Is my trailer too small?

[jsfinn]

This is a boat I've been working on forever to get it restored.. It's getting close now but of course when you see the light at the end of the tunnle, something else pops up..<br /><br />Whenever I climb up on the boat from the transom, my weight is enough to lift the front wheel up off the ground and have the whole thing tilt back. The outboard isn't on yet, but that'll weigh around 130 lbs which is starting to worry me... it seems like the bow is really light.<br /><br />The trailer isn't the best - it's an old 80's something Sea King tilt trailer. It has a lot of rust on it.<br /><br />Assuming that I can get the bolts off, from the pictures, does it look like I have room to move the axle back?<br /><br />I don't think I can move the winch tower any more forward.<br /><br />Do I need a bigger trailer?<br /><br />

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<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Is my trailer too small?

The pictures might be a little misleading - sorry about the quality.<br /><br />To clarify some, the trailer bunks end maybe 2 or 3 feet shy of the transom and winch tower is probably 3 feet from the hitch. I might have a few inchs to move it but any more than that and it would get in the way of crank for the tongue jack.<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Is my trailer too small?

It appears to me that moving the winch post/bow stop toward the hitch would solve the tongue load issue. The boat is simply sitting to far to the rear of the trailer. The issue I have is with weight. Tires look like 5.70x8 and I hope they are load range C or D. And even then they may be overloaded as the boat looks heavy for the tires.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Is my trailer too small?

Thanks Upinsmoke - the tires are trash and will be replaced before taking it out anywhere. One of them won't hold air and both of them are old and rotted.<br /><br />The boat (with nothing in it and no outboard) only weighs 550 lbs.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Is my trailer too small?

How close can the winch post safely be to the end of the trailer?

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Is my trailer too small?

The boat's transom needs to be supported by the trailer bunks. This means that the trailer bunks should extend to the transom. <br /><br />For you to accomplish this, you need to see what options you have. Make all of the boat position changes first before you move the axle. <br /><br />You can move the winch stand forward as far as you like. The limitation is usually the tow vehicle and its relationship to the boat when it is hooked up. On my vehicle, I like to open the rear hatch while the boat is hooked up. This defined how much clearence was needed. Another consideration may be having enough clearence when making tight turns with the trailer. I don't think it will be an issue based on your hull shape. The other consideration is tongue weight. Moving the boat forward, increases the tongue weight of the trailer. <br /><br />One downside to moving the boat very far forward on the trailer is that it puts the vehicle closer to the water when launching since you will need to back in farther to launch the boat.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Is my trailer too small?

Thanks for the input. Even if I move the winch stand as far forward as I can, the boat will still overhang the bunks by a almost a foot... Also, I don't know why but I just don't like the boat being that close to the back of my vehicle. I think I'll start looking for a new trailer.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Is my trailer too small?

Good decision.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Is my trailer too small?

Well, I came across a nice deal on a larger trailer yesterday. It's galvanized, tilts, new tires, and has roller bunks.<br /><br />The price is right and it even comes with a free boat on it. <br /><br />I'll give the free boat away on my old trailer ... it'll be someone elses problem.