Proper set up for roller trailers and aluminum hulls?

[ShoestringMariner]

Here is a picture with the tilt mechanism removed while I was rewelding the trailer.

Picture before I removed the tilt mechanism to reweld trailer.

Picture of me spreading area that contains the tongue when not tilted. When hot dip galvanizing the temperature is around 800 degrees. This will cause some areas to move. Consider it like stress relieving steel. The only area that moved, that I know of is this area where the tongue goes. I had to make a spreader to spread it apart for the tongue to fit. If I had a hydraulic wedge it would have been easier. LOL

Thanks for digging them up. How well did it tilt? I have a smaller tilt trailer and I *think* the pivot location is closer to the axle

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I picked up self centring keel rollers which is this weekends planned project. This trailer has a funky set up where the P.O. put some funky keel rollers in it with some funky wooden support setup. Going to be fun getting it out either the boat on it. No current lake access to “park” it off the trailer temporarily.

But todays questions if I may;

1) Does the position on the trailer look right?

2) How about boat height? The skeg has very little clearance. Obviously I tow with motor tilted up. But I want to launch with motor down. How much clearance should I allow for that? I think I only have 1/2” or 3/4”...not much

 

[ahicks]

My opinion....

Position on trailer - if at all possible, I would want my transom supported - by bunks and/or rear roller(s).

Height - I keep my boats low on the trailer as well, and would run into the same issue you have if backing them in with the engine fully down. My procedure generally has me in the boat after backing it in, engine is lowered, then started, prior to me pulling the trailer out from under it.

Nice boat by the way.....

 

[ShoestringMariner]

My opinion....

Position on trailer - if at all possible, I would want my transom supported - by bunks and/or rear roller(s).

Height - I keep my boats low on the trailer as well, and would run into the same issue you have if backing them in with the engine fully down. My procedure generally has me in the boat after backing it in, engine is lowered, then started, prior to me pulling the trailer out from under it.

Nice boat by the way.....

thanks very much, I’ve wanted one of these for a while.

 

[M2HB]

That is a nice boat. If it were mine, I would add to the back with a “V” shape. As stated above, you definitely want the transom supported.
It appears that the axle is adjustable which helps to keep the tongue weight appropriate.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

That is a nice boat. If it were mine, I would add to the back with a “V” shape. As stated above, you definitely want the transom supported.
It appears that the axle is adjustable which helps to keep the tongue weight appropriate.

Thanks, and great eye! I didn't notice that.

Can I ask what you mean "add to the back with a "V" shape"?
Do you mean add a v shape member with a keel roller further back from the current lights to support the transom?

right now there are rollers under the transom. I'm probably going to replace with roller or plastic bunks. At which time, I figure I'd replace the tongue and move the boat forward. The tongue feels too short now.

 

[M2HB]

Your rollers appear to be cantilevered past the back of the trailer.

This picture shows the back of a trailer where the first keep roller is in front of the back of the trailer.

The rollers should be supported in the rear since they are holding a lot of weight.

 

[JimS123]

I picked up self centring keel rollers which is this weekends planned project. This trailer has a funky set up where the P.O. put some funky keel rollers in it with some funky wooden support setup. Going to be fun getting it out either the boat on it. No current lake access to “park” it off the trailer temporarily.

But todays questions if I may;

1) Does the position on the trailer look right?

2) How about boat height? The skeg has very little clearance. Obviously I tow with motor tilted up. But I want to launch with motor down. How much clearance should I allow for that? I think I only have 1/2” or 3/4”...not much

The picture really doesn't show whether you have proper keel support of not. Superficially, it looks OK.

You never ever ever ever want to launch or retrieve with the motor down. That's TrailerBoat Manual Rule $3.

 

[Fed]

No current lake access to “park” it off the trailer temporarily.

Put the boat on your front lawn.

 

[Fed]

Grease all the roller shafts so it will come off without floating or pushing.
https://youtu.be/AJESldV8Q-g?t=19

 

[M2HB]

I used stainless steel roller shafts so they don’t rust. Rust is what really bonds them up.