Is my trailer adjusted right?

[j1r11]

I have a 2005 Karavan swing trailer that my 20' Bayliner is on and it just looks long in the tongue and my strap is at a sharp angle. On the road i noriced that the roller post sometimes shakes back and fourth like the strap does not have the bow tight against the roller (but is is).

The bow is more concave than a "V" and is not in full contact with the roller, could that be it? I just bought this so i am not sure if it is normal.

The swing is 3' long

1-2" of bunk sticking out. Is this normal?

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

Looks fine to me. You might be able to raise the bow roller slightly if it bothers you. The bunks sticking out the back is good, Keeps the transom supported well.

LK

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

I think you need to lower the winch post enough so the strap goes over the roller rather then under. The bow hook should be just over the roller. The winch stand then will have to be moved toward the boat.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

With your type of boat and winch stand, yes, the stand needs to be moved down where your bow V roller will be right below the bow eye and strap whhen hooked up. This will allow you to pull the boat in tighter and it will fit your hull better when lowered. You want the strap to be levl to the bow eye when hooked up.

I prefer the hook to be below the V roller on most boats so the strap or cable is in between the frame of the stand, but you don't have that option with the design of your stand.

It will be good to have a second strap from bow eye to the frame on the trailer also. This will keep the bow from bouncing when you hit bumps or if in an accident and the winch stand breaks it could keep the boat safer.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

+2 On lowering the stop. At least try it for fit.

Another option is the twin bow stop with the strap through the middle. It's what I run and it worked out nice.

http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=1464.04&eq=&Tp=

Nice boat and trailer.
huts

 

[sschefer]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

I can't remember off hand what kind of trailers Brunswick ships the Bayliners on but I don't think it was a Karavan. I'm pretty sure there were either Pacific or Easy Loaders. You might want to check with a Bayliner dealer and find out. It's very possible that this is not the original trailer that came with the boat and is just something that was a close fit. If those are the original bunks, Brunswick would not have shipped it with them extending past the transom. There's a ton of reasons that they shouldn't extend past the transom. Balance over the wheels when loading the boat is the number one reason.

 

[JB]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

I would run the safety chain, with a turnbuckle, down to the trailer frame so that it can be adjusted to absolutely prevent the bow from rising in an accident.

 

[j1r11]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

I would run the safety chain, with a turnbuckle, down to the trailer frame so that it can be adjusted to absolutely prevent the bow from rising in an accident.

What does a turnbuckle look like?

 

[j1r11]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

+2 On lowering the stop. At least try it for fit.

Another option is the twin bow stop with the strap through the middle. It's what I run and it worked out nice.

http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=1464.04&eq=&Tp=

Nice boat and trailer.
huts

Thanks for the link and pics.

 

[j1r11]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

With your type of boat and winch stand, yes, the stand needs to be moved down where your bow V roller will be right below the bow eye and strap whhen hooked up. This will allow you to pull the boat in tighter and it will fit your hull better when lowered. You want the strap to be levl to the bow eye when hooked up.

I prefer the hook to be below the V roller on most boats so the strap or cable is in between the frame of the stand, but you don't have that option with the design of your stand.

It will be good to have a second strap from bow eye to the frame on the trailer also. This will keep the bow from bouncing when you hit bumps or if in an accident and the winch stand breaks it could keep the boat safer.

A bit farther down the hull it does shape into a more sharper "V" that would fit the roller better. There are a bunch or rub marks to the left and right or the roller on the hull were it looks like it was jumping around or he was hitting the roller off center while driving onto the trailer. I will try to lower it tomorrow and move it forward. If i do this i won't have to worry about my eye hook hitting my roller will I ?

 

[cyclone540]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

I would run the safety chain, with a turnbuckle, down to the trailer frame so that it can be adjusted to absolutely prevent the bow from rising in an accident

.like this

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

A bit farther down the hull it does shape into a more sharper "V" that would fit the roller better. There are a bunch or rub marks to the left and right or the roller on the hull were it looks like it was jumping around or he was hitting the roller off center while driving onto the trailer. I will try to lower it tomorrow and move it forward. If i do this i won't have to worry about my eye hook hitting my roller will I ?

When you make the adjustment the bow eye will or should be above the roller so you don't hit it. As for all the advice about turn buckles and the likes. The safety chain you have now is just fine. If your bouncing the bow of the boat going down the highway, you need to slow down. Thats a glass 20ft boat. It is pretty heavy. The rub marks are from missing the bow stop when loading.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

"If i do this i won't have to worry about my eye hook hitting my roller will I ? "

Yes, you have a concern. Good catch.

