Oh man, I'm just catching up on this one.
Doug,
Way to go with hanging in there! Sorry you are having these issues. I wish you lived closer, I'd give you a trailer that is better than that one. A neighbor gave me a decent bunk trailer that would be wide enough for your boat to fit on comfortably, and would be easy-loading.
When you say cross bunks, do you mean a bunk that runs side to side? Could you post a quick phone pic of the trailer? It would be helpful.
I've had trailers like that before. Sometimes, a trailer just won't work with your boat, especially when too small. When I get to the point where you are now, I've found the best solution is to clean it up and sell it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace and buy a better fitting one. Most of the time they are about the same price, but often the better trailer costs less. But even if it's a bit more, it's always a huge upgrade and well worth the time.
Thanks for the thoughts I appreciate it .
The cross bunk is just a support that mounts to the tongue for the bow to rest on. It’s a kit that comes with a 24” 2x4 that fits in the bracket on its edge.
The boat having a wide bottom would rock side to side on it some. Plus I think I should have put it a little closer to the bow. Over time the chims have put groves in the carpet and was getting into the wood of the bunk.
I made a 36” wide bunk from a 2x6 that fits under all the chins and the boat will not rock on it.
My intention was the new bunk would be flat.
The night I put it on at the launch was messed up. The bolster brackets I had were not going to place the 2x6 high enough.
I had already removed the short bunk . It was late and I was tired so I put the 2x6 in the slots the 2x4 came out of and lowered it as far as I could. I should have moved the whole thing forward to be on just the tongue and I’d have more adjustment room.
I loaded the boat and sure enough it’s to high. I was tired and back was killing me. There was no way I could shove the boat back off and start wrenching again.
I decided I’d go back to the ramp and then get it right.
On the way home when I hit the hey. My tow speed is 65mph. When I got close to 60mph everything started shaking. I thought I had a flat , wheel bearing about to come apart or a u joint on the truck.
I hit the eflashers. Got out with my light and couldn’t find anything wrong. I made it home doing 45mph with flashers on.
Next day I was still hurting but I unhooked the boat and drove my truck down the road up to 75mph and it was smooth.
I still haven’t gotten to look at the boat yet. But I’m hoping it was catching wind and causing the vibration. I’m going to raise it off the trailer enough to move that bunk toward the bow and lower it down. Hopefully the boat will sit better on the trailer. First I’m going to jack up each wheel and see if there is any play in the bearings.
The other thought would be a tire coming apart on the inside.
With the bearings checked and the boat lowered back down I’ll give it a test pull and see what happens.
The bow is high enough though I could see it in the mirror and the top of the boat was above my tail gate that the slope up underneath the bow could have been scooping wind under the boat.
My theory anyway.
It was tied down tight with two transom tie downs and tight on the bow but the boat was sitting crooked when I got home. I pushed on it and I could have slid it anywhere I wanted. Side to side even at an angle.
When ever I load and pull out the water. While I’m trying it down I make sure it’s straight. If it’s a little off center I have to shove with my weight to slide it in place. Now it slides across the slicks with a little more than leaning on it.
