boat and trailer sit very low (to my eye)

[ScottinAZ]

ok, boat is just a basic 16 foot fiberglass v-hull runabout. Nothing fancy. Sitting on the trailer I cannot lower the outdrive without burying the skeg, which makes maintenance a pain in the posterior. Trailer came with the boat, and appears to be appropriately sized. Tires are 215/75/14's. axle however is a drop style and mounted above the springs.

In order to gain some ground clearance, would it be recommended to either replace the axle with a straight one, move it to below the springs, or both. Ride height at the axles is 13 inches for the frame, but only 6 inches at the lowest point at the back of the trailer. This is with the trailer rails level on the jack.

To my eye, I need more height, as to tow it level, you either need a skateboard, or a massive drop hitch for my F250, not to mention rear clearance when readying to launch (due to maintenance issues I have not launched this setup yet, but soon....)

 

[jimmbo]

Pictures would be Nice. I suspect a lot of people would be happy to have your Trailer, as it makes for easier Launching. I have to lower the Tongue of my trailer as low at it goes, to get enough height at the Back to lower the Outdrive. As for your 250, maybe it, like a lot of Trucks these Days, is ridiculously high

 

[ScottinAZ]

Issue isnt completely with the truck. I can compensate for that..... Its just a 1995 F250 4x4, so it does sit pretty tall. However I still think the trailer is too low even just on the jack, with the frame leveled.... here are a few pics. its currently sitting on the jack in the front, with the outdrive off for servicing

 

[JASinIL2006]

Doesn't look that bad to me, but if you wanted another inch or two of clearance, it looks like you have room for larger tires. With a trailer like that, you absolutely want to make sure the draw bar in your receiver has enough drop to keep the trailer level. Have you had trouble with the trailer bottoming out, or do you just not like how it looks?

My trailer sits fairly low - it has a torsion bar axle - and it really does make launching/retrieving much easier, but I cannot get anywhere near lowering my outdrive when the boat is on the trailer - but I don't see why that would be desirable anyway.

 

[jimmbo]

You could relocate the Axle to under the Spring, that would increase the Height a bit, or replace the Axle with one that doesn't have the Drop. Added height might result in increased Aggravation at the Boat Ramp though

 

[briangcc]

Bunks I assume? If so...toss another 2x4 or whatever between your brackets and current bunks. It'll raise you up some. Better yet, if your brackets are adjustable...raise em.

Simple fix without having to flip axles, buy rims/tires, etc...

 

[ScottinAZ]

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Bunks I assume? If so...toss another 2x4 or whatever between your brackets and current bunks. It'll raise you up some. Better yet, if your brackets are adjustable...raise em.

Simple fix without having to flip axles, buy rims/tires, etc...

The bunks need replacement, but the clearance issue is between the frame and the pavement. I only have about 6" between the low point of the trailer and the ground. Bunks will help get the boat higher, but wont stop the trailer from scraping on the small mountains they call speed bumps around here

 

[ScottinAZ]

You could relocate the Axle to under the Spring, that would increase the Height a bit, or replace the Axle with one that doesn't have the Drop. Added height might result in increased Aggravation at the Boat Ramp though

Ok, I think Ill start with flipping the axle. Its cheap, and hopefully the added inch or two will help the ground clearance issue. they like to make the speed bumps HUGE around here, and I dont feel like grounding the trailer on them. if that doesnt help, then a straight axle it is. As for the ramp, I have a full size F250. as long as I dont get the whole bed in the water, I can always go a bit deeper in the lake... otherwise I have issues

 

[Scott Danforth]

or just pull the trailer up on ramps when you have to do maintenance