Hello everyone,
After a while of getting great ideas from so many of the great folks on this forum, completing some modifications to the TI's trailer, and cannibalizing my trailex boat dolly for parts I would like to share my TI trailer's cradle cart project. I have used this cradle cart a couple times this year, and it was the easiest way of transporting a TI across soft sand so far. Thanks Sun-e-sailor and many of the others for being the pioneers for ideas like these.
Do to the cost of purchasing a Trailex Boat dolly ($500+) a while back before the creation of the Appelcart and Hobie's TI cart I could not afford to purchase anything else, nor did I think anyone would be interested in purchasing the boat dolly any time soon if I decided to sell it, so I took apart the dolly and made it a part of the Trailex trailer. The dolly had the same fastener channels found on the Trailex trailer, so merging the two was not too bad.
This is a pic of the cart showing the axle assembly with the fastener channels running the width of the cart.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... ab08d3.jpgThis is how the axle and tie down was secured, and what the channels look like close up.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... a2d46f.jpgThere are wheel bearings installed to reduce friction between the PVC rims and aluminum axle shafts that run through the rims. The PVC caps shown are just used to protect the grease from getting beach sand/dirt.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... a2d46f.jpghttp://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... 304ed2.jpgThese knobs, spacers, and washers are used to secure the cart to the trailer.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... 1fdf35.jpgHere is a view of what the cart and trailer look like when apart.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... df17e3.jpgClose up of the bracket on the trailer.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... 9478c7.jpgThis pic shows the two fasteners on the cart that go through the two holes in the trailer bracket to get secured.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... f408c0.jpgPic of the knob, spacer, washer installation.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... f26657.jpgHow the knob gets secured. The knob is turned counterclockwise (CCW) after the cotterpin is installed. When the knob is turned CCW this applies tension to the cotterpin because the clevis pin wants to get pulled through by the stainless steel cable that secures it to the trailer chassis.
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... 94468d.jpghttp://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... 3d4bb5.jpghttp://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7 ... 31f237.jpgTake care and thanks for the inspiration.