Anyone modified a trailer for garage height???

[Jameson Clark]

I am trying to buy a 212 Limited S this week and I am sooooo close to getting it low enough to fit in the garage. With the incredible help of @Augieol65 who has taken a huge amount of time getting measurements for me, it seems with the tower all the down with the retention straps removed the highest point is right where the tower folds. That measurement is 91" and I have 88" of clearance into my garage. Since that spot is right above the trailer tires, up or down on the tongue jack has no effect. I read that some here had talked about flipping the springs to below the axle to get the boat a little lower. Has anyone actually done it? The other idea I thought about was having the trailer modified to lower the bunks IF there is enough room between the hull and the trailer frame to do so. Once again, without the boat in front of me, I have no idea if that a feasible idea.

I am in love with the 212 LTDS and am heart broken that I am missing it by 3". Turns out the AR210 would fit with the other designed tower mount, but the power and additional features of the 212 is what really sold me. Also, it not fitting in the garage is a deal breaker for me so I am desperate for any other ideas to get the boat 3" lower. Heck, I'll deflate the tires to get it in and out of the garage if I have to! I have an air compressor so that's not that big of a deal IF I know for sure that gets me low enough!

So, I am desperate and looking to you guys for ANY ideas on how to get this thing just a little bit lower. Thanks for any help!!!

 

[Dough]

Sounds like raising the header may be easier. Good luck! That's the boat I'm after too

 

[Jameson Clark]

With a brick house and a garage that's the basement, I don't really think that's a real possibility. I wish it was!

 

[robert843]

I have seen people pull the wheels and rims off to be able to push it in the garage on a dolly but that was basically just to put it away for the winter I couldn't imagine trying to do that each time I wanted to use the boat.

 

[Jgorm]

I bet you could but smaller tires if letting the air or doesn't get you there. Take them down to 5psi and see where you are at.

 

[djetok]

I am trying to buy a 212 Limited S this week and I am sooooo close to getting it low enough to fit in the garage. With the incredible help of @Augieol65 who has taken a huge amount of time getting measurements for me, it seems with the tower all the down with the retention straps removed the highest point is right where the tower folds. That measurement is 91" and I have 88" of clearance into my garage. Since that spot is right above the trailer tires, up or down on the tongue jack has no effect. I read that some here had talked about flipping the springs to below the axle to get the boat a little lower. Has anyone actually done it? The other idea I thought about was having the trailer modified to lower the bunks IF there is enough room between the hull and the trailer frame to do so. Once again, without the boat in front of me, I have no idea if that a feasible idea.

I am in love with the 212 LTDS and am heart broken that I am missing it by 3". Turns out the AR210 would fit with the other designed tower mount, but the power and additional features of the 212 is what really sold me. Also, it not fitting in the garage is a deal breaker for me so I am desperate for any other ideas to get the boat 3" lower. Heck, I'll deflate the tires to get it in and out of the garage if I have to! I have an air compressor so that's not that big of a deal IF I know for sure that gets me low enough!

So, I am desperate and looking to you guys for ANY ideas on how to get this thing just a little bit lower. Thanks for any help!!!

I would think flipping the spring would be horrific for towing. There isn't a lot of extra fender room anyways. Letting air out of the tires would be my first try. I would talk to the dealer and see if they would try to put it in the garage in the manner. Smaller wheels and tires to just to put it in the garage?

Another option would be a 212 limited (non tower version) and add a tower that will clear the garage.

 

[Jameson Clark]

Unfortunately since I am wanting a 2017, I'm gonna have to travel a big distance to get it and I can't just go run by there to try stuff. I'm in a tough spot for sure. Airing the tires down doesn't bother me and I'm willing if I know going into this that it's gonna fit! I am hoping @Augieol65 is gonna try to get a measurement that way and I have had my fingers and toes crossed all day hoping for good news!

