Steel or Synthetic winch rope - what, why and when?
We often get asked these questions so have written a brief guide to the pros and cons of each.
Steel Cable
The original industry standard for winches is aircraft-grade steel cable, it’s more durable than synthetic rope, but is heavier and not as strong. It's also better than synthetic ropes when winching in highly abrasive situations or terrains it is less prone to fraying and abrading. Steel is also more affordable than synthetic and requires less maintenance.
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Topics:
ATV Winches,
Boat Trailer Winch,
4WD Winch,
Trailmaxx Winch
Did you know...
If you are found to be using a trailer which does
not have a current warrant of fitness, you will be slapped immediately with a fine of $200 (more in some cases). That's a lot of money to pay, especially when the situation is easy to avoid.
So, what's a warrant of fitness?
Commonly known as a WoF, it is a regular check to ensure that your vehicle meets required safety standards as set out by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
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You’ve seen them. Those rusty holes and spots that grow on trailers and their components over time. You’ve heard what people say about them.
“Rust is inevitable.”
“You can’t stop it.”
However, we beg to differ. Rust happens because we let it happen.
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Holidays are a time to relax, celebrate and enjoy life, but the Christmas - New Year period can also be a particularly dangerous time on New Zealand roads. On average, 14 people have been killed and another 450 injured during each of the past five holiday periods. Crashes occur over the Christmas-New Year period for several reasons:
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Topics:
safety,
legal,
NZTA
Why are there two sizes of towballs in New Zealand…and does it matter which one I use?
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Topics:
towing,
trailer towing,
nz towing,
NZ trailers,
towball,
trailer parts nz,
coupling,
1 7/8,
50mm,
hitch,
tow ball
Q. What is the weight of the trailer?
- As a general rule of thumb, select a jockey wheel with a rating of at least 10% of the overall weight. Eg a 2500kg trailer should use a 250kg rated jockey wheel.
Q. Will the trailer be pulled around on its jockey?
- If the trailer is likely to be stationary between uses, consider using a jockey stand. With less moving parts they are longer lasting and more cost effective than a wheel option
Q. What terrain is the jockey being used on?
- Beach launch boat trailers prefer a pneumatic tyre – their larger size makes them travel better on wet sand.
- General use trailers use a single 6” or 8” solid tyre.
- Heavy trailers and aggregate surfaces are better suited to a dual jockey wheel to reduce wear on the tyres.
Q. What type of fixing is best for my jockey wheel?
- There are 3 main ways to fix your jockey wheel. Weld on, U-Bolt and Bolt-Thru.
- For retrofit jobs, U-bolt is the preferred method.
- Christine Products and Trailparts mounting bracket is compatible
- Some boat trailers have a drop-in jockey wheel. This is a very cost effective option, although not the most practical to use.
Q. What brands are the best?
- It depends on your budget. Christine Products are renowned for having the best jockey in New Zealand. Fulton, an American brand imported by Trailcom is also a sturdy unit. Naturally Trailparts have a comprehensive range of jockey wheels to suit a number of applications as well.
- If you are shopping on a budget, Supercheap have a cost effective range. Also Save Barn, Road Chief, and other Chinese trailer importers.
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Topics:
NZ trailers,
new trailer parts,
jockey stand,
jockey,
swivel,
Christine Products,
JT8,
jockey wheels,
jockey wheel,
jockey wheel nz,
nz jockey wheel,
trailer jockey wheel,
Fulton
Bearings are one of the most common parts to be replaced on a trailer. They work hard, so its no wonder!
Bearings will need replacing or adjusting when there is audible noise when spinning the wheel, or when there is slop in the wheel on the stub axle. Many trailer owners and users like to replace their trailer bearings periodically to avoid down-time and failure.
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Topics:
NZ trailers,
trailer parts,
trailers nz,
bearings,
fitting,
overhaul,
trailer,
bearing overhaul,
how-to,
trailer bearings,
wheel bearings,
wheels,
trailer wheel
Brakes take towing to a new level, especially if you haven’t done much towing or if you have never experienced towing a braked trailer. As well as being able to slow down and stop without a loaded trailer pushing your tow vehicle into a dangerous position, and being able to stop quickly in an emergency, having brakes on a trailer allows for the safe towing of heavier loads without having to invest in a tow vehicle with a higher tow rating.
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Topics:
braking,
trailer braking,
nz trailer brakes,
brakes,
trailer brakes,
calipers,
disc brakes,
brake fade,
drum brakes,
nz brakes,
rotor
On average 7 people are killed and 45 seriously injured in accidents involving light trailers each year so having your trailer right is very important to keep you and other road users safe. While you may not be fined for towing a trailer between 750kg and 2000kg without brakes, if your vehicle unbraked tow rating is less that the weight of the trailer then you could be fined for unsafe loading.
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Topics:
Legal - Trailer Braking Requirements,
legal,
towing,
trailer towing,
nz towing,
trailers nz,
Towing Tips,
trailer braking,
nz trailer law,
nz trailer brakes,
brakes
