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West Mersea Trailer Box

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:24 pm
by Charles
Has anyone got the largest galvanised West Mersea trailer box, 10'x3'x1' ?

If so does it do a good job & is it rugged enough for the trials & tribulations of a Sprint15er & family?

I'm looking to replace my home made box which is falling apart with a box-for-life.

Thanks

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:06 pm
by Keith Ball
Hi Charles,

Had one for a few years & was very glad to see the back of it!

Despite being pleased with the quality of the trailer itself & the fact I see plenty of these boxes about, I couldn't get on with it. Had the box replaced with one of Steve Sawford's first fibre glass ones;
http://www.speedysports.co.uk/item-Sail_Box97.html
(The black one in the photos is actually mine!)

The 'dual lids' of my West Mersea galvanised box were very thin & not supported/strengthened in any way. It consequently buckled/creased, particulalry where the 2 lids join, allowing water in - especially when trailing. It's sharp edges are also lethal to any stray body parts & clothing.

Will be at Netley should you wish to inspect my new one.

Keith Ball

Trailer boxes

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:30 am
by Kevin Parvin
Hi Charles

I had the prototype Steve Sawford fibre glass trailer box. When not attached to the trailer it lives in the garage with all the sprint 15 gear locked away and secure inside (and free from mouse attack).

My trailer hasn't moved for some time and so I have taken the opportunity to strip down the wheel hubs/bearings etc. A messy job but vital to avoid disaster on the motorway

Kevin

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:29 am
by Keith
Dear Charles,
I got one of Steve's boxes too. It keeps the kit dry and mine is outside all year round. The base is quite thick and is designed so that you can screw various fittings into it, if you want to. The main bennefit is that you don 't have to build one, from experience Im not a wood worker :shock: Also it does not need varnishing, after winter it was filthy dirty, but 5 minutes with a sponge and it was all shiny again.

Keith 1840

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:06 pm
by Charles
Thanks for the responses guys.

Keith B, good advice, perhaps West Mersea would benefit from your feedback? Someone did tell me they were built to a price & your experience backs this up.

I've spoken to Steve S about his shuttle, but one simply isn't big enough for my purposes & 2 of them are a bit expensive. I'd jump at one twice the width though.

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:23 pm
by Bob Carter
I reckon that it is time to get the woodworking tools out, Charles.
It is a nice little project for the summer :P
Cheers
Bob

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:10 pm
by Charles
Not enough time before holidays & then nationals, & I'm not sure the current box will manage to get all the way down the M1 !

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:39 pm
by Robert
Hi Charles
I have an 8x2x1 West Mersea box which I bought from Purple Marine a few years ago. I have been very happy with it but I suspect it would not be quite large enough for you. It cost £200 when I bought it and I collected it from the shop without any delivery charge from West Mersea. Now here's the thing: two blokes carried it out from the back of the shop and one of them said "Where do you want this, then?" I had an X-Trail with roof bars so I asked for it to be put there and lashed it down for the journey home. It wasn't until I got home that I realised that it was really quite heavy...
So a 10x3x1 box would be quite a weight, I guess.