Boat and trailer length

[jhande]

It will on a d21. The trucks shocks are 25 years old and wore out. The truck usually sets higher in the back than front. Over the years it's almost completely on the leaf springs.

This is a fact. Shocks are rusted out

Misconception - shocks do NOT support the weight of the vehicle or load. That is the purpose/job of the springs. The shocks are for controlling bouncing. 25 year old shocks, long over due for replacing. If the back of the truck is sitting lower than it used to then the springs are worn out and should be replaced.

 

[jhande]

.....

In the first pic it looks like the trailer has bunks. I would try lowering them so the boat just clears the trailer frame. See if that will let the boat start to float before your truck gets to deep in the water. If not, in pic 2 possibly extending the tongue will solve the problem in conjunction with lowering the bunks.

 

[matt167]

Misconception - shocks do NOT support the weight of the vehicle or load. That is the purpose/job of the springs. The shocks are for controlling bouncing. 25 year old shocks, long over due for replacing. If the back of the truck is sitting lower than it used to then the springs are worn out and should be replaced.

In general yes, but shocks effect the spring rate. On a tiny truck like a D21 it WILL make a difference. This is why things like air shocks used to be popular for towing

 

[poconojoe]

In general yes, but shocks effect the spring rate. On a tiny truck like a D21 it WILL make a difference. This is why things like air shocks used to be popular for towing

Air shocks may raise the height, but doing so will take the springs out of the equation, especially worn springs.
Bottom line...springs are the meat of your suspension and shocks just dampen the bounce. Period.

 

[jhande]

In general yes, but shocks effect the spring rate. On a tiny truck like a D21 it WILL make a difference. This is why things like air shocks used to be popular for towing

You can believe what you want.
I've been an auto tech for over 40 years, I've learned a thing or two.
Air shocks were used for both raising the back of cars for clearance of wide tires in wheel wells (old muscle car days). Also for increasing the load capacity of a vehicle. Is it the correct way of doing either? Not really, takes the spring weight handling out of the equation and relying on the shocks. Ever see an air shock fail? The proper way is to replace the weak springs, if you need more weight capacity, add a leaf.

 

[Rebelwork]

Everything is step 1-2-3. Right now shocks are bad. I know this I will replace first. I've had the truck almost 20 years, I'm on nissan forums and know how the truck stance should be. If new shocks do nothing , then you go to step 2.

I'm 56 and have had my share of old camaros, 442's and Mavericks all jacked up on oversized tires with over sized tires. Rough ride. It served more for looks than traction....

Considering the boat is 77 and the trailer is 85 , I'll bet the boat was thrown on and quickly fitted. As mentioned I'll take a close look at the boat there could vary well be a couple inches in height to lower which would help.

I notice when the boy moves from back to front the boat floats much easier. When he moves forward to release the hook on the front. This makes the weight go down and he has to push it back off the front roller.

I took a look at the 9.5 Evinrude that came with the boat. It seems it won't take much to get it back in the water. This would help assist it off the trailer as well.

 

[Rebelwork]

#1... I haven't unloaded the boat by myself yet because it's a manual and I'm learning to trust the brakes in the ramp.

#2..... if I pull it around to the dock I would need a 30'-40' rope. Otherwise it could drift into the rocks...

 

[matt167]

You can believe what you want.
I've been an auto tech for over 40 years, I've learned a thing or two.
Air shocks were used for both raising the back of cars for clearance of wide tires in wheel wells (old muscle car days). Also for increasing the load capacity of a vehicle. Is it the correct way of doing either? Not really, takes the spring weight handling out of the equation and relying on the shocks. Ever see an air shock fail? The proper way is to replace the weak springs, if you need more weight capacity, add a leaf.

I agree with you, but I was stating that it can make a difference on a D21 pickup. It was designed and built in the time that air shocks were being added for just that. Was it right, no but it worked for what it was.

 

[poconojoe]

#2..... if I pull it around to the dock I would need a 30'-40' rope. Otherwise it could drift into the rocks...

I still say not to launch with your 200 pound son in the boat, it's got to help.

After you drive away, he can beach the boat off to one side of the ramp, it's aluminum I can't see any harm in that.

He can either wait there for you or walk it around to the dock. If that is difficult, get a longer rope, shove the boat way out, walk around to the dock, pull the boat to the dock and tie it off. I can't see a problem with this unless there's some very serious currents or crazy wind.

Do what you want. My ideas/experience are just suggestions.

 

[JimS123]

I still say not to launch with your 200 pound son in the boat, it's got to help.

After you drive away, he can beach the boat off to one side of the ramp, it's aluminum I can't see any harm in that.

He can either wait there for you or walk it around to the dock. If that is difficult, get a longer rope, shove the boat way out, walk around to the dock, pull the boat to the dock and tie it off. I can't see a problem with this unless there's some very serious currents or crazy wind.

Do what you want. My ideas/experience are just suggestions.

THIS^^^

Launching a small boat with a large person in it is a safety hazard.

A boat that small can simply be pushed off the trailer. They don't need to float.

I learned how NOT to load and launch by sitting at the boat ramp with a cold one watching all of the other newbies.

I learned hot to do it right when taking the boating safety course.

