Question Tips For Transporting Portable SCUBA Compressor

[Wallowa]

I am transporting my MCH-6 Icon on a 20 foot flat bed single axle trailer to various dive sites. Some of the roads are rough dirt/rock routes. Even on pavement rough patches at speed can bounce the trailer.

Question: Is there a way to help isolate the compressor from the jolts/bounces while in transit? Compressor frame has 4 small rubber 'feet'.

Please no deriding the Coltri, had enough of that sniping, just need viable means to protect the compressor. Plan is now to load it forward on the trailer bed assuming the hitch end will have he least vertical movement.

Thanks for suggestions!

 

[tbone1004]

hitch will be the least unstable part. Vibration isolators exist but it's not really appropriate for this because it's going to cause it to wobble which you don't want to do. Best to just bolt it down to the trailer and make sure you check the oil religiously. It should have a low oil cutoff switch on it, but still.

 

[Wallowa]

hitch will be the least unstable part. Vibration isolators exist but it's not really appropriate for this because it's going to cause it to wobble which you don't want to do. Best to just bolt it down to the trailer and make sure you check the oil religiously. It should have a low oil cutoff switch on it, but still.

T...thanks but could you elaborate.

Why is hitch end the least stable? I was thinking the springs/tires while supporting the load also generate vertical movement, while the hitch anchors that end and arc of any vertical movement would only get larger further aft of the pivot point/hitch.

No low oil shutoff but none needed for my use and I am very attentive to compressor and Honda oil levels. Once at dive sites I will run compressor as attached to the trailer, once leveled.

My concern was that jolts could loosen fittings or crack tubing on the compressor. Yes, vibration absorbing material would introduce secondary movement or even amplify trailer movement.

Appreciated your input.

 

[tbone1004]

@Wallowa just make sure you check the pumps oil level before you start it every time because the jostling can cause leaks.

The jostling from the trailer is less concerning than the vibration from the compressor itself so I wouldn't worry about it cracking anything.

Hitch will have the least movement in the system because it is close to the rear axle of the tow vehicle which has shock absorbers. The next place to put it is directly over the axles, and take no offense to this but since it is a 20ft single axle it is probably a very cheap trailer which means there is 0% chance it has shock absorbers on it. Combine that with trailer tires which need to be kept at very high pressures the ride over that axle is a lot bumpier than it is closest to the tow vehicle. If the trailer was at its GVW then it would be smoother because the springs will be properly compressed, as will the tires, but that is highly improbable unless you have that thing loaded down with a ton of tanks and bank bottles. Combined with that, it is also highly unlikely that the trailer has brakes, and that means you want to keep tongue weight around 15% so there is nearly no chance of the tail starting to wag the dog and if the pump is closer to the back you will just need to ensure you have adequate tongue weight or put a braked axle on there. The MCH6 doesn't weigh enough to really matter for spring compression on that axle and it won't matter for tongue weight either for the tow vehicle. I would recommend getting something like a Weigh Safe hitch though, especially if that axle isn't braked and try to make sure the tongue is loaded to 15% of trailer weight.

 

[iain/hsm]

Please no deriding the Coltri, had enough of that sniping, just need viable means to protect the compressor.

I'm sure such a quality gem of a compressor as the Coltri MCH-6 ICON the pinnacle model of Italian pride and joy who suggest on the web site that Coltri compressors are used by the military would have undergone a simple standard shock and vibration test.

So much so I'm sure after you watch this little video below you will be filled with confidence that your MCH Italian ICON would also pass the standard military shock and vibration test with flying colours.
After the salvage divers recover it I guess. LOL Turn up the sound and relax with confidence.


<iframe src="Facebook" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>

https://fb.watch/x6E5WMwVH4/

 

[Wallowa]

I'm sure such a quality gem of a compressor as the Coltri MCH-6 ICON the pinnacle model of Italian pride and joy who suggest on the web site that Coltri compressors are used by the military would have undergone a simple standard shock and vibration test.

So much so I'm sure after you watch this little video below you will be filled with confidence that your MCH Italian ICON would also pass the standard military shock and vibration test with flying colours.
After the salvage divers recover it I guess. LOL Turn up the sound and relax with confidence.


<iframe src="Facebook" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>

https://fb.watch/x6E5WMwVH4/

You just can't help yourself can you? You sir are the quintessential definition of a Wanker. Always trying to establish yourself as the smartest person in the room....

 

[Wallowa]

@Wallowa just make sure you check the pumps oil level before you start it every time because the jostling can cause leaks.

The jostling from the trailer is less concerning than the vibration from the compressor itself so I wouldn't worry about it cracking anything.

Hitch will have the least movement in the system because it is close to the rear axle of the tow vehicle which has shock absorbers. The next place to put it is directly over the axles, and take no offense to this but since it is a 20ft single axle it is probably a very cheap trailer which means there is 0% chance it has shock absorbers on it. Combine that with trailer tires which need to be kept at very high pressures the ride over that axle is a lot bumpier than it is closest to the tow vehicle. If the trailer was at its GVW then it would be smoother because the springs will be properly compressed, as will the tires, but that is highly improbable unless you have that thing loaded down with a ton of tanks and bank bottles. Combined with that, it is also highly unlikely that the trailer has brakes, and that means you want to keep tongue weight around 15% so there is nearly no chance of the tail starting to wag the dog and if the pump is closer to the back you will just need to ensure you have adequate tongue weight or put a braked axle on there. The MCH6 doesn't weigh enough to really matter for spring compression on that axle and it won't matter for tongue weight either for the tow vehicle. I would recommend getting something like a Weigh Safe hitch though, especially if that axle isn't braked and try to make sure the tongue is loaded to 15% of trailer weight.

Good recommendations and logic. Trailer was custom built on Vancouver Island, BC....aluminum but as you state, springs and no shocks...no brakes as was originally only hauling two 17 foot sea kayaks....will never get close to GVW.

MCH-6 Icon @ 100bs....with no load on trailer it tracks great, never will have much weight, perhaps 7 bottles, doubles, singles and triples [most of the weight will be the tanks] and assorted dive gear...will reweigh the tongue weight again when loaded, targeting 15%..

Thanks.....looking forward to a summer diving safari..

 

[rjack321]

An open flatbed trailer? It's going to get filthy and that dirt's going to kill any cooling. Also can't have scuba or supply bottles laying in an open trailer either.

 

[Wallowa]

An open flatbed trailer? It's going to get filthy and that dirt's going to kill any cooling. Also can't have scuba or supply bottles laying in an open trailer either.

Where did I indicate they would be in the open? Come on, that was not my question. I have waterproof containers for my compressor and gear on the trailer. That much I had already figured out. Vibration is my concern.

 

[iain/hsm]

You sir are the quintessential definition of a Wanker.

And you sir I guess eat corn the long way.