Choosing a boat is only half the battle for any water-engineer. Sooner or later, every owner faces the question of transportation: how to get the boat to the water, if there is no pier or easy descent nearby? This is where specialized trailers come to the scene, and one of the most popular brands in the domestic market are: trailers Satellite.
These designs have proven to be reliable and affordable solutions for the transportation of PVC inflatable boats, boats and even small yachts. Unlike homemade "boats", factory models are mandatory certification and meet the requirements of traffic police, which saves the owner from unnecessary problems with inspectors on the road.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the model range, technical features, and give practical tips for the operation and maintenance of these trailers, you will learn how the models of the M series differ from lighter counterparts, and how to extend the life of your trailer.
Review of the model range of trailers Satellite
The manufacturer offers a wide range of products covering the needs of owners of small inflatable boats to owners of serious motor boats. Satellite. It's divided into several key series, each one tailored to a specific task, and the main difference is the load capacity and the frame design.
The most popular are the M series models, such as the M-750 and M-850. The figures here indicate the maximum permissible weight. These trailers are equipped with spring suspension, which allows smooth running even on broken dirt roads to remote water bodies. For easier tasks, such as transporting inflatable boats with low-power engines, there are lightweight versions with torsion suspension.
The padded versions are two long tracks, lined with specially designed material, and are ideal for thin-bottomed boats, as the load is distributed throughout the area, minimizing the risk of damage to the hull.
⚠️ Attention: When choosing between keel and padding, consider the type of bottom of your boat. For hard aluminum bottom or plywood, the keel-roller version can be rigid, while the bed will provide soft support.
All models undergo hot galvanizing, which is the standard for corrosion protection for marine and river conditions, but the quality of the assembly and components can vary depending on the year of manufacture and the specific batch.
Technical specifications and design
The basis of any trailer Satellite. The geometry of the frame is designed to keep the centre of gravity of the loaded boat firmly above or just ahead of the axle, which is critical for road stability, and if the centre of gravity is shifted too far back, the trailer will wag and can fold (break) when braking.
Most models have one or two springs. The springs are easy to maintain, but require periodic lubrication and stepladder inspection. More modern versions can be equipped with torsion systems that do not require maintenance, but are more difficult to repair when broken. The chassis is equipped with R13 diameter wheels, which are often unified with automotive ones, which makes it easier to have a spare.
The traction coupling device (farcope) is usually a ball with a diameter of 50 mm and is equipped with a forced locking mechanism. breathedThe length of the traction affects the stability of the coupling, and the elongated breath makes driving with the trailer more comfortable, reducing the effect of the pendulum.
Let’s look at the comparison table of popular models:
| Model | Load capacity (kg) | Type of suspension | Lodge length (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-750 satellite | 750 | Resorbed | 4200 |
| M-850 satellite | 850 | Resorbed | 4800 |
| Satellite Boat 350 | 350 | Torsion | 3600 |
| Satellite Katerny | 1200 | Resorption (2 axles) | 5500 |
When buying a trailer, pay attention to the presence of splashers, and their absence will lead to rapid contamination of the rear of the car with salt and dirt from the road.
Advantages and disadvantages of operation
Why do water-engines choose this particular brand? First of all, it's the availability of parts. Satellite. Ressors, hubs, bearings, lighting, all of these things can be bought at any car store or in the parts market, a huge plus compared to the rare imported ones, where the wait for a part can take months.
In addition, the frames have a high safety margin. Russian roads and the direction "to the water" are often impassable mud, where European light alloys could not withstand the load. Steel is steel, and if properly maintained, it lasts for decades. The possibility of modernization is also high: owners easily install winches, motor brackets and additional drawers.
But don't idealize the technology, but trailers have their own downsides, which you need to know.
- 🛑 Weight of construction: Steel trailers are much heavier than aluminum analogues, which reduces the payload on the car.
- 🛑 Corrosion: Despite galvanizing, welded seams and internal cavities of pipes require additional attention. Zinc wears off over time, and rust can appear after 2-3 seasons of active use.
- 🛑 Lighting quality: The wiring and lights are often poor, and the connector's tightness is low, leading to oxidation of the contacts and turn signals failing at the most inopportune moment.
Also, many users note the rigidity of the wheel on an empty trailer. Without a load of 300-400 kg, the springs work at the upper limit, and the shaking is transmitted to the body of the car.
⚠️ Attention: Never use a trailer with a faulty lighting system. A fine for not having turn signals or dimensions is the lesser of evils. The main danger is to be unnoticed by other road users in the dark.
The secret of longevity wiring
Replace the standard connectors with moisture-proof versions such as ISO 7-pin. Strip an additional wire "mass" from the car battery directly to the trailer connector to exclude loss of current through the car body.
Proper loading and fastening of the boat
The safety of the transport depends not only on the technical condition of the trailer, but also on how you load the boat. The process of loading on the keel trailer requires skill. The boat needs to be brought to the rollers with your nose, gradually pushing upwards, ensuring that the keel lies strictly in the center.
