Raising Boat Off of Trailer

[Thomv]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

I'd suggest whatever "stands" you use, make sure you put something under the stands to prevent them from digging into the ground/pavement, especially if you're only going 1/2" up, but make sure they're very stable. I would not trust any 2x6 to support the bow. Get a short timber.

I don't have as big a boat but when I moved mine, I lowered the front of the trailer as low as it would go. Supported both rear corners with a double pile of timber then used a hydraulic jack to raise the front of the trailer. Supported front with 4x6's and lowered trailer. (DO NOT ever try to raise tongue by cranking trailer wheel with rear of baot off trailer)

Also don't do this job unless wind is very calm.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

I am not sure what would happen if I did raise the tongue by cranking the trailer wheel with rear of boat off trailer.

 

[Thomv]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

When I do this I will take some pictures. I will be using cinder blocks along with two 4 by 4 by 4 foot long lengths of lumber sitting right on both rear sides of my boat.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

As mentioned, a layer of wood, on the cinder blocks, and in between the blocks of the cinder block stack (if you need to stack them) will greatly reduce the possibility of shattering the blocks. The blocks usually shatter when there is a concentrated load in one area of the block. The wood helps distribute the load across the entire block surface.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

when i had my bayliner 2655, the marina moved my boat to my driveway, they put it on cinder blocks with wooden blocks on top, the blocks were doubled and stacked alternately with the holes vertical, they used hydrolics on the trailer to lift the boat and set it on the blocks. they told me the trailer cost 80k, but it was the coolest thing to watch hydrolic arms lift that big boat then reach back and set it on the blocks. if worried about lifting points, jack up the trailer, blocks under, then lower trailer.

 

[britisher]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

Without pics, it is very difficult to visualize what the OP is trying to achieve, other than 'move the boat forwards'. Whilst we have seen suggestions on using jack stands to raise the boat, those pics show a boat sat on wooden bunks. As the Op's boat is 29' long, I am thinking it sits on roller bunks, which from reading posts on this forum make moving a boat on the trailer much easier. Perhaps knowing what the boat is sitting on would help. TBH I am mystified why the 'rush' to move this boat, when the OP stated he can't get to a ramp for over 2 weeks. What else do you do with a boat?

 

[slag]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

Without pics, it is very difficult to visualize what the OP is trying to achieve, other than 'move the boat forwards'. Whilst we have seen suggestions on using jack stands to raise the boat, those pics show a boat sat on wooden bunks. As the Op's boat is 29' long, I am thinking it sits on roller bunks, which from reading posts on this forum make moving a boat on the trailer much easier. Perhaps knowing what the boat is sitting on would help. TBH I am mystified why the 'rush' to move this boat, when the OP stated he can't get to a ramp for over 2 weeks. What else do you do with a boat?

No no no, he doesn't want to move the boat forwards. He wants to move the trailer backwards.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

I am not sure what would happen if I did raise the tongue by cranking the trailer wheel with rear of boat off trailer.

Well...as mine did...1st thing is that it'll scare the daylights out of you as the freeking jack will break...2nd is the tongue will come crashing down...3rd is that the stern may fall off the blocks...4th is that you'll stand there swearing and kicking yourself in the pants...5th is that the neighbors will have a good laugh...6th is that the little lady won't let you live it down...7th is that the insurance guy will say "you did what?!?...8th is that you'll have to go buy a new tongue wheel...10th is that we'll read about you in the SHT thread....(I skipped 9th as hopefully you won't have any repair work to do to the hull)...need I say more.

Actually very few tongue jacks are rated for more than 2K Lbs, most around 1K lbs. It'll have the full weight of the boat on it, so REALLY - don't try to lift the boat with it.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[Thomv]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

Without pics, it is very difficult to visualize what the OP is trying to achieve, other than 'move the boat forwards'. Whilst we have seen suggestions on using jack stands to raise the boat, those pics show a boat sat on wooden bunks. As the Op's boat is 29' long, I am thinking it sits on roller bunks, which from reading posts on this forum make moving a boat on the trailer much easier. Perhaps knowing what the boat is sitting on would help. TBH I am mystified why the 'rush' to move this boat, when the OP stated he can't get to a ramp for over 2 weeks. What else do you do with a boat?

I am moving the boat forward to add weight to the tongue which right now is only at 100 pounds. My boat is on two cypress bunks. Using the cinder blocks and wood I was able to move the boat forward one foot before the cinder blocks ran up against the rear wheel vendors of the trailer. Tonight I plan to relocate the cinder blocks to move it forward about 6 inches more and that should do it. At this time my toll vehicle is being used by my son so it is not available at this time.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

I am moving the boat forward to add weight to the tongue which right now is only at 100 pounds. My boat is on two cypress bunks. Using the cinder blocks and wood I was able to move the boat forward one foot before the cinder blocks ran up against the rear wheel vendors of the trailer. Tonight I plan to relocate the cinder blocks to move it forward about 6 inches more and that should do it. At this time my toll vehicle is being used by my son so it is not available at this time.[/QUOTE]

And that answers the big mystery question as to why you couldn't bring it to the ramp. On the other hand, could've just waited till you got your tow rig back. Boat wasn't going anywhere...

