I hate my trailer

[BJM]

I have a 17' Regal O/B. My trailer is an EasyLoad'r (spelling?) There are 2 keel rollers at the front. Whenever I try to float the boat at all going in, the keel moves off to the side of the rollers and gets chewed by the brackets. I seem to have to roll the boat in with 2 inches of the tires still showing. I have to really shove the boat off, otherwise it chews up the keel.<br /><br />Every other boat seems to be able to launch by completely floating the boat off the trailer. Is my trailer a piece of junk or am I just doing something wrong?<br /><br />Coming in I have to pull the boat out with the winch a long way or else it won't settle onto the rollers. If the back floats at all, it tries to chew itself.<br /><br />Any suggestions?

 

[martyscher]

Re: I hate my trailer

It may be possible to convert your trailer to using bunks.<br /><br />If installed correctly, they will tend to self-center the boat using gravity.<br /><br />They are night and day different in forgiveness, when loading at odd angles or low water.<br /><br />I'll never have a trailer with rollers again.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[495v]

Re: I hate my trailer

I second that!!! I will never go roller's again, got tired of having to get in the water or pull out only to find I'm not center on the trailer.

 

[BJM]

Re: I hate my trailer

I have used another trailer in the past that had bunks (I didn't know thats what they were called) and it sure was easy. It wasn't my trailer though.<br /><br />Is there any issue with supporting a boat along only two lines instead at so many points?

 

[marty_scher]

Re: I hate my trailer

I'm not expert, but you'd think that it is possible to install more than 2 (if needed), and still allow easier loading.<br /><br />You might want to check your local boat dealer for more info.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: I hate my trailer

BJM, Have you thought about installing side bunks that are used to locate the boat while loading / unloading. They mount on the side frame rails of your trailer. These are very helpful to centre the boat while fighting wind or current and they may be what you need. <br /><br />The kits can be purchased at most marinas , trailer dealers, on line or at some parts stores. They are comonly refered to as "Drive on Kits" and the side bunks come in lenghts from 2 feet to 5 feet long.<br /><br />Mike.

 

[sloopy]

Re: I hate my trailer

<br /><br />if I tell you guys some of my trailor stories I will give you guys heart attacks!

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: I hate my trailer

I know... this must be the sequel to the "I hate my wife" epic? "I hate my trailer"<br /><br />I LOVE my trailer. It's a "fair dinkum" kiwi made machine with it's rollers arranged in wide vee shaped sections to fit the shape of the bottom of the hull. When rollers are set up and arranged properly, there is no beating them for ease of operation. It sounds like there aren't enough rollers on your trailer.

 

[Down South]

Re: I hate my trailer

I agree with Mike, The side bunks will hold it centered on the trailer and are easily installed. <br /><br />Good luck,

 

[Jango]

Re: I hate my trailer

I would diffently convert to BUNKS,a world of difference.<br />Use two 2x6 or 5/4x6 (better) about 8 ft long, starting at the transom, positioned directly under the boats main stringers - usually 3 to 4 ft apart. You can determine the spacing by opening the bottom hatch (I assume you have one)and measuring between the stringers (beams). Besure the BUNKS are in contact with the boat the entire lenght. You will have to determine the method of fastening the bunks.

 

[MikeMoonpie]

Re: I hate my trailer

Trailers..... You either love it, or hate it. I have owned dozens of them during my "boat exchange life", and the aluninum float on type works best in salty Florida. As to your dilemma, find the stringers, and add bunks beneath all the way just past the transom, a little. Leave the rollers you have.<br /> My boat is 22', and these bunks are 4"x8"x12' cypress wood, on that aluminum frame. It actually floats this trailer, with just the tops of the carpeted bunks being just barely above surface. As the boat goes on it centers itself, and sinks the trailer. Between the V shaped guide up front, and the aluminum rear upright guides, it loads just right all the way on. One quick hook on the front eye, and I am gone! Good luck.

 

[Jango]

Re: I hate my trailer

I have to disagree with Mike. If you leave the rollers, you will continue to have the same problems. You want ALL of the boats weight on the Bunks. My 17ft boat will guide itself onto the Bunks if it is placed within a foot or two of center. ESCORT Trailer works great - NO ROLLERS

 

[ndemge]

Re: I hate my trailer

I'm in the process of adding more bunks to my trailer. All it has is one single pair on the bottom, and 6 the large 12" bottom rollers <br /><br />I'm adding a 2nd pair of bunks for the rear, and a pair on the side to guide it in. Nothing more frustrating than trying to get this thing out of the river with the current floating you down stream.<br /><br />I went to homedepot and bought 2 8' Treated 2x6. <br />I'm going to bend some steel that I have to make brackets, counter-sink carrage bolts into the wood and go through the brackets, so there is no chance of the hardware coming in contact to the boat. A little marine adhesive and bunk carpet from BassPro....you don't need much glue, just some on the ends, and a few spots in between. and staple the carpet to the back side of the bunk.<br /><br />Bolt everything on.... don't weld.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: I hate my trailer

also, isn't there something you can spray on the bunks to reduce friction? silicone or PAM or something like that?

 

[blifsey]

Re: I hate my trailer

There is a special spray called "Liquid Rollers". Have also heard of folks using spary silicon (not silicon "caulk"), furniture polish (paste type) and PAM. I was going to spray bunks on my previous boat but traded it instead . Another trick for getting loaded easier is to back trailer deep enough to wet entire bunk and then pull up until at proper depth.<br /><br />BL...

 

[pmueller]

Re: I hate my trailer

I use Liquid Rollers on my bunks...a world of difference. I keep a can in my truck and re-apply every 3-4 launches. But like the label says be careful when launching... make sure you don't unhook until you're ready...at a steep ramp she'll slide right off. And don't try to walk on the bumpers...you'll slide right off! Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Arnold96]

Re: I hate my trailer

I bought and added some "trailer slicks" from Overtons to my bunks, and it made a big difference. Just make sure there is a set under each stringer.

 

[lepper]

Re: I hate my trailer

Bunks are nice. but My boat doesn't center itself on the trailer, I had to add the guide board kits, or drive on kit.. and that made all the difference. Also I Just back down and get the bunks all submerged then pull out to the sweet spot.

 

[Greg Lawrence]

Re: I hate my trailer

hey i saw this one trailer we sprayed at work with bedliner (line-x) so the guy had us spray everything, including the bunks, we bolted it all together, then we counter sunk teflon sheets onto the bunks. the boat loads soo smooth but the guy had some jack and teflon sheet isnt cheap.

 

[Brickman]

Re: I hate my trailer

Like PJ57 said >>>"I use Liquid Rollers on my bunks...a world of difference. I keep a can in my truck and re-apply<br /> every 3-4 launches. But like the label says be careful when launching... make sure you don't<br /> unhook until you're ready...at a steep ramp she'll slide right off. And don't try to walk on the<br /> bumpers...you'll slide right off! Don't ask me how I know. "<<<<<<br /><br />You can even use something as simple as Meguiar's Vinal & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner.... but the boat will slip slide away, in my case after a year.