Transporting a small boat on the roof of a car is often difficult, especially if it is a heavy aluminum model or boats with an installed engine. carriageThis device not only simplifies the process of getting the boat to the water, but also provides safety when driving on public roads.
The modern market offers many ready-made solutions, but many owners prefer to create a design themselves. Homemade carriage It allows you to take into account the individual dimensions of the boat and save a significant amount of money, and it is important to understand that the manufacture of a trailer requires not only welding skills, but also strict adherence to technical regulations.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of choosing ready-made models, compare materials and consider the step-by-step process of assembling a reliable carriage yourself. A properly assembled trailer is a guarantee that your boat will arrive at the fishing or resting place without damage.
Design features and purpose of carriages
Principal appointment boat-lap Unlike universal cargo trailers, it uses a specific locking system that prevents the hull from moving during sharp manoeuvres, and is based on a frame to which the pads (keel supports) or rollers are attached.
The key element of security is winchThis is the one that allows you to load the boat onto the frame without assistance, using inertia or mechanical force. Aluminum housings are often used with roller guides that minimize friction, whereas PVC and fiberglass are ideal soft pads made of rubber or plastic.
It is worth noting that loading capacity The trailer must exceed the weight of the boat with the engine and equipment by at least 20%, this margin of safety is necessary to compensate for the dynamic loads that occur when passing through roughness of the road surface, ignoring this rule can lead to deformation of the frame and an emergency situation on the highway.
When choosing a winch, pay attention to the length of the cable: it should be 1.5 times the length of the carriage to conveniently take the boat out of the water on the gently gently shored.
Comparison of materials: profile pipe or channel
The choice of frame material is the first and most important step in designing. Most home craftsmen fluctuate between the two. profile-pipe and squirrelEach of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, which directly affect the final weight and durability of the structure.
A square- or rectangular-sectional profile pipe is better off in terms of strength and weight, less twistable and lighter, which is critical for low-power tractors, but welding requires more precision and fine fitting of joints.
- 🔹 Profile tube: lighter, better resists twisting, looks more aesthetic, but more difficult in welding angular joints.
- 🔹 Schweller: cheaper, easier to process, withstands large static loads, but is much heavier and more susceptible to corrosion inside the shelves.
- 🔹 Corner: It is rarely used for main spars due to its low torsional rigidity, suitable only for small reinforced elements.
For most small vessels, the best choice will be a profile pipe with a section of 60x40 mm or 80x40 mm with a wall thickness of at least 3 mm. rolling-out provides the necessary safety margin, remaining light enough to be towed by a passenger car.
The use of a profile pipe allows you to reduce the total weight of the carriage by 15-20% compared to the channel, which saves fuel and reduces the load on the suspension of the car.
Types of supports: pawns against rollers
The support system of the boat hull is divided into two main types: lay-up and rollerThe choice between them depends on the material of the hull of your vessel and the conditions of launching, and the wrong choice can lead to scratches or even holes in the bottom.
Lodges are long supports that replicate the keel's contours, which provide maximum contact area, spreading the weight of the boat evenly over the entire length, and are ideal for long-distance transportation on rough roads, as they eliminate vibration and displacement.
⚠️ Warning: Lodges require precise fits to a particular boat model, and if the supports are too wide or narrow, the hull may become deformed by prolonged parking or shaking.
Roller systems consist of many rotating elements attached to the frame, and their main advantage is the ability to easily pull the boat from the carriage directly into the water or, conversely, tighten it with a winch without having to remove the engine. For heavy aluminum and metal boats, this is often the only convenient option.
There is also a combined version, where rollers are installed in the nose to facilitate loading, and the stern is based on static lodgings. hybrid combines ease of operation and reliability of fixation when driving.
Step-by-step instructions for assembling the carriage yourself
The manufacturing process starts with drawing, and you need to know exactly the dimensions of the boat, the ground clearance of the trailer, and the type of breather you use, and you can do it on a flat ground, using rods to fix the elements before welding.
First, the main frame is assembled, the longerons are joined by crossbars, and then the breath is welded. breath to the frame: here often there are maximum stresses, so it is recommended to use scarves-amplifiers.
☑️ Frame assembly stages
Once the frame is assembled, the welding seams are stripped and corrosion-free, the metal is degreased, ground and coated with enamel, and only after the paint has been completely dried can the chassis and electrics be installed.
Do I need to register with the DHS?
Yes, if the total mass of the carriage (trailer weight + boat weight + engine weight) exceeds 750 kg, or if you plan to drive on public roads on any trailer, according to the traffic rules.
Table of comparison of technical specifications
To illustrate this, we compare the parameters of a homemade carriage made of pipe and a finished factory analogue, which will help to assess the feasibility of self-production.
| Parameter | Homemade (Tube 60x40) | Factory (Standard) | Homemade (Schweller) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame weight (without wheels) | 45-55 kg | 40-50 kg | 70-80 kg |
| Load capacity | 600 kg | 550 kg | 800 kg |
| Cost of materials | Low. | High. | Medium |
| Difficulty of manufacture | High. | Missing. | Medium |
As you can see from the table, home-made The profile pipe is almost as heavy as the factory pipe, but it is much cheaper, but the channel frame, although heavier, may be preferable for very heavy boats, where maximum rigidity is important.
Electricity and safety requirements
The carriage is not operated on public roads without a proper light alarm system, the connection circuit is standard: dimensions, turn signals, stop lights and reflectors. To protect contacts from water, which is inevitable when descenting a boat, it is recommended to use the following: American-type connector (7-pin) with a rubber cover.
All wires must be laid in a corrugated tube and securely secured by clamps to the frame to prevent sagging and engagement. grounding: the sub-conductor must have reliable contact with the metal frame at several points.
⚠️ Attention: Before the first departure, be sure to check the work of all lighting devices with an assistant. The absence of a working stop light or turn signal is a common cause of accidents and fines from traffic police inspectors.
Don't forget. safety-line It must connect the trailer's breather to the towing hook of the car separately from the main coupling, and if the coupling breaks, this cable will prevent the carriage from leaving for free flight.
Using sealed LED lights instead of lamp lights greatly improves the reliability of electricians, as they are not afraid of vibration and water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register a homemade carriage in the traffic police?
Yes, if the total weight of the trailer with a load exceeds 750 kg, or if you plan to go on public roads, registration will require a certificate of conformity, which is extremely difficult to obtain for homemade products, so many people arrange them as trailers-platforms or undergo examination with NAMI.
What is the maximum speed to be followed when towing?
According to traffic rules, the speed of movement with a trailer on suburban roads should not exceed 90 km / h, and in settlements - 60 km / h However, for the safety of the boat and the stability of the composition, it is recommended not to exceed 80 km / h, especially if the carriage is homemade.
Can I use a boat to store the boat in winter?
Yes, this is even preferable to storage on the ground, as it provides ventilation to the bottom, but it is recommended to remove the wheels or significantly doomsrektsya frame to relieve the load from the rubber and bearings of the hubs for a long period.
How often should the wheels be lubricated?
Boat trailers are aggressively exposed to bearings (water, dirt, salt) and it is recommended to carry out preventive lubrication and inspection of bearings at least once a season, and after each season of intensive use on salt water - necessarily.