Refurbing old trailer

[Chris73Cobia]

Wife and I have decided to keep our 1973 boat, and in doing so I'd like to put a little work into the trailer. Mainly it has 4 or 5 rubber rollers down the center and two small (2ft length) bunks in the rear, and that is all that holds the boat. I don't feel comfortable driving the boat on, especially being several of the rollers are in bad shape, and if the center of the hull misses the rollers I'm probably going to tear up the hull. I've been winching the boat onto the trailer and while I don't mind that, sometimes it makes the folks at the ramp less than pleased.

So do I add longer bunks to land the boat, do I replace the rollers, what do I do about that? (note, I tried to replace the one roller that is really torn up, but I can't get those little caps off the end of the rods, so is there a special tool to pull those out?)

Secondly, there are bunks on the sides of the boat, but with the boat centered they are both about 8" from the boat (kinda pointless), so do I adjust them somehow, remove them and replace them with something else etc?

I know I need to redo wheelbearings and things like that, might even just replace the axle.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

Do you have any pics of the trailer in question? That would really help us to come to a decision on what advice to give ya.

 

[Chris73Cobia]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

No real good pics. I can probably get some this weekend (taking the boat out to do some work) but I won't be able to get a boatless picture for a while if that's what you mean.

Here are a couple pics of some things "close" to mine.

Take this trailer, stretch it long enough for a 15 foot boat (4 or 5 rollers).

My bunks are sort of like this (but an older style, two pieces of metal instead of one tube to hook up).

Hope that helps at least some

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

Well the 1st thing for sure is that those old worn out damaged rollers need to be replaced for certain! Those cap retainers on the roller axle shafts should come off with a couple large scrwedrivers. Don't worry about damaging them as they should be replaced also. Can get them at any hardware store. While you have the rollers off, also look at the roller axles as they may need to be replaced also.

Next I will argue the point that that type of trailer was not designed to be driven "ON". That is a keel roller bunk trailer and you are correct that if you drive it on you risk damage to the hull. Personally I would never Drive On with that type of trailer. I also have that type trailer and even on windy days it only takes a few minutes to wench it up and load even when by myself. Those that get pissy about it need pills! I watched people with Drive On trailers that take more time than I do trying to get their boats back on the trailers too!

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

I agree, it wasn't meant to be driven on and it's not worth scratching up your boat. Those that get angry, feel good that they took it out on you and didn't drag their anger home to their family. That can be your good deed for the day! I've never driven mine on, and I'm still faster than most. I don't get angry at those who are slower, but I do help them if they need it.

 

[Chris73Cobia]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

Well that's certainly good to hear. I'll just replace the side bunks (wood is rotted), replace rollers, and I think I want to either replace the bearings or replace the whole hubs. I don't like the tiny tires so I may take off the fenders (I think it has 4.8x8 if I remember right) the trailer came with a larger 10" tire, but there are bolts inside the fender that almost shredded the tire, so I need to remove the fenders to get bigger tires.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

I'd still recommend posting pics of the boat on the trailer, the fact that the wood bunks don't touch the boat seems odd.

 

[Chris73Cobia]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

It's the side bunks. They bow out from where they hook to the trailer about 6 inches, which leaves them at least 4-5 inches from the sides of the boat in each side... its kinda like they are pointless that they are there. I'm cleaning up the boat tomorrow, so I'll take a nice picture or two. Going to take another pic too so maybe someone can make suggestions on mounting a trolling motor better than what I've rigged up

 

[NYBo]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

Those aren't really bunks. They're guide-ons to help center the boat.

 

[Chris73Cobia]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

Here are some pics I got today.

Side guide on, needs replaced (rotting) so hopefully I can make it tighter to the boat.

side view

Underside the best I could do.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

Chris73, from I could see in the pictures is that those side guildes do not look to be a ggod fit for your application. To wide of a gap w/o any way to adjust them. As in if the boat while loading slides over far enough to contact the bunk the keel will no longer be positioned over the roller. Not Good!
Next, if moving to a larger tire with that trailer you have to realize that you will need to back farther into the water because the taller tires will raise the height of the boat. Also from what I could tell from photo #2 is that sure does look like a tilt bed trailer to me.

 

[Chris73Cobia]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

good point on the smaller tires. I guess they'll be fine, just replace them every year or two. I realized it was a tilt trailer, but never used that feature. The ramp I use is pretty good and I can almost always float right off (back the car with a bit of speed, stop dead and the boat keeps going - wife holds the rope). Getting it on the guides basically give me something to pivot the boat against while I manhandle it to the center and hold it while someone else (my wife 9 times out of 10) winches it until it is on the rollers enough to not move, then I hop off and finish it up. I think getting narrower guides will let me just get the boat on the winch and pull it in (letting the guides hold the boat centered on the rollers). What would I actually use the tilt for? I've never used it, so I'm fairly sure it's probably rusted tight..but just in case what would u use it for.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Refurbing old trailer

I use the tilt function on my trailer all the time but mainly because I launch at shallow unimproved ramps most of the time. That is where it really shines. On deeper concrete ramps I'll use it as a regular trailer.