Tracker Pontoon trailer

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I can't figure out from the pics how far off it is... It looks like one toon is centered in it's bunks and the other side is off by double the amount each needs moved.... If the plan it to bust out the welder then honestly you need to just go buy new material and rebuild all of the supports... just use square stock and pie cut top n bottom to dogleg and get the correct width.... LOOKS too far off for shimming the bunks to me but it's gonna take a tape measure to really tell how far off things are.

Twisting force on the frame is (within reason) a non issue because each vertical support is right next to a cross member... if in doubt a simple triangle gusset to the cross member is really easy to add

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

Also for out of the box, there's still the idea of moving the toons out under the boat.... I can't tell from the pics if there is room to do that but they just bolt on sooooooo......... maybe a bad idea I dunno... never had my nose up under a toon close enough to say but at least worth a look.... maybe

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

Also for out of the box, there's still the idea of moving the toons out under the boat.... I can't tell from the pics if there is room to do that but they just bolt on sooooooo......... maybe a bad idea I dunno... never had my nose up under a toon close enough to say but at least worth a look.... maybe

I looked under mine...not a chance! Modifications to the trailer would be infinitely easier.

 

[limitout]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I'd trade the trailer. To fix that it appears that you would have to move the support brackets off the frame rails and onto the cross members - which wouldn't be a good idea since the trailer wasn't built to carry the load on them. Either that or build some offset brackets. I don't think there is any easy way that you are going to solve this.

have to agree,

the fix, as I see it, would mean you need to cut 6" out right down the middle of all cross members including the a-frame where it comes together at the tongue AND the cut the axle then weld it all back together again as strong as it was originally so it is straight even and all in alignment. you damn near rebuilt the whole trailer frame at that point and to do it right takes talent to keep it all square straight and true as well as strong.

it would be cheaper and easier to buy another trailer or if need be have one built to fit it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I looked under mine...not a chance! Modifications to the trailer would be infinitely easier.

gotcha..... wasn't sure how those tinkertoy boats worked (not an insult) lol

If I had unlimited storage I'm sure I'd get the chance to work on a project toon too


Sooo we're pretty much down to go trailer shopping or start cutting n welding..... I could do the mounts in half a day but OTOH you MIGHT actually be able to sell that trailer n buy one that fits n actually make a profit on it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

If you moved one side 6" instead of both sides 3", there would be a lot less work.

I actually think chopping the "V" off the top of the post and making a new type of mount that sits on top of the post would be my solution.

That trailer is identical to the one I have except mine is for a 8' beam. My boat is a 21'.

 

[sandhopper2]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

it does not need to move 6 inches
The trailer is 75 inches from center of side rail to side rail , the pontoon is 73 inches center to center
So that means the center of the bunks need to move 1 inch in each side , last measurement was a bit off ( measure twice cut once )
There is no way to change the pontoons as that would mean redoing a big plate at the back to hold OB
Larry

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

You have a picture of how it sits on the bunks at the rear of the trailer?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

well if it is only an inch on each side then you may be able to shim the bunks after all

 

[sandhopper2]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I don't have any pictures of the back , But I will take some today
I like the idea of a shim , but I just don't understand how that will work
would I just add another 2X4 bunk to the outside ?
Larry

 

[limitout]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

it does not need to move 6 inches
The trailer is 75 inches from center of side rail to side rail , the pontoon is 73 inches center to center
So that means the center of the bunks need to move 1 inch in each side , last measurement was a bit off ( measure twice cut once )
There is no way to change the pontoons as that would mean redoing a big plate at the back to hold OB
Larry

I think you just need to cut your brackets off and use these: SHIPSHAPE 26244G - Shipshape/Smith Bracket V Wing Pontoon Bunks 26244G - Boaters Plus

they give you the side adjustment you need to line things up

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I think you just need to cut your brackets off and use these: SHIPSHAPE 26244G - Shipshape/Smith Bracket V Wing Pontoon Bunks 26244G - Boaters Plus

they give you the side adjustment you need to line things up

He will still need to weld a plate on top of his existing post to do that.

They definitely aren't cheap. Going to be $300 for all his posts when you include shipping.

 

[limitout]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

He will still need to weld a plate on top of his existing post to do that.

They definitely aren't cheap. Going to be $300 for all his posts when you include shipping.

yep, but I was thinking he could bolt it right on top of the frame with u-bolts and that would give him 2-3" clearance from the frame to bracket vee plus another 1 1/2" for the bunks so it would lower the boat to the frame but still have safe clearance of around 5" while making it easier to launch and retrieve it. I think your idea of the plate on top would be stronger and better supportive then u-bolts.

if the height needed to stay the same then I was thinking to cut the bent over tops off of his brackets and leave as much of the flat vee there and use it to flush bolt or weld these brackets onto.

it is a lot of money when you add it all up but so is most of the solutions we have talked about with the exception of using an offset block or shims to shift the vee over 1 1/2".

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I am actually not sure why pontoon trailers hold the boat so high other than the fact that the motor can be trailered in the down position. I haven't had my pontoon long enough to understand the reason why.

He could probably chop the existing holder about 1" to 2" down from the V, weld on a 1/4" plate that overhangs the existing C channel and then reweld the old V with the desired offset. If it's only an inch, I would just do one side of the trailer.

 

[limitout]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I am actually not sure why pontoon trailers hold the boat so high other than the fact that the motor can be trailered in the down position. I haven't had my pontoon long enough to understand the reason why.

He could probably chop the existing holder about 1" to 2" down from the V, weld on a 1/4" plate that overhangs the existing C channel and then reweld the old V with the desired offset. If it's only an inch, I would just do one side of the trailer.

how critical is it to sit on top of the frame rail because I was thinking much the same but cutting it flush to the frame and welding a plate so you can center it half on half off of the frame rail to get all your support but be able to slide it over as needed. like you said, if its just an inch we aren't talking about much of an offset.

I always found it very strange that pontoon trailers have no adjustments to them at all and "assumed" it was based on as hard and fast rule of specific width dimensions they all had to be built to meet yet here we are with one that doesn't fit. but then I also have a hard time finding the logic in any all welded trailer that you cant adjust unless its a self adjusting wobble roller trailer

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I don't have any pictures of the back , But I will take some today
I like the idea of a shim , but I just don't understand how that will work
would I just add another 2X4 bunk to the outside ?
Larry

well it's probably gonna be much less than a 2x4.... Do you still have the boat on the trailer? If so jack it up enough to get it centered and then with it touching the bunks look and see how much of a gap you have on the other bunk.... that will be the thickness of your shim

Could be as simple as a few pieces of painted exterior plywood between the bunk and bracket

 

[sandhopper2]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

Ok some pictures of back

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

Looks like way more than an inch on each side.

If you shimmed each outer bunk, I would be worried that the boat wouldn't cradle properly between the bunks.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

well looking at the latest pics I'm back to not liking my shim idea

those inside bunks are too far under the toons and the brackets are being stressed in a way they aren't designed for.

I think you are looking at selling of rebuilding.... sorry

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Tracker Pontoon trailer

I am actually not sure why pontoon trailers hold the boat so high

Gotta have room for the axles to articulate under the bunks