Operation of inflatable boat requires not only high-quality boat, but also the right equipment for its transportation. Rollers for PVC boat trailer They are critical to the safety of the bottom and sides during transportation, and unlike metal boats that can be simply thrown onto the frame, soft cylinders need delicate support throughout the area.
Incorrectly selected or installed supports can lead to tissue wiping, the formation of microcracks and even depressurization on the go. kilsons and lay-up The systems have their own specifications, and the choice between them depends on the dimensions of your vessel and the type of trailer.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what types of rollers exist, how to install them correctly yourself and what to look for when buying ready-made sets. Proper preparation of the trailer is the key to the long service of your inflatable vessel.
Why do you need rollers for PVC boats
The main function of the support elements is the distribution of the weight of the vessel. Inflatable boat When assembled with the motor and equipment, it can weigh 150 to 500 kg or more, and if you put it on metal crossbars, the pressure at the contact points is enormous.
When you drive down the road, you get vibrations that act like an abrasive, and without the soft layer or the rocking elements, the PVC fabric will rub against the metal. Static friction during vibration destroys the protective layer faster than the dynamic effect of water.
In addition, rollers provide the correct geometry of the hull during parking, and prolonged exposure to a hard surface without support can lead to deformation of the bottom, especially in hot weather, when the material becomes more elastic.
- 🛡️ Protection from punctures and rubbing of fabric against the metal frame.
- 🌊 Equal distribution of load over the length of cylinders.
- 🚗 Reduced vibration transmitted to the boat hull during transportation.
Types of support systems: keelsons versus losements
There are two main types of support systems on the market. kilsons These are a series of rotating rollers that are mounted along the longitudinal axis of the trailer, and they replicate the keel line of the boat. Advantage This system is that the rollers rotate, minimizing friction during the descent and ascent of the vessel.
Lodges These are long gutters, often lined with carpet or rubber, that cover the sides of the boat, locking it in a horizontal plane, and that prevents the boat from piling on its side during the sharp turns of the trailer.
The choice depends on the design of the boat. For boats with a hard inflatable floor (HBB) and pronounced keel often choose kielsons. For flat-bottom or boats with a wide stern, pads are better suited, since they provide a large area of support.
⚠️ Warning: Using only kilsons for wide flat-bottoms is dangerous! the boat can shift sideways on a turn unless additional side stops are installed.
The combined version, where the nose lies on the rollers, and the stern rests on the padding or cross, is considered the most versatile solution for most PVC models.
Materials of manufacture: rubber, plastic or metal
The most important parameter when choosing is the material of the contact surface. Rubber rollers (often made from EPDM or rubber) are considered the gold standard for PVC. They are soft, do not scratch tissue and extinguish vibrations perfectly.
Plastic options (polyethylene or polypropylene) are cheaper, but they can be too tough. plastic It swells and becomes dangerous for an inflatable cylinder. Uncoated metal rollers are absolutely forbidden.
Also important is the material of axles and bearings. Galvanized steel is preferable to painted steel, since constant contact with water (when launching the boat) quickly destroys the usual coating. Bearings should be of closed type or regularly lubricated.
When buying rubber quils, smell the material. The pungent smell of chemistry may indicate the use of secondary raw materials that will crack quickly in the sun.
Step-by-step instructions for installing rollers yourself
You can do the installation of the support system yourself if you have a basic set of tools, first you have to remove old crossbars or prepare the trailer frame, and it is important to accurately calculate the distance between the reference points to prevent the boat from sagging.
To install the pendants will require welding or powerful bolt fasteners. If you use bolts, be sure to use large diameter washers and growers, as vibration tends to unwind any connections. Hermetization The holes in the frame are mandatory to prevent corrosion.
After the physical installation of the elements, you need to do a dry fitting, the boat should lie on the rollers with the entire surface of the bottom, without voids. If bridges are formed (sites where the boat does not touch the supports), the weight will be distributed unevenly.
☑️ Checklist for the installation of supports
Drawings and diagrams of support
When designing your own system, it is important to observe proportions: the standard distance between the centers of the quill rollers is usually 30-40 cm. Too rare installation will lead to sagging of the boat between the supports ("Hammock effect").
Below is a table with recommended support settings for boats of different sizes. drawing Or adapt the finished set to your trailer.
| Boat length (m) | Number of reference points | Step of installation (cm) | Roller diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3.2m | 3-4 pcs. | 40-50 | 80-100 |
| 3.2. - 3.8 m | 4-5 pcs. | 35-40 | 100-120 |
| 3.8. - 4.5 m | 5-6 pcs. | 30-35 | 120-140 |
| More than 4.5 m | 6+ pcs. | 25-30 | 140+ |
When you create a circuit, consider the position of the transom. The last support should support the stern, but not interfere with the installation of the motor. Often, this is done using removable elements or height adjustable racks.
The Secret to the Perfect Scheme
Experienced water-engineers advise making extreme rollers (forward and aft) removable or adjustable in height, which allows you to adapt the trailer to different models of boats with varying height of the cylinder.
Maintenance and protection of elements
Even the best quality roller After every trip, especially on salt water or mud, the supports need to be washed with fresh water, and the salt and sand, stuck between the roller and the axis, work like sandpaper.
Rubber elements are susceptible to aging under the influence of ultraviolet light. If you keep the trailer in the open air, it is recommended to cover the boat and supports with an awning or use special covers on the rollers themselves in the off-season.
Check the backlash in the bearings regularly, and if the roller is squashed or it has stopped rotating freely, it must be disassembled, lubricated or replaced immediately, and the jammed roller becomes a stationary friction point, which is detrimental to PVC.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use solidol or litol for bearing lubrication if you plan to lower the boat into the water. These lubricants are washed out and contaminate the reservoir. Use water-resistant lithium-based lubricants (NLGI 2).
Common mistakes in selection and installation
One of the most common mistakes is saving on the number of supports, and the owner puts two rollers on the frame, thinking that the boat will support itself, and as he brakes on the track, the central part of the PVC boat sags and rubs against the cross of the trailer.
The second mistake is using tires or parts of tires as linings. Tire rubber contains soot and chemical additives that, when heated in the sun, can react with PVC material, causing it to soften or change color.
Also, the height of the trailer's side is often ignored, and if the rollers are set too low, the boat will cling to the frame when it is loaded, and if it is too high, the center of gravity will shift, which is dangerous when moving.
The main principle of installation: it is better to make more support points with less pressure on each than fewer points with the risk of sagging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use wooden bars instead of rubber rollers?
Theoretically, you can if the tree is smoothly polished and moisture-resistant, but the tree swells, dries, and has fungus and splinters that are guaranteed to tear PVC, a temporary and unreliable solution.
How often should you change the rubber rollers?
When used and stored in the sun, rubber quils last 3-5 years. Signs of wear: cracking ("web"), loss of elasticity (rubber became hard), surface stickiness.
Do I need to pump the boat before installing it on a trailer?
Yes, the boat has to be pumped to the working pressure (usually 0.2 atm for the bottom) to take the correct geometric shape. You can't put supports on an empty, deflated boat, you won't see real pressure points.
How to clean the rollers from black rubber traces?
It is best to use special asphalt cleaners or ordinary kerosene/white spirit, but carefully so as not to damage the rubber of the roller.