Abstract: A pair of bunk board guide-on post assemblies 30, 31 are mounted on opposite sides of the frame 20 of a boat trailer 4 just at the aft ends of the bunk boards 25, 26 of the trailer. The guide-on post assemblies each include a rectilinear upwardly extending support bar 38 that defines a longitudinal slot 50, and a buoyant guide-on post 44 is telescopically mounted downwardly about the support bar 38 and defines a laterally extending connector opening 52 that registers with the longitudinal slot. A connector pin 54 extends through the laterally extending connector opening of the guide-on post and through the longitudinal slot of the upwardly extending support bar so that the buoyancy of the guide-on posts telescopes upwardly in response to partial immersion of the bunk boards of the boat trailer, providing a visual indication of the location of the submerged ends of the bunk boards.

Abstract: A wheel spindle assembly including a spindle for mounting a wheel, the spindle including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end including a perpendicular end surface and a locator protrusion extending outwardly from the end surface. A spindle mounting plate supports the spindle and includes front and back surfaces and a centrally positioned locator opening. The locator opening is sized and shaped to receive the locator protrusion such that engagement of the locator protrusion within the locator opening and abutment of the front surface of the spindle mounting plate with the end surface of the proximal end of the spindle positions the spindle relative to the spindle mounting plate with the spindle extending perpendicularly from the front surface of the spindle mounting plate.

Abstract: A pivotal spare tire carrier (40) is mounted to a side frame segment (21) of a boat trailer (10). The proximal end of the support arm (50) is pivotally attached to the trailer frame on the outside surface thereof and tilts the tire from between mount and dismount positions outside the trailer frame and a travel position inside the trailer frame. When the tire is located in its travel position it is tilted approximately parallel to the facing surface of the hull of the boat.

Abstract: The boat trailer includes segmented bunk board covers, with the segments being of different lengths so that they can be combined to cover different lengths of bunk boards. The bearing surfaces of the bunk board covers include a series of oppositely sloped lifting edges that tend to lift the facing surface of the boat hull so that when the boat is tilted on the trailer, the lowermost surface of the boat hull tends to apply more weight to one of the bunk boards, so that the lower surface tends to be lifted by its bunk board.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a spindle (12) that extends through a mounting collar (28) into the open end of the axle. A cam key (70) moves through a key hole (22) in the axle and registers with the cam slot (54) of the spindle. The cam surface (76) of the cam key (70) is reversible with the cam surface (76) engaging either the bearing surface (58) or the bearing surface (60) of the spindle, to urge the spindle into or out of the axle.

Abstract: The trailer hitch (10) includes a guide bar (25) threaded about the stem (20) of the hitch ball (18). An alignment plate (45) that is rigidly mounted to the lower wall of the trailer tongue (34) has converging guide surfaces (50 and 51) that receive the guide bar (25), causing the guide bar and the crotch of the converging surfaces to become aligned as the guide bar engages the alignment plate. This aligns the ball receiving socket (42) of the coupler (40) with the hitch ball (18).

Abstract: The disc brake caliper (26) has a stainless steel drive element (62) that faces the brake fluid and an aluminum contact element (64) received in the drive element, protruding therefrom so as to engage and move the brake pad (38) into frictional engagement with the vented rotor (40).

Abstract: A safety cable cartridge 20 is connected between a towing vehicle 12 having a hitch ball and a trailer 10 including a tubular coupler housing 16 mounted to a trailer draw bar. The cartridge is self contained and includes a cartridge housing 28 for positioning in the elongated opening of the coupler housing, at least one safety cable assembly 30 positioned in said cartridge housing, and spring 20 surrounds the cable 31 and biases the distal end 30 of the cable toward the cartridge housing.

Abstract: A pivotal hitch assembly (14) connection to the draw bar (18) of a trailer includes a hitch housing (22) formed of a hollow tube having a greater breadth than the draw bar. The hitch housing receives the draw bar and is pivotally coupled to the draw bar by aligning two corresponding sets of openings in the hitch housing and the draw bar and inserting a pivot pin (55) through one set of the corresponding aligned openings. The pivotal hitch assembly is placed into the aligned operational or towing position by inserting a removable locking pin (58) into the other set of the corresponding aligned openings. A cuff (64) is positioned between the draw bar and the hitch housing to reduce the frictional contact between the hitch housing and the draw bar. The pivotal hitch assembly is placed in the storage position by removing the locking pin (58) and pivoting the hitch housing (22) around the pivot pin.

