Trailer Keel roller question

A

Allg57

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Feb 4, 2009
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I'm in the process of refurbing a 1956 Holsclaw tilt trailer. This was originally a roller trailer but I am converting it to a bunk trailer. I'm having a problem though with how the keel rollers work on this trailer. I've attached 2 pictures to illustrate my problem. When this trailer was first bought by my uncle and my dad it had a v-hull Alumacraft on it but later it was replaced with a flat bottomed john boat.

I'm wondering what kind of keel roller I need on it for the john boat. Note how in the closeup picture that the top of the roller is below the main rails of the trailer. For a V-hull this might be OK but for a flat bottom, I'm thinking that the keel roller needs to be raised above the rail. Continuous Wave, the Boston Whaler site says that the keel should hold the weight of the boat and the side bunks just provide support, but that type of boat has a true keel. I'm having a problem finding a straight roller of this length, so it looks like I'm going to have to buy either a 2" or a 2 1/2" OD diameter roller that's 12" long and cut it to fit between the main rails. Since the bunks on either side are adjustable I can adjust them to support the weight on each side. I'm wondering though which diameter keel roller I should use. Can anyone offer any suggestions about this? Should the main weight of the boat be carried on the keel rollers for a flat bottomed boat or distributed evenly among the side bunks and the keel rollers?

Thanks,

Mike
 

Attachments

  • Middle Roller closeup (small).jpg
    Middle Roller closeup (small).jpg
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  • View of trailer (small).jpg
    View of trailer (small).jpg
    88 KB · Views: 1
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A

Allg57

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Feb 4, 2009
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9
Re: Trailer Keel roller question

thanks - I had resized them but they were still just a bit too large. They are there now.

Mike
 
mthieme

mthieme

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Oct 6, 2007
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3,270
Re: Trailer Keel roller question

I assume the jon boat is flat bottom (?).
I don't see a benefit.
Typically, a V will start out hard from the bow and taper making keel rollers practical. Not so with a flat bottom (obviously).
The keel rollers would have to above the bunk, then the boat wouldn't set on the bunks.
It sounds like you're onto this problem (?).
I would be worried more about how to support the bunks.
Maybe it's me - I'll some more coffee and check back.
 
A

Allg57

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Feb 4, 2009
Messages
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Re: Trailer Keel roller question

Yes, it is a flat bottom jon boat. I guess another picture of the trailer with the bunks on it is in order. I'll try to take one tonight and post it. This will probably help to clear things up. The bunks are completely adjustable so I'll set them so that their top surface is the same level as the keel rollers. I also need to check and see if I have a keel rib down the middle of the boat or if the ribs are on either side of the center line. I don't remember and the boat is over at my mother-in-law's house. I think though that there is a rib right down the center.

Thanks for the help!

Mike
 
R

reelfishin

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Mar 19, 2007
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3,050
Re: Trailer Keel roller question

On that type of trailer,the center rollers as they are, are useless on a flat bottom boat.
I did one which was to carry a flat bottom aluminum boat, I took standard keel roller brackets with rollers and attached them to the top of the left and right center beams. I think I had used three in all and a bow stop. I then took short lengths of pressure treated 4x4, about 18' or so long and drilled them to fit centered on the two rear roller spindles on each side, I carpeted each of the four bunk boards which were left to pivot as needed to self adjust as the boat came on the trailer. It worked great. I really didn't need any center rollers, I could have just ran a pair of carpeted flat 2x4's down the center on each side too. The boat was only a Sears 12' jon boat so it didn't take much support.

With a light boat there's not much need for rollers, especially if the boat can be pulled on by hand.
 
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