind me, but I will admit I did keep it under 60 to be on the safe side.


I'm looking forward to posting updates on my refit over the winter and can't wait to get her on the lake next year! Thank you to all that offered advice...I'm sure I will need more of it in the coming months.

Only storage trailers shouldn't have brakes for Ensigns. It's cheap insurance and keeps on giving for many years at no charge. The common situation is not being able to stop in time during a normal stop. Like a yellow light.  

zeke


Thank you Ward! That is exactly what they are. I will have to look closer on it if it has brakes or not.

Thanks Vic! Ya, it’s 3k here. I’m not worried at all about the 2 hour trip home. I know my Tundra can handle it from a safety standpoint. My biggest concern was the tires and wheels. And thanks to the help from this group I’ve identified what they are (mobile home open center rim) and now have a plan to replace them.


Thanks to everyone that helped me out. I’ll be working on her over the winter and will be posting updates as I go, and I’m sure will have questions.


Thanks again!

I don’t know the law in Colorado, but New York State requires brakes on any trailer weighing over 1,000 pounds unladen, and having a maximum gross weight in excess of 3,000 pounds.

 

An Ensign on a trailer would weight more than 3000 lbs.

 

Vic Roberts

#2032

 

 

It looks like you have mobile home wheels. Any tire store should be able to put trailer tires on those rims.

Are you sure that you do not have electric brakes? Is there a brake drum or just an idler hub?

If there are no brakes and if the trailer cannot be modified before your descent then transporting on a flatbed with good brakes makes sense.

Ward Woodruff

Thanks Ward. It does not have brakes yet. I have a Tundra with plenty of towing and braking capacity. I’m very familiar with towing trailers and I agree, this is a critical section of road I will have to take seriously.


Attached is the wheel. I have an inquiry into BigO Tires for their advisement. The guy that I bought the boat from said he has had them replace one for another boat he had recently. If they are not able to help then I’m going to winch it onto a flatbed trailer and drive her home. We shall see.

Go to eTrailer or southwest wheel online. You will be able to get info to determine the bolt circle diameter and center hole diameter. 


Do you know that the trailer brakes work?


I recently drove from Breckenridge to Denver. It is a long steep hill. 


To be clear, that is a drive where there is great risk of death if you do not have a full size pickup truck or full size SUV as the tow vehicle and reliable, fully functioning, trailer brakes. 


Does the trailer currently have brakes? Are the brakes electric or hydraulic surge?


You can purchase a “Trailer Building Kit” from Southwest Wheel for around $1100 delivered. The kit at that price includes:

5200 pound single axel

12” electric brakes

Springs and all hardware to mount springs and axels to the trailer frame

LED lights

Radial tires and wheels. The kit lists 16”. They changed to 15” load rating E tires and wheels at my request. 

50 degree coupler and jack. The jack and coupler might not be suitable for your application. 


So, if the trailer lacks brakes you will be into the above stuff plus demolition of the existing running gear and installation of the new items.


Or, perhaps the trailer has mobile home brake drums with rim type wheels. Google mobile home wheels and/or mobile home hub drum assembly


Ward

I bought new rims with mounted tires at Tractors supply for my tow home. New Jersey to Southern Mass

Sent from my iPad

Well, I made the decision to pull the trigger and buy hull number 1343 last night. Now I have to get her down the mountain from Lake Dillon to Denver. She is on an older, but sound single axle trailer. I will need to get new tires though before making the journey. It has split rims on it however. I have never dealt with them before and would rather just buy two new wheels and tires. I had heard somewhere that it’ might be difficult to just switch the wheels out like that but can’t remember why. Does anyone have experience doing this that can offer some advice?


Thanks!

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