rebuilt my trailer... need advice on adjustments

[houstoncajun]

I cut out all the crossmembers and replaced, replaced sections of the frame that was rusted and re-plumbed brakes, lights and put a new brake coupler on it. New hardware for the bunks and a 2500 LBS winch. i tried to put the bunks where they originally were but also I never saw the boat on the trailer before. The inner bunks look OK but the outer bunks are touching the ridge rail that runs the length of the boat. Is this OK?

I think I need to move the right side bunk inward 3 inches so the rail would be on the outside of it and the left side 2 inches inward. Hopefully this will keep it stable?

And I'm not going to tow it with this truck, needs a dually...

 

[boat1010]

Re: rebuilt my trailer... need advice on adjustments

How much does the boat weigh? It doesn't look stable to me. The bunks don't look like they are high enough to keep the boat upright.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: rebuilt my trailer... need advice on adjustments

Is it just me or does the shot from the rear look like the wheels are bending out? Are you sure the trailer and tires are rated for the weight? (Nice Job on the rebuild though)

Other than that I would move the outside bunks closer to the fenders to give you a little more stability. How much does your boat weigh? What is the load rating for the tires?

 

[86RajunCajun]

Re: rebuilt my trailer... need advice on adjustments

that trailer looks a bit small for that boat in my opinion.

 

[houstoncajun]

Re: rebuilt my trailer... need advice on adjustments

Its (2) 3500 LBS axles with ST225/75 R15 wich are rated 2540 LBS each. The boat weighs in at 5500 LBS. and the beam is 9'8". The previous owner trailered it from Missouri to Houston with it. (like it was, rusted out) When I rebuilt it I used heavier gage tubing to beef it up more. If I move the bunks out more one side would be on my head intake (not sure if it would smash the screen in) But I do know it shouldnt be resting on the ribs. I have a picture of how he had it sitting for years and its about the same, I'm not saying I like it though.
Oh one of the tires was flat in the pic too.
I dont want to cross country with it but would be nice to bring home to work on for a week (about 60 miles)
Then I would keep it in a slip (is now) and keep the trailer nearby to pull it out to work on the outdrive and such.
I do want it to be safe for me and other people on the road though
So...
lets say i move the bunks over do i just not tighten them all the way up and let the boat weight establish the angle and location when I pull her out the water? Or is there a better way? I've never had to fit a boat to a trailer before.... Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: rebuilt my trailer... need advice on adjustments

it will sit a lot better if you get the ridge. move in or out. you can use a floor jack under the bunk mounts to tighten bunk to the hull, then tighten bolts.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: rebuilt my trailer... need advice on adjustments

I would get those bunks outboard as far as possible with that boat. The before pic shows them nearly all the way out at the frame rails.

If the bunks are wide enough, they should distribute the weight enough not to damage the intake screen. I'd rather chance denting an intake screen than losing a boat. It definitely don't look stable the way it is, plus it will be a real pain to reload and get it loaded straight like that.