What should I do to this trailer?

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Please don't say junk it.

It seems ill designed to me, but I also don't know much about boat trailers. I've been figuring out the boat part, but I wanna make sure that once I start lugging this thing around it's safe and supportive and I'm not putting anyone or thing in danger (more than necessary).

I need to replace the bunks, I know that much. Do I need to add a couple more? If so where? In the second pic there's something broken off on the cross-supoort, was that probably a roller before, to help center the thing?

As long as this trailer isn't woefully hopelessly, you know, f'd, what should I do to make it not that way?

No reason to even start talking about wiring yet, I'm actually somewhat comfortable in that department.

Sorry I don't know why the first one is flipped.

 

[alldodge]

I don't see anything with the trailer that cannot be repaired.

It looks like the keel has gotten to close, maybe, but all that would take is using thicker pieces of wood to raise it up a tad

I was designed to support the boat on it. If it was going to support a different hull then need to see what needs to be changed.

 

[mike_i]

From the limited view from the pictures it doesn't look that bad. Have you gone thru the bearings and associated hardware and brakes if any and leaf springs? Are the tires good? If you're concerned about the rust you may want to check out this stuff. https://nomorerust.com/store/rust-st...st-sealer.html
I have nothing to do with the company I was impressed with the results when I used the paint on my galvanized trailer.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Rims are in great shape, shown in the pictures.

Kidding two new ones with tires arriving tomorrow if all goes well.

I just wasn't sure if the transom was supported enough, and if I should be thinking about adding any rollers. I don't yet know how it behaves since I haven't splashed the darn boat yet, but my goal is one month from now (a phrase I haven't changed for about two weeks).

Was also thinking about some pvc guides up from the taillight area, have seen those on lots of setups and seems like a good idea.

Trailer has no brakes, but it does have the 4 hole plate for them. Will add when money permits, I don't like not having trailer brakes, even with a 3/4 ton van. Leafs are rusty, but not sure if they're too rusty, will be digging I to that situation this week...

 

[Mad Props]

My only comment is, the bunks should be longer... You want the bunks to extend all the way to the transom, and ideally a couple inches past the transom... Otherwise, the hull can develop a hook from all the weight in the transom causing the hull to sag over time.

 

[Thirsty Endgrain]

Thanks Mad props, that was definitely one of my questions. I wanted to possibly make a way to also support the engine during transport. Might be part of the bunk extension work. Want to add brakes too. Thankfully not that hard to do...

 

[gm280]

My personal opinion.

I would look into adding center rollers to save the keel as it loads and unloads. Otherwise the keel will scrape the centers. And place the rollers so that the bow touches the rollers before the cross brace as you are loading the boat. Obviously new bunks that extend to as least the transom. I like a solid metal cross section at the end of a trailer for that exact reason. But if the transom isn't too far aft of the trailer end, the bunks can work. But this setup has to be adjusted for each boat. And if your present boat is what you will be using, Set the bunks and center rollers accordingly. Make sure when the boat sets on the trailer, that all rollers are just barely touching the boat. That way your keel area will not take a shape from the rollers. You want the weight of the boat resting on the bunks with the rollers just making a little contact. However, this is all just my opinion. It is the way I designed my trailer setup to the boat.