Adjusting boat on Trailer

[ormjgrouch]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Definetly not what I wanted to hear, I will have to pull out the title and see what the GVW is

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Not meaning to pile-on to your problems, but:

As indicated by the hull's number, you are in New York, therefore, your trailer MUST be equipped with brakes when the un-burdened exceeds 1000# and/or the burdened exceeds 3000#. Gotta get them brakes fixed.

If I am looking at the correct '80 Sea Ray 240 on NADA Boats, the dry weight of your hull is 4000#.

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Thanks Eddie, I actually live in falls church virginia. Will look at the brakes but first I need to figure if I am going to keep the boat

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

FALLS CHURCH !!! Northern Virginia? Yankee Land? Anything North of Richmond is New England!!!

Virginia's brake requirement begins at 3000#. Please tell me that is NOT a single axle trailer.

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Negative ghost rider it's a dual axle

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Negative ghost rider it's a dual axle

The good news is that it's a tandem axle!

I believe a previous owner has shortened the tongue for whatever reason (probably bent it during an extreme turn). A folding tongue would be an ideal extension. Log on to EBay or Craig's List and observe the length on the average boat trailer tongue from the 'A' frame to the coupler. I believe you will see exactly how short your trailer's tongue is. Also, observe the proper winch stands and the common degree of adjustability.

IRT GVW, there should be a tag/label in the 'A' frame area giving the weight capacity.

Frequently I have found a metal, zip-tie type tag on trailer axle ends (in the area between the spring perch and the brake mounting flange, most frequently on the left side) has specified each axle capacity (most tandems that I have encountered were 3500# each).

If your trailer does have at least 3500# axles, you may be able to lengthen the tongue, fix the brakes, lights, replace bunks, inspect bearings and tires and replace the winch stand for less $ than a new trailer.

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Well after bucketing the flood in the cabin last night from Sandy. I looked at my title for the trailer and it only has an amount for Gross WGT = 5000.

Thanks eddie, i will try to locate the tag/label. how do you lengthen the tongue?

Eddie just realized your in VA too, about 3 hours away from me.

 

[straightleg]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

alright guys, here are the pics. Hopefully i got everything. Many thanks in advance and let me know how to get this thing safe.

Thanks!

View attachment 173776View attachment 173777View attachment 173777View attachment 173778View attachment 173779View attachment 173780

You ought to take pictures from the side and show the full length, one from the back..end of trailer.
The most weight should be over the axel's.

I have a 21ft boat. Will take photos tonight of my trailer. That might give you a visual of what you need.
This wont happen until this evening


Gerry

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Thanks straightleg, that will be helpful!

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

wow, i never knew you can extend a tongue trailer and how much modification you can do to a trailer. thanks guys, starting to shed some light

folding tongue kit - Google Search

I just need to get to know these new terms/wording in boating. I"m just use to classic cars and offroad jeeps.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Well after bucketing the flood in the cabin last night from Sandy. I looked at my title for the trailer and it only has an amount for Gross WGT = 5000.

Thanks eddie, i will try to locate the tag/label. how do you lengthen the tongue?

Eddie just realized your in VA too, about 3 hours away from me.

5000lb's gross? The trailer will be overweight i'll bet. Boat=4000lb's, I'll bet the trailer is over 1000lbs beings that it's a steel trailer. If you shop around you might be able to find one that's more suited for your boat and be around the same money that you will be investing in this one and not have to do anything with it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Well after bucketing the flood in the cabin last night from Sandy. I looked at my title for the trailer and it only has an amount for Gross WGT = 5000.

Thanks eddie, i will try to locate the tag/label. how do you lengthen the tongue?

Eddie just realized your in VA too, about 3 hours away from me.

The weight on the title/registration doesn't mean squat. Not too uncommon to register a 14K trailer at 10K if that is all you ever plan to load it with.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

I don`t like the winch mounting, stuck way out at the end of that channel tubing, no reinforcement to it. There is no way it could winch up that heavy a boat to it`s proper location on the trailer. It appears the trailer is too short for that large a boat.

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Brich - me too, you woulnd't beleive it but htat mount (connecting the winch) has 2 bolts that connect to the stand. One bolt was a drywall screw with anchors. I don't think the PO knew what he was doing (well I don't either but trying to learn). To get this boat home i had to pull out my straps and strap the bow eye to my hitch on my dually (hope that made sense, see the picture below). Lets just say i was scared as sh@t. went really slow.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Brich - Lets just say i was scared as sh@t. went really slow.View attachment 173886

Tis as I suspected.......too much boat; too little trailer!!!

 

[straightleg]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

Brich - me too, you woulnd't beleive it but htat mount (connecting the winch) has 2 bolts that connect to the stand. One bolt was a drywall screw with anchors. I don't think the PO knew what he was doing (well I don't either but trying to learn). To get this boat home i had to pull out my straps and strap the bow eye to my hitch on my dually (hope that made sense, see the picture below). Lets just say i was scared as sh@t. went really slow.View attachment 173886

Any closer shots from the side
Looks like you boat is 2ft hanging over the end of the trailer?

Here is my trailer that cam stock with my boat. Bought my boat new in 1989. Show you the front, side, back, and underneath. Hope this helps even if you buy a new trailer.
I added some extra bunks on side so boat funnels onto trailer and does not float over the side on deep ramps.


SL

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

So, can i modify/work with what i have or do i need to look for a bigger trailer? thanks guys

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

you can add length to the tongue and use what you have. A good welding shop can do it. I am not sure if a folding tongue will take that much pulling weight, but then I don't know a lot about them.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

So, can i modify/work with what i have or do i need to look for a bigger trailer? thanks guys

Before any of us can honestly answer that question the actual weight capacity of the trailer must be determined, the dry weight of the boat, the weight of fuel,batteries, passengers and equipment that you anticipate, and, the tongue weight as the unit now sits.

Additionally, no one has mentioned the weight class, capacity, type nor condition of the existing tires.

 

[Four Winns Erie]

Re: Adjusting boat on Trailer

I wouldn't worry about the trailer until you decide if you are really going to restore this boat. If so, it could be an expensive and very time consuming project.