Boat bounces on trailer.

[scott8058]

I have a 95 Bayliner 2050 ss with a 95 escort trailer that says capri on it so i think its the original made for the boat, but when i pull it the boat bounces like crazy and moves on there. I tie the front of the boat down around the trailer and that seems to help a little but im wondering if i need to move my winch forward or if the problem is that the boat doesn't touch the bunks attached to the wheel wells. Any help is appreciated as it gets kinda scary on a bumpy road!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Need 2 more pictures - the bow resting on the bow stop and the boat resting on the bunks (pic from the back or underneath). The fender is not a bunk - the carpet is just there so you don't skuff up the boat on the fenders.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

No mention of rear transom straps .... do you have them? Or two metal eyes on the rear of the boat where straps could/should connect?

just thought i would mention it.

 

[scott8058]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Ok here are the other 2 pics and yes i do use the straps on the back. the last time we had her out the battery died and we ended up having to winch it onto the trailer so normally its pulled up another inch or two but even when it is she still bounces and shifts like crazy. I called bayliner and they gave me the model # of the standard trailer for the boat but where would i find that on the trailer? its not on the registration or title. Oh and also the original 5.0 was swapped out for a 5.7, would the added weight be enuf to throw it off balance?

Thanks

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

the straps at the back should be pulled vertically down and yours look as if there off at some 30 degree angle from the horizontal.
i personally have a 4 wheel trailer which spreads the total load and have the same size vessel as yourself with rollers rather than bunks but the straps should have a solid clamping bar very close to the transoms position on the trailer similar to this;http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/i...b=13i4cfgnb&sigi=11qndpjm8&.crumb=yd8a5I4HEdy

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Are the bunks positioned so that the hull can not slide sideways once loaded ??
Photo of the entire stern on the bunks would help.

 

[jkust]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Is it possible you have a broken leaf spring? Does the trailer itself glide along smooth or do the tires bounce a bit? A bad tire or out of round rim can cause that.

 

[scott8058]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

My straps are on right, the part on the trailer that they hook to is right behind the tail lights on the side not straight down. As for the leaf spring i don't believe so but i have nvr looked, it pulls fine on the highway or a smooth road but yes the tires do bounce quite a bit on the bumpy roads in my neighborhood. And the bunks are angled inward so its not like the boat slides side to side its more like it wont stay level, moves around like that

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

A 5.0 & 5.7 will weigh the same - Do you have an overall side picture?

LK

 

[dlngr]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Those transom straps don't look right at all. Looks like they are holding the boat FORWARD more than DOWN.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

you moved the winch post backwards because........well that has proberly shifted the center of gravity to far backwards. get bathroom scales then park the boat on level hard ground. put a jack stand on the scale and remember what that weighs. let the trailer couplier down on the jack stand and see how much weight you have on the scales then remove the weight of the jack. you will need at least 120lbs (see you trucks manual for max tounge weight). also if the boat is not level when being towed then air flow under the boat will make it weave and jump.
if this is a fast vibration or gitter (like a rappied jumping) then check spings and tires and fix before towing again

 

[emoney]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Are you 100% sure the boat is moving on the trailer or is the entire package (boat & trailer) bouncing? Sometimes looking in the rearview mirror it can look like just the boat, when it's the combination, at which case, I'd have a closer look at the leaf springs.

 

[scott8058]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Ok lets see from the 1st post, even when the boat is up a couple more inches those straps still do angle out and a little forward. From my experiences with my dad and friends boat theirs do the same. Glenn im kinda confused on what your saying to do there but i didn't move the winch in the first place but the rust marks make me think someone else has. The trailer does jump more than id like it to but i really think the boat is shifting too. My buddy w the baja drove it around the block last week and his first response was "thats scary i wouldn't pull that very far" Ok here's something else i just thought of....when the boat is cranked up u can lift up the front of the boat very easily like its very back heavy. The guys who sold it to me said to crank the tongue all the way down when parked bc it will wheelie on u if u climb in the back. They said its bc of the motor swap and extra weight, and it does sit way low in the back in the water. ok any other opinions lol

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

... Ok here's something else i just thought of....when the boat is cranked up u can lift up the front of the boat very easily like its very back heavy. The guys who sold it to me said to crank the tongue all the way down when parked bc it will wheelie on u if u climb in the back. They said its bc of the motor swap and extra weight, and it does sit way low in the back in the water. ok any other opinions lol

There's your problem!
That boat should have close to 300lbs on the ball.
You should not be able to lift it at all unless you are way stronger than average!

 

[scott8058]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

ok so does that mean i need to move the winch forward?

 

[scott8058]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Because i was talking about lifting the nose of the boat but yes it def is easy to lift where it hooks to the ball.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

You will probably need to move the axle back a foot or so, to get enough weight on the tongue.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

You need 7-10% of the total boat/trailer weight on the hitch ball. If not, it will bounce and wander all over the place on the highway, creating a quite dangerous situation. If your boat/trailer combo weighs 3500 lbs (you may weigh more), you should have 250-350 pounds on the hitch ball. Get the rig weighed then adjust the front post / boat forward till the 7-10% requirement is met and you should be good to go, if the boat is sitting on the bunks properly.

 

[emoney]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Do you have a picture of the entire rig from the side? It does sound like the boat should be several inches forward from where it's sitting now. If you board the boat from the rear and it raises the front/tongue, then your center of gravity is to far backward and needs to shift.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Boat bounces on trailer.

Dump a few bags of sand or similar in the bow to increase tongue weight then take it for a ride to see if it is better. If so then it is time to make some adjustments.