Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

[Mark42]

The Bayliner 1600 Cuddy I reciently bought sits on a Bayliner (by Escort) bunk trailer. The trailer is rather custom made for that boat. By that I mean the bow stop/winch post is not adjustable on the trailer tongue. So to change the tongue weight, I am guessing that the axle must be moved.

On this Escort, the axle and springs are bolted to a rectangle shaped angle iron sub frame. The trailer bolts to the sub frame with large U bolts.

I want to put more weight on the tongue, because this trailer has no weight on the tongue at all. So I'm guessing I loosen the sub frame and slide it rear ward.

But it bothers me that it doesn't look like the frame was tampered with, adjusted, bent or otherwise messed around with. So why would Bayliner sell boats on trailers that have no tongue weight??? The boat is dry, no extra water weight, I took out the extra gas tanks and crap, still very light. Although it tows OK...

I am confused...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Can you post a photo? I had a similar trailer back when I had my Bayliner Capri(tandem trailer). I had no problem with getting a good tongue weight.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

What engine is on that boat, and is it the same engine that the boat was delivered with?

You might be able to adjust the tongue weight just by moving some stuff up front for towing, without moving the axle.

A photo would help.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

The motor is the OEM Force. I plan on adding a spare tire mount to the tongue, and maybe a small box to hold a scizor jack and stuff, that should add about 40 lbs or so, but not enough to meet the 7 - 10% tongue weight rule. Trailer is rated 2000 lbs. Boat and motor are 1475 lbs according to the original sales brochure the owner had.

I'll try to get some pics up tonight.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Mark, i have several trailers like that. they have holes drilled in the trailer every 6 inches. i've had to adjust just about every one of they. i just block up the trailer to take the tension off the springs, unbolt, and move the whole under carriage. no big deal.

you know Bayliner dealer were selling a entrance level boat for an entrance level price, with a small profit margin. they did not do anything they didn't have to. the trailer came from the factory like that, boat thrown on it and out the door , it went. the entrance level buyer, knew nothing about tongue weight, all he knew is he didn't get a hernia connecting the boat.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Whats the suggested percentage for a tandum trailer?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

7-10%

 

[Mark42]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Well, the best way to discuss a situation is with pictures. So here they are:

Overall:

Tongue: To me it looks like the bow stop is fixed bolted between the rails, no slide holes. If I unbolt the whole mess, there might be holes every inch or two stamped int the bow stop, but I can't tell until I take it all apart. Not something I want to do...

Shot from low from the front of the axle. The main frame rests on this "sub-frame" that holds the leaf springs and axle. The sub frame can be moved if the big U bolts are losened and the whole thing pounded with huge sledge....

And anoter shot from the rear of the axle...

And a flush shot of the rear where you can see the transom sits flush with the OEM bunks...

So what do you think? Does the bow stop move? Should I move the sub frame? You can see how the axle and springs are fixed to the sub frame...

So what is the answer?

 

[klicknative]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

I'd jack up the rear of main frame and move the subframe back a little at a time untill you get it where you want it.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

I'd jack up the rear of main frame and move the subframe back a little at a time untill you get it where you want it.

I'm leaning that way, unless I can figure out how to move the bow stop in small amounts....

Thanks!

Mark.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Mark drop the tongue to the ground, block the stern of the trailer, raise the tongue. this will jack the complete trailer up, and take the tension off the springs. block the tongue (safety). then you can loosen the U bolts, and move the axles assembly. be sure when you get it where you want it. to measure from the same place on the tongue to the same place on each axle assembly. to be sure the axle is aligned straight with the trailer. the measurements have to be accurate, or it will tow out of line, and wear the tires. there is absolutely wrong with this design. it's actually ingenious of bayliner in a labor saving design, the bow stop looks to be permanent, and a structural part of the tongue.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Thanks Tash,

I'm going to follow your advice. I guess the best result is to mess around with all the adjustments.

Regards,

Mark42

 

[firefighter615]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Ok, I have to admit. I am new to boat owning and trailering. I notice that the comment was 7 to 10% tongue weight for a tandem trailer but is the same for single? I have a 1983 Ranger 372v with a 90HP Johnson on it. I have a scale house close to my house so I can weigh it, but do I weigh the boat and trailer together and also should I have the 2 20 gal tanks filled as well when it is weighted? I just purchased this boat and the tanks are empty but I can tell you that the tongue weight is no more than 10 Lbs currently. Thanks for the info, I love this site.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Weigh it loaded the same way you tow it. And yes it is 7-10% for a single axle trailer as well.
--
Stan

 

[JAL51974]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Mark,
Good luck with setting up that trailer. What year is the boat, it looks great!
Joe

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

7-10% sounds so heavy. My Welcraft 238 Coastal with twin 150's shoud have 450-500 lbs on the tongue?

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

7-10% sounds so heavy. My Welcraft 238 Coastal with twin 150's shoud have 450-500 lbs on the tongue?

Indee-diddly-eed, good neighbor. If the rig weighs 5000 lbs.
--
Stan (Ned)

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

Time to move my stop forward. I've "only" got around 150...

Many thanks!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

the measurements have to be accurate, or it will tow out of line, and wear the tires.

Fortunately, you won't wear the tires out on a single axle trailer but you could have "crabbing" but you would have to be way out of alignment to notice that.

 

[rndn]

Re: Bayliner Escort Trailer setup... I think its not right.

I know the recommended tongue weight is 7-10%, but if the thing trailers nicely, does it matter? I had a Baja for 10 years and at best it had 3-4 percent of the trailer weight on the tongue and it trailered great. I took it all over the place on the highways, back roads etc and never had a problem. I was always told, maybe incorrectly, that if you are having a trailering problem such a fishtailing, then do something about it. Someone please tell me the importance of the 7-10% trailer tongue weight. I love this website and the members are great.