trailer size?

[C YENSEN]

i am buying a 84 V20 I/O without a trailer. i found a trailer (91 venture single axle no brakes rated at 3000lbs. just wondering if this would be sufficient. i know the boat weighs 2,620 empty. any help would be awesome. ???

thanks chris

i can not wait to get her in the water.

[Blue_Runner]

How much do they want for it? I'm sure others on here will agree that you should try to get a tandem trailer if possible.

Of course, if you are getting the single axle job for a steal and you don't trailer for long distances, go for it man!

Welcome to the board! Let us know how your maiden voyage goes.

[Stinky_Hooker]

It might do the job, but it sounds like a bare minimum.

depends though really...how far you gonna trailer...you trailer alot or does it stay in the water?

if you keep her in the water or on a lift then it would probably be ok,but if not, I would look for a bigger tandem axle trailer.

[C YENSEN]

well i will be trailering it but i only live 4 miles (flat ground) to the boat ramp.

thanks for the quick response

[C YENSEN]

oh yeah, $700 for the trailer with full rollers in excellent condition, roughly only 100 miles on it.

[Stinky_Hooker]

If you are that close...Id go for it. ;D

[C YENSEN]

THANKS FOR THE INFO. SO WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT A V20 THAT A ROOKIE NEEDS TO KNOW? THIS IS MY FIRST BOAT.

[Blue_Runner]

Use the fact that you'd rather have a tandem trailer as a bargaining chip on the single axle. Tell him you really want a tandem, but you need something quick so you'll give him $500 for the single axle trailer ;D

If he says no, then take him up on the $700 and that way, at least you tried to save money.

[Stinky_Hooker]

I am still restoring my 20, but I own a Wellcraft 18.

I can tell you though that if this is your first boat...you are ruined. You will never be happy again if you sell it.

Kinda like loosing your virginity to the prom queen and then marrying some old hag.. ;D

Y know? ;)

[Blue_Runner]

Ok rookie, here goes the top 3 things you need to know:

1) Don't forget the PLUG!

2) Don't forget the PLUG!

3) And finally, don't forget the PLUG!

You can forget anything else you want, but don't forget the PLUG! Some V20's have 2 plugs :o (my '72 does).

She'll sink faster than a ____ _____ _____.

Reelapeelin is much better at analogies, so I'll let him fill in those 3 blanks for me ;)

P.S. Don't forget the PLUG!

[Blue_Runner]

RAP, feel free to add another blank if you need to. I don't want to restrict your vocabulary!

[C YENSEN]

A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS HAVE BOATS. I KNOW NOT TO FORGET THE PLUG, BUT THANKS. ANYTHING SPECIFIC I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE V20 COMPARED TO OTHER BOATS?

[reelapeelin]

BR...is "grease thru a goose" what you had in mind... ;) ;D...

Your boat's gonna RIDE better than any other 20'er compared to other boats...it's heavy, has a deep V and wide bow flair...plenty of room...which motor did you get?...Franco's got a 225 HP I/O that runs like a BANSHEE!!...You are close on that trailer, but if only a short trip to the ramp, shouldn't be a problem, but I would recommend regular maintenance (good tires,Goodyear Marathons if the budget allows, new bearings and seals and grease regularly...)enjoy your boat, learn it and keep us posted, pics if you can... ;) :)...

Don't get in a hurry comin' to the dock... ;) :P...

[rb437]

One axle ought to be ok for a short trip. Just make sure you keep the tires / bearings in good shape. And don't forget to tie it down well. Nothing worse than having your boat scattered all over the highway. Anyone ever add an axle to a trailer? That might be a reasonable way to increase the capacity.

[Franco]

just my 2 cents worth - dual axle because a 45 mph tow + 1 nail = a bad day - I have to replace my trailer too - I've decided to bite the bullet and go dual axle w/brakes. I live within 10 miles of at least 10 boat ramps - but I want to tow mine to the keys from time to time.

[shicks007]

The first time you feel that soft landing hauling a$$ in an easy rolling swell and that sweet bow flare throws the water out 50 ft. on each side is sure to give you that worm and fuzzy feeling inside.

[Franco]

A V20 wont juggle your Nortons!!!

[C YENSEN]

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE INFO AND HELP I WILL PUT SOME PHOTOS UP WHEN I PICK IT UP AND ACTUALLY GET IT IN THE DRIVEWAY.


THANKS

[macojoe]

I have a new loadrite tandam no brakes, and it is great!! Of coarse I pull with a full size truck and the weight of the truck is greater then the boat.

[C YENSEN]

WELL I WILL BE PULLING IT WITH A STRAIGHT SIX 4.OL JEEP WRANGLER, THE BOAT WILL WEIGH AS MUCH OR MORE THAN THE JEEP I FIGURE.

[Blue_Runner]

I'm pullin with the quadratrack V8 Jeep (full time 4wd). The boat/trailer weighs more than it I'm pretty sure. I can tow up to 65mph, but I only do 55 - 60mph mostly. Anything above 65 gets a little squirly ;)

I love the V8 and full time 4wd for towing though. With that 6 cyl you might notice some drag when climbing hills. I do in the V8.

Being in MD close to the ocean I doubt you have an significant hills to worry about though. I live in the foothills of NC, so I have to deal with that.