 

[Jameson Clark]

Or if anyone else wants to go through some work to help a stranger... Lol

All I need is someone with a 210/212 boat to measure a distance on the boat right at the tower base from the ground then air the tires down and measure again and see how much height it lost. I know I'm asking a ton guys, I just want to make sure before 16 hours on the road and $50k later. THANKS!!!!

 

[Betik]

If you are missing by 3inches just with a regular fold down position you will be able to find another 3 inches.
Note: I am assuming that you have the garage length right ......

If we’re you I would buy the boat ( not the AR ). And then give it a shot to see how much you actually need.

I am fairly positive that deflating the tires will give you 3inches but I am optimistic you will be able to do it without that hassle.
Here are some ideas.

1. Fold the tongue and drop it to a caster. You can then use a winch to roll it inside the garage or use $2000 parkit360
2. If you are towing too far for BAU use then replace to 13 inch radial tires. That will give you at least 1 inch. You can keep your original tires for long hauls or you could sale them.
3. You will find a way to lower the bunks by 1 inch. You can expand the bunk to “catch” the boat earlier and avoid hitting the trailer. I can send you some photos
4. @Julian can probabably help with this but some tower can be lowers lowers than the BAU position. I know someone did, not sure which tower it was though
5. You can sale your trailer for $1,500 and then buy an aluminum trailer for $3k ( just did it myself). On this new trailer I could easily lower the bunks by 2 inches. I could probably get 4 inches if I try hard enough.
6. You should be able to get half to an inch by removing some of the cosmetic crap on your garage.

I am attaching a couple of pictures so you can see where I was able to fit 240. Despite having to make 2 90 degree turns. Also see what I meant by new aluminum trailer

 

[Jameson Clark]

@Augieol65 has been a huge help and found the measurements I'm using. His tower is folded all the way down with the retention straps removed and now the top of the tower is as low as the windshield and I'm good there by a few inches. The problem I'm having now is the point where the tower folds is actually the highest point now at 91" and the only way to get that lower is by getting the whole boat and/or trailer lower. I THINK I can accomplish that by deflating the tires but I sure would like to be sure!!

Thanks for the pictures on the trailer. I need to ride by my local dealer and look at one of the stock trailers in person to see if there's room for an inch or two there.

Fingers still crossed!

 

[Slack]

Deflating the tires makes the trailer almost impossible to move or turn especially on a dual axle trailer. You also risk damaging your tires because it twists the sidewalls. You can buy a pair of 13 inch trailer wheels and tires for under $100. I put it on the rear axle of the trailer leaving no wheels/tires on the front axle. I also mounted a heavy duty caster with a u-bolt on the tongue of the trailer behind the bow mount arm. I let it down all the way and use my zero turn mower to move in and out my garage. This lowers the boat a good 6-8 inches. It’s a pain but I plan to do this only for the winter months. I leave my boat out back with a premium mooring cover. I am out of town right now and don’t have any photos.

 

[Speedling]

Your boat most likely has like an inch from boat to the fenders so lowering the bunks is not likely
Flipping the springs won't help if you ever hit bumps.

You would be best to play with the tower to see if you can get it to sit lower somehow. Like, if the cable is disconnected altogether and the tower is lowered onto a pvc support will it fit?
Smaller diameter tires could help. Do you have 14" currently?
13" are a little less common in the higher speed rated tires I believe. Be sure you have something quality on there but it would get you 1 inch more for sure!
I don't believe they make 12" trailer tires.
But I guess you could buy some custom rims and tires, like get the low profile deals kids have on civics and such.
Check the lip from driveway into garage. You may have a lip, bump, or somewhat raised section there. If so, it may be easier to re-pour the garage skirt and/or grind (polishing wheel) down the concrete.
If polishing the concrete down, it will take a very long time, wear a mask, and look into getting a water setup. Silicosis is the new big thing in safety and it would be wise to read up on it. It's a big deal.
So driveway mod, smaller diameter wheels and the tower absolutely down max may just get it.
I like the aluminum trailer idea!
Also the lowering of the tongue all the way down will help even if it seems the high point is over the axles. It will only be a ratio of what you drop it but it will help.
@Slack does your zero turn then take the 500 lbs of tongue weight?
I know my zero turn couldn't get up my 1' incline into the garage

