Did I buy the wrong trailer

[Johnny Be Cool]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

I understand NOW what you mean about the concern for tounge weight. Yes, I don't want the trailer to dip back.

What do you mean by 340", or was that a type-o and you meant to say 34".

I've listed this trailer on eBay & Craigslist (I didn't install the bunk braces).

What do you all think of this listing on eBay #200518306031

I'm hoping it sells, since I don't have the extra cash to buy another. If it doesn't sell, then I'm forced to make it work. With all of the ideas on this post I feel confident that I can make it work, I also agree that whatever set-up I use, this trailer will not be used every weekend. I'll just use it to put the boat in the slip and take it out when the season is over. Right now I think I have too much invested in the trailer and I need to put a little more in to for my liking.

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

since you have a 1 ton truck to pull it with push the trailer wheels back, far enough where you know it wont be tail heavy, at least to start... and then work towards ideal. that truck wont care about excessive tongue weight..


a thought to help the height would be look into low pro style tires, i dont know if they are around in a trailer application and the sizes you need but it could help. i have seen larger construction trailers and lowboys with some tiny wheels and low profile rubber to allow them to haul tall stuff inside the rules

another idea would be pricey im sure and given how not ideal the trailer is, prolly wouldnt go there but perhaps someone makes a "drop" axle?

hub frame hub
---axletube---

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

The ideal trailer will look more like your buddies trailer if you want to be able to load and unload easily. The ad looks fine but I have some doubts whether there's enough money out there this time of year. Trailers usually sell best in the spring but you may get someone looking for a trailer to haul their boat out on too.

The trailer you need will have dropped cross members and be much wider with 4 bunks.

Forget smaller tires or drop axles both would cost too much to do vs. just finding a better suited trailer. Figure that 4 new rims and tires would run in excess of $400 or more, and about the same for drop axles in that weight class. Your problem isn't the wheels or the axles, it's the frame design and width.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

I have to agree with reelfishin. It's going to take an awful lot of work and money to make this trailer work and it will still not be ideal.

 

[Johnny Be Cool]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

Ok. I finally took the boat out and stuck it on the trailer. I made a template of the transom and installed 2 rows of bunk rails. When it came time to get the boat, I had a hell of a time getting the boat to line up on the trailer, for some reson it always sat crooked. One thing for sure, is that the boat sat on the bunks and was 4" higher then the keel roller. I would like to have the keel rest on the rollers and use the bunks as a guide. The trailer towed great. I did pull the axles back towards the rear. I will post pictures soon.

Is it OK for the ribs of the hull to rest on the bunk pad. I tried to get the inner bunks to rest under the motor mounts/stringer.

I do have a question:
I want to get the boat to rest on the keel rollers, this will also help launcing the boat. I'm afraid if I try to loosen the bunk braces that the boat will tip to the side I'd loosen and fall over. I would like to jack the boat up, adjust the braces and then pull the trailer sideways to center the trailer. Is it alright to place a hydralic jack under the stern of the keel and jack it up. Is that too much weight on one section. Will that crack the Hull?? I do not have the screw jacks you see at ship yards. I will be doing this by myself.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

Call around to some of your local rental places, many of them keep screw type mobile home jacks in stock, and you can make cradles for the top of them that will work in a temporary situation to get things adjusted on the trailer, these types of jacks are pretty close to what a lot of the boat yards use.

 

[Johnny Be Cool]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

Good ideal MTboatguy, I'll look tomorow.

Is it possible to just lift the bottom of the stern of a 4000# in-board with a Hydrolic car jack.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

60" is a standard width, so no problem there. With the non-drop crossmembers I think it's for a flat bottomed boat, though.

-E

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

What part of the country do you live in? Are you near water? I guess you are if you own a boat. But is there anyplace like a marina where you can put the boat in to the water and leave it there until you get the trailer problems fixed? Most good marine's will help you with your problems,just let them know what you need. Business is slow this time of the year so they may be eager to help you. Look around ,you'll be supprised what will come along.

 

[Johnny Be Cool]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

Just stopped paying at the Marina for the slip, took it the other day to get it winterized. I'll see if that shop has any suggestions to mount the boat properly.

I was wondering if I can jack the boat up off the trailer at the stern with a car jack.

Do the bunks need to be on the ribs of the hull or off the ribs. I know it's best to have the hull rest on the bunks where the strigers run. If you look at the previous post with the photo (Mine is the red & white boat) you can see the ribs I'm talking about.

 

[starcraftkid]

Re: Did I buy the wrong trailer

The bunk position of the trailer your boat is pictured on is pretty decent, they just need to be longer to support the transom better.
The strakes or vertical lines of the boat are stronger than flat fiberglass on most boats just by design, but you wouldn't want the bunks to straddle them, just be close to or along them.

The best bet to raise the boat off the trailer is to lower the tongue as low as you can get it, lower and flip the tongue jack, then place your jack stands under the stern, getting them as close to the hull as possible. Then jack up the tongue of the trailer with the floor jack. This will raise the stern off the rear of the trailer. Then you can work on getting the bow raised by jacking between the cross members.