elkhunter338
Master Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2009
- Messages
- 818
I have a 21' Cheiftain, trailer has bunks with regular trailer bunk carpet. The way the trailer is built it has two bunks at the very back to support the back of the boat. The second set of bunks support the middle to the front of the boat.
When loading/unloading the boat the boat slides on the front bunks for about 1-2' launch, then normally I pull the boat on the trailer the last 3' or so, sliding the boat on the carpet bunks. It cranks on easy and loads straight. Put those Cheiftains are heavy in the front.
Backing the boat in farther is not really an option because I don't want to get the truck tires in the salt water, sink my trailer jack in the salt water, get my feet wet or get salt water in my surge brake actuator.
My problem is the carpet is starting to wear on the boat. I have about 4 rivets (2 on each side) that the heads are showing wear and the paint is wearing off the bottom. has anyone else had similar problems?
The only solution I can think of is to cut the bunks back about 3' and add rollers to the front portion of the trailer. Any other suggestions?
repainting the bottom part of the boat every couple years not big deal.
Rivit heads seem like they will eventually wear almost flush with the boat.
Anyone ever drill out the rivit and replace with a stainless steel bolt with a rounded smooth head.
You tap the alum and thread a bolt in the hole with some blue locktight to seal and prevent the bolt from coming out.
I use the same ramp and truck always so there is no variation on how the boat comes on and off, always the same.
When loading/unloading the boat the boat slides on the front bunks for about 1-2' launch, then normally I pull the boat on the trailer the last 3' or so, sliding the boat on the carpet bunks. It cranks on easy and loads straight. Put those Cheiftains are heavy in the front.
Backing the boat in farther is not really an option because I don't want to get the truck tires in the salt water, sink my trailer jack in the salt water, get my feet wet or get salt water in my surge brake actuator.
My problem is the carpet is starting to wear on the boat. I have about 4 rivets (2 on each side) that the heads are showing wear and the paint is wearing off the bottom. has anyone else had similar problems?
The only solution I can think of is to cut the bunks back about 3' and add rollers to the front portion of the trailer. Any other suggestions?
repainting the bottom part of the boat every couple years not big deal.
Rivit heads seem like they will eventually wear almost flush with the boat.
Anyone ever drill out the rivit and replace with a stainless steel bolt with a rounded smooth head.
You tap the alum and thread a bolt in the hole with some blue locktight to seal and prevent the bolt from coming out.
I use the same ramp and truck always so there is no variation on how the boat comes on and off, always the same.
