Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

[cliffblue]

I have 2 questions. I have a 2001 aluminum 21' tracker deck boat with a 4.3L I/O on the original trailer that I have owned for 3 years. The bow does not sit on the bow roller like I think it used to, but it does fit right into the y shaped bumper at the front. The boat will rock a bit on less than perfect roads. I suspect that the trailer has settled some behind the axles. I'm going to tow 4-5 hours in August and the boat sets better if I pull the bow down with a 2" ratchet strap in addition to the winch, both being hooked in the one eye. My bunk boards are less than a year old. Am I putting excessive stress on the boat doing this? Do the tires have to be at 50psi? I just replaced my worst biased-ply tire with a new one and noticed much more wear on the center than the shoulders. I have considered weighing the whole rig, adding up the maximum tire capacity to see if I could reduce the pressure some. Opinions? Thanks, Cliff

 

[BrianNJ]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

Pictures might help. Can your bunks be adjusted? From your description, it sounds like there might be a high point that is causing the boat to not be supported well from the stern and bow.

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

They are not adjustable. They're welded on.The settling in the rear has created a high point in the middle.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

trailer tires are designed to be run at the pressure on the sidewall...

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

I guess you can't judge tire wear on a tandom trailer like you would on a vehicle.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

I guess you can't judge tire wear on a tandom trailer like you would on a vehicle.

yes you can. Tire ware in the center is a lot of towing with out a boat on it or the wrong load range.

That would be the trailer frame bending, not settling.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

How's about some pics of how the bow is sitting against the bow mount? There could be some adjustments to get rid of your problem.

The boat will rock a bit on less than perfect roads.

My boat will do that if I don't load it all the way forward on the trailer, snugged up tight against the bow roller. If I don't tighten the winch strap really tight while pulling the boat out of the water, it will slip back on the trailer a bit, enough to cause the bow to bounce. I back off the winch strap tightness a bit once I have the boat out of the water.

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

I will try for some pics. Thanks

 

[bigdee]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

trailer tires are designed to be run at the pressure on the sidewall...

Yes and they are not designed to flex. The only way to reduce shock is to install shock absorbers. There are kits sold to do this but I have seen very few trailers with them. Boats can take a beating while trailering as long as hull and outdrive is secured. Proper bunkboard contact area is important.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

The only way to reduce shock is to install shock absorbers.

Shock absorbers do very little to reduce shock.You would do better to go with radial tires and properly sized "(softer") springs.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

I don't think I have ever owned a boat that did not rock on the trailer. With that said every once in a while I can get the boat on the trailer just right to where I can't notice it in the rear view. As for lowering tire pressure, that is why trailer tires blow out, they are not properly inflated. Run them at the PSI stated on the side wall.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

Shock absorbers do very little to reduce shock.You would do better to go with radial tires and properly sized "(softer") springs.

I agree with the radial tires but softer springs = > bounce. Softer springs with shocks is the only way to eliminate bounce (and shock) if that is the goal. By the way, truck tires would work just fine on a trailer with greater spring travel and shocks!

 

[agallant80]

Re: Tie down bow and reduce tire psi?

I agree with the radial tires but softer springs = > bounce. Softer springs with shocks is the only way to eliminate bounce (and shock) if that is the goal. By the way, truck tires would work just fine on a trailer with greater spring travel and shocks!

Im going to have my next trailer built to take e-load tires....