New trailer setup questions.

[Mark42]

Just bought a new LoadRite 15 ft bunk trailer w/3 keel rollers to haul a 14ft fiberglass ’62 MFG Niagara Deluxe (about 800 lbs boat, motor & supplies). I have two issues:<br /><br />1) How can I move the boat from the old trailer to the new trailer without floating it? (the local lake has had the water level dropped to the point that the ramps are dry)<br /><br />2) The dealer (Camp Marine, Pt Pleasant, NJ) said that the boat should rest on the rollers, and the bunks are there to keep it steady, not to support any great amount of weight. He also said the boat should hang off the back of the bunks at least a foot. Any suggestions as to what method I should use to set the roller/bunk height before putting the boat on the trailer?<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Mark42

 

[Wingnutt]

Re: New trailer setup questions.

Mark42,<br /><br />Given the lack of water at the local ramps, and the purchase of a new trailer from a dealer, I'm surprised that they didn't use thier sling lift to transfer your boat. I recently purchased a nice '98 trailer for my Regal and on top of making me a heck of a deal, they hoisted by boat off the old trailer and backed the "new" one under it. They also helped me set up the trailer for my boat. The "new" trailer is actually meant for a 20-22 foot boat, but the mechanic said that tongue weight was more important than having 14" of bunk hanging out past the transom of my boat. I'm planning on jacking the boat up and moving the bunks foreward this winter. They even helped me move the bow stop and adjusted it for me. I don't like not having anything between the metal step plate on the trailer and the fiberglass of my bow, when I mentioned this to them, they told me that when I buy the parts (roller and mounts) they would help me mount it. I've been pleasently surprised by how helpful they have been and made it a point to call the owner and tell him. Believe it or not, this is a boat yard that only sales pre-owned boats. Also IMHO both the rollers and the bunks should be supporting the boat.

 

[bouner]

Re: New trailer setup questions.

I'm no expert here but commom sense tells you that the rollers should carry the weigth of the boat and the bunks are for balancing the boat so that it does not rock from side to side.

 

[ISkiH2O]

Re: New trailer setup questions.

What size and type of boat? I set mine up so the bunks extend past the transom 2-6 inches. This provides support for teh transom. 1 foot of overhang sound like too much, can cause a hook in the bottom of the boat. Also I set it up so the boat is not supported by the rollers when it is fully on the trailer. The bunks provide a larger surface area to support the boat. The rollers can cause dents in the keel.<br />To be clearer I adjust my trailer so that the boat lifts off the rollers as it settles onto the trailer when I pull it out of the water. Usually requires some trial and error on a quiet ramp.<br />To adjust tongue weight move the axel.<br />I think a good dealer would assist you with this. I also don't like the advice your dealer gave you.<br /> Go check out some boats on their trailers and see how they are set. Also helps to watch the ramps. Notice how some boats glide on and off easily and others require lots of force. Check out how they are fitted on the trailer.

 

[Mark42]

Re: New trailer setup questions.

Wingnutt,<br /><br />I had to drive an hour and a half to get to the trailer dealer, so I didn't want to switch the boat there, then have to go back and retrieve my old trailer. I went that far because the dealer was $200 less than any dealer around me for the same trailer, and he included a spare and jack that other dealers left out.<br /><br />I incorporated the trip into an afternoon at the beach with my daughter and folks, so it was a fun day all around.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: New trailer setup questions.

I have an 18' center console sitting on an Aluminum Magic Tilt. I just ajusted the way my boat sits on the trailer. My Bunks go perfectly to the end of the transom, and the tounge weight is ideal. You can pick it up off the jack, with a little effort, but have enough weight on the tounge that there is no fishtailing while towing, and not much bouncing of the boat because alot of the weight it right over the axle.<br /><br />About the keel rollers. I do not even have keel rollers on my trailer. Most of the trailers I see that are set up for similar boats to mine have the 4"x12" cypress bunk beams (carpeted) and no keel rollers. Personnaly, I like this set-up. It is really easy to load and unload. The boat easily floats off of the trailer, and when driving or floating on (I have the uprights installed) the boat settles down perfectly center on the bunk boards everytime. Is there a problem with not having Keel Rollers?

 

[DJ]

Re: New trailer setup questions.

Mark42,<br /><br />Your boat SHOULD NOT hang off the ends of the bunks. That situation could create a "hook" in your hull.<br /><br />Your boat is probably not that heavy. I would suggest renting a "cherry picker" from you local tool rental yard.