 

[poconojoe]

Agree. Just shove the little boat off the trailer. Have a tag line attached to the bow.

The 200 pound kid's weight is probably 3/4 of the weight of the boat alone.

 

[Rebelwork]

Right now standing behind the boat shoving it off the trailer is a higher risk until I have confidence in the braking..

There have been some things mentioned to look at,but thanks for the concern...

 

[poconojoe]

Right now standing behind the boat shoving it off the trailer is a higher risk until I have confidence in the braking..

There have been some things mentioned to look at,but thanks for the concern...

I assume you meant standing behind the truck, not the boat. If you were standing behind the boat, you'd be in the water!

Shove a wheel chock under your tire. I even do that with my new truck. I've seen too many boat ramp fails on You Tube!
I carry a homemade chock. I had a 4x4 block that I cut diagonally to make two chocks.

 

[JimS123]

Right now standing behind the boat shoving it off the trailer is a higher risk until I have confidence in the braking..

There have been some things mentioned to look at,but thanks for the concern...

If there is a potential problem with braking, you need to take the truck off the road immediately until its fixed. Forget about trailing a boat trailer. If you can't do that you should not be driving a defective vehicle.

When unloading a boat, you should not be behind the vehicle OR the boat. Before you do anything you need to enroll in a boating safety course.

Boats are luxury items. Put money into fixing your vehicle before you tryb to go boating...

 

[matt167]

I remember my dad leaving his in 1st gear, rather than reverse. Use the brakes to get it close, then let it roll back and let the clutch out and pull the trailer out once the boat started to float. It does the same thing as hitting the brakes if you have a 5spd, and you can do that all while not even touching the brakes.... However the thought of actually doing that, and towing with a vehicle I did not fully trust is why I retired my 1995 F250 and bought a brand new 2021 Ranger. Fixed that little issue real easy

 

[Rebelwork]

No problem with braking. I dont think i stated there was a problem with brakes.I just don't like to leave the truck until I know I can trust it on a hill. I may start getting it close to the launch curb and cutting the wheels. So far so good.

I took auto mechanics in high achool and did a lot of brake service..Been around the truck on the brakes.

Shocks are in the works.

The main question was boat length to the trailer. I'm not interested in my truck maintenance..

 

[poconojoe]

No problem with braking. I dont think i stated there was a problem with brakes.I just don't like to leave the truck until I know I can trust it on a hill. I may start getting it close to the launch curb and cutting the wheels. So far so good.

I took auto mechanics in high achool and did a lot of I'm not interested in my truck maintenance..

You brought up the fact that the shocks are rusted out, then brought up the fact that you didn't trust the brakes.
The tow vehicle's condition and ability are part of your launching problem.
Your disregard for safety is evident and appalling.
And what about the safety of others at the ramp and on the road?
Get that piece of junk off the road.

 

[JimS123]

The main question was boat length to the trailer. I'm not interested in my truck maintenance..

Yes, the thread slowly evolved because one comment lead to another and we got sidetracked by safety issues. Apologies for that.

So, I reviewed the pictures a little closer. To answer your question, the boat should not stick out beyond the back of the trailer. Your trailer is too short. However, due to the boat'slight weight, you probably can move the winch post a couple feet forward to put the transom right at the end of the bunks. That will give you a little more tongue weight, which can only be a good thing.

Also, by the looks of the bunks, your carpeting is shot. That certainly adds to your launching problems. Replace it with ezslides and the boat will launch like a breeze and you will only need to back in far enough to get the trailer tires wet.

If my assessment is wrong because I misinterpreted the photos, provide a better view underneath the boat.

 

[Rebelwork]

You brought up the fact that the shocks are rusted out, then brought up the fact that you didn't trust the brakes.
The tow vehicle's condition and ability are part of your launching problem.
Your disregard for safety is evident and appalling.
And what about the safety of others at the ramp and on the road?
Get that piece of junk off the road.

Thank you for thecomment...

 

[Rebelwork]

Yes, the thread slowly evolved because one comment lead to another and we got sidetracked by safety issues. Apologies for that.

So, I reviewed the pictures a little closer. To answer your question, the boat should not stick out beyond the back of the trailer. Your trailer is too short. However, due to the boat'slight weight, you probably can move the winch post a couple feet forward to put the transom right at the end of the bunks. That will give you a little more tongue weight, which can only be a good thing.

Also, by the looks of the bunks, your carpeting is shot. That certainly adds to your launching problems. Replace it with ezslides and the boat will launch like a breeze and you will only need to back in far enough to get the trailer tires wet.

If my assessment is wrong because I misinterpreted the photos, provide a better view underneath the boat.

Thanks for the comment. The truck shock exteriors have become rusty. The Nissan D21 doesn't weigh a lot and isn't noticeable othere than the small drop in the back. Even pulling the boat is easy, but getting the small boat and now looking it's time to put a few dollars in the truck. Originally I had shut the truck down as a back up. It sat 2 years .it's runs good but needs to be upgraded to pull the boat.

I'm getting to thingss one at a time. The first time I pulled the boat off I inspected the bunks. They need to be replaced. I'll try and get the boat off and replace these..