proper trailer for boat?

[slowroller88]

This sumer my family and I got our first boat, a 1995 chris craft 21 concept BR.
The boat came with a skeeter bass boat trailer, even though the hull is a deep V. The boat fits the trailer well adn i like the lower stance of the bass boat trailer. The bungs all line up well. My question is, is there something i'm NOT thinking about that could cause any hull damage?
I appreciate any and all feedback.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

Weight of 21' Chris Craft vs. weight of bass boat...???

Without pictures, it is hard to say... It the bunks are large enough to carry the weight and look to spread the load evenly, then you are probably alright, but I would compare the weights and ensure that the bass boat trailer is beefy enough to carry the weight of the Chris Craft...

 

[slowroller88]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

The GVRW on the tounge shows 6000# ( tandem axle), and factor the boat at around 4000# with fuel and gear ( 3300# dry wt.). I think I'm good on weight, but know that the hulls on bass boats are designed a bit different and I have a 5.8L I/O. It seems that my engine combo would be a bit heavier than an outboard for a 21' boat, but this is my first boat and I'm quickly learning there is more about boats that I DONT know than I thought...LOL

 

[Knightgang]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

Is this a tandem axle trailer? How many lugs are on each wheel?

I ask because a 5 lug axle is rated at 3500lbs. A 6 lug axle is rated at 5500 lbs. So, a 6000# GVWR is a bit unusual... I would have guessed it to be one of the following?

Single axle - 5 Lug - 3500
Double Axle 5 Lug - 7000
Single Axle 5 Lug - 5500
Double Axle 5 Lug - 9900

Like I said, with the weight OK, I would just ensure that the bunk supprt and spread the load of the Hull well...

 

[mike343]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

Slow,

You don't say how many bunks the trailer has. For your boat it should have four, with the middle two under (more or less) the motor mounts. If you only have two and they are well outboard, you will put a lot of stress on the hull and unless the tow distances are short and slow, it would be a bad idea.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

Slow,

You don't say how many bunks the trailer has. For your boat it should have four, with the middle two under (more or less) the motor mounts. If you only have two and they are well outboard, you will put a lot of stress on the hull and unless the tow distances are short and slow, it would be a bad idea.

Not sure I agree with this. I have a Bunk Trailer and a V Hull boat. I have two bunks, spacing is about halfway up hull between keel and chine. No Problems...

 

[rbh]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

Ok then, lets slow it down some.
first the GVW thats stamped or stickered on the trailer is the total combined weight of boat and trailer as it appeares on the trailers axle on the scale.
tongue weight is just that the weight that is being applied to the ball and hitch, you can adjust both weights axle/tongue by moving the boat forward or back, as long as you stay within the max weights allowed.
the frame of the trailer was built to carry and pull a certain weight, as well the rims and the tires have a max weight rating.
"you could upgrade the axle, the rims and the tires" as long as you are still under the posted GVW amount for your trailer, but why! get the trailer you need, no problems.
rob

 

[slowroller88]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

I appreciate all of the feedback!
It is a tandem axle, 5 lug wheels. The trailer has 4 total bunks, along with a roller at the stern. I re-checked the toungue and it does have 6000# for the gvrw. The bunks support 2/3 of the length of the boat from the stern. I did notice upon further inspection that the rear axle has less than 2 inches of clearance to the keel when the trailer is hooked up to my truck & level. The trip to the local lake is roughly 20 miles of smooth highway, and all of the roads to the lake are very well maintained. I believe that the support is good, but am now worried about the axle clearance as I'm sure it would not be good for the boat to have the axle hitting the keel. I'm thinking about maybe placing a 2" spacer on the bunk mounting pads below the bunks. The lake we use has nice ramps with plenty of depth for launching, so I think I will be ok with the addition of 2". My first instinct was to try and trade it off for another trailer as I know there is a difference between a bass boat and deep v.
Thanks again for all you guys help... The feedback I've gotten on the Iboats forum has been a HUGE help with my 1st boat !
Cheers!
Scott

 

[henrye718]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

I appreciate all of the feedback!
It is a tandem axle, 5 lug wheels. The trailer has 4 total bunks, along with a roller at the stern. I re-checked the toungue and it does have 6000# for the gvrw. The bunks support 2/3 of the length of the boat from the stern. I did notice upon further inspection that the rear axle has less than 2 inches of clearance to the keel when the trailer is hooked up to my truck & level. The trip to the local lake is roughly 20 miles of smooth highway, and all of the roads to the lake are very well maintained. I believe that the support is good, but am now worried about the axle clearance as I'm sure it would not be good for the boat to have the axle hitting the keel. I'm thinking about maybe placing a 2" spacer on the bunk mounting pads below the bunks. The lake we use has nice ramps with plenty of depth for launching, so I think I will be ok with the addition of 2". My first instinct was to try and trade it off for another trailer as I know there is a difference between a bass boat and deep v.
Thanks again for all you guys help... The feedback I've gotten on the Iboats forum has been a HUGE help with my 1st boat !
Cheers!
Scott

Put a rubber bumper of some type at the points of the trailer that the keel may contact and enjoy your boat I have seem factory setup trailer with bumpers for protection.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: proper trailer for boat?

I appreciate all of the feedback!
It is a tandem axle, 5 lug wheels. The trailer has 4 total bunks, along with a roller at the stern. I re-checked the toungue and it does have 6000# for the gvrw. The bunks support 2/3 of the length of the boat from the stern. I did notice upon further inspection that the rear axle has less than 2 inches of clearance to the keel when the trailer is hooked up to my truck & level. The trip to the local lake is roughly 20 miles of smooth highway, and all of the roads to the lake are very well maintained. I believe that the support is good, but am now worried about the axle clearance as I'm sure it would not be good for the boat to have the axle hitting the keel. I'm thinking about maybe placing a 2" spacer on the bunk mounting pads below the bunks. The lake we use has nice ramps with plenty of depth for launching, so I think I will be ok with the addition of 2". My first instinct was to try and trade it off for another trailer as I know there is a difference between a bass boat and deep v.
Thanks again for all you guys help... The feedback I've gotten on the Iboats forum has been a HUGE help with my 1st boat !
Cheers!
Scott

If you only have 2" clearance from the keel to the axle, I say that is a bit close, especially at the keel. If the trailer has springs and the axles are mounted on top of the springs, you could remove them and mount them under the springs to raise the trailer frame and gain the clearance to the keel...