 

[Slack]

They do make 12 inch trailer wheels and tires but I don’t think that would clear the disc brakes. As far as the zero turn, I do not put any load on it. I let the trailer ride on the caster and use the zero turn to maneuver the trailer with a home made attachment bracket.

Hopefully all of this is temporary as I look to build a detached garage in several years.

 

[Betik]

In regard to tire deflation you will deflate only for the distance needed to clear . I would expect you will have a pick and stoping 1 inch prior to hiring the door deflating ( not to 0) rolling 5-6 inches to clear and then inflate. Definitely no turns and I would keep 2 spares with you.

In regard to fenders , I just lowered mine. Had to drill wholes on the aluminum but they are at least one inch lower now.

 

[Jameson Clark]

In regard to tire deflation you will deflate only for the distance needed to clear . I would expect you will have a pick and stoping 1 inch prior to hiring the door deflating ( not to 0) rolling 5-6 inches to clear and then inflate. Definitely no turns and I would keep 2 spares with you.

In regard to fenders , I just lowered mine. Had to drill wholes on the aluminum but they are at least one inch lower now.

You are correct. The tires would only be deflated for a distance of a foot or less to clear the one spot that is 91" and then aired back up. Definitely no turns but at that point, I am already lined up straight into the spot. Just still looking for someone to verify that deflating the tires does indeed lower the boat at least 3" before pulling the trigger on one.

In related news, the 212 LTDS that I was trying to get has sold so I am now looking at a 2017 212X. But, from what I can see, it is the same tower so I am not worried about that change unless someone knows something I don't.

 

[GoVols01]

I'm sure you've read some of my posts from a year ago, as I was in the same exact situation when buying my '17 212X. My house has an 8' garage door and I can tell you that I clear that baby by only a couple inches.
With the retainer straps removed and the folded bimini removed, the base of the tower and the anchor light are the highest points as it squeezes through my garage opening. I have a powered trailer dolly that'll only move the boat forward and backward - dolly can't turn the trailer.

I considered flipping the axle, but never had an "expert" evaluate the possibility. Looking at the setup, I don't think this will work as the flipped axle looks like it would be hitting the hull of the boat. Best thing to do is take the boat and trailer to a trailer shop and have them evaluate the options and provide quotes. Thankfully, mine fit the garage when I brought it home and I never had to go to the trailer shop I was speaking with about my options.

 

[Jameson Clark]

That is extremely ironic, I was literally just reading your post. @Augieol65 had measured and gotten 91" at his highest point on his, which is a little lower than your measurement which worries me. I am desperately trying to figure out how to get this thing in at 88"!

 

[Jameson Clark]

Random question... once the rear pins are pulled and the tower is folded, how hard is it to remove it?

 

[GoVols01]

Random question... once the rear pins are pulled and the tower is folded, how hard is it to remove it?

To remove what? The tower? I never considered removing the tower before, so can't help you there.

If you're talking about removing the retainer cables, there's a simple bolt in the base of the tower that releases the top side of the mechanism from the base of the tower. Once you pull the pins, you MUST hold the tower up, otherwise it WILL come crashing down on your steering wheel and / or head. My retaining mechanism actually is still on the boat, but it's taped down to keep it from getting in the way. If you look at my picture in my post above, you can see at the base of the tower, there's a metal block with black electrical tape over it - those are the retention mechanisms. Dealer left it that way and I'm fine with it. When the tower is raised back up, it fits inside the base and they're out of sight.

 

[Jameson Clark]

Yes, the whole tower