Trying to lower my trailer

[gernby]

I just purchased a '95 Malibu Tantrum, and the trailer is too tall. I have to back the trailer (and tow vehicle) way back in the water, then power it on or off the trailer. I'm looking for ideas on how to lower it.<br /><br />The axle is currently underneath the leaf springs, so I'm considering just moving the axle above the leaf springs. However, I don't know if that is very safe. That would put all the weight of the trailer and boat on those 4 U-bolts and nuts. Is this a bad idea?<br /><br />I've got pictures, but I don't know if I can post them here.

 

[gernby]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

I forgot to mention, even if it is safe to move the axle above the springs, I think that may lower it too much. I would then need to raise it back up just enough to give clearance between the tires and fenders. What would be the best approach for that? The only thing I could think of is to get longer leaf spring spacer thingys.

 

[Sea_Sprite]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

not to sound dumb..<br /><br />But perhaps the launch your at or lake you at is too low (water speeking) I had that happen when I lived in fl, and we had 1 summer with NO RAIN in fl... we could not even launch the boat in the water.<br /><br />Mike

 

[gernby]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

The boat that I had before had a much lower trailer. I didn't have to back far down at all, and the boat would be floating. With this boat, I have to submerge my exhaust pipes, and the water line is up to my front tires. Even then, the boat isn't floating. I have to power it off the rails.

 

[monoshock]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

 

[monoshock]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

You could install a drop spindle axle for your trailer. How much does it need to drop?

 

[tommays]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

if its a shaft drive boat HOW much road clearance does the prop and rudder have ? when you springs bottom out <br /><br /><br />axles are mounted above and below the springs it just depends on who built the trailer<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

As Tommays points out in the pictures above, although the axles look the same, its the location of the spring perches that determine whether the springs are below or above the axle. New perches can be welded on the bottom of the axle if you want to relocate the springs. This is a must, as the center bolt of the spring is what locates and keeps the axle from sliding on the spring. If fender clearance is a problem, relocat the fender braces higher. If you can move the springs you can move the fenders.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

Why not just put a longer tongue on the trailer?

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

Or do as we do over the pond - have a rope loop-spliced at both ends, unhitch the trailer when it (but not the vehicle) is in the water, and let it roll by gravity the rest of the way with the rope attached to both trailer and vehicle ball.<br /><br />The resistance of the water stops it rolling too fast, and you will find that you can hand-guide its direction by tugging the rope as it rolls.<br /><br />We retrieve boats that way also, with nary a problem.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

do a search for extend-a-hitch<br />they make an extendable trailer tongue that adds quite a bit of length just for launch/retrieving<br />or, if you don't need that much length, you can get a hitch extender that extends your drawbar back by 18 inches. I have one and it helps getting the trailer in deep enough. <br />Other ideas are lower mounts for the rollers/bunks, or moving the boat as far back on the trailer as you can so you don't have to back it in as far. If you get on the trailer manufacturer's website, sometimes they have parts catalogs with different bunk/roller mounts, etc.

 

[RobG]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

Is that why some of the older boat trailers had a "tilt" feature allowing the boat to hit the water at a better angle?<br /><br />Rob

 

[Pony]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

is it on bunks or rollers....perhaps with rollers u could physically push it off the trailer? just my .02

 

[gernby]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

I'm more of a car guy than a trailer guy, so I don't know what "bunks" are. I'm assuming that they are the boards that the boat rests on. I don't have rollers.<br /><br />The problem with extending my hitch is that I'm already exceeding the load rating of the hitch by about 20%. I'm concerned about ripping the bumper off already.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

Originally posted by gernby:<br /> I'm more of a car guy than a trailer guy, so I don't know what "bunks" are. I'm assuming that they are the boards that the boat rests on. I don't have rollers.<br /><br />The problem with extending my hitch is that I'm already exceeding the load rating of the hitch by about 20%. I'm concerned about ripping the bumper off already.

Ayuh,....... Bunks are What the boat Sits On......<br /><br />And,....... You need a Better Bigger Hitch,........<br />You SHOULD be 20% Under the Rating.........<br /><br />As it stands,... You're an Accident Looking for a Place to Happen................<br />I just Hope that Nobody besides You get Killed,or Maimed,..... When It Happens.......

 

[woosterken]

Re: Trying to lower my trailer

Just put smaller wheels and tires on it,my trailer has 8" wheels on it.no problem with skinny water.<br />ken