how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

dickjorkey

Cadet
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
26
Hello,


I have a Proline 190 19'. The trailer i have for this boat is a single axle 16' more or less. 3 feet of the boat doesn't have support in the back, thus the all the weight of the engine makes the whole boat tilt up from the front. This makes my boat sit on the floor towards the back.

If I buy longer 2x4's, would this level the boats weight once the boat fits completely. Or is there any other way of making this trailer longer?

IMG00001-20121007-1406.jpg
 

matt167

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
4,169
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

I'v seen bunks extended past the trailer to make boats fit, but really, you should have a longer trailer. A trailer shop could make it longer for you, but it would probably be cost prohibitive.

I would also make sure your trailer weight rating isn't overloaded with the 19' boat. It probably isn't but check anyway. That current setup shouldn't have gone 10 feet. No tongue weight, and no real transom strap. I see the rope does go across, but because the boat is leveraged to the rear, it's not helping anything where it is.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,088
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

Hello,


I have a Proline 190 19'. The trailer i have for this boat is a single axle 16' more or less. 3 feet of the boat doesn't have support in the back, thus the all the weight of the engine makes the whole boat tilt up from the front. This makes my boat sit on the floor towards the back.

If I buy longer 2x4's, would this level the boats weight once the boat fits completely. Or is there any other way of making this trailer longer?

IMG00001-20121007-1406.jpg

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... You need a bigger trailer,... That is a Death trap....

Even if you move the axle to the very end of the rails, 'n add longer bunks,...

That's a Death Trap...
 

coolbri70

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
1,554
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

+1 bond-o ,i cant tell in that pic if you have room to, but it looks like the boat is too far back on the trailer. you can move the bow stop forward or the axle back, do you have a profile pic?
 

coolbri70

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
1,554
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

at the intersections around here you would be dragging that stern constantly
 

etracer68

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Oct 11, 2009
Messages
906
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

I bet the axle and tires are not rated for the weight. I agree with Bond-o, that is an accident waiting to happen.
 

KD4UPL

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Messages
679
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

Honestly, when I first saw the picture I thought this was a joke thread.
Do you really pull that around? That trailer is nowhere near big enough. I'm quite certain the tires, axle, everything are way overloaded.
There is no way to make that trailer match that boat.
You need a new trailer in a hurry.
 

Barboots

Cadet
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Messages
6
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

Honestly, when I first saw the picture I thought this was a joke thread.
Do you really pull that around?.

Wow... that's some scary rig :eek: I thought the same thing.

Spend the money on a safe trailer now, rather than trying to buy your way out of the sh!t when this (as is or modified) goes horribly wrong. If it's not too far to the ramp, launch your boat and grab some photos of the trailer. Advertise it and then grab something designed for a 19' boat. It shouldn't cost too much to upgrade.

Personally, I wouldn't even tow it around the corner without fitting a drop hitch. It'd lower the nose, and take some of the load off the rear of the bunks too. Either that, or use a car with a lower hitch?
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

:eek: EEK!!. Seriously, dickjorkey, that is a death trap, as repeated above. The trailer is too short and probably over capacity. It can't possibly be rigged safely without lengthening the frame and probably upgrading the springs and axles.

I would replace it with a correctly sized trailer with adequate capacity. Then you would need to do the following:

* Position the boat on the trailer so that the transom is firmly supported, including positioning the winch stand with bow stop above the bow eye.
* Adjust the position of the axle cradle so that 7-10% of the trailer (LOADED) weight is on the tongue.
* Install a safety chain with turnbuckle to firmly attach the bow eye to the trailer frame.
* Install transom hold down chains/straps to firmly hold the transom down to the trailer frame.
* Select a ball hitch that, when attached to the trailer, allows the trailer frame to ride horizontal.
* Consider (optional, but recommended) a transom saver to support the outboard foot when under tow.

I realize that the above seems obsessive, but each is is a matter of life or death in an emergency. Lack of each has killed people, including innocent bystanders.
 

rbh

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
7,939
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

What they said "Death Trap"!!

That is an accident just waiting to happen, get a bigger trailer.
 

djpeters

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
1,824
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

Kind of makes ya wonder about the pic. Why would someone stop at an intersection and take a pic of their boat/trailer.
 