If there is a keel roller close to the bow stop to keep the bow up, then your OK.
If no roller then going deep with the trailer when loading will let the stern float above the bunks and the bow will be low even if your hand cranking it on.

You just have to stop loading and pull the truck out till the stern settles on the bunks.
"loading in stages" and it's a pain.

I doubt you'll have a problem after a couple of times loading. You'll get the hang of how deep to load and unload.

View attachment 136948
huts

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

As for all the advice about turn buckles and the likes. The safety chain you have now is just fine.

I just want to add that while the safety chain you have now is probably sufficient for most normal everyday situations...

In the case of the unforseen emergency stop, or even a break away...that safety chain will allow the boat to gain enough inertia, to possibly rip the bow eye free and stop doing its job...

While that is an extreme case scenario, Safety is our own responsibility, and the few extra dollars that it would cost to securely lock the boat down to the trailer, is, IMHO, cheap insurance...

Again, this in no way can prevent a really bad situation from happening, but it can definitely give you the peace of mind that you have done as much as possible to prevent a problem...

I, also, use two turnbuckles on the stern of the boat, to completely attach it to the trailer...

Some, or even most, might call this overkill, but oh well...to each his own...

Hey, if its gonna go, its gonna go as one unit, not two...Hopefully not, tho...

If you can't Dodge it, Ram it! LOL

 

[j1r11]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

"If i do this i won't have to worry about my eye hook hitting my roller will I ? "

Yes, you have a concern. Good catch.

If there is a keel roller close to the bow stop to keep the bow up, then your OK.
If no roller then going deep with the trailer when loading will let the stern float above the bunks and the bow will be low even if your hand cranking it on.

You just have to stop loading and pull the truck out till the stern settles on the bunks.
"loading in stages" and it's a pain.

I doubt you'll have a problem after a couple of times loading. You'll get the hang of how deep to load and unload.

View attachment 136948
huts

No keel roller. Is this a part that could fit on my current setup? How bout if i go in a bit shallow to start? I plan on getting guide on's to keep the stern from floating around on me.

 

[j1r11]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

When you make the adjustment the bow eye will or should be above the roller so you don't hit it. As for all the advice about turn buckles and the likes. The safety chain you have now is just fine. If your bouncing the bow of the boat going down the highway, you need to slow down. Thats a glass 20ft boat. It is pretty heavy. The rub marks are from missing the bow stop when loading.

Wierd thing is it was the roller post was vibrating more doing 40 then it was on the highway doing 60. Maybe to the highway being a bit smoother?

 

[j1r11]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

.like this
View attachment 136925

Thanks for the pic. Here are some updated pics after i moved the mount. Does this look better? It does fit the hull better this way. The eye will be about 1" lower when i retrieve the boat next time. I lifted the bow and slid the roller toward the stern a inch, so hopefully when i retrieve that my transom and bunks will be flush. Now, my bunks stick out 1"

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

Don't jump the gun. Talk to the PO, he will more than likely tell you he moved the roller up because of the eye hitting the bow stop. That would explain the present setup.

Can you add a roller? Yes, but see how it loads now, you might be fine without. Same thing on the the guides. If the stern is floating around then the trailer is too deep in most cases, and a very common mistake.

Pick a time when the ramps are free and take your time loading. Every setup is different and guessing what you do or don't need is "swag" at best.

Just feel your over thinking this right now. The boat is on the trailer right, so it DID work just fine the way it is.
The twin bow stop, keel roller, moving the stop, guides, ect. are fixes IF needed.

The turnbuckle or straps to hold the boat on the trailer for now is all that needs addressed at present.
huts

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

Opps. Had to walk away and missed your update. It looks better for sure, winch straight on and the roller is good. Just take your time loading to see everything lines up.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Is my trailer adjusted right?

Looks better for sure. And yes, what was said about the stern floating and bringing the bow down is correct. You probably want to drop the post another inch down.

Then get a bow keel support roller that will also help guide the boat in straight to the V-roller. Set the keel roller assembly up while the boat is loaded, Set it so the roller is just barely touching the the keel when fully loaded.

This will help center the boat but wont lift it off your bunks and will not let the bow go downward if you do float the stern when loading or unloading. The keel rollers also come with a little V to them.

And again, Because your strap runs above the bow roller, I would invest in a strap or turnbuckle to the trailer in front of the winch stand. Do not attach it to the post! Defeating the purpose is you do.