Roller installation on trailer?

[scooper77515]

My trailer does not have a roller on the very back, so I bought one. I just don't know how high you are supposed to set it.

It has two grooves cut in it so you can adjust it up and down. What is the approximate hight to set it? Just enough so the boat clears the metal frame, or what?

 

[timmyboy76]

Scoop....consider'n that these boats dont sit down in water that far, with trailer being submerged as far as is, dont think theres any need to woryy, but since you've purchased it, I set it just under the rail height, just incase nose of boat does come in contact with trailer, than you got the roller, but higher than railings, you'll be putting a lot of weight on that alone, and not the runners...:cheers:

 

[kwiktsi]

Good idea actually. I actually put a nice chip in the bottom of my boat (right at the leading edge of the V) due to the trailer not being deep enough. Due to the pitch of the ramp where I load, it's a PITA to get the trailer just right- too shallow and the boat hits, just a couple inches back from there and the boat floats over it and will allow the nose to dip under the front roller assembly when I walk to the bow to attach the hook. It is a light boat (speedster 150) that does not sit very deep in the water plus a very steep ramp, so all of them together make it tough to get just right. A roller somewhere along the way would not be a bad idea.

 

[kustomkarl]

Scott is you put the trailer in the water just to where the bunks are under the water the Challenger will ride up on the bunks perfect every time. The roller is something to corrode and freeze up and gouge the bottom of the boat...just my 2 cents.

Karl

 

[unclejay]

But...

A roller does have one advantage - if a bunk breaks, the roller will save your boat for a short while.

On a really nasty boat ramp, I shut down and pull the boat on with a rope. This entails getting real wet though.

 

[rexsteiner]

In michigan, that's the only way to do it. Power loading is illegal (against the law)

 

[scooper77515]

Well, the trailer I have has a bolt running through the rear crossmember, and looks like it used to have a flat piece of plastic attached to it. That is all that is on the other crossmembers, and I could live with that.

Might have to, since the roller frame is so long that it hangs down to within about 5" of the ground. Either that or I will have to cut the frame down.

So, a long flat piece of plastic is looking like a better idea all the time...

 

[kustomkarl]

Any boat trailer company will have a rubber cross member piece to replace the old one. Here they are like $5.00 I think.

Karl

 

[scooper77515]

I think I will go that route instead of the roller...

Now that I have a spare roller and installation plate, and threw away the receipt, anyone want it (for a small shipping and handling fee)?

 

[seadoosnipe]

center protection

The trailer is suppose to have white, rubberized cover, about 5" long across the bottom of the trailer.

I have though about a roller....., but not gotten one yet.

Rex......I'd get a ticket or move.......cause I've always been a powerloader. I can't imagine someone loading a 18 to 20 foot boat without doing it. Biggest thing here, is in the sandy boat ramps, most heavy lifters use their boats engine thrust to help create the first bit of forward momentum to get the boat started up the ramp...............:cheers:

 

[rexsteiner]

i dont have a problem with my 18 footer. the trick is to not back in too far annd use the winch.
could you imagine how difficult it must be for the guys with 28 and 30 foot scarrabs and stuff.:ack:
deep boat launches only!

 

[robertm]

i dont have a problem with my 18 footer. the trick is to not back in too far annd use the winch.
could you imagine how difficult it must be for the guys with 28 and 30 foot scarrabs and stuff.:ack:
deep boat launches only!

I don't get it. How can it be illegal to load your boat on the trailer under power? It seems pretty dangerous to try to load a boat with a winch etc, compared to just driving it up the trailer then pulling it tight maybe a few inches. What's the rational behind the law?

 

[rexsteiner]

Its so that it doesbt get dug out behind the launch and create a big drop off. I can't see it being a big issue with jet boats but big outboards might be a little different.

With a short boat ud pry never notice a huge crater behind the launch tho anyway.

 

[kustomkarl]

Here in Florida I also own a 26' Chris Craft Cruiser. It sleeps 6 and weighs 6200#. I drive it up on the bunks and hook on my safety chain, and winch it tight like 3 clicks...done. There is no way to just winch it up on the trailer. Load and unloading time is less than 3 minutes.

Karl

 

[imnothot02]

Its so that it doesbt get dug out behind the launch and create a big drop off. I can't see it being a big issue with jet boats but big outboards might be a little different.

With a short boat ud pry never notice a huge crater behind the launch tho anyway.

thats goverment at work for ya... here you would be screwed due to the current of the rivers...

 

[rexsteiner]

current of the rivers?! i have to deal with the current all the time, i spend alot of time on the saginaw river and when the wind is from the south after a good rain it makes launching and loading a pain in the a$$. and for jet boats its even tougher. found a link for ya to read about our prescious boat launches. it has illistrations of what power loading does. click here:bs:

 

[scooper77515]

Rex,

I love that little cartoon on the site. It shows that after the boat is done, there is a chunk of dry land BEHIND the boat about a boat-length out.

So, I assume it is safe to powerload as long as you don't have to drive over a dry "speed bump" on the way to the ramp...

Everyone here does it. I seldom do. I just get close, put on the hook, and crank it up while it is still in the water. This boat is so light that I can do it on dry land if I need to...

 

[rexsteiner]

yeah yeah yeah, the dry land part is great and all. but did you get the sounds of the loons?
here in michigan , we love our loons.




tell me you no what a loon is.....

 

[imnothot02]

Rex,

I love that little cartoon on the site. It shows that after the boat is done, there is a chunk of dry land BEHIND the boat about a boat-length out.

So, I assume it is safe to powerload as long as you don't have to drive over a dry "speed bump" on the way to the ramp...

Everyone here does it. I seldom do. I just get close, put on the hook, and crank it up while it is still in the water. This boat is so light that I can do it on dry land if I need to...

they should build beter ramps...