Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

[The Guy]

I have recently acquired a 17.5 ft duracraft on a Magic tilt trailer. The trailer has a combination of 3 keel rollers and 2 6ft 2X4 bunks. As it sits now the majority of the weight is on the rollers except at the stern where it looks like the bunks take the weight. Approximately the 4ft of the bunk towards the bow do not touch the hull while the boat is trailered. I am going to replace the bunks and rollers and wanted to make sure I got it set up correctly and safely. So how is the weight supposed to be distributed? Thank you for the help

 

[Bondo]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

I have recently acquired a 17.5 ft duracraft on a Magic tilt trailer. The trailer has a combination of 3 keel rollers and 2 6ft 2X4 bunks. As it sits now the majority of the weight is on the rollers except at the stern where it looks like the bunks take the weight. Approximately the 4ft of the bunk towards the bow do not touch the hull while the boat is trailered. I am going to replace the bunks and rollers and wanted to make sure I got it set up correctly and safely. So how is the weight supposed to be distributed? Thank you for the help

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,....
Basically, the rollers are to center, 'n help move the boat to it's sittin' spot, or Off the wagon, dependin' on which way yer goin'...

The Majority of the weight of the hull should be restin' on the Bunks...

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

Most bunks have some sort of vertical adjustment on them. I know on my magic tilt, I had to loosen a bolt to adjust it to the right height and then tighten it back down.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

why not just set it up like it is now? Any reason to change things?

If it ain't broke, fix it until it is

 

[The Guy]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

It goes on the trailer now fairly easy but there is no telling when any kind of maintenance was done to the trailer(why I am going to replace some of the hardware) and with adjustable rollers and bunks something may have shifted. I am just trying to save myself a head ache in the future. Thanks for the quick responses guys this is a great community.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

yeah I would try to get the bunks to hold and distribute as much of the wight as possible. On my magic tilt there were vertical brackets under each end of the bunk that had a nut and bolt that could be loosened to allow for vertical travel of the bunk. My rollers just sort of help get the boat up on to the trailer where the bunks then take over and support the boat while in transit.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

keep in mind that some boats should have all the weight on the keel rollers (Whalers) and others on the bunks (Carolina Skiff).

Since it's a tilt trailer, you don't need to dunk it, and since rollers work better than bunks when not floating, I'd emphasize the rollers on the keel.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

Let's see, 17.5' - 6' = 11.5'. Someone please explain how one is going to support all that weight on 1/3 of it's length? Is 2/3 of the total weight sitting over those bunks?

Try this. Take a pencil and lay it on the edge of a table. Try and balance it over the edge. 2/3 hanging off. 1/2 hanging off.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

Let's see, 17.5' - 6' = 11.5'. Someone please explain how one is going to support all that weight on 1/3 of it's length? Is 2/3 of the total weight sitting over those bunks?

Try this. Take a pencil and lay it on the edge of a table. Try and balance it over the edge. 2/3 hanging off. 1/2 hanging off.

Ayuh,... Ok,... Put a Motor on 1 end of yer pencil, 'n try it...

Generally, over 2/3rds the weight is well to the aft of most boats, nearly all of the 1s We discuss here...
Yer lund is probably 3/4ters of the weight in the aft 2/3rds... maybe more...

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

Let's see, 17.5' - 6' = 11.5'. Someone please explain how one is going to support all that weight on 1/3 of it's length? Is 2/3 of the total weight sitting over those bunks?

Try this. Take a pencil and lay it on the edge of a table. Try and balance it over the edge. 2/3 hanging off. 1/2 hanging off.

Don't forget to factor the weight of the motor into the equation.
The motor probably weighs nearly as much as the rest of the boat.
Stick another pencil across the end of the first one. (Form a "TEE")
Now 2/3 of it will hang over the table!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

Ayuh,... Generally, over 2/3rds the weight is well to the aft of most boats, nearly all of the 1s We discuss here...
Yer lund is probably 3/4ters of the weight in the aft 2/3rds... maybe more...

Doubt that 3/4 would be close. 2/3 of 14' would be appx. 8.5". The helm and 2 seats are at that position from the transom. Forward of that is a casting deck, pedistal seat, and gas tank. Even at this I would not want to set this boat on just 2 bunks that are 4' long and try to support it from the transom forward and feel comfortable about it.

Yes I agree that if 3/4 of the weight is over the supported area then it would not tilt forward.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

Been thinking about this over the weekend, here's a better one for yous.

Take a 16' 2X12 and support under it with something 4' on one end then stand on it. You surely weigh more than the board. now add even just 50# to the other end and leave it that way for a year or 2. Think that board will twist or warp? Your end should be fine though.

Again, not the way i'd want to support my boat.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Setting up a Magic tilt trailer

Ummm...... isnt that why trailers have rollers under bow and by winch?