Boat rollers for the trailer

[ColoradoKid]

Hi all, I am the new (old) guy. I have a 12' SmokerCraft flat bottom JonBoat. The trailer has two 2x4s that the boat sits on. I am 60 years old and it has been almost impossable for me to launch or put this flat bottom back on the trailer. Once it hits the 2x4. it sticks and I just had to horse it off and on. I checked out some rollers but the cost turned me away. Now for the part I would like to share. I went to the thrift store and bought a pair of roller blade skates for $3.00. Took off the wheels (4 per side) and mounted 4 on each side of the 2x4s, about 1/2 inch above the top. When I set the boat back on the trailer the front was cranked up past leval and the boat shot off onto the driveway. Oh Yea, it works. Just wanted to share although I am sure someone here has already done it.

 

[northvanwatertaxi]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

thing is your not supposed to have rollers for an aluminum boat. why? because it leaves dents
if you want your boat to launch better try putting the trailer in deeper, or make the trailer longer by adding to the tounge and or wait for high tide or try a steeper ramp
imho

 

[ColoradoKid]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

thing is your not supposed to have rollers for an aluminum boat. why? because it leaves dents
if you want your boat to launch better try putting the trailer in deeper, or make the trailer longer by adding to the tounge and or wait for high tide or try a steeper ramp
imho

ok

 

[Almeja]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

How about adding some of the 'slick skid' material to the bunks. Available on lots of marine sites or you could make your own out of UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight Plastic)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

looking at the picture, your bow eye is suppose to be below the bow stop. to help keep the boat from coming forward in a quick stop. also put a winch on the trailer, will help tremendously. then just launch deeper. you have a high trailer, with the axle below the springs, you could change that and put the axle above the springs, and that will make launching and retieving easier.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

welcome to the forum! and thanks for sharing - even if those wheels do make 1/2" dents in your boat, I bet it won't impact her performance at all. If anything, they'll help her stay on the trailer.

Adding something to the bow to keep her from joining you in the truck on a sudden stop does sound like a good idea, though...

 

[gewf631]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

thing is your not supposed to have rollers for an aluminum boat. why? because it leaves dents

Wow, that's a first - my 1977 aluminum Starcraft doesn't have any dents, and it's been on a roller trailer it's whole life.

It might be more appropriate to state that having a boat rest on just 8 small contact patches (roller blade wheels are narrow), could put small dents in your boat.

Personally, I wouldn't worry much about-it. You've probably got just as many dents from rocks and the like.

 

[ColoradoKid]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

welcome to the forum! and thanks for sharing - even if those wheels do make 1/2" dents in your boat, I bet it won't impact her performance at all. If anything, they'll help her stay on the trailer.

Adding something to the bow to keep her from joining you in the truck on a sudden stop does sound like a good idea, though...

It's hard to see in the picture but I have a tie down strap from the bow eye to the trailer tung. It's locked down tight. I had to put the axel under to make it higher. I have a tall suv I pull it with.

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

[ tight. I had to put the axel under to make it higher. I have a tall suv I pull it with.
[/quote]

Would'nt it been easier to use a drop hitch?

 

[ColoradoKid]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

[ tight. I had to put the axel under to make it higher. I have a tall suv I pull it with.

Would'nt it been easier to use a drop hitch?[/quote]
Well I gotta say this all has been fun. I came on to a new site to share something that has made life easier for me, and pretty much got my ass handed to me. In march this year I had my spine fused from my ass to my neck and have had to find ways to make life go on for myself. There are a few here that I want to thank for the help and advice you have given. The others it looks like just want to show how superior you are in your vast experiance.
A little sensative? yes. why? you answer that.

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

[
A little sensative? yes. why? you answer that.
[/quote]

This is a forum for discussing ways to solve problems.. Other people may have the same problem as you did and there are several ways to solve any problem. No one means you disrespect.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

First thing you need to know about these forums Colorado is to believe half of what you read. Opinions are like butts -- everyone has one. You are to be commended for your ingenuity. You saw a product that would work and found a cheap way to make a similar product. Second - the suggestion about the bow eye is a very valid one. If you were to stop studdenly that boat would be in the back window of your SUV. Third -- as for rollers and aluminum boats, if you ever get to the Midwest all you will see are aluminum boats riding on roller trailers. Glass boats ride on bunk trailers. I travel thousands of miles a year with my aluminum boat on a roller trailer and have with the previous boat. It didn't have so much as a scratch on the bottom. So -- you wanted to share a project and at least I appreciate it. Consider the other suggestions as well intentioned. Only you can decide which to accept and which to ignore. Cheers -- "Go fish"

 

[northvanwatertaxi]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

I just read an article about trailers and wanted to share what it said.

 

[cgBosun3]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

Hey I think its pretty clever. Besides, who wants a jonboat without any dents or scratches? They ad character and denote a boat that gets USED. Nothing drives me crazy as fast a seeing a gleaming boat in a slip that gets cleaned regularly, but never goes anywhere...

 

[DJ]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

Lighten up everyone. "Where there is a will there is a way".

Personaly, I do not like rollers for the reasons stated.

I prefer bunks, with slicks-if needed, and a long tongue-removable, in my case.

 

[ColoradoKid]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

welcome to the forum! and thanks for sharing - even if those wheels do make 1/2" dents in your boat, I bet it won't impact her performance at all. If anything, they'll help her stay on the trailer.

Adding something to the bow to keep her from joining you in the truck on a sudden stop does sound like a good idea, though...

It's hard to see in the picture but I have a tie down strap from the bow eye to the trailer tung. It's locked down tight. I had to put the axel under to make it higher. I have a tall suv I pull it with.

Well I just had a little cheese with my wine and I am sorry for acting like a little kid. There is a vast amount of knowledge here and I know not everyone has the same thoughts. I can't change the axel because the tires will hit the fenders. I am stuck with that. Help me understand what I need to do different to tie down the bow. I have it strapped from the bow eye to the trailer tung, and strapped in the back so it will not move. Take a close up look at how it is and tell me what I can do to change it. Again please accept my apology for being a DORK.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

I thought they were overly tough on ya too, ck...

it's generally considered good practice to have the tie-down under the bow stop...provides a positive stop. The stern straps though pulled tight are probably nearly vertical or slanted up towards the stern...meaning they'll hold the boat down, but will allow it quite a bit of forward travel. If the boat should happen to get thrown forward and if it does manage to push up and over your bow stop, the straps will take a sudden shock, which is different from holding a static load...they could break.

That's the conventional wisdom, more or less. When you said it left the trailer prompted our concern, is all. It's a judgement call. A tie-down strap from your bow eye straight down to the tongue would offer some protection against that risk.

 

[dave524]

Re: Boat rollers for the trailer

Colarado, First off, nice boat. Second, great idea !! I love to see people like myself that are inventive enough to overcome a problem by thinking a little bit, instead of spending money ( that alot of people dont have ) to solve a problem. Boating can be made affordable, just think a little. As far as the bow stop, yes I do agree that it looks inviting to "Pop" over the bow stop in a panik stop while towing. All I would do is run another strap from the bow eye straight down and slightly to the rear of the trailer frame. Rachet it tight and have fun. It is only there for insurance. Have fun and keep posting. Lots of great people here with lots of great ideas.Life is full of idiots too.
Thanks, Dave