Can I widen a boat trailer?

[Lund]

Currently have a 17' aluminum fishing boat on an older style trailer. Currently the axel from hub to hub is 60".

My boat currently sits too high on the trailer (over the fenders).

I want to put a 72" axel, but I was told that I have to also widen the spring centres to accomodate a larger width. This would take some additional fabrication.

Has anyone accomplished this? Wouldnt mind pics if you have any.

Thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

Seems to me that by the time you have replaced the axle and built/widened the frame you would have more time, trouble and money than it would be worth.

Get a different trailer.

 

[Lund]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

Seems to me that by the time you have replaced the axle and built/widened the frame you would have more time, trouble and money than it would be worth.

Get a different trailer.

Thanks, but really can't find a suitable trailer in my area for a reasonable cost. ($1,200-$1,800)

New axel, hubs and leaf springs would cost me $200.00. My thoughts were to cut a 3x3 square tube which is the same as the tongue and bolt it or weld it to the existing channel on both sides. This would give me an additional 6" width. Just concerned with the strenght.

 

[burroak]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

Thanks, but really can't find a suitable trailer in my area for a reasonable cost. ($1,200-$1,800)

There is no indication in your post as to your location but for that kind of scratch local marinas, ebay, craigslist, and want ads should give you more than enough selection.

Unless you have free welding services available, the time and materials and labor are problematic not to mention the less than satisfactory cosmetics.

 

[Lund]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

There is no indication in your post as to your location but for that kind of scratch local marinas, ebay, craigslist, and want ads should give you more than enough selection.

Unless you have free welding services available, the time and materials and labor are problematic not to mention the less than satisfactory cosmetics.

Thanks for the reply. I am located near Toronto Ontario. I have been looking for some time now. All the ones i have looked at are in pretty bad shape and are also too narrow.

I have both a Mig welder and an Oxy/Gas setup at home, so welding isnt an issue. I was concerned witht the cosmetics as well, dont want it to look like a mess.

 

[rndn]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

My two cents is that if you plan on doing the welding yourself make sure you know what you're doing. You will be welding something that will be going down the highways at 100kph and if one of your welds goes bad, you're in trouble. As mentioned above, I think you should be able to find all sorts of trailers in your price range that would readily be up to the task. If you can't find anything in Toronto, check state side and plan a short trip.

 

[burroak]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

I don't know where Knobleton is from you but this is on craigslist.com right now.

2001 EZ Loader Boat Trailer - $1500

FWIW, I have found that craigslist is a buyers site while ebay is a sellers site.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

Well, since you have the welders, you may as well build a new trailer. Cause, to make yours wider, you would have to cut out the crosspieces off, and fab new ones up. Then, your angled side pieces (the ones that connect the tongue to the side pieces) are often parts of the side pieces, just bent on a tubing bender, So, you would have to chop that section off, and weld a new piece on. So, in the long run, you will only be saving the side pieces and tongue. It is worth it to a) sell yours and buy another or b) sell yours and build another. If you have the means, building a trailer is easy.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

I agree with Bassboy: If you can get an axle for 200, 1,000 buys a lot of rectangular steel tubing and your supplier should be able to bend it to your specifications. That done, the hard part is over. If you are concerned about your ability as a welder, bolt it together with grade 8 bolts. Presto--you've made your own trailer custom fit to your boat.

 

[Lund]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

I agree with Bassboy: If you can get an axle for 200, 1,000 buys a lot of rectangular steel tubing and your supplier should be able to bend it to your specifications. That done, the hard part is over. If you are concerned about your ability as a welder, bolt it together with grade 8 bolts. Presto--you've made your own trailer custom fit to your boat.

Thanks, that could be a way to go as well. Still would be out of pocket for $1200 where if i throw in a couple of extra dollars i could get a new trailer.

I was just looking at saving some $ this year and putting in some work into my current one.

 

[6228SH]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

step one-get some scrap peices of flat metal the same thickness of the tubing on your trailer-butt two together and weld them.once cool,stick the peice(s) in a vice with the weld horizontal and exposed.smack with hammer on opposite side of weld.it should bend all the way into a U shape without breaking. what your talking about isnt really that big of a deal in theory though.If you decide to bolt it together,I would consider drilling oversized holes and welding in pipe just bigger ID than the bolts-bolts alone will rip through that tubing pretty fast.

