New trailer help.

[TOY BOAT]

I did a search, but nothing seems to apply.
First off, my wife and I decided to buy a new bunk trailer for our boat. My brother inlaw did the same thing a couple years ago, and has a small pond to use to set the bunks, bow keel roller, and winch stand. I do not have a pond, so I am doing it in my yard. I am sure the transom wants to be flush with the back of the trailer, or at least sitting on the bunks first, but after that, I am not sure. I am sure there is a formula to this.
Also do I want the boat to sit lower in the rear for launch and recovery, or just parallel with the trailer?
The trailer has two bunks, and one keel bow guide roller. Nothing else. I may add more keel rollers/guides later.
If there is a thread I may have missed that would answer all my questions, please feel free to send me in that direction. I did not see any that seemed to fit a new trailer subject.

Thank you

 

[JimS123]

Re: New trailer help.

Forget the rollers later....do it now. You won't regret it. For the few dollars they cost its silly not to.

Install a roller on each cross member. Positition them in the full down position. Line all them up straight. Might have to rest the boat on the bunks to do that. A scissors jack and a couple of 2x4's work wonders.

Then, lower the bunks all the way so the boat is resting on the rollers. Move the boat so the transom is just above the last roller. Now, raise the bunks with the jack so they are tight against the hull.

Move the winch stand to fit the stem.

Check the tongue weight and if not 5-10% of the total weight move the axle till it is.

 

[JB]

Re: New trailer help.

Good advice from JimS.

After that, the bow stop on the winch stand should be above the bow eye and you need to rig a safety chain, with turnbuckle, to tie the bow eye firmly to the trailer frame.

 

[TOY BOAT]

Re: New trailer help.

Thank you guys. I now have a game plan, and understanding of the order things need to be adjusted. I will go ahead and get two more rollers for the two crossmembers.

Again. Thank you.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: New trailer help.

.......
Also do I want the boat to sit lower in the rear for launch and recovery, or just parallel with the trailer?

Something else to consider, depending upon the steepness of your local ramp(s), the lower the aft end of the trailer, the greater the tendency of the stern of the boat to remain floating the further up the trailer the hull progresses. Only experience will determine the degree of 'flatness' your normal conditions require.

Additionally, a pair of bolt-on guide poles will greatly assist in recoveries, especially in cross winds and/or currents.

 

[TOY BOAT]

Re: New trailer help.

Thank you for the guide advice EddiePetty. The guide bunks in my sig pic are going to be used on the new trailer. I have sent them out for sand blast, and powdercoat. And I will replace the bunks with new ones, and all new galvinized and stainless hardware.

 

[TOY BOAT]

Re: New trailer help.

So a little update.
I decided against the smaller trailer, and went with something a bit bigger. The one I had originally picked had 40" between the fenders. It was far too narrow for my boat. I went with a trailer which is longer, and has 56" between the fenders. The Karavan KBL-120-56 It is wide enough for my boat to just sit between the fenders, and keep it as low as possible, plus it comes with a full set of keel rollers, and at 21' it is long enough to keep my tow vehicle out of the water.

 

[roscoe]

Re: New trailer help.

Looks nice.
Looks like it has the Sure-Lube hubs as well.

 

[TOY BOAT]

Re: New trailer help.

Looks nice.
Looks like it has the Sure-Lube hubs as well.

Yes it does, and it is wide enough to make the fender steps very usefull. Unlike my current trailer in my sig that puts the fenders under the boat, the new trailer will put them along side of it, and the boat will sit lower on the trailer with the bunks adjusted correctly.