Elphinstone Antarctic research vessel trailer 2022 Review

The unique boat trailer features an extra low load-bearing chassis to enable the vessel to sit under 4.6-meters, making it capable of over-the-road transport. The wide-spread axle group provides optimal weight distribution and allows access to the scientific 'moon pool' hatch in the boat's base for servicing.

The trailer bearing pads are in the same position as those on Australia's Antarctic Icebreaker RSV Nuyina. Dual king-pin positions in the trailer gooseneck allow the trailer to be towed by standard road-going trucks when the vessel needs to be transported by road in Australia and around the base station by a 518 CAT Skidder tractor in Antarctica.

For almost four decades Elphinstone Engineering has supplied specially-designed transport equipment to Antarctica. Not surprisingly, demand for their low-maintenance, durable over-the-snow transport equipment is in extremely high demand. In fact, more than 60 per cent of the transport sled trailers on the frozen Antarctic continent display the Elphinstone brand.

"This purpose-built boat trailer, like all our Antarctic Equipment, was designed and manufactured at our Triabunna factory, 86 kilometres north of Hobart," said Graeme Elphinstone, Founder and Chief Designer. "We are proud that as Tasmanians, we are still consistently delivering economical solutions that reduce storage, service and transport costs to many Antarctic Research expedition projects."

One of the main challenges for the Elphinstone Engineering team with this project was to get the boat to fit on the trailer and meet road-going transport regulations that did not require additional over-dimension transport permits.

BPW 17.5-inch NH series axles with underslung brakes were specified to get the overall trailer height as low as possible. In addition, this axle allows the fitment of standard 10-stud 225mm PCD wheels.

"From a machinery perspective, this trailer is going to live in a harsh environment, mostly next to seawater," Graeme explained. “When the vessel is lifted out of the water and placed on the trailer, it will be dripping seawater all over the trailer. Consequently, the components that we fit need to withstand some corrosive conditions. That's why we specified BPW axles and hubs for this trailer."

"We've often used BPW's ECO Plus system in many of our log trailers with great success," Graeme said. "And, our customers keep asking for them on their new equipment, so that's saying something about the product."

"The hub seal is the most important item in any wheel-end system," Graeme continued. "BPW's 'rotating seal' concept is ideal for minimising dirt ingress and water ingress in the case of the RSV Mini Nuyina boat trailer.

“Furthermore, the integrated hardened washer for sacrificial wear against the inner bearing protects the axle beam. However, for the seal to function correctly, and for bearings and lubrication to give the maximum possible life, the bearing adjustment needs to be as close to perfect as possible."

If the bearings are too loose, they suffer, and the seal doesn't work correctly. On the other hand, if they're too tight, the bearings then run hot, and they can spin, consequently wearing the axle spindle.

BPWs ECO plus hub system incorporates a torque prevailing axle nut that includes a built-in torque limiter within the nut. This system enables as close to ideal adjustment, and the bearings cannot be over-tightened. Also, the unique torque prevailing axle nut results in the correct and repeatable bearing adjustment, as it will not allow over-tightening of the bearings, and has a very fine adjusting system.

Specifically developed semi-synthetic BPW ECO-Li Plus bearing grease is used in the ECO hub units. The ECO-Li Plus grease was developed internally at a wheel-end test facility that BPW established within its testing department.

In addition, the facility also assisted in improving the design of ISO tapered roller bearings used on BPW axles. The outcome is longer service intervals on the wheel end system with the best grease current technology can provide purposely designed to give low friction long-life lubrication with excellent resistance to water ingress.

"That part about 'resistance to water ingress' is vitally important to ensure the service longevity of this trailer," Graeme added.

Another critical design requirement was to provide access to the 'moon pool' hatch at the base of the hull.

The 'moon pool' historically is a term attributed to marine drilling platforms and drillships. However, more recently, it is now becoming a standard fitment for marine research and underwater exploration vessels.

The 'moon pool' is essentially an opening in the base of the hull attached to a chamber that provides access to the water below. The opening allows researchers on board the vessel to lower tools and instruments into the sea. Furthermore, it provides shelter and protection so that even if the boat is in high seas or surrounded by ice, researchers can work comfortably rather than out on a deck exposed to the elements.

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"The solution our engineers developed delivers several benefits for the AAD," Graeme explained. "We spread the tandem axle spacing wider, which provided optimal axle weight distribution and enhanced the ride for the boat on rough roads. But importantly, it allowed wide interrupted access to the 'moon pool' hatch for service work."

The trailer's mounting pad location points correspond with the mounting location on the RSV Nuyina when the vessel gets stowed on the ship, similar to how a lifeboat is stored.

"We've utilised Teflon pads from one of our logging trailers," Graeme said. "These pads are durable, hard-wearing and easily replaced when needed.

Because the V-shaped bow protrudes right up into the trailer's gooseneck, there is no room for the traditional drive shaft from one landing leg to the other. Consequently, each landing leg has its own handle.

The forward load restraint doubles as the boat's locator to ensure the boat sits in the same position each time it is loaded.

Occasionally the AAD may require the trailer to work in Antarctica to house the boat while conducting research in the area, and the RSV Nuyina mother ship is away on other duties. Therefore, to facilitate ease of transportation around the Antarctic base, the road-going skid plate is removed, exposing an additional hitch to enable the trailer's coupling to a tracked Antarctic tractor.

But the Antarctic has fragile ecosystems, and the scientists who conduct research there know this only too well. Graeme explained that while on a recent study tour to Antarctica one scientist told him that their instruments even pick up the minute particles of exhaust soot from the machines that fall into the snow. "That's another advantage of the BPW braking system, having non-asbestos brake linings," Graeme pointed out. "It's all about having as minimal impact on the ecosystems as possible."

For Australia's Antarctic Program, having the services of Elphinstone Engineering right on their doorstep is a significant benefit. "We're only an hour and a half drive from the AAD headquarters in Kingston," Graeme said. "But we design and manufacture a wide range of equipment for other countries with bases and operations in Antarctica as well as the Australian operations."

This boat trailer indeed showcases the ability of local Australian manufacturing to economically engineer and build specialised, high-quality equipment to world-class standards.

Model: Scientific 10M Vessel Transport Trailer
Axles: BPW NH 17.5 120mm Square
Brakes: Underslung Drum
Wheels: 17.5 inch 10-stud 225PCD
Suspension: BPW AU/-D30K
Landing Gear: Jost
Lights: Hella LED
Kingpin: 50mm Removeable