Trailer mounting woes...

[gunner1]

As you can see by the pics, my boat does not sit properly on the trailer. The boat measures 16'. It doesn't touch the starboard set of rollers at all and barely touches the port side. Also, as you can see in the pics, two out of the three center keel rollers are shot. Would this effect the way it sits on the rollers? Should I just remove the damn rollers and install bunks instead?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

that trailer is one screwed up mess. replace the keel rollers, and go with bunks. my bunks set just inside the outer runners. 2x6 flat with swivel head.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

 

[gunner1]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

Hey TD, I'm really hating my trailer right now and I'm hoping you can help me out. This afternoon I went to replace those crappy keel rollers. I released the transom tie-down then jacked up the boat about six inches in front of the first roller to be replaced. It came out easily enough once I got the cotter key out. I replaced it and then the trouble started. The damn boat would not center on the roller for anything! I got in the front and grabbed the bow while standing on the trailer tongue and heaved it a bunch of times. Eventually it moved over. As I was walking over to the other side I noticed the damn boat was completly off the rear trailer rollers and hovering in limbo! So in my efforts to move the boat backwards, it once again became uncentered on the keel roller, because I thought that the pressure of the boat would hold it in place since I didn't have any extra cotter keys around. I eventually stuck a small nail in the hole and got the boat kinda situated. My question is before I try the other roller that needs replacing, are there any good tips you have to prevent this fiasco from happening again? BTW, when the roller fell out the second time, it seemed like the boat sat lower on the trailer and didn't wobble as much. Should I lower the bracket a bit or maybe remove it all together? There's four rollers on this thing. Also, when you have bunks, how much of the boat should even touch the rollers?

 

[JCF350]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

When setting up a trailer all contact points should carry the weight equally to prevent distortion of the hull during storage and trailering.

You gonna have to loosen and adjust the roller brackets, not just slide new rollers in their place.

Setting up a trailer is really an art form (there was usually only one guy around the yards that would be the preferred person to do these kind of jobs) and takes patience.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

Gunner, seems to me the rollers are contacting the hard points...thats good,especially on an aluminum hull,the chines are the strongest point on a hull,if there are rollers that are in limbo,adjust them to contact hull.If you switch to bunks,then at present the bunks will be under the same locations,with the same problem.Adjust what you have.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

get rid of the side rollers, the keel rollers are all you need, and use bunks, much better for an aluminum boat. here is another one i have, as you can see the keel roller are there only to protect the boat when loading, the bunks carry all the weight, and distributes it equally, the length of the hull.

you have an aluminum boat, it is easy enough to push the boat off into the grass, rig the trailer, and winch it back on. i do it all the time. use a sharpie, and mark the trailer where the bunks need to be before unloading.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

this trailer is built very similar to yours. http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Trailer_...pe.category--**********.904082567--view_id.18

 

[gunner1]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

The transom should also overhang the rear rollers/bunks by a few inches too, right?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

the transom should be supported, not hanging off the rear.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

Tashas-dad,

His hull has reinforcing chines..yours is smooth, if he uses bunks, the boat will load according to which side of the bunk the chines catch....or on top of the bunks,which he already has,the rollers just aren't adjusted correctly, look at his pic's all his rollers are very adjustable,it also will make it very easy to unload the boat on land,unlike bunks.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

I agree with TD. Now you have to understand he is paying me $450 a month for this support and he is two weeks behind in payments, but bunker boards adjusted to the hull are easier than rollers on the hull. With good covers {TD likes carpet, I like Astro turf {sorry TD your payment is late!}} then sliding up the bunkers on a hard day is no problem.

If you cannot find good commercial bunker board hardware then a local welding shop can do it for you for under a C note. Well worth the wear and tear on your hull.

Have fun!

 

[marine4003]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

Mmmmmm, $450 for support.......Ok, I want in on this deal, Absolutely, bunks are the most excellent thing EVER!!!, how did i do? Mail Check to : Agree to disagree
PO - 1234
ilovewater, NC,
Seriously, i do prefer bunks,was trying to save the man a buck.
I'm splashing today, high's in the 70's.....low 80's
Life is GOOD!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

chines of no chines, when set up, properly, with guide ons, the boat only can go one place. look at the green boat, there is only a total of 1 inch clearance on the guide ons. the boat has to load correctly.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Trailer mounting woes...

His hull has reinforcing chines..yours is smooth, if he uses bunks, the boat will load according to which side of the bunk the chines catch....

You would set the bunks up so the chines are almost up against the edge of the bunks. This doubles as a guide.

-E