question about rollers on trailer

[moonman]

I just bought an older 16 ft. Crestliner(1988). It sits on an EZ Loader roller trailer. When I got it home and really looked it over, I noticed a lot of little creases on the bottom of the boat. I was thinking that maybe the rollers don't move freely enough and that they might be causing this. Or possibly the previous owner ran over something. After I launched the boat, I checked the rollers to see if they all spun OK and they did. However, I noticed that the sets of rollers on the front of the boat moved freely side to side. The back ones hardly moved side to side at all. Are they supposed to move just like the fronts? Getting a lot of roller marks on the boat as well. Thanks. I tried to post a couple pics but I am not having any luck with that.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

Some rollers will leave black marks. A boat that is not securely tied down to the trailer with stern tie-downs and a tight against the bow stop will cause roller marks because the boat is moving around. Poly rollers don't do that. Don't know what to make of the creases you mention since a crease to one person is something different to another. Pictures please! As for roller movement, that depends on the design of the trailer. If these are wobble rollers, meaning the roller can move freely a bit in any direction -- that's normal. Some are made so they do not wobble but only rotate. Again -- pictures tell the story since we can't see your trailer.

 

[moonman]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

Some rollers will leave black marks. A boat that is not securely tied down to the trailer with stern tie-downs and a tight against the bow stop will cause roller marks because the boat is moving around. Poly rollers don't do that. Don't know what to make of the creases you mention since a crease to one person is something different to another. Pictures please! As for roller movement, that depends on the design of the trailer. If these are wobble rollers, meaning the roller can move freely a bit in any direction -- that's normal. Some are made so they do not wobble but only rotate. Again -- pictures tell the story since we can't see your trailer.

I am trying to post the pics....I am having a hard time with it.

 

[moonman]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

I am trying to post the pics....I am having a hard time with it.

View attachment 174452

For some reason, my close up pics of the rollers won't download. Maybe somebody(my wife) changed some setting on my camera. Here is a picture of the boat...not sure if you can zoom in on the rollers or not.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

Sorry moonman can't tell from that picture.

 

[moonman]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

Sorry moonman can't tell from that picture.

OK......sorry, changed a setting on my camera and see if these pics go through.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

Pictures 1 and 2 should just roll, spool roller, the others I believe are wobble rollers and should move around and feel loose.

 

[moonman]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

Pictures 1 and 2 should just roll, spool roller, the others I believe are wobble rollers and should move around and feel loose.

That rear section of rollers doesn't move side to side but they roll. The front ones are loose and move from side to side. What do you think about those creases ? What the heck would cause that?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

That spool roller should not move side to side. It looks worn out. The rollers an those bunks, it's hard to tell. Most of what I've seen like that are wobble rollers and do actually wobble around. Though I believe EZ has some that are set up that do not wobble.

As to the creases, can't help. Just not seeing what you refer to in the pictures. Are they inline with were the boat makes contact with the rollers?

 

[moonman]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

If you look above that spool roller, you can see about 4 horizontal lines or small creases. I emailed E Z Roller and sent them some pictures. Thanks for you help.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: question about rollers on trailer

I'm seein gmarks from the rollers but not what I would call a 'crease" that is a dent in the fiberglass.

However in #4 justy ahead of the roller looks like a dimple. Next time you pull up, stop a few inches before your bow stop, pull the boat out, and check the spots where the rollers usually sit. Some boat hulls are not supposed to sit on rollers (carolina skiff) b/c they can't take the pressure. Maybe yours is one of them, or maybe it's old and brittle.

 

[moonman]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

I'm seein gmarks from the rollers but not what I would call a 'crease" that is a dent in the fiberglass.

However in #4 justy ahead of the roller looks like a dimple. Next time you pull up, stop a few inches before your bow stop, pull the boat out, and check the spots where the rollers usually sit. Some boat hulls are not supposed to sit on rollers (carolina skiff) b/c they can't take the pressure. Maybe yours is one of them, or maybe it's old and brittle.

Home Cookin, It is a welded aluminum hull.....not fiberglass.I have a couple pictures of the boat where you can see horizontal lines or as I call them creases. I can only think that the rollers are causing these marks. My buddy thinks that maybe the guy ran it up on shore and caused them. I don't know. It looks like some of the marks are in line with the rollers. I just cannot get a straight answer on whether the back rollers are supposed to move side to side or are they supposed to be rigid. They seem to roll just fine.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: question about rollers on trailer

i doubt they are from the rollers. previous owner may have run up on something--even powerloaded on to a bunk trailer/boat lift at some time. But if they are there, and not getting worse, I woudn't worry about it.

 

[57crestliner]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

As you see by my name, mine is a bit older. Do you use a belly strap? Looks like the boat was strapped down too tight. Check with Crestliner if your boat is a keel loaded boat. By that I mean that my boat is supported by the keel on my trailer. My bunks stop side movement and stabilize! You want those rollers under ribs in the hull. Good luck.

 

[colbyt]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

This thread and those images have almost convinced me that bunks with carpet may be a better choice for the bottom of an aluminum boat.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

Don't know that I would let one example determine my thinking.

I have been using a Spartan trailer with wobble rollers on my aluminum Lund for a few years now and have experienced no problems. Before this the boat was on a trailer with keel rollers for almost 30 years and not a single mark or deformity.

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: question about rollers on trailer

looks just like the bottom of my crestliner, those lines are welded areas on the inside.. the bottom has small C channel stringers/ribs running the length of the boat, and bulkheads perpendicular that support the deck and add structure every 14-18inches. if you look the boat over you will find marks like that in places that have never touched a roller.

you can kinda see it in these pictures