Short Ramp Hang-up

[Rub-a-dub]

Due to low water conditions, several of our ramps are short and
pose a problem of backing the trailer in too far and dropping
off the end. The trailer spring hangers catch the edge and won't
allow pulling the trailer out! This has happened to me twice.
I was thinking about removing the front spring hanger bolt
and replacing it with a 3 inch longer bolt then install a 4 inch
steel caster wheel on the excess protruding out from the
bracket. This should keep it from hanging up.
Does anyone see any problem with doing this?

 

[Grub54891]

never tried it. Following just to see if anyone else has. In my mind, I don't think it will. Better off attaching a wedge shaped block ahead of the shackle?

 

[GA_Boater]

When you back the caster off the edge of the ramp, then what? Same problem except the long shackle bolt can be torn out.

A longish wedge as Grub said, will work better and if the wedge is backed off the ramp, you are going in too deep.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Yes- the caster probably won't be any easier to get over the edge of the ramp, and you'll likely just snap the new longer bolt off.

If this is a common thing and you don't mind drilling a couple of holes in your trailer, make, or have made, some angle iron skids. 4" x 6" x 5/16" thick angle should work nicely.

 

[Scott Danforth]

They make delrin trailer wedges for this problem

 

[roscoe]

Here is one I made up, 1/4" steel welded to another piece at 90* angle.

Has saved me a couple times.
It extends 3" below centerline of wheel.

I have another set on my other trailer, which runs larger tires, so placed a 2.5" wood spacer between top plate and trailer frame.