Setting up trailer

[FLATHEAD]

I am picking up my new trailer Wed. night. Its a bunk trailer with the standerd two bunks, keel roller, and winchtower and roller. What is the best way to set her up, I have heard some different opinions on it as far as weight on the keel roller and such. I am also installing my old guide on's to this trailer. <br /><br />The boat is a 14'6" aluminum deep vee, I estimate total weight at around 800 pounds.

 

[DJ]

Re: Setting up trailer

Flahthead,<br /><br />Congrat's!<br /><br />This is kind of hard to describe, but I'll give it a shot.<br /><br />1. The keel rollers should have some weight on them, but not all.<br /><br />2. The tongue weight should be about 5 to 7% of the total rig weight.<br /><br />When I set up a trailer, I do the following.<br /><br />1. Set the boat on the keel rollers<br /><br />2. Jack up the bunks until you are certain that they are carrying weight. You can usually tell by the amount of deflection in the rubber on the rollers.<br /><br />I know that's unscientific, but it has worked well for me over the years.

 

[JB]

Re: Setting up trailer

Agree with DJ, but add:<br /><br />Place the boat for best support, as DJ says. Do not worry about weight on the tongue while doing so. Place the transom on the stern ends of the bunks.<br /><br />After the boat is correctly placed on the frame, adjust position of axle carriage under the frame as necessary to get 5-10% of the weight on the tongue.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Setting up trailer

Thanks Djohns and JB, I will head your advise. Looks like I will be setting it up next weekend.