EddiePetty

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
1,008
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

......said it before....

Too much boat, too little trailer.
:eek:
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

Bigger capacity trailer required immediately.
Everything else has already been said.
 

H20Rat

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5,204
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

Don't listen to all the naysayers, you can make that fit! I'd start by lifting up the boat off the trailer entirely, then pull the trailer out. Once its clear, remove the axle, and the tongue, and all metal pieces. Replace them with pieces that are about twice as strong. While you are making minor trailer mods, might as well lengthen it about 6 feet, and add another axle. Once you get that done, just roll the old trailer back under, and you are good to go! (basically same theory as the family axe, with 5 new handles and 2 new heads, but its the same axe...)

Long story short, you can't make that trailer fit that boat. You absolutely need a new trailer. Like everyone else, I thought this was some joke thread at first, but I'm scared it is not.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,235
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

That pic reminded me of something I once saw in real life. Just as I was saying to myself "OMG that guy has to be nuts", the trailer cracked in half and spilled the boat all over the highway. True story!!!

That was when I was young and foolish. I actually helped the guy pull the parts off the road and drove him to his buddy's house so he could pick up a big towtruck. Today I'm old and cantankerous and don't help anybody unless its a true accident.
 

dickjorkey

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Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
26
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

LOL! That picture was actually taken the day I was stranded :facepalm:. After I bought the trailer from someone off craigslist for 200 bucks, as I was driving home, bammm one of the tires popped. the trailer and boat has a horrible story to it, they have both given me trouble. All because i always try to buy cheap Sh*t! (not a good idea). Yesterday before reading all these posts, i decided to install two longer 2x4's and it did not make a difference lol ughh. Believe it or not, this is how I've been driving back and forth to the marina (of course i bought new tires). Thankfully though, i'm only a few blocks away from it. I agree with all of you, i definitely need a new trailer.


What a jabberwocky this is! Need to save up some $$. or if anyone would like to donate a trailer to the poor lol :cool:

Thank you all!
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

LOL! That picture was actually taken the day I was stranded :facepalm:. After I bought the trailer from someone off craigslist for 200 bucks, as I was driving home, bammm one of the tires popped. the trailer and boat has a horrible story to it, they have both given me trouble. All because i always try to buy cheap Sh*t! (not a good idea). Yesterday before reading all these posts, i decided to install two longer 2x4's and it did not make a difference lol ughh. Believe it or not, this is how I've been driving back and forth to the marina (of course i bought new tires). Thankfully though, i'm only a few blocks away from it. I agree with all of you, i definitely need a new trailer.



What a jabberwocky this is! Need to save up some $$. or if anyone would like to donate a trailer to the poor lol :cool:

Thank you all!

What tires did you get ??? load rating ??? Hope you didn't cheap out on them as well and get regular car tires :eek:
 

Alwhite00

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Messages
885
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

Wow, That is scary - I'm glad you are in florida dragging that thing around. You should have put that $200.00 towards a bigger trailer. Sell it and start shopping. How much does that boat weigh? They look like really small tires on it?

LK
 

90stingray

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Oct 26, 2010
Messages
1,162
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

Need to get a receiver hitch too... so you can get that trailer leveled off. That transom is looking to take beating by the road. I would think you would want to get that boat supported correctly with a new trailer. Look on craigslist, there are bound to be some deals in your area. Then you can list yours when you get a new one.

Boat Trailer
Boat trailer
23 ft tandem boat trailer
Boat Trailer (up to 25 foot)
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: how do I make a trailer fit bigger boat?

102_6543.jpg100_5942.jpg102_6674.jpg102_6563.jpg

That trailer COULD be upgraded to fit that boat but it would be like trying to make a "silk purse out of a sow's ear." Even if you upgraded the tires, the trailer FRAME is too small in cross section for the weight is is expected to take. Short of replacing all the steel. It will never be adequate. SO: it is economically more feasable to buy another trailer more suited to the boat.

Your boat and engine, with all gear is probably upwards of 2500 pounds. Combined with a trailer weight of around 1000 pounds, you need a trailer rated for about 3500-3900 pounds.

You need a trailer with a frame more like these: 6 inch frame and 3 X 6 inch boxed tongue.
 
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