 

[Thomv]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

Without pics, it is very difficult to visualize what the OP is trying to achieve, other than 'move the boat forwards'. Whilst we have seen suggestions on using jack stands to raise the boat, those pics show a boat sat on wooden bunks. As the Op's boat is 29' long, I am thinking it sits on roller bunks, which from reading posts on this forum make moving a boat on the trailer much easier. Perhaps knowing what the boat is sitting on would help. TBH I am mystified why the 'rush' to move this boat, when the OP stated he can't get to a ramp for over 2 weeks. What else do you do with a boat?

My boat sits on wooden bunks. I can't get to a ramp because my son's truck is in the shop. I am in no rush. Last night I was successful in moving the boat 1 foot forward without any problems. Hopefully tonight I will get a chance to get the new tongue weight and if I am within the specs of 5 to 7 % tongue weight for a tandom axle trailer
I will be done. I still can go another 6 inches forward if warranted.

 

[Thomv]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

I am moving the boat forward to add weight to the tongue which right now is only at 100 pounds. My boat is on two cypress bunks. Using the cinder blocks and wood I was able to move the boat forward one foot before the cinder blocks ran up against the rear wheel vendors of the trailer. Tonight I plan to relocate the cinder blocks to move it forward about 6 inches more and that should do it. At this time my toll vehicle is being used by my son so it is not available at this time.[/QUOTE]

And that answers the big mystery question as to why you couldn't bring it to the ramp. On the other hand, could've just waited till you got your tow rig back. Boat wasn't going anywhere...

Its more of a stress reliever than anything else. I enjoy working on it so it gives me something to do to get my mind off of my regular 10 hour work day.

 

[Thomv]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

Tonight after work I decided to take a test weight measurement on my trailer tongue after positioning my boat closer to the front of the trailer. My old weight of 100 pounds is now around 725 pounds for my tandem axle trailer. In one of the previous posts it was stated, on a tandem axle trailer, you should only have 5 to 7% of tongue weight. With my boat at 6,500 pounds empty and another 1200 to 1500 pounds for an aluminum trailer along with maybe 500 pounds for fluids and fuel that would bring me in at around 8,500 pounds gross weight. Using 7% that would be around 600 pounds of tongue weight. I could still move my boat up another 6 inches forward which would only increase my tongue weight. Should I just leave my boat where it presently is right now and stop messing with it. My transom right now is right at the end of my aluminum back cross member solidly sitting on my two cypress bunks with the two bunks now sticking out past my transom by about 18 inches. Should I now cut off this excess bunk length so that the bunks would be more flush with the transom?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

sadly there will never be an answer agreed upon by everyone here... I personally will never be satisfied with ANY trailer having less than 10% tongue weight but there are others here who think the earth will fall off it's axis if you hit 7.1%

I will say that you should not exceed 15% ...

Would the boat fit better on the trailer if you moved it up another 6"? Is it possible to move the axle forward if it proves to be more tongue weight than you want?

What vehicle and what class of hitch are you towing with?

My dually laughs at 1500 lbs of tongue weight but a 2wd 1500 would be squashed by less

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

Yes, no such thing as a 'one-size-fits-all' tongue weight. Very situational based on the load and what your tow vehicle seems to like. So, you get it in a range and then 'tweak' it, based on how your rig handles on the road, etc.

I tend to go on the lighter side (7-10%) and then move 'heavy stuff' forward or aft in the boat to adjust.

 

[Thomv]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

I am going to go with I got and when I get the opportunity over the next 3 weeks will take it out and see how well it handles hooked up to my sons Expedition. When he was towing it up from Fort Myers he did tell me it was a little scary when a semi passed him going in the same direction. I told him with only 100 pounds on the tongue it would have a tendency to not be so planted to the pavement. Hopefully now with almost 750 pounds on the tongue that will be greatly reduced. Time will tell.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

Don't cut the bunks yet. You have traded one problem for another.

If your reading 750 level then it's going to be even more when the Expedition swats.
Even a speed bump could/will bottom it out.
A 1 ton dual could care less, but the Expedition is going to need some serious help for 750 lbs.

Springs, air/overload shocks, WD hitch or a combination of them are in order to get the setup back to level for a safe tow.
Time to hook it up and drive around the block. Let the suspension settle then take your measurements for level to a 1-2 inch drop at the hitch. Then make your decisions, if there is a problem and how to correct it.

huts

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Raising Boat Off of Trailer

750lbs might be too much for your hitch. Alot of hitches out there only want 500lbs maximum of tonque weight if its not weight distributing. Regardless of the advertised towing ability, you might have too much boat for your Expedition as is. As mentioned, you may need to beef up rear suspension. In addition, a beefier hitch.