another trailer setup question...with pics though

[animal55]

First, thank you to all on this forum for getting me this far on my new to me boat.

my trailer is obviously not the original trailer, but I am slowly getting everything setup properly. I am ordering the new hardware as everything is welded on this trailer. My boat is a 20' kayot I/O deck boat. The boat sits over the tires as the boat is wider than the distance between the tires (but not wider than the trailer). currently when loaded the boat sits on the two outermost bunks and the front sits on a single keel roller. My plans are to raise the inner bunks untill they support the keel of the boat. Then cutting away the old mounting brackets. without getting a new trailer does this seem the best route, on a budget? Pics attached. thank you

 

[bonz_d]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

Sorry but that trailer looks too small for that boat. Sure it can be made to fit but!

What is the weight of this boat and motor? What is the capacity of this trailer? Do they match?

 

[superbenk]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

Sorry but that trailer looks too small for that boat. Sure it can be made to fit but!

What is the weight of this boat and motor? What is the capacity of this trailer? Do they match?

Agreed though it's hard to get proper perspective from these angles. Only way to be sure is to know specs an both boat & trailer.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

that's why I was asking! Makes no sense to change the trailer if it's undersized now does it?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though



Well, first off, the bunks are too short. They should support the transom, not be a foot in front. Now, you can extend the bunks but they will bend and eventually you will get a hook in the hull. IF the trailer is long enough, move the winch post forward so the ends of the bunks are at or slightly beyond the transom.

If the trailer is not long enough, then either a massive rework is necessary or (best) buy a bigger trailer.

I went for years with a really undersized trailer on my 15 foot Glastron. It only had 8 inch wheels and was originally rated for around 600 pounds. It worked but really was only marginal.



I swapped it for a much larger trailer with 12 inch wheels. I am happier and safer now.

 

[animal55]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

I think the trailer is too small also, but buying a new one this year and maybe next year are out of the question so I want to at least support the boat as best I can. I trailer the boat and the farthest I will ever go is about 35 miles away. The trailer is a "homemade" trailer so I could not find a data plate. According to what I have found on the boat it weights approximatly 2800 lbs loaded. I have room to move the winch plate forward about 12-14" which I am thinking will help with the transom overhang. Here is a little better pic of the whole boat on the trailer.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

Much better picture. Now it doesn't look so bad. Also that doesn't appear to be a home built trailer. But was probably titled that way because of a lost title.

Before you go moving the boat forward you need to check the tongue weight to assure that you are in fact able to move it forward w/o overloading the tongue. If not then as I see it there are now 2 2x4 under the outside of the trailer that the boat is actually resting on right now. Doing that or using 4x4 lumber to lengthen the bunks would work as a temporary measure. Next you would need to move the keel bunks up to support the hull also. From what I can see those keel rollers will be useless as you will have a hard time getting them up to the keel and even then with the inside bunks the rollers won't add much.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

NOTHING you find in or on the boat will tell you what it weighs... you need to get it on a scale ... ALSO keep in mind that the trailer axle has to support the trailer as well as the boat... probably 3500 lbs on a 2000 lb axle

ABSOLUTELY get it moved forward..... All of the following MUST be addressed in this order and one does not cancel out the other... first is overall length of trailer.. start with 110% of total boat length as a minimum.... next, weight capacity. the trailer must support it's own weight plus boat, motor, fuel, and any gear....... third, proper support for the hull including the transom (boat has to be moved to achieve this one) ...... fourth is weight distribution. axle may need to be moved) and last is attachment to trailer... minimum two points stern and one front but two front is preferable

the outer bunks are not in a good position on the boat so they need to be cut off too....


Honestly if it were mine I would stop here.... pull it odd the trailer and block it up on the ground....... doll up the trailer and sell it for top dollar and find a smokin deal on a bigger trailer that NEEDS dolled up... you might actually MAKE money on getting a trailer better suited for your boat


The distance of your tow doesn't help your cause at all 35 miles is quite a distance and would be done at high speeds .... if you said 1/4 mile at 10 mph then it MIGHT be a different story

 

[animal55]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

I think I will keep an eye out for a used trailer I can set up over the winter. I will probably winterize the boat in about a month and might get it out on the water two or three more times. My father in law has a huge tandem axle trailer that needs some serious work (springs and bunks) but will be more than enough trailer for the boat. He will probably give it too me as it has been sitting for awhile in his back yard. I will take some pics and measurements and see if i can find a data plate on that one for some advice. Thank you guys for the help, you confirmed what I was thinking.

 

[Grandad]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

While you're looking for another trailer, you might keep this in mind: In many areas, if the total load of boat and trailer exceeds 3,000 lbs, you'll need brakes on the trailer to be legal. - Grandad

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

I edited my last post to better explain trailer setup

I wouldn't worry too much about specs on the tandem.. it will be at least a 4000 lb trailer... I would however look very hard for rusted out frame rails and crossmembers.... A ball peen hammer is used to beat on every square inch of the bottom of the tubes.... any soft spots equal a dying or dead trailer

The ONLY trip I would consider with your current situation is to get it weighed and I would block up the center bunks to support the hull before I let it set one more day or moved it one mile

As soon as I got it weighed I'd get it off that trailer

 

[bonz_d]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

Smoke, I agree, I wouldn't leave it as is though at the same time I've seen much worse posted on here.

 

[limitout]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

that's why I was asking! Makes no sense to change the trailer if it's undersized now does it?

you are going to put a lot of hard work and money into that trailer and in the end you will still only be "making do" with the wrong trailer for the boat.

you should buy a proper sized trailer for it and just sell yours and it will be the smartest and most cost effective thing you can do in the end.

by the time you add everything up and figure the labor and blood you put into it, (you always bleed when working on a trailer if your doing it right lol) it will likely be cheaper then killing yourself redoing "everything" on that trailer.

the boat shouldn't be wider then the frame of the trailer but you can cheat a little if it hangs over the fenders an inch or two, yours just overhangs too much plus the added fact everything is welded on it will be a rusty mess when your done with cutting things loose and trying to galvanize it yourself.

 

[MRS]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

Does the trailer have a straight axle on it and what size are the tires on it?

 

[animal55]

Re: another trailer setup question...with pics though

MRS, yes the axle is straight. it has a single straight tube type axle going all the way across the frame. It originally had 14" tires, but one of them blew out (amatuer mistake of not checking tire pressure before every trip, the other one was at about 23psi when i finally checked it) and it ended up being cheaper to buy a new tire/wheel combo so I upgraded the tires to the ST 15" tires. It tows great, and the pictures make it seem like it overhangs the sides alot, but it really doesn't. I have it parked in storage right now and have to go there today so i will get some measurements on the whole thing including the boat. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for a good used trailer that will fit. with ski boat season coming to an end here in Texas maybe there will be some good deals. I will also try and get a pic and some measurements of the trailer my father in law has, it definatly needs some work, but it would probably be free.