trailer setup

[rockyrude]

I'm in the middle of restoring an 18' thunderbird airslot on an ez-loader roller trailer and am puzzled if the trailer is setup correctly. Right now the stern overhangs the trailer by almost 18". Right now tongue weight is 170 which leaves me room if the boat really needs to move forward.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: trailer setup

Post some pics! Tongue weight depends on the total weight of the boat and trailer.It should be around 10% on the tongue.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: trailer setup

Always support the transom.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: trailer setup

Always support the transom.

On an Easyloader trailer with rollers that could be tough to do.I used to have one.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer setup

The last rollers should be positioned directly under the transom. With that much overhang you are really stressing the hull because of all the weight cantilevered off the back of the trailer. I realize that by moving the boat 18 inches forward that will increase tongue weight a considerable amount. If you can't move the winch post that far, then the trailer is wong for the boat. If it can be moved that far and you end up with too much tongue weight, you move the axle forward to lighten it. If you can't move the axle, the trailer is definitely wrong for the boat. Some trailers were custom made for a specific hull and cannot be easily adjusted.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: trailer setup

this is a converted roller to bunk trailer, i prefer longer bunks, so the boat can be shifted to change tongue weigth, or use with different boats. had to change front bracket.

 

[achris]

Re: trailer setup

Hey TD,

There's room for another half a dozen bolts in that transom!!! What's stopping you?

Cheers,

Chris.........

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: trailer setup

i have no idea what all those were for. there are 3 knee braces, but the rest were there, when i paid $200 for the hull. it's a 1956 Duracraft. but the new transom is secure.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: trailer setup

Thanks for the input. I'll try to get some pics up.Right now the hull is evenly supported on the rollers. The boat weighs 1500, 115 evinrude 250, 12 gals gas 120 should put me pretty close to 2000 ready for water. Because it's an airslot I don't see an easy way to convert to bunks without any real flat spots for the bunks.

 

[Fish n Geer]

Re: trailer setup

On an Easyloader trailer with rollers that could be tough to do.I used to have one.

Uh Oh what you saying Gary? Whats wrong with an easyloader with rollers? Thats what my boat is sitting on.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer setup

Nothing wrong with EZ Loaders. I've owned them in the past and my last two have been Shorelanders. Had a couple of bunk style and hated them. If you have a glass boat, I vote for bunk as they would be a little easier on the gel coat.

 

[Fish n Geer]

Re: trailer setup

Thanks Silvertip!