Trailer info

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Good Morning and this will be seem like a simple but stupid question. I have a 78 Wellcraft V20 Cuddy and 140 Johnson on the back. The trailer is a 79 Magic Tilt tandem axle. Ok here is the problem. It does not have the factory axles. I just bought the boat and trailer. It is on mobile home axles. Now it pulls great but when I launch the boat the trailer is to tall and I struggle to get it off. Ok simple answer Ron fix it and replace the axles and springs right. I trailer about 8 miles, and I understand the benefits of a tandem. However I have seen the same boat and trailers as single. If anyone has a single axle set up, how has it worked for you. My goal is to lower the trailer. The springs and how they were installed are ineffective at best. Mobile home wheels are 14.5 and the rims are unique. So by reverting back to a conventional set up makes sense. Cost is a factor. So if a single will get the job done it seems to make sense. Be gentile I am a Ol' Geezer and I don't to use my next 3 social security check to fix it. Thank You for any input, Ron

[phatdaddy]

Single axle is doable for that boat, but , depending how much was removed to go to mobile home axles, probable easier to buy new axles with hubs and go back original. If you go single, torsion axle might be easier and cheaper in the long run, no springs or hangers to contend with. U-bolt it to the frame, easy to slide around to get the tongue weight right. The axle and hardware would be around $350-$400, couple of wal-mart tires $250.

[[email protected]]

Thank You PhatDaddy, The driving reason I ask this is due to these reasons. Mobile home axles have a single leaf and they will hold up the earth. The wizards who removed the original stuff took it all off. The trailer frame it self
is intact. I also have a Shorelander and the springs and everything else on that trailer will unbolt at the U-bolts and I can slide it under the Magic trailer and bolt it down. Once the balance has been established I should be in good shape. Hopefully someone here has their V20 on a single axle. Ironic I've waited for 45 pus years for the boat and a tandem trailer and it was hacked up. The boat made up for it.

[Destroyer]

I have both of my boats on tandem trailers... BUT.... both of them were on single axle trailers before I transferred them, and both of them pulled nice and straight with no problems. As long as the trailer is rated for the length and weight you are putting on it it should be fine. My V20 used to make the trip to Fla and back once a year (1600 miles) each way on the single axle with zero problems. The primary advantage of a tandem is the extra tires if you get a flat. Most times you can still (carefully) get home.

[tsubaki]

Welcome to the site!

If you don't have the slider brackets I'd be more inclined to find a different trailer, cost being the factor. Obviously the frame is rebuildable but to what cost extent.

I am using the original frame, axle and hubs on my "75. Most everything else has been replaced at least a couple of times.
The single axle is doable IF properly balanced and most any 1/2 ton pickup can safely handle towing the short distance you are doing. Presently I've not trailered mine over 10 miles to the farthest ramp.
If you were regularly trailering say more than 30 miles one way, I'd be really concerned and want a dual axle setup.

A dual axle setup may also improve your launching height problem by the ability to use smaller tires.
phat's suggestion of a torsion type axle is worth considering.

These are probably the only usable photos of mine.

[tsubaki]

Closer picture of slider bracket and fender extension.

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by tsubaki

Welcome to the site!

If you don't have the slider brackets I'd be more inclined to find a different trailer, cost being the factor. Obviously the frame is rebuildable but to what cost extent.

I am using the original frame, axle and hubs on my "75. Most everything else has been replaced at least a couple of times.
The single axle is doable IF properly balanced and most any 1/2 ton pickup can safely handle towing the short distance you are doing. Presently I've not trailered mine over 10 miles to the farthest ramp.
If you were regularly trailering say more than 30 miles one way, I'd be really concerned and want a dual axle setup.

A dual axle setup may also improve your launching height problem by the ability to use smaller tires.
phat's suggestion of a torsion type axle is worth considering.

These are probably the only usable photos of mine.

Cool pics. Is that where you put in?