positioning boat on trailer

[beerrun]

Hi, My trailer was/is in pretty bad shape, nothing really lines up properly, but then, I'm not really sure what properly is. I had a couple of rollers in the back that didnt seem to be doing much so we made bunk boards. Now I am confused about exactly how everything should be positioned. The way it is sitting now the trailer is sitting level but he boat looks like its doing a wheelie. The bow is higher than the stern . The keel is still hitting the keel rollers but most of the weight is on the bunk boards. Can somebody tell me exactly where the bunk boards should be hitting the boat and should the boat be kinda level on the trailer and where should the tow eye be in relation to the winch and bow stop? Sorry if these terms are not correct, this is what I have been calling things as we go.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

actually it's not so bad, makes it easier to keep it drained. your center rollers should be adjustable as your bunks are. you can drop them and the bunks down. when total on trailer most weight is to be on the bunks. you may have to alter the bow stop.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=226003

proper bow stops:

 

[Silvertip]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

The fact that the bow is high is not an issue. As long as the bunks and keel rollers are supporting the load you are good to go. However, that looks like a heavy boat for the size tires on the trailer. Also, you need to do something with the winch post. The winch strap has nothing to pass under before it attaches to the bow eye. In a sudden stop or crash, the boat rises over the bow stop and lands in the back of your truck -- especially since there is no safety chain either. I would also suggest strongly that you change that "V" block (or bow stop as its called) to an all rubber version. A little misalignment and either end of the "V" punches a hole in the boat. Lastly, when you trailer, be certain to use stern tie downs as well. The weight of the boat is not enough to keep it on the trailer in a sudden stop, sharp turn, or a crash.

 

[beerrun]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

OK, I see now. It looks like I will replace the winch post and adjust everything down. Thanks for the pictures, that helped alot. I had'nt thought about the bow stop putting a hole in the boat, I have seen the all rubber bow stops and I will add one on the new post. Being new boaters, that would have been a good bet that we would have done that. The boat weighed 475 Lbs when it was new. It will probably weigh a little more than that when were done with it. How big do you think the tires should be?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

i think you will be real close to the right height for the bow stop, if you adjust the rollers all the way down, and the bunks. get a stop like on the black boat.

http://www.iboats.com/Bow_Stops/dm/....217569--view_id.217569--search_type.category

 

[beerrun]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

I will try that first. I'll update as soon as its done. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

Without seeing the entire boat we have no idea of its length but I'm guessing its about a 15 footer. That said, I think 475 pounds is about half what it actually weights. My last boat was a 15 foot aluminum and it weighed 570. You then need to add engine weight, all the stuff you'll put in it, including gas, fishing tackle, batteries, anchors, etc. Then you need to know the weight of the trailer as well (approximately 400 pounds). If you look at the sidewall of the tire it will show the maximum load carrying capacity at its recommended inflation pressure (usually 50 psi). You have two tires so multiply by two to get the weight capacity those tires will carry. If its very close to the total load or greater, you need not necessarily bigger tires, but tires with a higher load range and hence higher load capacity.

 

[beerrun]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

Sorry.Its a 14' Chrysler Valiant. The motor is a 1956, 30hp Evinrude Lark. I went out and looked at the tires. They say 4.80-8 max load range 590 lbs. at 60 PSI cold, load range B. So 590x2=1180, minus empty boat(475)=705, minus trailer(400)=305, minus motor(175?)=130, minus gas and battery, cooler, assorted stuff= I need different tires. What does load range B mean? I will be trailering this boat about 4.5 hours up the interstate and back a few times each summer and maybe from NY to FLA once or twice in its lifetime plus local running around so I definitely need decent tires plus a spare.
That was a pretty good observation from that picture. Thanks for the input.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

Load range is the weight carrying capacity of the tire. A load range "C" would allow you to keep the existing rims but allow fitting tires with a higher load capacity. I still feel your boat weight is far more than 475 pounds. Those little eight-inch tires will spin like nuts at freeway speeds so they need to be aired up to maximum psi at all times and the wheel bearings need to be disassembled, cleaned, inspected carefully and repacked. New seals installed and then pre-load properly set. If you don't know how to do this stuff you can find all of that info here on iBoats using the search function. And by all means buy a spare if you don't have one. Nothing screws up a day more than sitting along side the road with a flat and no spare. Plus you become a target for other drivers.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

the only thing that has 8 inch wheels is my jet ski. and if i take it to the keys this year, will get 12 inch, everything else is 13's except the big boat 14's D rated.

