New ez loader trailer problem

[john from md]

I just bought a new ez loader trailer for my '85 Baliner Capri. When I bought it, my salesman ( the general manager) went through the numbers, asked what kind of boat it was for and picked out a bunk trailer. He even called the factory to confirm that this was the trailer I needed and not a bigger one. I wanted bunks and not rollers to save some money.

When I tried to put the boat on it, we could not get it to sit right without sitting on the fenders. We tried to ajust the bunks but they were just too low. I called the general manager and told him the problem and he said I probably needed higher brackets. However, the factory is closed for vacation for a week so I can't do anything right now.

My question is, should I expect them to unload the boat to change the brackets? I had the boat on a friends trailer when I bought the new one but he is gone for a month and I have nothing to do with it now.

My thinking is that since they specified what I needed, they should do what it takes to make it work?

Am I expecting too much?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

John

 

[TommyA]

Re: New ez loader trailer problem

I would think that they would need the boat on the trailer to see just what adjustments are needed. They are probably setup for moving boats from one trailer to another so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides thats what customer service is all about!

 

[john from md]

Re: New ez loader trailer problem

I am hoping that this is the case. I know that they have cranes and fork lifts at this place so I hope they are used to doing this kind of stuff. Actually, when i bought the trailer, they said they didn't have anything less than a 26 foot on the grounds and would have to have it built. Luckily the factory is next door. The only down side in this case is that, due to its proximity,the spare and aftermarket parts are kept at the factory instead of in the marina.

John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New ez loader trailer problem

who is we that put the boat on the trailer? if the dealer did it, yes. if you did it. your responsibility. you did not pay him to load and adjust the trailer. with the boat sitting in the fenders, how is it going to be towed to the dealer without damage.

Getting Boat Off Trailer

you don't need stands.

1/you can lower the tongue to the ground. i would get some 6x6 or old railroad crossties cut the +- 12 inches, now block up the transom. 2/

Raise the tongue of the trailer the back of trailer will drop away from trailer. this is the tricky part. between the cross braces of the trailer block the keel lower trailer, boat will be suspended on the blocks.

3/ pull forward, lift bow again, and reblock i a different place. repeat until trailer is out from under the boat.

4/ to reload, just reverse the procedure.

if you were just working on the bunks, or painting the bottom. you could just do the first 2 steps.

 

[john from md]

Re: New ez loader trailer problem

Assuming they charge me, how much can I expect to pay for removing the boat and replacing it after they change the brackets? I am not going to jack it off the trailer myself as I have too much arthritis and other ailments..

John

 

[redfury]

Re: New ez loader trailer problem

I think the tricky thing is that they made a call to Bayliner to verify they were putting you on the right trailer. That shifts blame to an outside source, so they kinda covered their butts that way and can justify charging you to move the boat.

However, you can block the boat up with planks of wood to keep it from damaging the boat and the fenders when you trailer it over. Just don't go crazy driving it over there.

If I were the dealer, I guess I could go either way with it. Your best bet would be to go down when they aren't busy. They may just take a stab at it real quick to keep you happy and keep their guys busy.

Shop rate up here is $120/hr, so I'd expect that to be the minimum you'd be charged, maybe an 1 1/2 hrs maximum, though I can't imagine it would take them more than 45 minutes to get new brackets installed and adjusted.

 

[TommyA]

Re: New ez loader trailer problem

Maybe we should just wait and see what the shop is willing to do before we start adding up a cost.

 

[Mark42]

Re: New ez loader trailer problem

To put new/taller bunk brackets on the trailer you do not have to remove the boat. A simple scissor jack and some lengths of 2x4 will get the job done.

This is how I raised the adjustable bunk brackets on a new trailer I bought to fit the boat:

Put the scissor jack between the trailer frame and bunk or between the boat and frame and lift one corner of the boat enough to replace/adjust the bracket. The boat is supported by the jack on one side, and the other bunk on the other. Then move to the other end of the same bunk and jack up the boat/bunk enough to replace that bracket. Then do the other side the same way.

Sometimes its easier and quicker to just make simple fixes yourself without getting involved with fighting a dealer. Explain to the dealer the problem, get him to give you the right parts, and install yourself. My be is the dealer will be OK with that. Might even want to drive by after doing the fix to get his written OK on your original receipt.

It does have the advantage that you are not fighting the dealer, he is not paying workers to do a job for free, and he is more inclined to give the parts for free and save his labor.

If you don't have a scissor jack, they are usually about $15 at a Sears hardware or similar store. And it comes in handy for changing flats on a trailer when out on the road.

My Bayliner came on the factory supplied Escort brand trailer. The trailer has a V shaped frame the the boat can sit lower. The bunks are only about 2" above the trailer frame. The axle is wide so the tires/fenders clear the boat.

My MFG sits on a Loadrite trailer. It has a flat frame, so the bunks are higher so the boat clears the cross members, and the axle is not quite as wide as on the Bayliner, so the high bunks help clear the fenders.

Oh, and one other thing to check.... Make sure the bunks are not too far to the ouside of the trailer. That makes the boat sit lower, maybe causing the rubbing on the fenders. The bunks can be 1 to 2' in from the sides of the boat. The further inward the bunks are, the higher the boat will sit, and that may be enough to clear the fenders. Also make sure you have the proper rated straps or transom tie downs for the weight of the boat.

 

[john from md]

Re: New ez loader trailer problem

Thanks for the info. Since the dealer spec'd out the trailer and called the trailer manufacturer to confirm the correct model, I figure they should have given me the trailer with the higher brackets.

We tried adjusting the bunks as you say but the fenders stuck up too much and we couldn't clear. I took the fenders off so I could get the boat home. The bunks are adjusted fine horizontally, they are just too low.

John