Trailer frame rubs on the keel

[4x15mph]

The front frame rail of my trailer can hit the keel of my boat if I don't have the fenders pretty far out of the water. For now I load and then pull up a it but something doesn't seem right. I raised the bunks a bit since one of them definitely slid down on one corner. Note to self - check the trailer bolts often

See the picture below and the area that I surrounded with some black tape for protection. You can see that even still, I only have about an inch of clearance.

Any advice?

 

[itsdgm]

Looks like an aftermarket trailer, because that is close!! I wonder if you could mount a roller there. If not, I'm sure you could secure a scuff pad of some sort.

 

[Bruce]

I like the roller idea!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

A pic of your bow stop and front area of the trailer might help. Sometimes you can slide the bow stop forward which will raise your keel.

 

[4x15mph]

The trailer is aftermarket and not the OEM trailer. I have been looking at hull rollers but I think I would have to be careful about it supporting any or too much of the boat's weight. I called eTrailer and they were going to look at this. They called me back and said that I could possibly add more rollers to the sides of the trailer but I don't think they understood that this is a bunk trailer. I will do some more hunting for a low profile, hull/bow roller.

Here are 2 pictures of the trailer tongue and bow stop. There are adjustments in the bow stop/roller that looks like I could move the roller up (see the hole below). I don't know that this would improve things. Trailers are tough since you can't really do much unless the boat is off of it.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Your bow stop is totally movable. You can slide the 45 degree part forward and back. The arm with the roller can slide up and down the 45 degree arm also. No holes need to be drilled, just tighten bolts/nuts.

Now that we see your bow stop is able to move, let's see pics of the bunks and brackets. Pic of the rear of boat in relation to the end of bunks will help.

 

[4x15mph]

Yes, you are right about the bow stop being movable. I think when you see the bunks (picture #2) it will help show how I may not be able to move it back any. The heaviest part of the boat is where the bunks are now so I probably don't want to let any of the boat hang further back where it will not be supported by bunks. Not sure

Thanks for staying with me on this. Let me know if any other pics will help.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Found your problem!!

Lower the bunk brackets in the rear as far as you can. That will raise your bow up equal distance. You'll have to move your bow stop to a new position once you reload the boat.

After moving the brackets down, load the boat so the stern is even to the rear of bunks like it is now. Now adjust your bow stop.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Additionally, I'm hoping that the front bunk brackets can accept the rears being lower.

You could probably use a nice floor jack and some wood to raise up the boat to do this without taking the boat off.

 

[4x15mph]

@Murf'n'surf , lowering the rear bunk bracket will have my boat pitched at an angle. In other words the bunks will not be parallel with the ground. Is that really okay? Also, if I lower the rear bracket, it will definitely hit the ramp since I barely clear the ramps now.

I did raise the front bunks recently to try to fix this problem since when I looked at them I noticed that they had actually slipped down a bit.

What do you think?

 

[Wayloncle]

I think you have room to move your bow stop back a couple inches, that would get your keel away from that frame. Imo anyway.

 

[4x15mph]

The bow stop does not have 2 holes allowing it to move towards the back. It has a single, open hole that would allow me to change the angle only. I think.... it may be hard to see in that picture. Do you see what I mean?

 

[itsdgm]

The bow stop does not have 2 holes allowing it to move towards the back. It has a single, open hole that would allow me to change the angle only. I think.... it may be hard to see in that picture. Do you see what I mean?

It looks like you can loosen and slide the whole bow stop assembly forward and backwards along the center frame of the trailer.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

If you lower the rear brackets your bow should not hit the cross braces because it should be 3' under water when loading/unloading. A 4" angle should not matter much on the trailer. I think it's the trade off of owning that trailer.

Your bow stop slides after loosening all bolts on the tongue.

 

[4x15mph]

Understood and thank you all for the ideas. I will try a combination of these approaches. I have to make it work since it is a pretty nice, upgraded trailer.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Another method would be adding another 2x4 to the bunks raising it up another 1.5".

 

[Gym]

It looks like you can loosen and slide the whole bow stop assembly forward and backwards along the center frame of the trailer.

That was also my thought. The stern hanging a couple of inches off of the bunk is not an issue. That would also slightly lighten the tongue weight on your tow vehicle. My bunks do not touch the very end of my stern.

 

[4x15mph]

I went with the roller idea and so far so good. Thanks for the help