They often use a winch to facilitate the process. Satellite. The winch space is designed to be built, but the mechanism itself often has to be bought separately or changed to a more powerful one, and when working with a winch, it is important to use a safety rope or chain that clings to the bow loop of the boat.
Once you put the boat on the beds or rollers, you get the locking stage. You can't save time. You can only use certified bracket belts. Ropes and knots are a risk that's not justified. The belts must be pulled so that the boat doesn't have a backlash, but they also don't deform from the drag.
Here is the checklist for proper loading:
☑️ Pre-departure checks
Pay special attention to the noserest. It should fit tightly to the forehead. If there is a gap between the forehead and the boat, when braking, the boat can inertia move forward, damaging the transom or flipping the trailer.
Maintenance and preparation for winter
A boat trailer is a product that is in constant contact with an aggressive environment: water, salt, sun and road reagents. So regular maintenance will prolong its life many times over. After every trip to the sea or just pulling the boat out of the water, the trailer must be thoroughly washed with fresh water.
Once a season, preferably before navigation, you should have a chassis audit. Raise the trailer on the jack and rock the wheels. There should be no luft in the hubs. If there is a hum or a knock, the hub bearings need to be replaced or lubricated. Satellite. This is a standard procedure similar to car wheel maintenance.
The braking system (if any, usually on heavy models weighing more than 750 kg) also requires inspection. The brake pads wear out and the handbrake cables can become sour, check their course and lubricate them with graphite lubrication if necessary.
Preparation for winter storage:
- ❄️ Wash the frame thoroughly from salt and dirt using a brush and auto shampoo.
- ❄️ Lubricate all rubbing nodes: springs, breathed (if telescopic), lock of the coupling device.
- ❄️ Reduce the tension of springs if the trailer will stand unloaded for a long time (optional, but preferably for old springs).
- ❄️ Raise the wheels on the stands to relieve the load from the tires, or periodically roll the trailer.
The main enemy of the trailer is salt. If you've been resting at sea, wash the trailer with fresh water the same day. Salt corrodes the zinc coating faster than regular river water.
Legal aspects and category “E” rights
Many newcomers mistakenly believe that to transport a boat on a trailer, you always need a category "E" license. This is not quite true. According to the traffic rules, category "E" is required if the maximum permissible mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kg And exceeds the mass of the curbed car, or if the total mass of the car and trailer exceeds 3,500 kg.
Popular models M-750 satellite If the document (PTS) says 750 kg, that's enough to drive a category B car, regardless of the weight of the car. However, if you decide to increase the load capacity by replacing springs and axles, you'll have to make changes to the design and get a new PTS, which can move the trailer to a different weight category.
Registration at the traffic police is mandatory, the trailer receives its own license plate, which must be clean and readable, the absence of plates or their contamination is equated with driving without them, also mandatory to have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency stop sign, although in practice trailers are required less often, but the law is the law.
⚠️ Attention: When buying a used trailer, be sure to check the VIN number on the frame and in the PTS. It often happens that trailers are sold without documents or with left-handed numbers. It is almost impossible to legalize such transport.
Finally, it is worth noting that the trailers Satellite. They are a workhorse for thousands of fishermen and tourists, not without disadvantages, care and attention, but offer excellent value for money, and the right model for your boat and regular maintenance will allow you to forget about the problems with transportation and focus on the main thing - rest on the water.
lifehack
If you keep a trailer outdoors, cover the frame and wheels with breathable fabric, and the film will create a greenhouse effect and accelerate corrosion, and a special cover will protect you from the sun and rain.
Do I need an E-License for an M-750 Satellite Trailer?
No, do not need if the total mass of the trailer does not exceed 750 kg In this case, the usual category "B" is sufficient. Category "E" is required if the mass of the trailer is more than 750 kg And exceeds the mass of the curbed car, or if the sum of the mass of the car and trailer is more than 3,500 kg.
How often should the wheels be lubricated?
It is recommended to check the lubricant and bearings once a year or every 10,000 km of run. If you often drive on water (lower the trailer deeply), the lubricant should be checked more often, as water can wash the lubricant through the gums.
Can I carry a motor in a separate canister on a trailer?
Carrying gasoline in canisters in the back of a passenger car is prohibited by the rules for the carriage of dangerous goods. You can carry it on a trailer, but the canister must be securely fixed to prevent its fall, movement and spark formation. It is better to use special metal boxes for fuel with ventilation.
What do I do if the frame is rusted?
The rust must be cleaned to metal (brush or Bulgarian), treated with a rust converter, primed and painted. If the corrosion is through and affects the bearing elements of the frame, operation can be dangerous - in this case, welding repairs with digestion of the knots are required.
What is the maximum weight of a boat to be loaded on an M-750?
The permitted gross weight of 750 kg includes the weight of the trailer itself (about 200-230 kg) and the weight of the cargo. Thus, the payload is approximately 520-550 kg. This weight includes a boat, engine, equipment, gasoline and anchor.