Abstract: A frame of a boat trailer includes longitudinal support beams that extend from a tongue. The support beams are C-shaped in cross section and have a generally hollow interior. Each one of the support beams includes a front wall with a slot formed therethrough; the slot runs the length of the support beam and provides access to the hollow interior. Electrical wiring and hydraulic brake fluid lines are disposed in the interior of the support beams for protection from the elements, road debris, and other hazards. Each of the support beams is removably coupled to side panel such that the side panel covers the slot formed in the support beam.

Abstract: A frame of a boat trailer includes longitudinal support beams that extend from a tongue. The support beams are C-shaped in cross section and have a generally hollow interior. Each one of the support beams includes a front wall with a slot formed therethrough; the slot runs the length of the support beam and provides access to the hollow interior. Electrical wiring and hydraulic brake fluid lines are disposed in the interior of the support beams for protection from the elements, road debris, and other hazards. Each of the support beams is removably coupled to side panel such that the side panel covers the slot formed in the support beam.

Abstract: A bi-metal light weight self penetrating boat anchor includes flukes 18A and 18B and a crown 16 formed of light weight material, such as aluminum, and includes a shank 12 and stock 14 formed of heavier material such as stainless steel. The heavier shank assures that the shank will lie flat on the lake bottom when being dragged by the boat, and the stronger heavier stock resists bending or other deterioration when engaging obstacles at the lake bottom. The reduced weight of the crown and flukes permits the anchor to be of reasonable weight that is more conveniently handled by the boat operator.

Abstract: The boat trailer (3) includes pivotal support beams (5) that are pivoted intermediate their ends. Pairs of boat hull support rollers (13) are mounted on the ends of the roller mounting arms (7) and are slidably supported by the mounting blocks (9). The overhanging shoulders (30 and 31) of the opposed halves of the mounting block rest on the parallel support edges (47) of the notches (40) at the ends of each pivotal support beam (5). The shallow U-shaped arch (15) of the pivotal roller mounting arm (7) slides along its length through the compatibly shaped channel (20) of the mounting block (9) so that the rollers (13) at the opposite ends of the roller mounting arm can move with respect to each other upwardly or downwardly so as to maintain constant contact with the changing shape of the boat hull of a boat trailer as the boat is rolled onto or off of the trailer.

Abstract: A pivotal hitch assembly (14) includes a housing (22) that is pivotally coupled to mounting plates (57) and (58) that are rigidly attached to a draw bar (60) of a trailer. The housing includes a pair of connector tubes (56) that receive pins (63), (64) that couple the housing (22) to the mounting plates (57), (58). The housing (22) is manufactured from a single blank of material. The connector tubes (56) are formed by bending or rolling a portion of the blank into a generally tubular shape. Bending or folding of the blank forms the housing such that the housing is generally U-shaped.

Abstract: A pivotal hitch assembly (14) includes a housing (22) that is pivotally coupled to mounting plates (57) and (58) that are rigidly attached to a draw bar (60) of a trailer. The housing includes a pair of connector tubes (56) that receive pins (63), (64) that couple the housing (22) to the mounting plates (57), (58). The housing (22) is manufactured from a single blank of material. The connector tubes (56) are formed by bending or rolling a portion of the blank into a generally tubular shape. Bending or folding of the blank forms the housing such that the housing is generally U-shaped.

Abstract: The trailer hitch has a pair of tubular housings 22 and 23, a coil compression spring 29 in each housing, and a cable 30 or 31. Each cable is telescopically slidable with respect to its housing, through its spring 29, and its proximal end 45 is connected to the inner end of the spring by the cable/spring connector 32. When the hooks 49 at the distal ends of the cables 30 or 31 are disconnected from the towing vehicle, the springs urge the cables into the housings.