Every owner of an inflatable floating vehicle sooner or later faces the need to move his or her own waterway. boat If you can still carry a small model by hand, assembled or in parts, boats over 3.5 meters long, especially those with an engine, require a more serious approach. PVC-boat-cartIt is an indispensable assistant for the fisherman and the tourist.
Unlike bulky stationary trailers, which require registration with the traffic police and a separate storage space, folding structures have a unique mobility: they can easily fit into the trunk of a passenger car and are ready to work in minutes. The key advantage of folding models is the possibility of using them in hard-to-reach places where it is impossible to reach by car or standard trailer.
Choosing the right equipment is not just about buying an accessory, it's about investing in the comfort and safety of your boat. A misfitted trolley can damage cylinders or cause problems when launching in windy weather. In this article, we'll go into detail about the design, selection and refinement of this important piece of equipment.
Advantages of folding structures over stationary trailers
The main difference between a folding trolley and a classic trailer is its dimensions when disassembled. Stationary models, even the most compact ones, occupy a significant part of the garage or require parking space in the yard. Folding analogues are assembled in a compact unit that can be stored on the balcony or in the storage room of a city apartment, which is critical for residents of metropolitan areas.
In addition, there is no need to register such a device in the authorities. GABD It makes life much easier for the owner, so you don't have to worry about getting an annual checkup, buying insurance, or installing license plates, it's a fully-buy-and-use solution that doesn't require any bureaucratic delays.
The important aspect is the versatility of the application: a folding trolley can be rolled close to the water edge, even if the shore is overgrown with grass or is a gentle sandy slope. A stationary trailer often has to be left on a hard platform tens of meters from the water, dragging a heavy boat by hand over complex terrain.
- 🚗 Compact storage and the possibility of transportation in the trunk of a passenger car.
- 💰 No registration, insurance and maintenance costs.
- 🌊 High permeability to water on difficult terrain and in hard-to-reach places.
Design features and types of frames
The modern market offers many modifications, but they are all divided into several main types of frame design. The most common option is a telescopic system, where one pipe enters another, allowing you to adjust the length to the dimensions of the frame. boatSuch models usually consist of two or three sections connected by pin or bolt locks.
The second popular type is the "accordion" folding frames or hinge structures, which allow you to fold the trolley several times, reducing its length to a minimum. However, these models have a weak point - a large number of movable joints that require regular lubrication and backlash testing. Metal elements in the bending sites can be subjected to metal fatigue during prolonged use.
The material also plays a role. Most commonly, steel or aluminum profile pipes are used; steel structures are stronger and cheaper, but they can corrosion if they don't have a quality powder coating; aluminum analogues are lighter and do not rust, but they are much more expensive and less resistant to impact loads on rocks or concrete.
Secrets of the durability of welded seams
When buying, pay attention to welded joints. A quality seam should be smooth, without pores and cracks. If you choose a steel model, make sure that the welded knots are additionally treated with anticort, since it is in (places of welding) that the paint often flies away, triggering the rusting process.
Selection criteria: wheels, load and compatibility
When choosing a trolley, the wheelbase should be the first priority, and it is the wheels that experience the greatest load when driving on the ground, sand or rocks. pneumowheel They provide excellent cushioning and permeability, but they are prone to puncture. The cast polyurethane wheels are perpetual but rigid and can get stuck in soft soil.
The second critical factor is to consider not only the weight of the boat itself, but also the mass of the engine, fuel tank, anchor and other equipment that may be in the boat during transportation, and the safety margin should be at least 20-30% of the planned weight, so that the frame does not deform over time.
Boat bottom compatibility is also important. Boats with inflatable bottoms (BBBs) require carts with wide straps or paddings to avoid damaging the soft bottom. Boats with floorboard or aluminum bottoms (NP, RIB) are more resistant to point loads, but require reliable fixation so that the hard bottom does not slip when tilted.
| Type of wheel | Permeability | Risk of puncture | Depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic | High. | There. | Great. |
| Cast (PU) | Medium | No. | Low. |
| Plastic | Low. | No. | Missing. |
The optimal wheel diameter for dragging a boat over rough terrain is at least 300 mm (12 inches).
Instructions for assembly and preparation for operation
Building a folding trolley usually does not require a special tool, but following the sequence of actions ensures safety. The first thing to do is to spread the main sections of the frame on a flat surface. Make sure that all the fixing mechanisms (fingers, bolts, locks) are in the open position before the elements are connected.