 

[beerrun]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

Can I go with a 12's or 13's on there without changing hubs and a bunch of other stuff ya think? Are 12's and 13's available with a 4 lug pattern? Moving the fenders isnt a big deal I guess. That trailer sat in the woods with the boat rotting away on top of it for 10 years so it will definitely get all new bearings and seals and if I do have to change out everything then I will.I started doing a little research on bearing buddies and things like that but because I am not really there yet I didnt go too far.still learning about stringers,polyresin /epoxy resin, replacing deck, and then I have to learn about steering and electrical stuff. At least I will know my boat from the inside out.
The boat probably does weigh more than 475, but thats what the original ad from Chrysler says so thats what I was going on.I will probably count the boat alone as more like 600 lbs. That should be over. I've watched way too many of those "Americas craziest crashes" (or whatever) videos, I do not want to be a target on the side of the road. There will be a spare that matches the tires on the trailer.
I'm glad you noticed that though, bearings were in the back of my mind but tires were not. How do I know if I need to replace the leaf springs? Because it sat for so long unprotected, I dont really trust them either.

 

[beerrun]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

I think I answered part of my own question. Heres what I am thinking:

5.30x12 Trailer Tire & Galvanized Rim
TRAILER TIRE & WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Load Range: C (6-ply rating)
Max. Capacity: 1045 lbs. each
Overall Diameter: 21.9"
Maximum PSI: 80 lbs.
Rim Finish: Galvanized, Spoke Pattern
STOCK # 1350023 = 4 on 4 Bolt Circle
STOCK # 1350024 = 5 on 4.5 Bolt Circle

Price: $65.50

This should just bolt right on as long as the fender isnt in the way, right? It might be overkill but traveling the distances I will be travelling, I would rather go with a 6 ply tire. right??

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

should just plug and play.

 

[Mark42]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

I think I answered part of my own question. Heres what I am thinking:

5.30x12 Trailer Tire & Galvanized Rim
TRAILER TIRE & WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Load Range: C (6-ply rating)
Max. Capacity: 1045 lbs. each
Overall Diameter: 21.9"
Maximum PSI: 80 lbs.
Rim Finish: Galvanized, Spoke Pattern
STOCK # 1350023 = 4 on 4 Bolt Circle
STOCK # 1350024 = 5 on 4.5 Bolt Circle

Price: $65.50

This should just bolt right on as long as the fender isnt in the way, right? It might be overkill but traveling the distances I will be travelling, I would rather go with a 6 ply tire. right??

I'm guessing that the boat and trailer does not weigh 2000lbs, probably more like 1400. Those tires have a very stiff sidewall and are not intended to flex. So be sure to run them at the listed 80 psi to prevent the sidewall from flexing due to under inflation. If they flex, they get hot and then blowout.

To be sure you know that what your planning is safe, get the boat & trailer weighed first.

 

[beerrun]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

Sounds like good advice, I will get it on the scale and see where it really weighs in but that wont be for a while yet theres still alot of work to do before that. I may want to use the trailer for another boat at some point so going a little overboard on the tires may not be such a bad thing.My dads 13' whaler should fit on there pretty nice but I think its a bit heavier than mine. As long as I keep the tires properly inflated they should be alright right?
We got the boat adjusted on the trailer a bit, dropped the keel rollers, adjusted the bunk boards, and I like how its sitting much better now.The winch post will need some modifications.Like you said, there is no way of running the winch strap under anything.How exactly does the safety chain go? My trailer does not have one and I would like to add one.
The more I look at this, the more I am relieved that it made it the 8 miles from its old home to its new home without incident. It was waterlogged then too!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

this is my favorite type stop. long base, angled braced, this one does not have a chain as the boat is so light, the trailer and winch are overkill for this boat. a chain just hooks into the bow eye along with the winch strap, and goes to an eye bolt on the tongue, below the bow eye, some people use a 1/2 turn buckle.

 

[beerrun]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

Thats exactly what I am going to try to do with the winch post I have with some modifications. I I'd rather not buy a new winch post. Putting on a safety chain sounds simple enough. Thanks.

 

[Mark42]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

The problem as I see it with the winch post is its higher than the bow eye. Either mount another bow eye higher up on the boat or cut down the winch post. Either way, a large U bolt mounded upside down in the U channel the winch is bolted to will give something solid to run the winch rope/strap under.

 

[beerrun]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

OK, here is where I have ended up. We cut the old bow stop off because the winch strap would have had to twist around it. A friend of mine welded on a bracket for the bow roller. He didnt really get what I was telling him and it turned out to be a little off. The winch handle would not go past the roller. It could have stuck out a little further. We tried putting a bunch of washers on the handle but it didnt work so we took the handle off and bent it out a little and now it seems ok. It looks a little close as far as the winch strap dragging accross the metal that supports the winch but I think it will be good. Next I'll hook up a safety chain and get a winch strap. Do you think it looks like it will be ok?

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: positioning boat on trailer

.....How exactly does the safety chain go? My trailer does not have one and I would like to add one.

Take a look at the this location of bow eye and safety chain. Mine sits a little bow high also, but it shouldn't matter as long as you have it weight balanced and the trailer is sitting level when towed.
My boat is quite a bit heavier and bigger then yours, I added a 2" strap to hold the bow against the stop. I don't want the winch strap to do all the work and break at the ramp. Cheap grief relief.