Trailer set up questions?

[spraynbuckshot]

How far does your motor (when trimmed down) stick out past the back side (last cross-member) of the trailer? Mine measures 4 feet! The boat sticks exactly 2 feet past crossmember and the bunks stick 15 inches past the rear crossmember. And how far does your winch stand (the base) measure from the toungue? Mine measures 50 inches.

I know it is a case by case basis, but I am not sure my trailer is set up properly. I can lift the toungue up by myself (I would guess around 70 lbs). It does not sway side to side or bounce when trailering iat highway speeds. I don't really notice it back there at all. The trailer doesn't have any load ratings anywhere. Is this normal looking? It seems like the trailer is a foot or two short. Should I be concerned? I just want to be safe for the public, me, and my boat.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/spraynbuckshot/1-1.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/spraynbuckshot/2-1.jpg

[brokebeach5011]

I would slide your boat forward so at least the back bunks are over the transom,Better yet the back cross member.I would want some support under that transom.You then can slide your axle forward to get the weight adjusted correctly.About 5% to 10% GTW on tongue.You can use a bathroom scale to do this.

Example 3000# x 5% = 150#

[Harry]

Ditto what Brokebeach said.

You have a tremendous amount of tounge space left on that trailer. By moving it FWD you will also take some of the weight off the back half of your skiff.
If it were me, I would move that winch post FWD, leave the "u" bolts loose and start cranking the boat up until the back edge is even with the bunks, Than move the winch post back until it touches the bow and tighten it down.

Your next step would be to jack up the trailer and let the wheels hang down and slide the axle FWD.
To get a good idea of how far you need to slide the axle FWD, measure the back of the boat to the back of the bunk as it currently sits, & before you move the boat FWD.
With this measurement you should have to move the axel the same ,give or take an inch or so. But it will put you REAL close, provided you move the back of the boat to the back of the bunk.

Harry

[Familymanof5]

looks like that is hard on your transom like that. No support for the motor at all.

FM5

[bobreeves]

The bow stop at that angle looks like it would act as a launcher in a quick stop. I like them vertical.

But I guess you really could launch your boat OVER the tow vehicle if you're not comfortable backing a trailer. Just approach the ramp at 30-40 MPH and slam on the brakes ;D

[Fillet1]

Yeah that thing has got to come forward at least a foot or maybe two. I dont think the increased tounge weight will make difference.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Exactly what broke said.You transom shoud be sitting on top of the last cross member of your trailer.You have to move that boat foward at least 2 maybe three feet.To me looks like your trailer is kinda short for that boat.What is the O.A length of the trailer? Your trailer should be at least 20-21 feet long for that boat.
Your bow stop will be safe the way it is if you tie a chain from your front eye towards the back of boat in about 45* angle, so it won't become a launcher when you slam on the brakes hard.Then you can play around with the axle to bring foward to adjust your tongue weight to about 10 %.(on smaller boats they recomend 10-12 %, as for larger,3000 # and up, about 7 %.
Good luck.

[FLboy3]

Ditto, move that boat up so that the transom is at least over the end of the bunks. If possible move the boat and bunks up so the transom is over the rear cross brace of the trailer for best performance and transom support. Thats only if trailer is long enough. Then move axle to get proper tongue weight.