Then the sections are connected. In telescopic models, the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube until the characteristic snap of the locker. It is important to ensure that the lock finger passes through both layers of metal and is securely fixed. After the frame is assembled, the wheels and axle are installed, if they are removable.
The final step is to check the geometry. The assembled trolley must stand steady, not staggering from side to side. Before the first loading of the boat, it is recommended to roll an empty trolley to make sure that there is no wheel beating and skewed frame.
☑️ Pre-first-use checks
Special attention should be paid to lubricating the movable joints. Even if the trolley is new, the factory lubricant may not be sufficient or dry when stored in a warehouse. Treat hinges and telescopic units with graphite or lithium lubrication to prevent creaking and jamming.
Proper laying of the boat and safety
The process of loading the boat onto the trolley requires care. Roll the assembled trolley under the transom of the already pumped boat. Lift the stern and fix the transom on a special platform or belt of the trolley. Then, moving to the nose, evenly distribute the boat hull along the frame.
It's critical to get the center of gravity right. If the boat gets too skewed on the stern, the front of the trolley can rise, creating a risk of falling. If it's skewed on the nose, the rear wheels will be overloaded and the steering will be heavy. The ideal position is achieved by trial and error, moving the boat back and forth across the frame.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave the boat on the trolley without additional strap fixation, even for a short time. A gust of wind can overturn the structure, causing damage to cylinders on stones or sharp objects.
When transporting on public roads (if permitted by the design and traffic rules for your area), you must ensure that the cargo does not exceed the permissible limits.
Use old towels or pieces of carpet between the cart belts and the sides of the boat, which will protect the PVC fabric from grinding and damage during long transportation on rough roads.
Cart care, maintenance and storage
Metal structures that come into contact with water and soil require regular maintenance. After every fishing trip, especially if you've been to a salty body of water, the trolley needs to be rinsed with fresh water. Salt is a powerful catalyst for corrosion and can destroy the protective coating and metal in one season.
If this is not possible and it remains to winter in the garage or under the canopy, be sure to treat the metal parts with conservation grease. Rubber elements (wheels, seals) are better covered with cloth to protect against ultraphylete, which makes the rubber brittle.
Check the condition of fasteners regularly. Vibration when moving on the ground has the property to unwind even well-tightened nuts. Use growers (spring washers) or fixing sealant for threads to avoid losing fasteners along the way.
⚠️ Warning: If you notice even minor damage to the paintwork on the frame, immediately paint over this place. The scratch will become a hotbed of corrosion, which will quickly spread inside the profile pipe, weakening the structure from the inside.
Timely maintenance will extend the life of your cart for many years. Simple activities like lubrication and washing take a little time, but save you from having to buy new equipment. Remember, the reliability of your cart is the safety of your boat and your peace of mind on the water.
What to do if you jammed a telescopic node?
If the sections of the trolley are jammed and they do not separate, do not use force and a hammer. pour the connection with a penetrating lubricant (WD-40 or analog) and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then try to turn the inner pipe around the axis - this will help to break the rust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register a folding cart in the traffic police?
In most cases, folding trolleys that do not have their own engine and are used as an auxiliary means to move the boat manually or assembled in the trunk are not subject to registration. However, if the design allows for high speed traffic on public roads and has the dimensions of the trailer, the requirements may differ.
Can I drive a boat with an engine installed?
Technically, many reinforced models allow this, but it puts additional strain on the frame and wheels. In addition, the motor shifts the center of gravity back. If you plan to regularly carry a motorized boat, choose a cart with a margin of safety and wide wheels, and be sure to use additional belts.
Which cart to choose for a boat with a length of 4 meters?
For a boat with a length of 4 meters and a better choice would be a telescopic model with pneumatic wheels with a diameter of at least 12 inches. It is important that the length of the frame in the unfolded state is at least 2/3 of the length of the boat, and the carrying capacity exceeds the total weight of the equipment by 30-40 kg.
What is the danger of corrosion for a folding trolley?
Corrosion reduces the strength of the metal. In places where the rust is rusted, the pipe becomes thinner and can burst under load, especially in places where welding or bending is done, and this can cause the trolley to break at the most inopportune moment, such as when a boat is launched from a steep shore, which can damage the vessel itself.