1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

[RiverDewey]

I just picked up a 1990 Tracker 17' Pro Deep V. It came with a Tracker trailer of the same vintage. I got the boat launched but when I drove away, it was apparent that the back end of the trailer had fallen down and was dragging on the ground. I managed to get it parked in a field, but there is where it sits. It does not seem like anything is missing but obviously this is not the correct situation. It has bunks in the front and rollers in the back (on a frame that swivels on one bolt on each side). I will try to include a photo. Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a bar at the far back end of the trailer going across to support the back end of the roller frame?

Thanks much

 

[Bronlonius]

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

Sure looks like there should be a bar at the back. See the tab on the back of the frame rail? I think that's supposed to bolt to the missing crossmember. You definitely need a bar back there to be able to back up without the rollers getting snagged on the ground. The bar that the rollers are mounted to looks loose too.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

yep, looks to me like two chunks of the rear crossmember have been sawed off

the back support for the rollers should look just like the front

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

Looks like someone modified the trailer,,, (to me). Is there a stop or catch under the pivoting frame rail, to keep the roller frame from falling all the way to the ground?

I do agree about something missing at the back of the trailer, missing frame crossmember(s) to keep the trailer squared up. Can you see anywhere on the inside of the frame rails where something was cut off, grind marks.

Seems like a weird setup...........

 

[Bronlonius]

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

Now that I look at this again, I think someone deliberately modified it. They might have been using it with a smaller boat than it was designed for, and removed the rear crossmember so that they could launch it without catching the transom on it. Whatever the reason for removing it, I would definitely try to get it back to normal.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

Aropund salt water the rear members of trailers rust out frequently; maybe yours did and the guy sawed everything off. The center bar doesn't look right, either. You need to start all over again.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

Fiirst off-- to the best of my knowledge, Tracker doesn't use rollers on their trailers. I'll bet a buck those were added on--

As evidence, check within the circled area-- note the bar's bracket *appears* to have part of the flange hanging down below the frame, meaning it wasn't made for that frame... Also, from the scuff marks and possible holes(?) the frame itself looks like something else used to be attached to it...

==========

And third (in the OP's pic) I notice there's no rear frame cross member (??) which explains why the that bar looks like it's not tightened against the frame: that bar and the 2 bolts thru that flimsy flange is ALL that's keeping the trailer from pulling itself apart beyond the front cross member--

-- Never seen anything quite like that, but I know I wouldn't be towing anything with it--

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

It appears to me...
Someone modified the trailer to be a Quasi-Tilt trailer possibly for easy load and unload. Possibly for use at a make-shift ramp on private land?

Dont believe I would trust it to tow up and down the highway.

 

[RiverDewey]

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

Thanks everyone for the comments. Great ideas.

Good point too here: "the 2 bolts thru that flimsy flange is ALL that's keeping the trailer from pulling itself apart beyond the front cross member-- " - makes me glad I just got it to the lake, which was not far.

The tabs at the back end are for strapping down the boat I think. However, perhaps I could just add a support bar out of square tube steel at the back end. That should stabilize it. I don't plan on trailering the boat great distances.

Dewey

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1990 Tracker Trailer back end fell off?

It appears to me...
Someone modified the trailer to be a Quasi-Tilt trailer possibly for easy load and unload. Possibly for use at a make-shift ramp on private land?

That's exactly what they did!

That isn't even good redneck/duct tape/Red Green* engineering!

I agree with removing that roller crapola and building the trailer back the way it should be with a rear cross member, rear roller, and full length bunks.


* Red Green:
Red Green's Boat-Car - YouTube