Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

[asdasc]

Hi All, I am thinking about getting an older boat trailer that will work with my 20' cuddy and modifying it to have convertable bunks so that I can also use it to pull the pontoon boat out in the fall to put it on blocks. Has anyone ever thought of or done this before? I can picture some lock pins with different bunk set ups.

Originally, I was thinking of a scissor type pontoon bunk using the bow winch to raise and lower it, but there are a bunch of challenges to that with the wide wheelbase on the regular boat trailer.

Is there a good way to get a pontoon boat off a bunk trailer and onto blocks for the winter, so that I can store the cuddy on the trailer all winter?

I have my own boat ramp with some property, so I wouldn't have to ever trailer either boat more than a hundred feet or so.

Looking for ideas!

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

I would not say there is an easy way to get the toon off the trailer however I have seen it done with 4 - 4x6s and Jacks. I will try to find the example for you. As far and a modular trailer, It can be done provided your trailer is wide enough.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

Borrowed this from another forum.

Get some long 4 x 4's and run along the inside of each pontoon. Have a couple feet stick out each end. Put a 4 x 4 under each end of 4 x 4's running along inside of pontoons. Using high lift jacks on the ends of the cross 4 x 4's lift slowly and equally at all corners. Lift about one inch off trailer and drive trailer out from under boat. Lower boat on to foam blocks. Raise off individual blocks as necessary. Here is a photo of what I am talking about. Naturally the jacks go on the four corners.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

Thanks! That has to be one of the most ingenious ways of pulling it off the trailer I have seen.

Since the last post, I have thinking of ways to have the bunks get detached from the trailer with the pontoon on it (Clevis or Hitch pins) and then if it were a tilt trailer possibly sliding the whole lot down onto wooden or foam blocks for the winter. If it had a rail to roll or slide on, you could use the winch on the front of the trailer to lower or raise the pontoon and the bunks back onto the trailer. Maybe....

 

[asdasc]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

Does anyone have a picture of a bunk style pontoon trailer without a boat on it, by chance?

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

Not sure what angle you need the picture but I can run outside and take more pics. Let me know, Here are a couple.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

Actually, that was perfect!

Thank you,

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

wouldn't it be easier to use a regular pontoon trailer and modify it for use with the cuddy, the extra bunks in the middle should not even come close to the pontoons and that way you have 2 trailers in 1....then just build yourself a permanent place to back the pontoon back up against and jack up and pull trailer out from under like stated earlier

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

Rrhodes,

where did you get those center guild on's, or did they come with your trailer

 

[5150abf]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

Anytime I get a kooky idea like this I break out the paper and pencil and see if I can draw it, normally if I can make it work on paper I can build it and it helps you find alot of problem before you start on the real thing.

It certainly helps that you won't be pulling these down the road.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

Rrhodes,

where did you get those center guild on's, or did they come with your trailer

My dealer added them for me about a month ago but they can be ordered from the manufacturer of my trailer. They won't sell trailers directly to the public but you can buy all the parts including wheels and tires directly from them. It is a Wesco trailer built in South Carolina.

 

[gbb]

Re: Convertable trailer idea - will it work?

I got a set from pontoonstuff.com, they are great. works really well