Trailer drawbar modification

[Martin]

Paul,
Any mods or trailer builds after 2012 (February I think) have to go through a VOSA trailer approval test.
If your trailer has a plate on it check the date of manufacture. I’m not condoning this lol but if your trailer was manufactured prior to the 2012 regs you may have modified it before the regs came into place

If it was me with your trailer I’d be going down the box section insert route rather than a bolt on visible mod, chances are done like that it’ll not look out of place and it may well fit in the approval of the manufacturers spec anyway.

I know when I questioned the length of two trailers prior to purchasing mine, the only difference was in fact the draw bar length.
I see no reason why you can’t remove the draw bar from your trailer and replace it with a longer section of the same spec/size steel. Bolt through in 2-3 places using the original holes and Bobs your aunties uncle.

As said, this is what I would be doing if it was mine and I couldn’t possibly point you in the direction of anything illegal, so please take my comments with a pinch of salt.

[Jeff Stevens 763]

his draw bar is welded so doing any chopping makes him fall foul of the 2012 regs

[Paul B]

Thanks for all your comments guys, Yes the drawbar is welded in place, so it’s not something I’d want to start chopping out,

Having looked at what Jeff had mentioned about modifying the rear end, this would be a much bigger job, as I would need to modify the bunks as well, by lengthening them which would involve extra supports and also the lights would need moving back as well, which would involve lots of extra work, the far simpler solution is what Im proposing to do,

I have removed the hitch, jockey wheel and winch post, the original drawbar is made from 50mm x 5mm wall thickness box section, so I’m getting a long length of 40mm box section and sliding it up the old brawbar and bolting it through the existing holes in the drawbar ,
It will be slid inside for approx 600mm with an extra 600mm for the extension, which I can bolt the hitch etc back too, no extra drilling of the old drawbar is required, and it will be more than strong enough for towing my sib.
The trailer was built in 2011 and was actually made for a large jet ski, so it’s well built already and more than enough for carrying a sib and outboard

[Jeff Stevens 763]

that would work paul try and get thick walled box for added strength, try the metal store online they have galve box

[Paul B]

that would work paul try and get thick walled box for added strength, try the metal store online they have galve box

Hi. Jeff. Yes got some 40mm x 5mm box section galve, so it should look the part and strong enough, don’t think most people will even notice it’s been extended once it’s all in place

[Jeff Stevens 763]

hi paul
show us some pics when you get it done you have me thinking i could do similar to extend the draw bar for launching

[Paul B]

Will do Jeff, just waiting on the steel being brought up next month when my mate who’s made the new section visits

Edit. ,,,,, You can tell I’m from Yorkshire, new steel Is Free ,

[pkoz7556]

like hell , you seem to forget i am also from Yorkshire. that will be 2x fish and chips with curry sauce

[Paul B]

like hell , you seem to forget i am also from Yorkshire. that will be 2x fish and chips with curry sauce

Ohhhhh bugger, who rattled your cage,, Ok f&c coming up Thought you’d forgot about the forum , it’s about time you showed up

[Martin]

like hell , you seem to forget i am also from Yorkshire. that will be 2x fish and chips with curry sauce

Ohhhhh bugger, who rattled your cage,, Ok f&c coming up Thought you’d forgot about the forum , it’s about time you showed up

Bloody hell......
Eyup Pete, you've found the keyboard