Pontoon boat trailer question

[halmc]

Although this is a trailer question, I think only pontoon boat folk would have a clue about the issue.

I bought a Godfrey pontoon boat, well used, but handsome nonetheless.

It came with a galvanized trailer of the very narrow design, the type where the 'toons hang off the sides and the boat is supported in the middle.

This one has some sort of device that permits the wheels, axles and springs -- dare I call the assy a truck? -- to be moved fore and aft about three, maybe four feet.

The trailer has two winches: one conventional to pull the boat on the trailer, but the second is cabled and routed such that cranking in the winch moves the truck forward on the trailer. But there is nothng to move it aft.

QUESTION: What is this device designed to do? Looks like a lot of expense for the manufacturer and a lot of hassle for the owner for no apparent benefit(?)

The rigging (cables) look very much factory installed, and I see no evidence that any of it is missing.

I'll take a picture and post it here as soon as the Florida liquid sunshine lets up a bit . . .

 

[craigmack]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

You're describing a scissor/lift style trailer. I've never heard of the axles moving forward or backwards. I would think the winch in question actually lifts/lowers the rail assembly the boat rests upon.

 

[craigmack]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

Hmm.... it does look different than the lift trailers I've seen. If in fact the axles do move, do they do so on an incline and by moving them forward it raises the rails? If so, then I would have to say the weight of the boat would help lower it when crank in the other direction. I would also think this design would be very problematic and only work on level ground. Could you post some more pics of the axle assembly area?

 

[halmc]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

Hmm.... it does look different than the lift trailers I've seen. If in fact the axles do move, do they do so on an incline and by moving them forward it raises the rails? If so, then I would have to say the weight of the boat would help lower it when crank in the other direction. I would also think this design would be very problematic and only work on level ground. Could you post some more pics of the axle assembly area?

It occured to me that the design may simply facilitate the carrying of pontoon boats of a variety of lengths -- enabling the dealer to adjust the location of the axle to yield the appropriate tongue weight, according to the length of the boat with which the trailer is to be used.

However, it also seems that the winch and the moving blocks, etc. are a waaaaay too complicated way to make the trailer dealer-adjustable. This arrangement seems more suited to the customer/owner making changes. Maybe to enable the boat to be launched from a short ramp????

Moving the truck forward or aft does not change the height of the rails appreciably.

Anyhow, here's a few more pictures:

the dual winchs


The cables and pulleys with the truck pulled all the way forward. The front of the trailer is to the left.


The truck assy pulled forward viewing from the bacck of the trailer:


Truck assy pulled forward, and looking from the back

 

[bennyboy1]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

Get a bunk trailer if you are going to haul your toon often or far.

Take that contraption to a pontoon dealership and unload it, they would want to move boats around their lot with it.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

Get a bunk trailer if you are going to haul your toon often or far.

Take that contraption to a pontoon dealership and unload it, they would want to move boats around their lot with it.

I agree, this looks more like a trailer to move boats around on yards. Plus the wheels look too close together, how stable would it be going down the road at 60mph ?? a sharp turn could tip it over ??? Too many cables, too many things could go wrong. But then again it would depend how your going to use it ??? maybe a good time for a new or used trailer upgrade ???

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

Rube Goldberg. You'll be cussing a blue storm every time you try to use that rig. They are too narrow so you have to be careful when turning. All bets are off in a panic stop. Flat tire? Unload the boat so you can change the tire. I don't even think any self-respecting boat yard would be interested in it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

That is a yard trailer at best and not worth messing with unless you use it solely to put the boat in the water at your lakeshore properly and remove it at seasons end. And for those who feel the sissor trailers are not stable, you need to look at the laws of physics. The weight of the pontoons is very low (close to the road) so the actual CG of the rig is much lower than it would appear. Are they as stable as a bunk style 'toon trailer? No! But not nearly as unstable as people make them out to be. I've owned both and have towed many miles with various makes and models and have experienced no "uneasy" moments with either design. But the fact remains, I would not tow the unit in this thread across the street. It is no wonder some manufacturers go out of business.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

And for those who feel the sissor trailers are not stable, you need to look at the laws of physics. The weight of the pontoons is very low (close to the road) so the actual CG of the rig is much lower than it would appear.

I'm going to respectfully disagree. The weight isn't in the logs, it's in the deck. That makes the CG very high for any of this style trailer. Combine the high CG with the narrowness of the wheels and you have a recipe for disaster. I'm not saying the boat comes off the trailer...rather the boat and trailer go over easily.

 

[craigmack]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

So it does look like it just moves the axle fore/aft. Seems pointless, maybe to adjust tongue weight(?) but what the heck locks the axle into place? As others have said, get yourself a better (and much safer) trailer. Tires are shot and one cable has already broken in one spot... looks dangerous to me. I would not take that trailer onto the open roads!

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

I have a very high quality scissor lift trailer and the axles move. You can move them for stability or better turning.

I have had bunk trailers too. Both have their ups and downs.

If you tow a lot, go with a bunk. But, scissor trailers are great for launching. I can drop my toon into any depth of water or on the ground and without getting my rear wet. I have been able to launch when others can't even boat.

 

[halmc]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

I've used and currently own both scissor and bunk pontoon trailers and don't have a preferance. I don't recall asking for any advice, but it is so very much cherished, and woefully irrelavant.

I use the trailer(s) to take the boat out of the water for occasional, routine maintnence. That usually involves a round trip of about 600 yards.

Fleet Admiral Silvertip, the only seasons we have in Tallahassee are football, basketball and baseball. Can't imagine why I'd wanna take my boat out of the water on those occasions. Can you?

So nobody knows why the trailer has the movable axle, ey?

 

[crb478]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

I really believe that the trailer was designed to launch pontoons in shallow water. Gravity or gravity and blocking the wheels will let you lower the boat. Winch the axle back forward to raise it and then drive off. It doesn't look like it would be much use putting pontoons on the ground.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

halmc. these trailers have been used for atleast 30 some years. What is the point of your Rave.
Very good trailers.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

The only logical purpose for the adjustable axles that I can think of would be to adjust the tongue weight. Ideal for a dealer or marina which would be dealing with toons of varying length, launching and retrieving often, and hauling short distances.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

You folks are all missing how it works - it is a scissor trailer. When you move the carriage back then the axe drops since only 1 half of the axle attachment is on the carriage. There are a few of those around here and they are no worse than a regular scissor, but not as easy to dump a pontoon in the yard with.

Here is a thread with a picture of how it works.
http://forums.iboats.com/trailers-towing/why-does-trailer-have-sliding-axle-section-568725.html

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

:focus: I'll guess and say it can be used for different length of boats :yield:

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

The way a sissor trailer works is that it doesn't use bunk boards is because it lifts the boat between the toons .Isn't that right guys? The wheel base on that trailer is way to narrow . I might pull that rig with a Garden tractor but not with anything bigger. Does it have tail lights or a license plate

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

All you guys are clueless when offering the advice on these trailers. esp.
Halmc

I've used and currently own both scissor and bunk pontoon trailers and don't have a preferance. I don't recall asking for any advice, but it is so very much cherished, and woefully irrelavant.

Wasting peoples Time

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: Pontoon boat trailer question

I don't know anything about that trailer or how it works, but I would advise replacing those cables ASAP if your going to use it. It appears that the lower winch has the cable spliced together with a clamp? A clamp that gets wound onto the spool? Who thought that was a good idea?