Self-centering rollers

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Im thinking on getting them self-centering rollers.. Anyone used them? Did you have an issue loading the boat in the trailer before getting them? How did you liked them? How many of those self centering rollers one should get and where should they go? My trailer bunks and rollers are pretty much at the same height as the hull is pretty much flat at the back. so I am having a very hard time getting the boat in the trailer.
I probably need to take a photo for better explanation...
 

bowman316

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
1,822
Re: Self-centering rollers

i have regular rollers, and my boat always loads sitting on the right fender, just a few inches off center.

i bolted a vertical piece of wood to the trailer frame to not let the boat go past the side of the trailer frame. And that would center the boat, but the wood broke, because it was pretty thin wood.
I think i just need to use a 2 by 4.

MY problem was finding steel peices to bolt around the trailer frame to hold the bunk that would direct the boat into center.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Self-centering rollers

i love them fantastic, i put one on the rear of the trailer, and at the cross member that is very near the surface of the water when retrieving. that way the bow hit the centering roller, and as the boat comes up the trailer the keel kits the back roller. i also have guide ons, on my trailer, with only 1/2 inch clearance on each side of the boat. this way the bow centers and the stern can only go where it belongs.
http://www.iboats.com/Self_Centerin...98736870--**********.802938837--view_id.56624
 

cadunkle

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 8, 2006
Messages
128
Re: Self-centering rollers

I'm considering guide ons for mine. Either I'm retarded or my trailer needs something more. It's a royal pain getting the rear of my boat centered. It'll either sit to one side or the other when I pull it out. Mine is quite flat in the rear like yours though, and I have a bunk trailer. Gotta revise my loading procedure and/or get some guide ons for this season.
 

mthieme

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
3,270
Re: Self-centering rollers

I've got them on the larger trailers. The V kind, not the ones that TD pointed to though.
For lighter boats, they're great. Heavier boats are gonna go where they wanna go.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Self-centering rollers

not on the groove roller, the keel gets in the groove, which centers the boat.

the keel will slip on the smooth V rollers.
 

Tiki35

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
89
Re: Self-centering rollers

I have two self-centering poly rollers on the first two rollers from the rear of the trailer. They work excellent. Perfectly centered every time. Make sure you install them with the arrow facing toward the truck and don't back your trailer in too far. On my trailer that means a quarter of the bunks are out of the water. I probably winch it in about 8 feet.
 

Benny1963

Lieutenant
Joined
Sep 17, 2006
Messages
1,476
Re: Self-centering rollers

iuse two self centering as tash does but i have side rails as well that like tash
only have a little extra space ,but i also use two bunk underneath on each side of roller ,i drive straight on walk to front attach bow line ,the only time i have probs is when i have a bad cross current
 

MrPhotographer06

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
108
Re: Self-centering rollers

for my little 14ft Tri V runabout ..whatever you want to call it.. heres my trailer

P1230023.jpg


it looks like a jetski trailer or something but its the one that came with the boat when my grandpa got it a long time ago..

i've never loaded it by motor but my grandpa has and he said it worked pretty good..

i loated the boat on this trailer like the pic shows against the wind and it centered itself pretty good on regular keel rollers and the two bunk boards
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Self-centering rollers

Mr Photographer, my trailer is just like yours. The bunks actually stand up with the water buoyancy. It is very had to get the boat in, almost all the time I have to get in the water to load it correctly...
 

MrPhotographer06

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
108
Re: Self-centering rollers

it wasnt too hard to do by hand.. hopefully tuesday i can tell you how hard it is with the motor..
 

MrPhotographer06

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
108
Re: Self-centering rollers

well i take that back.its miserable without guide boards.. they will deffinately be on soon.
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Self-centering rollers

I end up getting some guide boards and an anchors for $55.00. Been in the lake twice or so and they help but I could set them up better.... I would try that if my boat survives that accident we had today.
 

jkust

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,942
Re: Self-centering rollers

I saw your post re your accident...bummer. I have a shorelandr roller trailer with a heavy, unruly but small boat, and using the trailer is a nobrainer. I don't think it is possible to not put it on the trailer perfect every time with no effort extra. The roller trailer make a heavy boat more managable.
 
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