Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

[WakedOut]

Alright, so here is the scoop. I have a 19' boat that is currently on a tandem axle non galvanized c channel badly rusted trailer that is in a bad way. The trailer that I have just found for sale seems short in comparison. However it is in great shape and just $100. So I was curious if you think it will fit my boat. It is a bunk trailer. From the end of the trailer to the tip of the tongue it is 20' 10"
and the one it is on is 23'. So I have a couple of questions.

1) how far past the end of the trailer can the bunks extend?
2) Is the trailer long enough for my 19' boat?
3) How can I extend the tongue?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

That trailer sounds like it is way too short for your boat. Even if you could extend the bunks you would have so much negative tongue weight it would take several people to push it down to hook it to your tow vehicle.

 

[WakedOut]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

Really? Way to short? That is a shame. I figured that I could move the axles to adjust the tongue weight. I saw on the ez load trailers that their trailers for 19' are only 21'3". So just 5 inches less. I figured that I could extend the bunks 5" and then get a new tongue for the trailer or get it extended. Is this still a no go? Anyway to make this work or should I just move on

 

[bowman316]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

You may be able to move the axles back on the trailer.
If the trailer is not a rust bucket, it should be easy to loosen the ubotls on the leaf springs.
my boat hangs off the last roller by 4 feet i guess.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

You may be able to put on one of the swing away tongue kits to extend the length a foot or so. Also you must make sure the trailer will be able to handle the weight of your boat.
Glen

 

[bowman316]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

that might work. But i think weights near the tounge will do more than a longer tounge.

try getting a few hundred pounds up near the tounge.
but only if the trailer is back heavy.
it may not be.

just buy the trailer and try to make it work.

 

[WakedOut]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

The trailer is definitely not a rust bucket. It is galvanized and in great shape. The axles are movable, I checked, and the weight rating is 5k so more than enough for my boat. However, it does not have the bunk brackets, the winch stand or lights. But I figured that for $100 for a galv tandem axle I will get out cheaper buying this stuff and fixing it up since most tandems around here go for around 1000. Just worried about the length.

 

[cribber]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

For a $100 I'd take the gamble. If you can't make it work to fit your boat then get it back in shape and flip it for a $500 or better so you can get one that will work for you. Measure your boat from the transom to the bow eye. Then measure from the trailer winch back to see how much you need to adjust so the trailer bunks are just a couple inches short of the transom.

 

[Evinbuck]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

It's difficult to have an absolute answer without seeing and evaluating however I agree to give it a try. I've extended bunks by 6" and so long as you have an adjustable axle and winch stand you can accomplish a lot. You said it has the capacity and you can't argue the price so give it a shot!

 

[WakedOut]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

Thanks to all. I decided to go ahead and get the trailer. Will get it in the morning. Another question though. For the bunks should I use 2x4's the short side? I have seen them on edge like this but I have also seen them flat like on my current trailer. Actually on my current trailer I think they are 2x6's but lay flat. What is the best setup?

 

[cribber]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

With a 19' boat use the 4" side of the 2x4 to support the hull. Just make sure they're both wrap in a decent marine grade carpet.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

1) how far past the end of the trailer can the bunks extend?
2) Is the trailer long enough for my 19' boat?
3) How can I extend the tongue?

Not more than a few inches.
No.
Give it up. You're trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Besides its physical size, the 100 buck trailer will not have the load carrying capacity that you need. Axles, springs and tires have ratings for a reason.

 

[WakedOut]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

As to the weight rating I'm sure it is in within limits. It is a tandem axle with 2 square axles. These usually are weight rated from 2k-3k lbs. Since my boat is just 3k either will be fine. Also the tires are carlisle 215/70/14 c rated for 1870 lbs each. I think that I should be well within tolerances. Also the trailer is quite solidly built from 3x4 galvanized tubing. Also the coupler is rated for 5k. There is no question in my mind that the trailer will hold the weight. Just trying to fit for the length. So you think that there is no way to have the 2x4's hang over? I've been looking around and on most trailers the bunks hang past the last beam. Some a little, and some much more. Just trying to find out the best solution. 2x4s flat or doubled and put on end?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

In the current configuration, it's too short. You can't just let the boat hang out over the end. I know you may see other people doing it, but that doesn't make it right.

Just call the manufacturer with the model number and ask them what the trailer is rated for. Many companies use a single frame for several boat lengths and weights, just change the tire size and tongue length as needed. Possibly you can merely buy a new tongue and upgrade to the next size.

If the manufacturer can't help. post the make and model here and somebody surely will have an old catalog laying around.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

Wakeout, a lot of trailers are like that, my bunks overhang the end of the trailer by a foot or more.
This boat/trailer was sold as a package from the dealer.
The bunks are 3x8 (full size) rough cut oak.
2x4 will not do, you need something bigger...2x6 or 2x8

I've seen a lot of trailers like that...I questioned it too, because I'm 'old school' but this is how it's done now.

Sounds like you scored a good deal!!

 

[WakedOut]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

Thanks for the info fishbone. I have no problem going with a 2x6 or a 2x8. How about a 4x4 or 4x6? Also still unsure if I should have the bunks lie flat or on end. Of course irrelevant with the 4x4. My boat is about 3k and I need the support for it the bunks to extend past the last support about a foot. I know that the stern is the heaviest part and want to make sure that it is supported so I am thinking about the boards on end. But still not sure what will be best. Please advise.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

the trailer sounds great don't worry about them saying it will be to close i know some one that have a 28'boat on a 28' trailer you bring it close as you can to the tounge

 

[j_martin]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

A tandem trailer in good shape for a C note leaves a lot of room for whatever welding you need to do to make it fit.

Just be sure you stick to the basics.
1. The loaded trailer needs to be balanced with about 5% of the weight on the ball.
2. You have to be able to turn it and load it on a slant without having the boat and tow car try to occupy the same space.
3. The bottom edge of the transom has to be supported. If it is hanging out, or the bunks flex and don't support it, the forward bunks are going to punish the hull till it's mush.

If I were you, I'd own the trailer without hesitation.

My 02
John

 

[JimS123]

Re: Please help! Will this trailer work for me?

the trailer sounds great don't worry about them saying it will be to close i know some one that have a 28'boat on a 28' trailer you bring it close as you can to the tounge

Yeah don't worry so much. We're not worried. But then again, why should we? Not our problem....LOL.

I also once saw a boat that was being hauled on a trailer that was much too short. I wondered about it and said to myself "Is that right", just as the trailer cracked and the outdrive got impaled in the blacktop. I didn't worry then either....wasn't my problem!

Seriously though, you got some good info here. The trailer sounds like a good deal, but be aware that it needs to be modified before you use it.