New roller trailer setup

[mannyq]

As a soon to be a first time boat owner I have been reading lots of do's don'ts about boats/motor in these forums. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything about this. When I picked up a Karavan roller trailer for a 23ft legacy Walkaround, I asked the dealer how to setup the rollers without having the boat available. He said to measure the hull and place the rollers as close as possible to the keel centerline, as long as the surface is flat. This would support the boat better since the closer to the centerline, the more support the hull has. He also said that the by keeping the rollers closer, when loading/unloading, you keep the keel from hitting the cross members. My questions are 1.Wouldn't this increase the center of gravity of the boat on the traile? 2. Won't you have to push the trailer deeper into the water since the boat sits higher? 3. The boats will be placed on the trailer via forklift (to the best of my knowledge). Should I have them place it in the water and load/unload till I've got things adjusted close enough or adjust it when its being lowered close to the trailer?<br /><br />I don't disagree with the support issue, my main concern is that the initial loading onto the trailer may not be the best support until I get a chance to tweak things.<br /><br />Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.<br />Thanks.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: New roller trailer setup

If your Dealer is doing the set up they should have a good idea on whats correct, but then again if the dealer is anything like the dealer I had when I bought my current boat, they can screw it up enough as to cause a unsafe load and cause the Boat to fall off trailer But anyway thats another topic. So far I agree with your dealers idea of set up but I have found by trial and error that the best set up is that roller be set 6 to 8 inches from center keel for the inside rollers and then about 6 to 8 inches from the chines for the outside rollers at the back of the boat, also be sure the transom is supported and not to much overhang, then adjust the rollers following the contour of the hull has you go forward,so as the boat remains fairly level and will clear the fenders, once you get to the front on the boat you then want to adjust your winch post so that the strap is straight and flat when hooked to the bow eye, or strap appears level to bow eye from winch, and bow roller does not interfer with strap,this really makes a big differance when loading the boat, once done then you need to check trailer tongue weight, 7 to 10% of your total weight should be on hitch ball with tongue at as level as possible when hooked to tow vehicle, if tongue weight needs to be corrected, this is best done by moving axle on trailer back to increase and forward to decrease, everything i have mentioned is just a good starting point, therefore a bit tweaking may be required, for that just go to the ramp when not busy and unload and load boat slowly watch carefully how boat goes on and off trailer, and make adjustments, I suggest when making adjustments, do only one or 2 at a time, mark your orginal position with some tape,before you tweak and make adjustment in small increments, spend some time tuning the setup you'll be glad you did when loading and unloading is always fast smooth and the boat loads perfect always, I did.. mine does and its 20ft long and 3800lbs...I can have it on the trailer and out in less than 2 minutes.. I'm sure other members have some good ideas also.

 

[BassMan283]

Re: New roller trailer setup

Remember that the whole point of a roller trailer is to roll it off, not float it off. I back mine in until the boat just touches the water and it works good. If I go in too far, it's almost impossible to drive off. Once the back starts to float, it puts a bind on the front keel roller and hangs up.

 

[mannyq]

Re: New roller trailer setup

When loading the boat from the water onto the roller trailer, should the boat float over the rearmost rollers or start contact just beyond the bow keel area?

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: New roller trailer setup

When loading you don't want the boat floating over the trailer you need to have contact with the rollers and hull, to stabilize the boat so it settles strait and center on the trailer, what I find usally works for me at most ramps I use which all vary in quality some good some not is that I keep the tops of the trailer fenders about 2 to 3 inches above the water, boat loads perfect every time. I determined this bench mark by first launching the boat and paying attention to when the back of boat starts to float,I then pull up ramp just a bit to settle boat back on trailer but just barely, mentally mark depth of trailer and use that for trailer position when retreiving boat...Note I only did that the first launch, ever since then I used that benchmark I set and no problems, I just put a Fancy stripe across the front on the fender when the water hit the stripe I know Its deep enough to unload and load easily.

 

[mannyq]

Re: New roller trailer setup

I guess I see the difference now. I'm used to going out on a boat that had bunks and that you wanted to float on as much as practical. I'll try to report back once i get things properly adjusted.<br /><br />Thanks all for the tips.

 

[BassMan283]

Re: New roller trailer setup

Going to expand on what Northern Eclipse said a little bit.<br /><br />When loading, I place the trailer so that the rearmost rollers are just under water. I come up just fast enough to maintain direction. As soon as the boat makes contact with the rear rollers, I take it out of gear for a second or 2 and let it settle. Then I go back in gear and wiggle the motor around until the boat is pretty well lined up on the trailer, then pour the wood on and drive it up to the tower. Then pull back to about idle but leave it in gear so it won't roll off while I go up and hook the winch strap and safety chain. Go back, shut down and raise the motor.<br /><br />For unloading, leave the winch strap and safety chain attached until you've started the motor and put it in gear. Otherwise, your boat might roll off in an unfortunate place. Friend of mine lost his a couple of years ago because he didn't have a safety chain and the winch strap broke while his brother was backing him down the ramp.

 

[mannyq]

Re: New roller trailer setup

BassMan283,<br />I take it you launch and retrieve solo based on your procedure? What length/type of boat? When does length become a two person launch and retrieve operation? I'ld be a bit leary doing this on a 23' walkaround by myself. Then again, the wife can't backup the trailer and she hasn't gotten her fins wet launching and retreiving (wish me luck! ).

 

[TOMMYM]

Re: New roller trailer setup

I launch and retreive my 24' Monterey by myself.<br />Try different ways and you should find something<br />that works for you. Tom

 

[BassMan283]

Re: New roller trailer setup

helios, I have a 17' Lund, obviously smaller than what you're talking about. But I think the principle is pretty much the same. A couple of months ago, I was on the reservoir close to one of the ramps and watched a guy solo load what I'm guessing was 25' to 26' boat of the sort I call "small yacht". It was tall enough that he had a 4 rung ladder hanging off the bow so he could climb down to attach the winch strap. He had a roller trailer and followed exactly the procedure I outlined. I imagine the first few times you'd want a spotter or two to help with sight lines, but this guy made it look like old pie.

 

[mannyq]

Re: New roller trailer setup

Like they say, it's only a matter of time before i find out what works and doesn't. The ladder bit sounds like an idea. I may try that out. Thanks BassMan283.<br />