Straightening a trailer draw bar

GrumpyGel · Feb 2, 2014

I pulled out of a drive and caught the wheel guard of my boat trailer on a rather substantial concrete pillar. Afterwards the trailer was crabbing towards the middle of the road.

Checked the trailer and the axle hasn't moved, but the draw bar has a mighty bend in it just forward of the first bars that go out to support the boat/axle.

I don't know the guage of the steel, but its a 2 inch square section. Any ideas on how I can straighten it?

The bend...

The trailer...

I should add that the draw bar is fcked, but the Freelander wasn't damaged at all (I believe/hope/prey) and none of the doors fell off!

listerdiesel · Feb 2, 2014

Find a local body repair shop with a body/chassis/frame straightening rig, 10 minutes to chain it down and 2 minutes to pull it straight.

Peter

GrumpyGel · Feb 2, 2014

Thanks. I'll give the local shop a call.

easye1 · Feb 2, 2014

GrumpyGel said:
Thanks. I'll give the local shop a call.

+1 agree

easye1 · Feb 2, 2014

GrumpyGel said:
I pulled out of a drive and caught the wheel guard of my boat trailer on a rather substantial concrete pillar. Afterwards the trailer was crabbing towards the middle of the road.

Checked the trailer and the axle hasn't moved, but the draw bar has a mighty bend in it just forward of the first bars that go out to support the boat/axle.

I don't know the guage of the steel, but its a 2 inch square section. Any ideas on how I can straighten it?

The bend...

The trailer...

I should add that the draw bar is fcked, but the Freelander wasn't damaged at all (I believe/hope/prey) and none of the doors fell off!

looks nice there you bugger, been freezing here........lol

GrumpyGel · Feb 2, 2014

easye1 said:
looks nice there you bugger, been freezing here........lol

There's good and bad to living here. Summer at the mo, but in 6 months time when you're basking in glorious summer temps of 15 degrees (

) we'll be having our frosts and snow.

Oldseadog · Feb 3, 2014

It looks as though you are also using it as a launching trailer, so depending on age and internal condition of the square hollow section (and how much you value your boat!) I would be inclined to replace the draw bar with a new length of 50x50x4 RHS.

That way you will not risk the potential failure of the 'straightened bend'.

SteNova · Feb 3, 2014

should be simple enough to replace just that 2" box as it will only be attached in a few places

GrumpyGel · Feb 3, 2014

Oldseadog said:
It looks as though you are also using it as a launching trailer, so depending on age and internal condition of the square hollow section (and how much you value your boat!) I would be inclined to replace the draw bar with a new length of 50x50x4 RHS.

That way you will not risk the potential failure of the 'straightened bend'.

True, we also pack the boat with a load of camping gear when we go away - tent alone weighs 100KG. So it needs to be in good condition.

Having said that, I bought a couple of meters of 50mm square section a few years ago to make a new axle for my old boat and it was bloody expensive! Maybe I could take it to an engineering shop and get them to replace just the bent bit - would save having to replace the whole length, which must be about 5 foot long, and having to make up a new winch frame.

I did email a large local panel shop yesterday and they said they couldn't do it, but gave me details of a local trailer buillder - emailed them yesterday but haven't heard back yet.

GrumpyGel · Feb 3, 2014

SteNova said:
should be simple enough to replace just that 2" box as it will only be attached in a few places

Actually I could probably have a go myself. The draw bar is 1 piece that goes the full length of the trailer, but I could cut the bent bit out, put a replacement piece in with a smaller section tube running through the middle and bolt it all together.

Then take it somewhere just to weld up the joins.

Oldseadog · Feb 4, 2014

If you have it straightened, might I suggest that you brace the bar with around six inches either side of 50 x 50 x 3 (min) angle, fully welded around or with 1" stitching.

GrumpyGel · Feb 4, 2014

Oldseadog said:
might I suggest that you brace the bar with around six inches either side of 50 x 50 x 3 (min) angle, fully welded around or with 1" stitching.

You most certainly can, you old sea dog, and I shall heed your advice.

Oldseadog · Feb 4, 2014

One does one's best, Sir. One does one's best.

Straightening a trailer draw bar

GrumpyGel

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listerdiesel

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GrumpyGel

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easye1

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easye1

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GrumpyGel

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Oldseadog

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SteNova

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GrumpyGel

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Oldseadog

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