Trailer setup query

[SimonCh]

Hi folks,

I'm having an issue when launching my boat when theres not a huge amount of water.... it doesn't exactly roll off due to the shape of the hull catching on the rear rollers. There's a lower bolthole on rear the rollers and i'm looking for thoughts on whether lowering would help. I wonder if the trailer/boat combo was ever properly set up by the previous owner or if he's just bought the trailer and left it as it came. I've never adjusted a trailer before so don't want to move them down and find the boat fouls on the axle or similar.

I've marked up (crudely) some photos for info.

Thanks!

Si

[jeffstevens763@g]

all rollers should touch the hull mine were adjusted so that the stern was a tad lower to assist launch.
the way yours are is not good for the hull especially whilst towing

[beamishken]

Theres not much you can do with those swing beam trailers to prevent them dropping into the step of the hull. I had a similar issue with a stepped hull & never realy remedied it.
Your trailer looks reasonably well set up unlike many you see where the rollers are really close together making the boat sit high. Getting the rollers as low as possible helps but other than replacing the rear swing beam with a set of fixed roller bunks that wont pivot into the step there probably isnt much you can do

[gtflash]

I saw this at the weekend. I think it’s an official sbs unit which I once enquired about.

I’m on my 2nd step hull. 1st was a regal single step on a sbs trailer. They used click washer things on rollers and I ripped them off nearly every launch. This led to a serious scratch on 2 occasions.

Now on twin stepped rib and it won’t drive off. I have recently asked a mate to knock up a 2m extension pole for trailer. She drives on perfect in shallow water. But won’t get off. Initially it was on twin bunks with keel rollers. Now I have replaced the bunks for rollers but still no good.

Pascoes used to have big inflatable jockey wheels, and the company that do stainless trailers have big wheels on there’s. I have a collection of large diameter jockey wheels to modify my trailer but in reality the extension is probably easiest.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by gtflash

I saw this at the weekend. I think it’s an official sbs unit which I once enquired about.

I’m on my 2nd step hull. 1st was a regal single step on a sbs trailer. They used click washer things on rollers and I ripped them off nearly every launch. This led to a serious scratch on 2 occasions.

Now on twin stepped rib and it won’t drive off. I have recently asked a mate to knock up a 2m extension pole for trailer. She drives on perfect in shallow water. But won’t get off. Initially it was on twin bunks with keel rollers. Now I have replaced the bunks for rollers but still no good.

Pascoes used to have big inflatable jockey wheels, and the company that do stainless trailers have big wheels on there’s. I have a collection of large diameter jockey wheels to modify my trailer but in reality the extension is probably easiest.

Thats quite a neat remedy [emoji106]

[Salty Pete]

I had a problem with beach ramps and I was advised to relocate the axle above the trailer frame.

Although this only lowered the frame 50mm at the axle, it increased the angle from the tow hitch to the rear of the boat lowering the rear rollers.

This made it a lot easier to retrieve the boat.

It appears that your axle, from what I can see, is below the trailer frame and there appears to be enough room to fit the axle above it.

[gtflash]

Originally Posted by Salty Pete

I had a problem with beach ramps and I was advised to relocate the axle above the trailer frame.

Although this only lowered the frame 50mm at the axle, it increased the angle from the tow hitch to the rear of the boat lowering the rear rollers.

This made it a lot easier to retrieve the boat.

It appears that your axle, from what I can see, is below the trailer frame and there appears to be enough room to fit the axle above it.

Interesting. I wonder if 5hatwould effect a UK trailers legality

[SimonCh]

i don’t think i’d get away with this - my trailer board already scuffs the ground when coming out my driveway if i have it the correct distance back!

[SimonCh]

if using the extension, do you need to have a large jockey wheel too? i’ve never actually seen the extension poles before - they look like they’d do the job, a bit of extra faff though. my RIB used to be great. reverse, blip the brakes and she would come off a dream!

[Salty Pete]

Originally Posted by Salty Pete

I had a problem with beach ramps and I was advised to relocate the axle above the trailer frame.

Although this only lowered the frame 50mm at the axle, it increased the angle from the tow hitch to the rear of the boat lowering the rear rollers.

This made it a lot easier to retrieve the boat.

It appears that your axle, from what I can see, is below the trailer frame and there appears to be enough room to fit the axle above it.

Sorry don't listen to me, I'm an idiot. That was Moo Poo

I have leaf springs and I moved the axle above the leaf springs instead of below them. Not above the frame.

[gtflash]

Like this.

https://www.rib.net/forum/f49/extend...ery-75762.html

[SimonCh]

Originally Posted by gtflash

Like this.

https://www.rib.net/forum/f49/extend...ery-75762.html

That is a touch of class....

Do you know if the brackets used were purchased or manufactured? I'll have to try find someone with a fab-shop who can knock something up for me!

Thank you!

Si

[SimonCh]

i should add that today i drilled and ran a bolt through the trailer frame in to the rear swing bar so that it is now fixed, to save it riding up and catching on the lip on the hull. will see how that goes and failing that i’ll go to a fab shop and look at an extension bar! thanks again everyone

[gtflash]

Let us know how it goes. I’ve considered that.

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by SimonCh

That is a touch of class....

Do you know if the brackets used were purchased or manufactured? I'll have to try find someone with a fab-shop who can knock something up for me!

Thank you!

Si

The bracket sitting on the picnic table in the link that has formed the main hinge point is an old winch frame !......
if you cant solve it maybe rollerbunk will sort it !

[Iankristy]

Maybe try the harder blue rollers. They don’t compress like the black one and have transformed a few trailers I’ve had. From back breaking to get off to gliding off themselves. Not sure if they’ll help with the step though.

[SimonCh]

That's the 3m long extension bar fitted - once engaged with the towbar it gives an additional 2m to the trailer, the box section doesn't look as beefy as expected, will see how it copes with the nose weight when i'm home (the wife just sent the photo) will let you know how it goes!

Si

[SimonCh]

so i tried this out today and what a bloody difference. launched at the same height of tide that had my car up to the sills in the harbour previously to get the boat off.
i had made a few mods;
- lowered the rear rollers to their lowest setting
- pinned the rear swing arm to prevent it swinging and catching on the step of the hull
- had the 2m draw bar extension made and fitted.

really chuffed with the result. £150 all in, can’t knock it!

Si out.

[gtflash]

Now I’m ashamed I’ve been adjusting rollers and bunks for 2 years. Cracking extension. What size bar you use?

Ps your tubes have fallen off ��

[SimonCh]

Originally Posted by gtflash

Now I’m ashamed I’ve been adjusting rollers and bunks for 2 years. Cracking extension. What size bar you use?

Ps your tubes have fallen off ��

It is made from 2" box section. It flexes a bit but does the job! I actually launched the boat, drove up the slip, reversed the trailer down a narrow parking area before realising i'd left the extension on... I though it had been a bit slow to react!

My tubes?! Ah yeah... about that... well this is awkward... I sold my RIB a few years back and i'm just recently back on the boating scene, the wife didn't want another RIB. Love my new boat! This is one of the very few boating forum that seems full of like minded, decent people rather than people trying to one-up each other and pick holes in everyone's posts, I like it here!