Trailer length
- Thread starter Len Nowak
- Start date
Trailers are over the place and you can find that probably most violate what I will say, but... The ideal setup would include the rear of the bunk extending beyone the transom by a bit (an inch) AND the bunk bracketss being fairly close to the transom to support the weight.
Since the bunk is now 23" from the transom, the bunk brackets are farther than that. Closer to the transom would be better. Is there any support at the very rear of the boat? Keel roller, maybe? I don't know if extending the bunk would get you a whole lot, since the support is so far away.
Trailers are very adjustable, a picture woudl help a whole lot in thinking about moving things around.
Finally, as I said. There are lots of trailers set up in similar ways and the boats on them are "fine" or appear "fine". I would think about what you can do to move things around.
T
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Does the bunk, the rear carpeted rails, need to go to the transom of the boat?
Yes, Just as Tod said, the support should be directly under the transom. That is where the load is. That is where the boat is the strongest. Therefore that is where the support should be.
Yes, Just as Tod said, the support should be directly under the transom. That is where the load is. That is where the boat is the strongest. Therefore that is where the support should be.
I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the bunks are right on the frame (i.e, no bunk support brackets, like I was talking about).
Were it me I'd look at removing the winch stand and rewelding forward of where it is (you may not have enough room to get everything you need or that may cause clearance issues with the tow vehicle). You could also extend the bunks a few inches to catch the transom after you move the winch stand. Can't really say for sure how far, but a foot would probably not offer enough support to the transom to be ideal, but 6" probably would if the bunks are 2x4s or larger.
2' is a lot of boat to have hanging, I'd do something.
Were it me I'd look at removing the winch stand and rewelding forward of where it is (you may not have enough room to get everything you need or that may cause clearance issues with the tow vehicle). You could also extend the bunks a few inches to catch the transom after you move the winch stand. Can't really say for sure how far, but a foot would probably not offer enough support to the transom to be ideal, but 6" probably would if the bunks are 2x4s or larger.
2' is a lot of boat to have hanging, I'd do something.
Len,
A lot depends more so on axel placement. You can do as Tod said and gain some by moving the winch. However that also increases tongue weight. Leaving the boat in the same position it now is, and extending the trailer rearward, will ligthen the tongue weight slightly due to the increased weight (adding frame material) behind the axle.
It is real hard to engineer a trailer rebuild from photos alone. One has to take into account all the variables when redesigning a project such as this. Glad to offer advice but be warned you ultimatly must do the engineering to make it happen.
A lot depends more so on axel placement. You can do as Tod said and gain some by moving the winch. However that also increases tongue weight. Leaving the boat in the same position it now is, and extending the trailer rearward, will ligthen the tongue weight slightly due to the increased weight (adding frame material) behind the axle.
It is real hard to engineer a trailer rebuild from photos alone. One has to take into account all the variables when redesigning a project such as this. Glad to offer advice but be warned you ultimatly must do the engineering to make it happen.
Pat Richter
Active member
It looks like some tried to extend it already you can see the splice plates in front of the winching post ' looks kind of bowed . A lot of cutting and welding to get it right think it's for a trailer that fits.