Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Swapped out the 4 keel rollers today, big difference! Boat cranked onto the trailer much more easily. The new rollers were a tight fit, so the axels were 5/8" not the reported Calkins 3/4" ... old rollers were cheap rubber with shoulder collars, all cracked and broken. Wobblers next.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Great to hear you have it worked out. Still have to say though that I've never seen a trailer with a wobble roller setup like that.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Great to hear you have it worked out. Still have to say though that I've never seen a trailer with a wobble roller setup like that.

How so?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Every roller trailer that I've seen other than the older Calkins all have the rear most roller bunks with at least 4 wobble rollers per side. Usually the roller bunks are in a H pattern with at least 4 rollers or in an l pattern with 4 rollers all lined up in a row.

The older Calkins had a tube frame in a U shape with rollers on the ends and a roller in the middle of the U this fit inside the actual frame and the U would pivot.

Hope I explained this so you can understand it!

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

So, is this wrong?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

So, is this wrong?

I can't say it's wrong. Is it original as Calkins built it? Don't know. Looks to be. Did someone modify it? Again don't know. Would find it very interesting to know for sure if this is the way Calkins originally built it.

Now if you would like to ask me if I think it's a good design I would have to say no. The reason being is the lack of rollers in this design. One of the big arguements that wood bunk trailer owners constantly state is the lack of support that roller trailers have. That the rollers put too much weight into too small of an area. With this trailer I would say this is true. Again most roller trailers have many more rollers than this one does.

With this trailer I think I would want to have as much weight on those keel rollers as there is on those side rollers. I am on my 3rd roller trailer and believe that with roller trailers the more rollers the better.

Now believe me also that I am not trying to frighten you about your trailer. Just trying to point out what I have learned while using these trailers and what I normally see. This is one that I've never seen before set up this way.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Too bad we can't find the original design - or is every trailer set up custom?
This Calkins trailer has the words "Mirage" on the frame. Google search doesn't turn up anything.

Boat weighs about 2,000 lbs according to Chris-Craft specs (1400 boat + 600 engine). Almost all of the weight is aft, where all the rollers are. How would you improve this - add more arms and wobble rollers?

Also, tongue weight seems light to me... supposed to be 10% of boat + trailer weight? What do you estimate is the weight of this trailer?

Original setup:
.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Something like this would be a huge improvement,

KARAVAN 4-Wheel Dual Wobble Roller Assembly #310-00577-GL

SHORELAND'R Quad Wobble Roller Assembly (Black Painted) SK0292-03

Many times I have seen used roller bunks listed on craigslist. Trailer itself looks to be heavy enough to support your boat w/o problems. Another option would be to remove those wobble rollers and set up wood bunks. Would be much cheaper.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Thanks for the parts links. Replace the 4 double roller sets with quad sets?
Is there a way to determine where to set them, and how high?

 

[oldandintheway]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Word to the wise....Self centering keel rollers ARE the best thing since sliced bread

I also like the self-centering rollers, just be sure to install them in the right direction, so when you load the boat they move the keel to the center.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Thanks for the parts links. Replace the 4 double roller sets with quad sets?
Is there a way to determine where to set them, and how high?

Not a problem. Right now I have to head off to bed'n get ready for work. I'll think this over tonight and get back to you in the morning unless one of the others shows up in the mean time. But do a web search for trailer parts, mounts, brackets, rollers and you will get a better idea of what is available. Could also go to some of the trailer websites and see what they're doing in todays market.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Jacalore, the best I can find out is that trailer is a Calkins but branded and supplied with a Mirage boat. Still can't find anything that shows how it was originally configured but I can't believe they would have done it with those 4 wobble rollers for the stern of the boat. I have seen them used that way in the middle or forward part of the trailer. That trailer would make me nervious even with a light weight tinny on it.

At this point I'm not sure how to answer your questions. Again I feel there is nothing wrong with the basic trailer bed, size or capacity. Also what surprises me is that no one else has voiced up an opinion or suggestions.

Let's start with a little more history on this boat and trailer. Do you know the year of the trailer? How long have you had this and have been using it this way? Do you feel comfortable with it, aside from what I've brought up? How mich time does it spend on the trailer and how much, how far do you pull it?

There are a number of ways to go about this, leave as-is, rebuild. Rebuild can go with either wood bunks, new roller bunks or used roller bunks. Wood bunks would be the least expensive followed by used then new.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

The boat is an '85, the trailer came with - no history. This is my first season, bought it in the Spring, have been working on boat all Summer, have it ready to go now. Will use it over the next month or two before winterizing. The boat spends most of its life on the trailer. When I use it, it's an hour drive to the ramp. With the new keel rollers, the boat launches and pulls back onto the trailer more easily than before. Comfortable? Not sure, don't have enough experience to say. Thanks.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

If the roads to the ramp are smooth and not a lot of high speeds then you could most likely get by with it short term. I would not want to keep it that way as just those 4 rollers do not lend much support. For now I would try to put a bit more weight on the keel as that is usually the sturdiest part of a boat.

Something to think about, Shoreland'r makes a piviot keel roller assembly like that which uses 4 rollers.

The quickest, easiest way again would be to remove the wobble rollers and replace with wood carpeted bunks. Which is what I would probably do as finding used roller assemblies is hit or miss. Also would hate to see you damage your hull at this point.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

The trip to the ramp is at 55mph most of the way...
If I read you right, the biggest problem is lack of support at the aft end. Would replacing the two double roller sets with quad sets remedy the situation? Or adding another pair on each side? You've got me concerned!

Found add'l info on my trailer: Have VIN number but no luck on Shoreland'r look up.
The trailer is a CAL 1992 GW: 2500 lbs

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Yes my concern is the lack of support for the stern. Especially on a heavier boat such as yours. Even the 14' Lund that I had which was about 700lbs fully loaded had 8 rollers under the stern. So yes if you'd rather have rollers than carpeted bunks then 2 quads plus the othe 2 sets forward would be 100% better than what you have now.

Think of it this way. With adding quads that you give you 17 rollers total spread out over a much larger area. Those extra 4 rollers will make a difference and distribute the weight much better under the stern. Shoreland'r also has made the roller trucks in the H shape that used 6 and 8 rollers per bunk!

My feeling is that with rollers there is no such thing as too many.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Thanks, I'll look into adding more roller sets. How do you set them up for max support (height)?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

J, I'll try and get a few pictures of the way mine are mounted and how they are adjusted. It will be easier than me just trying to explain it.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

J, I'll try and get a few pictures of the way mine are mounted and how they are adjusted. It will be easier than me just trying to explain it.

I'll match the rollers already there and install more of the same.
Q: How do you figure where the pressure points will be? Is it tricky to level the boat, and set the rollers to apply the pressure equally?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Rollers, Good Ones and Bad Ones?

Was thumbing through iboats store and came across these. Thought you might be interested.

Single Wobble Roller Assembly - Ve-Ve T-980 - iboats

They also show a couple others.