Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

[64osby]

I was going to dump day at our local township and someone left this behind. An Ace Trailer made in Corpus Christi Texas. Made a long trip to Michigan.

I rescued it so I can put my 12" Aluminum Sea King on it.

It's pretty rough, one shredded tire, bent main tube, no lights, very bad paint.

I cut off the angled bunks over the front roller, cut off the 2 outside supports, lowered the two remaining bunks, partially straightened the front tube and installed a front V to hold the boat, and just picked up 2 tires today. Boat lays perfect on it.

$70.00 invested so far, lights and paint to come.

Anyone know anything about Ace Trailers or ever seen a spring setup like this. It has a whole lotta spring built in to it. I don't think I'll be going any long distance with this, 1 mile to my local launch. I feels like it will bounce all over the place.

Let me know what you think, see pics

 

[RoyR]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

Pretty interesting construction, but I would have left it there... Would have bought one of these instead:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...=netconcepts&cm_pla=Google&cm_ite=trailer+kit

 

[64osby]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

RoyR, You get a spiff on everything they sell

78" too short, 1 7/8 ball, I've converted everything to 2" and I'd still have to build some bunks.

I'll be at half the cost when the lights are on. Paint is optional

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

strange looking beast. It is probably built a little stronger then the NT trailer.

 

[64osby]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

I kept trying to think what they old owner may have used it for. With that angled bunk at mid point. I think they had a jet ski or wave runner.

It's different than any I've seen. Took it down the road today with a few extra things in it, garage sales items, it towed great. I just wonder what it will do without the extra weight.

 

[RoyR]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

Nah...no connections to that organization. It's not the link I was looking for, but the idea is a trailer-kit. Not as much fun as bringing something back from the dead though What about the weight distributiion dew to the wheels being all the way back?

 

[64osby]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

RoyR, There won't a whole lot going on this. 12" alum row boat, a 5 or 7hp motor, 3 gal. of gas, oars, life jackets and fishing stuff. If I'm at 200lbs I'd be amazed.

I'd guess the tounge weight at 30lbs with boat and motor only.

My concern is keeping the wheels on the pavement.

 

[willieboy]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

Very interesting. I have seen one other similar, but it was being towed behind a tractor with a sprayer and tank on it. How are the wheels and tires attached to that thing? Are those tires road speed rated?

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

Trailing link suspension....neat.
Common on aircraft, not so much on trailers.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

In the late 60's my dad had a single wheel trailer (two attachment points to the bumper). The wheel and suspension look a lot like that, except dad's was a big caster wheel.

 

[justchange]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

I can see where it'd bounce. You may want to concider adding some inexpensive shocks.

 

[64osby]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

Each wheel has it's own axle, It's a large bolt, has 2 bearings, and yes the tires are road rated 4.8 x 8 rated at about 600# each

 

[64osby]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

Here is the reworked trailer, fits the 12' sea king pretty good.

Still needs lights and a winch or pulley for the strap and maybe some paint (someday)

Cost of boat, motor and trailer $205.00, plus a few hours of time.

Watching the look on my kids face as they putter around the lake - Priceless

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

64osby that is a unique trailer...for what your using it for it should be just fine

I recently bought a $50 trailer that is somewhat similar. Check out my restoration thread if you'd like to see it. It has some serious clearance but I will be downsizing the tires a bit. I think it was built for 12-16' aluminum boats but has a huge I-beam that may hold a 'glass rig as well. My shocks are well...not there, seems like all the stress goes to the tires.

I'm using it for a 12' aluminum hull also so it doesn't need too much along those lines.

Good find

 

[C-worthy]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

It's hard to tell what holds the springs in. They look like heavy stiff springs though. You might be able to get one softer spring out of an economy car at the junkyard and cut it in half to fit.

A couple of tips: Cut springs with a cut-off wheel, not a torch, so they keep their temper. The more coils you cut off a spring to make it shorter, the stiffer it will get, so a spring with 6 coils will lose half it's "springiness" when it's cut to 3 coils.

Saving old junk is fun! I bought my boat and trailer from a junkyard for $100 in 2006 (hence my log-in name "C-worthy"). Someone had punched 25holes in the hull with a hatchet or similar before junking it. It's an awesome boat and hasn't leaked a drop in 3 years. Regularly tow the repaired trailer on 550 mile trips. I've spent maybe $100 more on paint stripper, paint, bearings, winch. It's the set-up I always wanted.

 

[64osby]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

Huron Angler - thanks for the kind words - And great job on your project. I'll have to show the work I did on my Sea King.

Trailer works great for this little boat. I don't think I'll be taken her on any trips over 10 miles. That would get me in about 10 different lakes. I use my bigger boat for the longer trips.

C-worthy The springs are welded at the upper and lower points. If bounce becomes an issue I'll look at some straps or clamps to dampen the movement.

 

[coolbikeguy]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

never saw a trailer like that but looks like a nice light trailer

 

[dan t.]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

cool trailer,welded in springs????? well, whatever works .I bet it backs up real easy

 

[TojosMojo]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

very unique trailer, and the price was right...

 

[64osby]

Re: Ace trailer Project, ever seen one like this?

I'm getting this back out and need some advise on how to straighten the main tube.

Last year I ended up with the boat 1/2 full of water (lots of rain in the fall and no plug) and hooked the trailer to the hitch. I stuck a 6 ton jack under the tube and straghtened the tube a bit but not completely. I ended up lifting the whole boat up until it would pivot to one of the wheels.

I'm still about 1 1/2" away from straight. I want to weld a support or angle to keep it from bowing again.

Short of going to a frame shop any ideas on how I could straighten the main tube. I'm thinking of flipping it over and running over it with my 4 wheel drive