Input needed please!! Would you change this trailer setup??

[Jakes29]

Got some time yesterday to take a closer look at the trailer. Seems that the boat mainly rests on the fenders so I took them off.

Pics included have bunks at 2nd lowest setting. Main weight is taken by the fenders and bunks.

The pics without fenders you can see the middle roller now takes the majority of the weight but the bunks don’t having equal weight distribution.

I thought I could possibly move the winch post further from the front roller. I also dropped the winch on slot so it is pulling straight as someone suggested.

Im thinking rotate the bunks and level them and then fabricate some smaller fenders. And possibly move the winch post more toward the tongue of the trailer. Thoughts??

 

[Jakes29]

I had a Watertender, same lower hulll as the OP, but different upper hull. I cut open the bench seat for customizing and the lower hull didn't have any support in the keel, just the plastic shell, no aluminum tube or hardwood strip. Remember it as I thought it was odd (weak). OP's boat could be different (?) as I haven't had that boat for 10+ years... ( I had a boat winch rigged up to the ceiling of the garage, to pick the boat out of my truck bed, and store the boat on the garage ceiling. LOL!)

I'd balance the weight out between the bunks and rollers, so everything is carrying some weight. Longer bunks may help, so bunk isn't trying to push into the hull, but that may be resolved by proper bunk/roller setup.

If the boat is still loading squirrely (missing the rollers) short side guides would help. Have them on my jon boat trailer and it makes loading super easy. Just a 2x4, mounted on edge to the trailer frame, to help load the boat straight.

Correct, it’s just hollow plastic. Not reinforced. It’s nothing special but it catches fish

 

[Jakes29]

If someone could make a rough sketch of the ideal trailer setup, that would help. I’m a visual learner lol.

 

[Jakes29]

Think I got it figured out. I was able to widen the bunks which distributes the weight more evenly. I also moved the winch post forward to utilize the front roller. But now I need to figure out what to do about fenders. Any ideas?? I know nothing about fabrication.

 

[fishrdan]

Boat won't sit between fenders, bummer... You have 2 choices, move the boat up so it doesn't hit the fenders or shim the fenders out. You can't shim the fenders out much, and may not get enough spacing for the boat, 1/2", maybe 3/4" max. If the fenders are shimmed out too much, and 1 tire hits a bump hard, the fender edge could cut the tire...

I'd cut some 3x3 1/2" (1/8", 1/4") plywood blocks for shims, and bolt the fenders back on to see if shimming is possible. Plywood won't work for permanent shims, but good for mocking up. There are fender brackets, that can be used to space the fenders away from the trailer frame.

If you can't shim the fenders out enough, you may be stuck raising the boat back up again.

 

[Jakes29]

Great info fishrdan, thank you ! I will look into shimming the fenders but I’m not optimistic that I will get enough room. If I’m stuck raising it back up, I think just recarpeting bunks and maybe some silicone slicks on top plus equal distribution will be all I need. I think I’ve been overthinking this.

 

[WIMUSKY]

In this pic it looks like your bunks are bowed too. I would replace them.....

 

[Jakes29]

In this pic it looks like your bunks are bowed too. I would replace them.....

That is the plan. Thank you!