Here is one I did not too long ago. His trailer was terrible, and was damaging the bottom. Everything had to go.
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First, I got the boat off the trailer:
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Then I made a new set of carpeted bunks, glued and done right. I bought a set of these, plus the U-bolts that fit his trailer's crossmembers:
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Measured carefully from the center of the boat to determine where the bunks needed to go. Almost always, they are a little closer in the front and the back, and slightly higher in the front than the back:
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Once I got the bunk mounts and bunk boards on, I set the boat on with the swivel brackets slightly loose, so it could fit to the hull properly.
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I typically like to have the bunks as wide apart as possible, but it really depends on the boat, and how the strakes are set up.
Once the boat was centered, I adjusted the winch post for a good pull and secure fit, and tightened everything down, including the bunk swivel bolts. After that, she went on and off smooth as silk:
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I know the pics I have are of a fiberglass boat, but it's the same and typically a lot easier with a tin boat.
I can't find pics of an aluminum boat/trailer in my phone right this second, but the concept is the same. Again, the center rollers do not carry the boat, the bunks do.
I hope this is helpful.
Thill,thanks for all the information.
Mine is a flat bottom and it’s not the original trailer. If the ramp has a decent slope and gets deep enough it’s a lot easier. Otherwise it’s to high with this trailer. 2x6 bunks edge ways. Can’t lower the boat much because it won’t fit between the fenders.
I’m trying to get by for now until I can set it up different.
I do have guide on bunks. When I first got it there’s a 4-5 inch keel roller where the frame meets the tongue. It was torn up and wouldn’t even roll.
I figured to much weight. I replaced the roller and added the cross bunk assembly in front of it so it would use the roller and slide up on the bunk putting it just barely of the roller for trailering. On the good ramps that had slope. The stern would float but when I started loosening the winch (which the bow was putting a lot of pressure and the bow would either drop suddenly (caught the winch handle right up side my head once) or I could loosen it just a little and lift it off the bow stop. So I added another roller on a bracket to the tongue that never touches the boat except loading and unloading. The keel rolls smoothly off the trailer now.
This did ok for a while but I still had to get in the waTer.
One trip after unloading. I parked the trailer and noticed there was a can of Fluid film in the back of my truck.. I figured it’s lanolin and shouldn’t hurt anything it was on the leaf springs anyway..
I wiped the water off the narrow slicks on top of the bunks. And I put a film on the slicks.
When I loaded up that evening the boat drove up the trailer to the winch. I was wowed and thrilled to death. All I had to do was go to the bow and hook it up then step from the tongue to the truck and no wet feet.
I got up with my chest sticking out and proceeded to the bow. Took three steps and like a flash I back out in the lake drifting in the wind.
I did this four times and was so rattled I didn’t think to try leaving the outboard in gear. The whole time there was a guy sitting on his jet flea just watching me. I mean he was next to me already loaded and stayed to watch.
The film lasted about three trips. And helped on the shallower ramps. I never tried anything else.
Any way after last night I have a mess. The boat was so hard to load and unload last week I took it to a nearby lake and docked the boat so I could work on the trailer.
First thing I saw one of the slick strips was broken at the aft of a bunk. Screw exposed. So the first tool I needed was a torx bit and I bought everything else but that of course. I got close enough and was careful with an Allen wrench. The screw wobbled out telling me I probably already hit it. These strips are about a foot long. I stole one from the front of one of the guides were it doesn’t make contact and replaced the broken one.
Went straight to replacing the cross bunk because it looked awful. Only 24” under that wide boat had taken its toll. I had a 3 foot 2x6 to replace it that catches all the chins.
The 2x6 was to be flat until I figured out the 8” bolster brackets I had needed to be 12” for it to possibly work.
That 2x4 had to come off so I removed it and put the 2x6 in its place which raised the bow 2 full inches. I had to remove the bracket forward since it was resting on the frame then I lowered it by an inch. Adjusted the old bunks best I could and boat is off the center rollers when trailering. It’s after 10:00 now. I backed down the ramp and loaded. It loaded with the winch.
Pulled up under a light and got out to make road ready and the bow looked like it was really up there. I was to tired and back sore to unload and do it again. Bow stop was in the wrong place pressing on the eye. I tried adjusting the wench post but there was no sweet spot.
I tied it down and headed home. Wife’s worried about me and I wanted to get there.
It drove good until I hit the highway. I never tow above 65.
When I got up around 60 the truck started vibrating. I didn’t see anything wrong with the trailer tire on the driver side. I hit the hazard switch and pulled over. Walked around trailer truck checking everything. No low tires. Even shook the wheels on the trailer then thought dummy if it’s bearings the hub would be hot. Both were cool as could be.
Pulled back out and when I got closer to 60mph same thing. Vibrating. I drove 45 with flashers on all the way home. Trying to figure out what the heck is wrong. I did notice I could see the bow in my mirror and it stuck up above the tailgate and boat looked like it was moving around. I blew that off to begin tired and seeing things. I had it tied down in the front and two transom straps in the back .
I made it home and backed in. Unhooked and was ready to put the cover on and get in the house.
I noticed the boat was pretty close to the guide on the starboard side. It was perfectly centered when I left. I gave it a little shove and it went to far the other way and was now sitting on the trailer at an angle. I started walking around and I could slide the boat pretty much anywhere I wanted to.
The boat is not that light especially with a 40hp on it.
I’ve loaded a little off center before and had to put some decent pressure on it to bump it on center and tie it down.
I haven’t even been outside today. I’m hurting and moving slow. But while I know I need to lower the bow back down I’m still baffled.
First thing is checking the drive line under the truck then drive it to see if it has the vibration on it’s own.