Trailer adjustment

RWilson2526 · #1 02-01-2009, 03:35 PM

As some of you guys pointed out my boat sits pretty bow down when its on my trailer. What concerns me the most is how close the keel comes to the end of the tongue on the trailer. It literally rests on it and there is more than one chip in the fiberglass around that area.

As you can see the front cross support that holds the first set of rollers is set at its lowest position. I am considereing moving it up but but its been this way for 23 years and I am wondering if maybe they new something I didnt when they set it up this way.

Maybe the keel will hit the cross support before it catches the rollers?Maybe I wont be able to adjust the bow support properly and it will interfere with the the bow eye?

Anybody got any experience in adjusting these things.?

garagenc · #2 02-01-2009, 04:30 PM

In your 3rd pic; you could cut off (shorten) the center stringer (where the bow almost hits now) closer to the winch area and still be able to attach the cross brace to the outside frame rails. If you cut about 3" forward of the U bolts looks like that would give you plenty of clearance.

Those tongue ends are made to fit various length trailers so they could be shortened to fit your boat needs.

phatdaddy · #3 02-01-2009, 08:45 PM

might just be the angle, but the rig looks tongue heavy. could you slide the winch post back 6 inches and that would give you more clearance. if not , how bout putting a piece of starboard to deflect the occasional keel hit.

nymack66 · #4 02-02-2009, 09:23 AM

On my Trailer I install "Keel Rollers" it reduces stress on the bed or rollers in your setup , I have four Keel rollers like this on mine. My boat rolls off and on with ease not a single issue period
http://shop.easternmarine.com/index....categoryID=204
Also I did notice as mentioned it seems like your Boat can be shifted back on the Trailer !

Mulv80 · #5 02-02-2009, 09:24 AM

You may be able to move your front rollers closer to the center of the trailer to raise the bow.

macojoe · #6 02-02-2009, 09:43 AM

Looks to me that the whole trailer is just to short? The rear rollers should be right at the transom, yours looks to short and the boat over hangs. This is why the bow is so far foward and hitting.

Short of getting a different trailer the cutting of the tounge is about all you can do.
Or you can get a bolt on roller (a wide one) and add it to the tounge so that when the bow gets there it will go on a roller and lift a bit.

Good Luck

Skools Out · #7 02-02-2009, 09:56 AM

your trailer is to short for that boat you need the transom supported or it will cause stress and cracks in the transom.

RWilson2526 · #8 02-02-2009, 10:19 AM

you guys might be on to something there. I just checked the gallery and although there are a handful of trailers with the transom hanging a foot or so off the last roller, the vast majority are supported to the very end. I pguess I should look into doing something about it. I know the last owner had the boat almost 20 years but he lived very close to the water and did not tow it as much as I will be.

There is room on the frame to slide the whole last set of rollers back to probably get the last set of rollers pretty close to the transom. The darn things are infinitely adjustable between moving front to back, and in and out...hurts my head figuring all the possible combinations.

jaysea · #9 02-02-2009, 10:44 AM

looks to me in the 3rd pic,you mite be able, to relocate the front cross bar to the upper bolt holes an giving you the clearence you need to make the other adjustments needed

RWilson2526 · #10 02-02-2009, 10:45 AM

http://www.loadrite.com/Support/Main...t_Trailers/76/

Information from LoadRite on how to adjust a trailer. They recommend max 8" from last roller to the transom. I think I have more than that.