Question for BoatBuoy about Gator trailer

[MartyTn]

Hi BoatBouy,<br /><br />On my 1959 Gator trailer with "mechanized transom cradles", the handle operates correctly to lift the bunks, but there doesn't seem to be any type of lock/catch/latch on the trailer rail to hold the handle in place when the bunks are lifted. Is there supposed to be a latch of some sort or is it an "over-center" type of setup ?? (In the garage the handle will stay in place with the bunks lifted even though nothing is holding the handle). <br /><br />Thanks,<br /> Marty

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Question for BoatBuoy about Gator trailer

On mine, there is a right-angle tab that extends down and out from the tubular frame adjacent to where the handle lands. It exerts just enough friction on the handle to hold it in place. The handle is "over-center" and the metal tab just assists. Am attempting to attach photos.<br />

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[MartyTn]

Re: Question for BoatBuoy about Gator trailer

Many Thanks for that info and for the pics. Our trailers are similar but not identical. Mine has the same round side rails and same color (but mine has a lot more rust). The handle on mine is near the front of the left outer trailer rail with the handle on the inside. With the bunks down the handle is approx 12"-16" inside the outer rail, and with the bunks lifted it comes outward almost to the rail, within an inch or two. I'll take a look tonight and see if I can see any tab or remnant of where a tab may have been.<br /><br />Since the mechanism is an over-center type, if after the bunks were raised, would the boat being tightly secured to the trailer with straps pretty much assure that the bunk mechanism would stay in place until the straps were removed ??<br /><br />BTW this trailer came from over your way. We drove from Nashville thru Knoxville and up almost to Bristol to get it...<br /><br />Many thanks again for the info and pics,<br /> Marty

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Question for BoatBuoy about Gator trailer

Without any means to secure the handle, I would get a nylon strap and tie it down to keep it from working loose.

 

[MartyTn]

Re: Question for BoatBuoy about Gator trailer

Both pics below are with the camera pointing toward the left front portion of the trailer rail (from the outside).<br /><br />The first pic shows the lever in the bunks-lowered position, and the second pic shows the lever in the full outward (bunks-raised) position. The handle, if pulled all the way out can be pulled under and then to the outside of the support bracket that secures the outer rail to the tongue. Maybe this was the recommended way to secure the handle when new, as I couldn't find any other evidence of existing or prior latch. The handle does not seem to be secure in that position outside the bracket now, but that could possibly be due to sloppy linkage from age and wear. There are some old pieces of string hanging from the support bracket and these could possibly be remnants of what was used to secure the lever to the bracket after the linkage became sloppy.<br /><br />Since I'll probably replace the rusty trailer bolts anyway, I believe I could add a small L-type bracket onto that bracket support bolt, and that L-bracket could prevent the handle end from travelling downward and I think this would keep the handle in place in the bunks-raised position. <br /><br />Please pardon the rust, as this boat/trailer is next summer's project...<br /><br />Many thanks for your info and pics,<br /> Marty<br /><br />

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[BoatBuoy]

Re: Question for BoatBuoy about Gator trailer

Marty,<br /> Don't know whether you've found it or not, but there are some scans of old Gator catalogs at http://www.feathercraftboats.com/ . About 14 years ago, I had my trailer sand-blasted and primed. I then sprayed painted it myself. It was well worth it. At that time it looked kinda like yours. I'm now in the process of touching up some rust spots and replacing some of the nuts/bolts w/stainless steel.

 

[MartyTn]

Re: Question for BoatBuoy about Gator trailer

I had not seen that Gator site. Cool... Thanks for the link!! I had been pointed to the Feathercraft website several months ago by H Champagney and J Anderson but that was before I acquired the Gator trailer, so I never noticed the Gator links on the site.<br /><br />I was able to download the 1957 catalog image that explained the Uni/Lever. Now I've got to see if mine actually does all the things the 1957 catalog says the Uni/Lever did. On my '59 trailer I can see the link to the bunks, but I didn't notice linkage to the tilt mechanism... Sounds like the sand blast will be worth it. Did you go back with the original (or near) yellow color?<br /><br />Many thanks,<br /> Marty

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Question for BoatBuoy about Gator trailer

I tried to approximate original color based on paint scrappings prior to sand blasting. It seems like they painted them with typical road-machinery yellow.