Trailex trailer question

Alan S. Glos

Well-Known Member
I have a Trailex brand trailer for my Sunfish, the smallest, lightest one they make. A while ago I had one of the
tires go flat and needed to remove the flat tire and install the spare. The problem was that even with Sunfish on the trailer, it was so light that when I tried to remove the lug nuts, the flat tire spun on the pavement. Even when I blocked the tire with the spare, it still spun. Finally I hit the lug wrench a few sharp blows with a hammer and the nuts loosened, but it took some doing.

Is there some easy way to "lock" the tire in place so it won't spin?

I am open to any good ideas.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
 
I use an impact driver. Not convenient on the road though. I have had to remove the boat from the trailer and stand over the axle to put more weight on the flat tire to keep it from spinning. Might also mean lug nuts where on too tight or siezed from age. Otherwise I have not found any fancy tricks yet.
 
Would chocks on both sides of the tire work, possibly with some floor sanding course paper glued on the chock surfaces?
 
1) There is a 12-volt impact hammer available, but I suspect it wouldn't be "up to the job" when maximum torque is needed.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-1-2-half-inch-emergency-impact-wrench-92349.html

2) Check the recommended torque for your trailer's lugs. One of my cars recommends a maximum of 80 foot-pounds, which seems inadequate, but the rims are aluminum.

2) For years, I've used "anti-seize lubricant" on all my vehicles' lug nuts. It's roughly described as a greasy mixture of copper or aluminum. One small tube can last for decades. Lug nuts can still be put on too tight, but at least rusted threads won't be adding to the problem. (Especially important if the trailer is dipped into salt water).
 
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Put everything heavy from the trunk of your car in the Sunfish to increase the weight (temporarily).
Significant other is OK too ;)
 
I think 'Light and Variable Winds' is on the right track with an electric impact wrench...any quality unit should do just fine...have used them for various automotive work for years with good results...good luck...(20+ year ASE certified auto tech)
 
Can you stick something through the holes in the tire rim that would keep it from rotating (when the stick/pipe/etc hits the trailer frame)? That'd be my first attempt if chocks at the road weren't working.
 
Tag,

Tbe trailer wheels I have don't have any holes - if they did, I could get a short chain with a hook, wrap the chain around the frame and then hook it to the rim, but no holes. If I drilled a hole, it would probably throw the rim out of balance. But maybe
i could get an extra lug nut, weld it to a short chain, and then put the lug nut around the exposed threads of the lug bolt. We may be on to something here...

Alan Glos
 
If I drilled a hole, it would probably throw the rim out of balance.
Suggestion: Drill two holes opposite one another.

On a previous trailer, I welded two chain links opposite one another on a 12" rim. When storing my boat and trailer, I'd attach a chain from the wheel to the trailer frame. If somebody tried to steal it, I could see the direction (and path) of the locked wheel. :cool:

Balance wasn't a problem. :)
 

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