Bunk or roller trailer - Page 3

cSickNick · #21 01-11-2008, 03:29 PM

I like both!

Bunks in the rear, less maint, more friction while trailering and to support the weight. Rollers in the front to center and if you need to wench up on a poor ramp.

Here is an old thread; http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...=&fpart=1&vc=1

jongolds · #22 01-11-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Anyone on torsion vs leaf spring?

I've always had leaves and switched to torsion on the new trailer. It's night and day. No question - get the torsion.

beradtke · #23 01-12-2008, 01:31 PM

not to steal the thread ,but blue heron i see what your saying. i guess i will have to make a set of them for the front of the trailer. also i see alot of yall have a wenches on the front of your float ons. No body is useing the clamp and hook style they come with? is there a reason for this? and last i think my trailer is to short for my boat cause the last 3 feet of the boat are resting on just the bunks no trailer underneith?

abl1111 · #24 01-12-2008, 03:03 PM

Here are a few pix of my trailer and the bow scratches

Any advice ?

Thx

Old'sCool · #25 01-12-2008, 04:48 PM

There is a white pvc covered aluminum pipe "V" shape that would force the boat onto the keel roller. I think you need two, one at the rear most roller and one midship.

Blue197320 · #26 01-12-2008, 10:47 PM

speaking of trailers id like to know where i can get the brackets to put the keel bunks on my trailer. also does anyone know offhand the deadrise in the second step of the 20 hull? ive got to replace my bunks but i can get a good measurement off the boat. thanks!!!

Bushwacker · #27 01-13-2008, 01:23 AM

ab111 - you have the same center roller that I have, but I've never had a problem with boat jumping off that roller, probably because it only goes a couple of feet before the rear gangs of rollers that hang out behind the trailer start making contact. The marks on your hull indicate it's jumping off the roller after the first couple of feet. Don't think my vertical side rollers would help, as they don't make contact till boat is about halfway on trailer. On my previous boat/trailer, I had a couple of large rollers right next to center roller that were free to tilt toward the center and did a good job of centering hull as it came up on the trailer.

I suspect boat is jumping off the roller because there isn't much vertical load on it at that point. Are you backing the trailer in too far? Is the ramp so steep that the winch cable is actually lifting the boat up off the roller while ost of the hull is still in water? Or maybe a combination of these two factors? I back mine in just far enough that the towing eye, which is about 8-10" above waterline, is just above the top of the roller; roller and all but about 1/2" of cross member are OUT of the water. This puts enough load on that roller that tongue of trailer tries to lift bumper of truck when boat is about half way on trailer.

Hope this helps, Denny

abl1111 · #28 01-13-2008, 11:08 PM

It sounds like we're talking about two different trailer designs and therefore two different ways to load and unload. I've owned roller trailers in the past ( not float on/bunks like I have now ) and have never had a problem like this.

I could definitely be loading it wrong; maybe the trailer is too far in ( I put the trailer in till the truck's rear wheels are inches from the edge of the water ). This allows me to hand pull the boat up 1/3 of the way, then bouyancy helps me winch her home.

I feel like I need some sort of "V" roller at the first roller point - this will allow me to keep her in line.

It is such a b*tch trying to keep the boat floating - centered over that aft roller - then run up to the winch, start cranking only to have it fall of center and I have to start over again. Even w/ help, it's a hassle. The scratches are from the boat's "V" not being on the roller at all. I then start to winch and the hull gets scratched going up along that aft roller's shaft "nut".

Gotta be a better way -

Reelescape - got a picture ?

Capt Chuck · #29 01-13-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

I feel like I need some sort of "V" roller at the first roller point - this will allow me to keep her in line.

It is such a b*tch trying to keep the boat floating - centered over that aft roller - then run up to the winch, start cranking only to have it fall of center and I have to start over again. Even w/ help, it's a hassle.

Gotta be a better way -

Alan

Here is a couple of ideas I think will solve your centering problem:

First you need the forward center bunks. These will keep your bow in-line with the center Rollers/Pads. I paid approx $85 shipped with S/S hardware.

Second: "Get rid of the rear roller". Make a templete of your stern's deadrise with cardboard. Then construct a stern keel guide out of 2"x12" PT lumber, carpet, monel staples and then bolted to the frame. This will keep the back of the boat centered on the rear axle and between the bunks. The boats weight will be on the main bunks. The forward bunks and the keel guide will keep it aligned.

Your SeaCraft will load perfectly every time. No More Hassel, No More Scratches

Bushwacker · #30 01-14-2008, 12:23 AM

Your trailer is basically a float on type with rollers instead of skid plates. Most of the guys around here with float-on types just dunk the trailer and drive on, and Capt. Chuck's set-up should work unless they don't allow power loading in your area, in which case you'll need the rollers. If that's the case, I see 2 possible options: 1. (Big bucks) Cut a couple of feet off the aft end of the bunks and install the EZ Loader self-centering setup of 16 rollers on rear cross member. 2. (~$25) Replace whichever roller it's jumping off of with one of these: www.westmarine.com