Adjusting boat to trailer

[dude11]

Hi fellows,it's been awhile but I check-in now & again.I picked up a 14ft.Gamefisher jon boat.It's on a bunk trailer,and yes they needed replacing.I did wonder though,even as light weight as a jon is;Where should it sit on the trailer?Reason I ask is I am planning on repositing the winch tower for a tad more distance between trailer & truck.I know on a heavier boat the bunks should be either under or close to transom for support.Not real sure on this rig.I will post some pics.today.Btw,the gas eng.is a 7.5hp.so not much weight there either.thax

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Bunk location on a jon boat is the same, you want to support the transom. You could make the bunks longer and have them hang over the end of the trailer a little.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

yep... as stated above.. 12' or 112' makes no difference... line up the back of the boat with the back of the trailer.......

if after that, you need more room between the truck and boat then you need a longer trailer.

 

[dude11]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Hi,Findley got a few pics.I included the weld job(due to random holes) my nephew did for me,he's a master welder.As for the back of the boat over the rear of the trailer---not real sure about that one .If that's the case--I'm way off .The pics.show it as now. I planned on moving the boat about 12 more inches to the rear. What say you? Well the pics.wont load.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Looks like you have a trailer made for a 12' - 13' boat. Move the boat farther back and you may have a problem getting enough tongue weight for proper towing. Consider extending the tongue instead.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Looks like you have a trailer made for a 12' - 13' boat. Move the boat farther back and you may have a problem getting enough tongue weight for proper towing. Consider extending the tongue instead.

Ayuh,..... I agree,.... Put the motor on the boat, 'n the trailer hitch will be pointed at the sky,...

How 'bout a picture of from hitch to transom, full length, full shot,..??

Looks like too much boat for too little of wagon,....

 

[gm280]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Like others stated, move your boat forward so that the end of your jon boat (transom) is lined up with the end of the trailer. If that makes you boat too long for the trailer, then you either need a longer trailer OR, add on to the tongue of the trailer. Replace the total length of the tongue is a better and cheaper option to buying a longer trailer. By aligning up the boat with the trailer allows you to use tie downs from the transom to the trailer end and balances the trailer for proper tongue weight too. You never want a rear heavy trailer ever...

 

[dude11]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Thax fellows for the advice.I had thought about adding to the tongue but figured I'd ask first.Looks like that's my next task.thax again

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

before you get too carried away look around... You MAY find a bigger trailer for no more than you could sell the current one for.

 

[dude11]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

before you get too carried away look around... You MAY find a bigger trailer for no more than you could sell the current one for.

Good point,but I already replaced bunks, bearing & races,& having new tires mounted this am.I've added length to trailers before so it's not a brick wall for me.The area I'm in,there are few if any that come up for sale (without a boat sitting on it).This is just a jon boat, it's not like I 'm pulling a yacht.I just like to be able to lower my tail gate when doing the deed.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

First, the bunks do not have to go all the way to the stern; your position is typical and will be fine. Any concerns, remove the motor and lay it in the boat. Trailers and boat lifts are designed and sold all the time that don't go all the way to the transom and rollers never do.

Second, the more important aspect and as has been discussed, is tongue weight, which is not as crucial with a small boat but nonetheless important. You want about 10% pressure on the ball. You may be able to accomplish this with your rig by putting the gas tank forward, or the motor, or if you use a trolling motor, the battery. At least put the heavy stuff over the axle.

 

[dude11]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

First, the bunks do not have to go all the way to the stern; your position is typical and will be fine. Any concerns, remove the motor and lay it in the boat. Trailers and boat lifts are designed and sold all the time that don't go all the way to the transom and rollers never do.

Second, the more important aspect and as has been discussed, is tongue weight, which is not as crucial with a small boat but nonetheless important. You want about 10% pressure on the ball. You may be able to accomplish this with your rig by putting the gas tank forward, or the motor, or if you use a trolling motor, the battery. At least put the heavy stuff over the axle.

Thanks for the opinion,I went today & picked up a piece of tubing that'll fit inside of the 3" tube frame.I'll wack that boy into & add as much as I need for a better fit.Few bolts ,weld job,extend wiring and it's off to the races.I'll post some pics.when progress begins.Thax

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Thanks for the opinion,I went today & picked up a piece of tubing that'll fit inside of the 3" tube frame.I'll wack that boy into & add as much as I need for a better fit.Few bolts ,weld job,extend wiring and it's off to the races.I'll post some pics.when progress begins.Thax

As long as your nephew is a welder why not do it right. Get a matching 3" tube cut the end of the old tongue and the new piece cut at a 45. Have them welded and have diamond shaped gussets welded over the welds

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

just because some hang off the back doesn't make it right

I think you'll be MUCH better off with the longer tongue as you have planned

 

[dude11]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

As long as your nephew is a welder why not do it right. Get a matching 3" tube cut the end of the old tongue and the new piece cut at a 45. Have them welded and have diamond shaped gussets welded over the welds

I see your point, but your suggestion isn't near as strong as the way I described.I weld( just not aluminum).I have built trailers with corners like you mentioned.But the sole support to the hitch is on the tongue,that's important,so I'll take strength over looks.I was doing a weld job for a fellow once and was kinda nit-picking my measuring.He just laughed & said,"you ain't building a violin case".

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

just because some hang off the back doesn't make it right

No but the fact that boat rigs are sold that way and lifts are rigged that way by professionsals and trailers are rigged that way by those in the business, and that knowlegable boaters do it that way, is a pretty good indication that it is, in fact, right. Moreover, we know there is no such thing as a "boat" but OP has a 14' gamefisher with a 7.5.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

I disagree.

BTW having first hand experience with a 14' gamefisher with hull damage that to the best we could figure was from hanging off the back of the trailer less than 2 feet only adds to my resolve... I DID have an 18 hp motor on it but why chance it... simply support the full length of the hull and be sure

 

[dude11]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

I disagree.

BTW having first hand experience with a 14' gamefisher with hull damage that to the best we could figure was from hanging off the back of the trailer less than 2 feet only adds to my resolve... I DID have an 18 hp motor on it but why chance it... simply support the full length of the hull and be sure

After thinking it over-I have decided my best bet is to extend the trailer by 18 to 20ins.That'll give me the length to adjust boat to trailer plus enough space to lower tail gate when backing it in.The 18hp.you had was a lot heavier than mine,so after reading everyones opinion--I feel this'll do the trick.thax guys

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Best of luck to yya keep us posted w ur progress and we'll be EXPECTING pics lol

 

[dude11]

Re: Adjusting boat to trailer

Best of luck to yya keep us posted w ur progress and we'll be EXPECTING pics lol

Yup,I know the drill--no pics.so it never happened.lol-I added 20ins.& she looked kinda leggy,so I whupped up a bow brace.It wasn't flimsy,just looked longggg.There was another thing;the front bow brace/roller,appears to be normally used w.V hull.Or maybe their all the same? I was thinking,wouldn't it be better to have a wider footprint on the bottom in front as is on the back? Never really paid much attention,till I got a flat bottom.