[C YENSEN]

COMPLETELY FLAT TERRAIN, NO HILLS, ONLY HAVE TO DO A MAX SPEED OF 35 MPH TO GET TO THE RAMP.

[Blue_Runner]

>:( I'm jealous >:(

[C YENSEN]

DID I MENTION THE RAMP IS ONLY 4 MILES AWAY ;D

THANKS FOR THE HELP.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Yes, you mentioned it and you suck very bad for it too. ;D

[reelapeelin]

Franco, I put Tie Down's SS Discs on mine several years back...wasn't too hard...had probs at first, but worked thru them, and now they're pretty good...BUT if I's startin' over, I'd be lookin' REAL HARD at Kodiak discs...they seem to be heavier duty...FYI for when you whip out those hard-earned Franco-Bucks and order that new custom trailer... ;) 8)...

Oh and Cyensen...what Stinky said...only double... ;) :)...

[Skools Out]

mine is on a Float-On Aluminum Tandum trailer and i've pulled it many times at 75 to 80 mph going to the beach with no problems.

[Blue_Runner]

The trailer I have has the articulating bunks. If you've never heard of that type you should check em out. I had never paid much attention to trailers and didn't know what that meant but I must say I think I like the articulating bunks a lot better than rollers. It loads and unloads like a dream, plus there are only I think two rollers on the whole trailer to accomodate the center of the V. The bunks are covered with a PVC type material that allows the boat to glide on and glide off with ease.

[Mac_Attack]

Did I tell you I replaced and recarpeted my trailers bunks over Labor Day Weekend. Did I tell you I only have to travel 3 miles to launch my V20. Did I tell you --

OK I'll stop! Bill Mc ;D

[rb437]

OK here's my 2 cents, it's about a mile from my driveway to the ramp. ;D

[macojoe]

well I have a ramp 1 mile from my house!! But there are no fish there! >:(

I go at least 10 miles or better to each ramp I use.

I have no brakes and I bought it brand new that way!! I hate more things to go wrong!!

truck 6800# wit 4 wheel disk brakes. Boat on trailer, about 4500+, 70 MPH no problem stopping or going!

I had a single 1980 Caulking trailer for the last 6 years and it was fine till I saw a tire pass me on the highway!! Didn't even no it was mine till I looked in the mirror and saw sparks all over the place!

[groover]

I would not pull a V-20 behind anything without trailer brakes. I do trailer more than most people ( I have worn out 3 sets of trailer tires) but I can remember at three cases where I probably would have had a wreck without them. I do most of my pulling with a 15 passenger van on the 1-ton chassis that weighs 6300 pounds empty but I can still tell that the trailer brakes are kicking in.

Besides the safety, don't forget that you will be putting that much more wear and tear on your tow vehicle's brakes and that rotor warpage is caused by high heat so you are much more likely to have warped rotors if you do not have trailer brakes. Also, most states require trailer brakes if your trailer weighs over 3000 pounds. If you are in a wreck and it could be attibuted to lack of required equipment your liability just went way up.

I have had my rig 17 years and the only maintenance I have had to do to the brakes was replace the actuator, slave cyclinders and shoes last year. The shoes were worn totally out. I do not consider that to be high maintenance.

Unlike most people, I keep my brakes dry. I have a tilt trailer with rollers. I just back up until the water is up to the rear rims and push the boat off. I use a Powerwinch to pull it back on. It is a little extra work at the time but it saves me a fortune in trailer maintenance and I have never seen a ramp that I could not launce at.

The only thing I do not like about surge brakes is that I have had a few cases on wet roads where I could not get enough traction from the tow vehicle to actuate the trailer brakes. My brother solved the problem by putting electric brakes on his trailer. He just has to remember to unplug them when empty so he does not skid the tires too much. His rig is older than mine and he has had no maintenance to his brakes. He also keeps his brakes dry.

[Skools Out]

na don't need brakes that just one more thing to be fixed especially if you use it in salt water. I don't have brakes on any trailer even up to the 250 Sea Ray. I have a diesel tahoe and it does just fine stopping that boat and the wellcraft too. Any truck with off road package or towing package has enough breaks to stop up to most 25 ft boats i'd say. I pull my boats 200 to 250 miles to the coast one way several times a yr like 15 to 20 weekends a yr.

[macojoe]

The only thing I have eletric brakes on is my 31 foot Camper.
Never have and will have brakes on boat trailers.

But Groover seems to have it down pat!! And good for him!!

[reelapeelin]

Yeah, MJ...if I wasn't goin' any further than it is to ramps you use, I wouldn't mess w/brakes either...my SHORTEST tow is 1 1/2 hours on I-85...at 70, yeah, I want brakes... ;) ;D...

[Franco]

ITS LAW IN FLORIDA, ANY TRAILER RATED OVER 3000 LBS
HAS TO HAVE BRAKES - MY BOAT WEIGHS ABOUT 2680 NOT COUNTING FUEL AND GEAR - SO I GOTTA HAVE BRAKES.

[macojoe]

Laws were ment to be Broken!! Mass has a law also! But I no care ;D

[Seacrets]

I think they should rewrite the Florida law to read "functional brakes". I bet 75% of the trailer brakes in Florida don't work.