Trailer Length Question?...

[watercharger]

So I am new to boats, trailers, towing etc...

Question: I recently bought an old trailer that is roughly 14 or 15 feet in length and around 48 inches wide from wheel to wheel. Will is be safe to pull a 15' 42" jon boat on it. I realize the boat will over hang the back of the trailer about 3 feet so I wan to make sure it would be stable enough.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Welcome aboard watercharger

Sounds like you need to get a bit more length on that trailer. You could try moving the bowstop towards the trailer tongue(if you have any room to do so) to buy yourself some inches.

Are you planning on hanging an outboard off the transom?

If not then you will be able to tow the rig with this trailer. If you clamp an outboard on then that 3ft of overhang will be an issue. If it's a smaller motor you could bring it along in the trunk or boat and attach at the landing.

Pictures would help find a solution.

 

[red85k100rs]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

So I am new to boats, trailers, towing etc...

Question: I recently bought an old trailer that is roughly 14 or 15 feet in length and around 48 inches wide from wheel to wheel. Will is be safe to pull a 15' 42" jon boat on it. I realize the boat will over hang the back of the trailer about 3 feet so I wan to make sure it would be stable enough.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I am no expert!

But my answer would be It would as long as you don't have a motor hanging off the back, just put the motor up in the bow when trailering.

Or you could cut the tounge and add 3 feet.

 

[watercharger]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Yes I do plan on hanging an outboard on the transom. I have an old 7hp chrystler I wil be using.

I have not bought the boat yet so I don't have any photos of the boat on the trailer.

I will try to move the bowstop forward a bit.

Thanks for your help

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

One issue you may encounter is too little "tongue weight". This is the amount of downward force on the trailer ball while towing. If you have too little then the trailer will want to kick up when disconnected. The Chrysler will only add to this as the fulcrum is too forward to balance properly.

Adding some weight to the bow as mentioned will help, but not solve the problem.

A negative side effect of this is swaying of the trailer while towing faster than 40mph.

I had this issue with my box trailer converted to hold my 12' aluminum rig. I solved it by buying a proper boat trailer.

 

[watercharger]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Yes I can see this turning in to a problem especially when pulling the boat at higher speeds. I suppose I shoulda done my research before purchasing the trailer...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Don't get too down about it...we haven't seen photos yet. If you already bought the trailer post some pics. Maybe there is a reasonable way to remedy this.

How much room do you have to move the bow stop? In some cases this can make all the difference in the world. You could move it all the way forward, just make sure you have ample clearance when turning so it doesn't mangle your truck.

Or...if you haven't bought the boat yet you could always get a 14' aluminum rig instead.

Or you could sell/trade the trailer for a bigger one.

 

[watercharger]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Here is the only photo I have right now. I may be able to move it forward a little? I will take more photos tonight and post them...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Can't post pics out of your email watercharger.....

 

[watercharger]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Thanks I noticed...

Can't get the photo figured out rightt now I will have to wait till this evening

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

you can also move the axles back for balance--but a 7 shouldn't make but so much difference. Lay it in the boat over the axle. It's won't hurt the boat alone to hang out 3 feet, unles you store it that way, in which case a little bracing can't hurt..

 

[watercharger]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Well I am having trouble uploading pictures on here, what's the easiest way to go about doing so?

Home Cookin'- Look's like I will be able to move the axle back about 5 inches or so. Will this effect the sturdiness of the trailer overall?

Also, would it be alright to extend the bunks a couple of feet in the back to support the back of the boat that will be hanging out?

I would like to show some pictures just can't figure out how to get em on here!

thanks guys

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

Best way is to upload them to a photo hosting site like photobucket.com and then linking to them from here. Size them to 640x480 which you can do right on photobucket. Three instructional threads here http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

 

[watercharger]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

OK so I fixed my trailer length problem. I am having the frame rebuilt by a fabricator for a fairly reasonable price.

I do have another question about the trailer however. From wheel to wheel it is about 48"-50". Is this wide enough to stablelize a jon boat that is 42 inches at the base?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

The width should be fine. You could also add longer bunks if needed.
Sounds like you have the trailer stretching figured out...

 

[nimmor]

Re: Trailer Length Question?...

OK so I fixed my trailer length problem. I am having the frame rebuilt by a fabricator for a fairly reasonable price.

I do have another question about the trailer however. From wheel to wheel it is about 48"-50". Is this wide enough to stablelize a jon boat that is 42 inches at the base?

Thanks for the help!

As I was reading I was going to post to check with a welding shop about extending the trailer.