 

[PondTunes]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

I was at the same place you're at a while back, I had one of the narrow pontoon trailers that rides on the boats frame between the toons, it was only about 50" wide and quite unstable.

I had planned to just get some new axles cut the thing in two and widen it to turn it into a float on. well the more I got to looking at it I figured by the time I cut it apart I could go buy enough steel to build it from scratch and save time. The new one is now 80" wide with 74 1/2" spring centers. I'm sure I saved time in the long run but i've got $2800.00 tied up in my trailer now

It's a float-on with electric brakes on both axles & LED lighting.

Note: I ended up selling my old trailer for like $950.00 on craigs list so It offset the cost a little!

 

[Lund]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

I was at the same place you're at a while back, I had one of the narrow pontoon trailers that rides on the boats frame between the toons, it was only about 50" wide and quite unstable.

I had planned to just get some new axles cut the thing in two and widen it to turn it into a float on. well the more I got to looking at it I figured by the time I cut it apart I could go buy enough steel to build it from scratch and save time. The new one is now 80" wide with 74 1/2" spring centers. I'm sure I saved time in the long run but i've got $2800.00 tied up in my trailer now

It's a float-on with electric brakes on both axles & LED lighting.

Note: I ended up selling my old trailer for like $950.00 on craigs list so It offset the cost a little!

Great work, looks professional.

 

[alan ber]

trailer widths

trailer widths

I need some advice
I was on this forum the other day and got some good advice from fellow boaters.
I am in central fla and been looking for a good used boat trailer. Slim pickings
I saw a trailer but am curious why is only is 5 feet wide . Most standard boat trailers are over 6 feet . When I say standard I am refuring to everyday 21 ft boats not extra wide. Noticed a simuliar trailer for sale on ebay and sent the seller the same question but he never responded.He had it listed as a continental .
Trailer had some sort of roller system on sides but most rollers were missing so I took off and put my old rollers on.
Down the center on each of the 5 cross members there is also rollers. I left them.
The cross members have bends to cradle
I then mounted my rollers from my old trailer which were from an ez loader bar system that float with the boat.
Being trailer is narrower I kept as far out as possilbe on the crossmembers.
I wanted to see how boat sat and was surprised it sat nice and high over the fenders.
Rollers cradled boat nice and tight.
Why would a boat trailer be made only 5 feet wide??
Everything else on trailer is standard


thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

Widening a trailer by simply adding extensions to the frame rails accomplishes nothing. If the intent is to lower the boat ride-height, you need to increase the width "between" the frame rails so the boat can actually sit lower. That means the cross members must also be "V" shaped so the keel can sit lower. If you indeed are an accomplished welder you would need to cut the frame rails where they join the tongue. Add the needed width at that point and then modify and add width to each of the cross members. The frame rails must be same width as the spring center distance for proper axle loading. As was pointed out, this is not a practical solution. 60 inch trailers are for very small boats. Most newer walleye style boats ride on wider trailers and I'm very surprised you can't find a quality Shorelander, EZ Loader, or even a Karavan that will accommodate your needs. Check Craigs List and your local dealers.

 

[alan ber]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

I am just wondering about this used trailer I picked up.


Length total front to back 25 feet.
bed of trailer from back to point where both rails meet is 18 ft 10 inches . and the tongue is 7 feet.Plenty of room to adjust wench bracket.;
Middle of tire to middle of same axel tire is 70 inches
frame width from rear is 5 ft

It is long narrow and not a pontoon trailer.
It has rollers on the sides and down the middle.
on every support bracket which has a bend to cradle boat along with rollers on each crossmember.
This clearly will support a V hull.
I brought is to a trailer shop to inquire about load capcity on the springs.
axles are C channel , springs total of all 4 3800 lbs capacity,
This trailer has no brakes, 12 inch tires,

I am concerned about this configaration.
Trailer can handle a 24 footer but main supports for this type of trailer are light duty, why would a mfg make a big trailer but light duty on the most important issues..

And the long tongue?.
Just do not understand why its so narrow verses other trailers.
any knowledge for you boaters.
al b in Orlando

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can I widen a boat trailer?

Alan -- you highjacked this thread. Very impolite and things get confusing if everyone jumps in with topics that don't pertain to the original post. Start a new thread please. Pictures of the trailer would certainly help.