Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

[JCDSparky69]

Good afternoon everyone, this is my first post here at Iboats and I love the site. I recently picked up a 1968 Starcraft holiday V with a 115 'Rude O/B on it. Everything on the vessel seems ok except the normal wear and tear and of course the floor and transom need to be replaced ! What I am concerned with it the way the trailer tows behind my Trailblazer even though I live less then 2 miles from the launch. Whil towing it has alot of side to side sway and when I had it in the water at the end of Oct , I had a chance to get out and inspect the trailer while the boat was off of it. I noticed if I grab hold if the forward post where the whinch is mounted I can shake the heck outof the trailer and see where it should tilt wobble. I dont need a tilt seeing most of the launches here in the Oneida Lake area of New York. I was wondering If I could just weld it solid to eleminate the sway so I can feel more comfortable towing to further lakes in the Finger lakes and Ontario with out it swaying to much . Thank You

 

[Bondo]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Good afternoon everyone, this is my first post here at Iboats and I love the site. I recently picked up a 1968 Starcraft holiday V with a 115 'Rude O/B on it. Everything on the vessel seems ok except the normal wear and tear and of course the floor and transom need to be replaced ! What I am concerned with it the way the trailer tows behind my Trailblazer even though I live less then 2 miles from the launch. Whil towing it has alot of side to side sway and when I had it in the water at the end of Oct , I had a chance to get out and inspect the trailer while the boat was off of it. I noticed if I grab hold if the forward post where the whinch is mounted I can shake the heck outof the trailer and see where it should tilt wobble. I dont need a tilt seeing most of the launches here in the Oneida Lake area of New York. I was wondering If I could just weld it solid to eleminate the sway so I can feel more comfortable towing to further lakes in the Finger lakes and Ontario with out it swaying to much . Thank You

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,... Got a Pictures,..??

I really doubt the joint is the problem,...
More than likely the axle is bent, or out of alignment, or the weight distribution is off...

 

[JCDSparky69]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Thanks for the reply, Funny you should mention the weight distribution though ?? I did notice the boat seems way to far back on the trailer when sitting fully in the winch post crotch. I also noted (after several cleanings) that there are old marks on the tongue where the U-bolts that hold the Winch post to the trailer where much more forward then they are now. I think someone must have moved it back quite a bit for whatever reason the towing vehicle wouldn't allow a proper turnig radius or some thing. Could this be causing it? I also have ( more like Want ) to replace all the hardware on the trailer because they rusted to a point if I try to loosen them they will snap off most likely, but doing so is very $$ because I will be using SS or Brass/Bronze hardware? I will try to get some pics later today or over the weekend for you or check my HDD for pics of it when I brought it to new house.
Thanks Man
JCD

 

[scoflaw]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Needs more tongue weight.

 

[JCDSparky69]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Here is a few pics I don't kow if you can see the loop under the main bar where all the slop is coming from . I mean alot of slop LOL
Okay I can't upload teh pics because it says there too large ???? So now Im stuck
JCD

 

[Bondo]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Could this be causing it?

Ayuh,... Ya want 7% to 15% of the total weight on the hitch to stop the swaying...

I use plain ole cadmium plated bolts myself...
The 1s there are Antiques, 'n are still holdin'...
SSteel is a waste of cash, unless yer boatin' in the Salt, which yer not...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Here is a few pics I don't kow if you can see the loop under the main bar where all the slop is coming from . I mean alot of slop LOL
Okay I can't upload teh pics because it says there too large ???? So now Im stuck
JCD

Go down to the Tech, non-boating forum, there's a couple of pinned threads explaining picture posting...

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Assuming you have windows: Download your photos to your computer and copy them to PAINT. Then use paint to reduce the size. Usually 75% will allow you to download onto iboats manage attachments. If 75% is not enough, work down until you can download and still get a decent picture size in the manage attachments.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

As indicated above... the tilt has nothing to do with it... I'm gonna guess that that is a 2000 lb boat and I'm gonna add 250 for the water soaked up in your bad floor, transom, and maybe foam. Then we take 10-15% of that and if those numbers are correct your tongue weight should be 250-375 lbs.... I bet it's currently under 100 lbs

Of course those numbers above are just to give you an idea, they could be wrong either way so ideally you need to get the rig weighed.... truck stop, co'op, scrapyard, recycling center..... all possibilities

 

[JCDSparky69]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Ok I resized two of the pics and I'll give er a go again on the upload Thanks all

 

[JCDSparky69]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Ok I did inspect the wheels and the bearings and axle , and nothing was so to say outta whack . I did not straight edge the exle but I have owned plenty of towables and nothing was perfect this one just a little too much sway to it ??? I think were on to something with the forward weight and boat locating properly on the trailer. I do have to weld the rear side upright guide posts so the boat self centers better when loading but other than that all seems well . I will be putting all LED lites on it and all new wiring too (maybe and electric winch too !!!)
Thanks All
JCD

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Try adding tongue weight as already suggested before you do anything else. Put some weight in the bow (100pound +) and take it for a spin. Post your results. If it solves the problem then put all your gear in the bow when you tow. If it still gives issues then it's time to move to the next step.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

Put some weight in the bow (100pound +) and take it for a spin.

Great advice!

 

[ultra353]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

I would move it forward on the trailer, back to where it was and see how it pulls. Also check your tires for proper inflation and correct "st" type tires. Wrong or underinflated tires will have to much sidewall give and make the trailer sway.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Welding a tilt trailer soild ????

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