Replacing straight rollers and alternatives/upgrades(PICS)

[Nivekt]

My trailer has two straight rollers. I would like to replace them as well as the shafts. From the measurements I took the other day with the boat off, they appear to be 12 wide with 5/8" shafts. From what I can tell I would need to replace them with 12" x 2.5" x 5/8" rollers and then get the 5/8" x 13.25" shafts. Does this sound correct?

Also, would I benefit at all from going with a V shaped keel roller versus these straight rollers? Would a V shaped roller even work with my setup? The boat is only 18' but does weigh in at 2700 lbs.

Here are some pictures. Thanks for your help.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Replacing straight rollers and alternatives/upgrades(PICS)

Well, you used to have straight rollers. Now you have bent roller shafts and they probably don't roll very well - I can see why you want to replace them. The rollers you have look like guide-on rollers that aren't designed to be weight bearing. The weight of the boat ends up concentrated on the center of the shaft and the shaft bends. Proper keel rollers have an internal metal tube that distributes the weight to the bushings at the ends. The shaft is much stronger when the load is applied near the attachment to the trailer.

You can use the standard V-shaped keel rollers,
http://www.iboats.com/Keel-Roller-1...9974536--session_id.242533389--view_id.215335
the fancy yellow plastic ones,
http://www.iboats.com/Poly-Vinyl-Ke...9974536--session_id.242533389--view_id.215648
or you might want to consider the self-centering rollers if have difficulty loading your boat straight.
http://www.iboats.com/Self-Centerin...59974536--session_id.242533389--view_id.56624

 

[Nivekt]

Re: Replacing straight rollers and alternatives/upgrades(PICS)

That is just the guidance I was looking for. Thank you Titanium.