Lifting a boat trailer? |
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Hagan
Newbie Joined: August-13-2017 Location: Albany, OR Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Posted: April-22-2018 at 6:03am |
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Anybody ever lift their boat trailer? My prop gaurd drags on just about everything including my driveway and it's getting annoying. My truck isn't lifted and my boat/trailer sit level. I'd rather not have the boat nose down while driving. I was thinking about going with bigger tires but clearance between the tire and fender is pretty small. Someone already added some rollers on the prop gaurd to help with the dragging. I was thinking using a ~2" block with new u bolts. Not sure if it's even possible or a bad idea? New axle with less drop is of course a possibility
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Nautiquehunter
Platinum Member Joined: December-31-2008 Location: Lake Lanier GA Status: Offline Points: 1010 |
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I was having trouble with the tires hitting the under side of the fenders on my Supra. Even after new springs it still hit on big bumps . I made 1'' aluminum blocks to go between the axle and the springs that increased the distance between the fender and tire and also raised the trailer height by 1''. That was 10 plus years ago no problems yet.
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Duane in Indy
Platinum Member Joined: October-26-2015 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 1578 |
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Longer shackle straps will also raise the trailer easily.
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Keep it as original as YOU want it
1978 Mustang (modified) |
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Hagan
Newbie Joined: August-13-2017 Location: Albany, OR Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Both great ideas thank you! I will have to look at my trailer again and see what my options are. I'm pretty sure the spring is over the axle so a block/shackle would be an easy solution.
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chau8238
Groupie Joined: August-08-2017 Location: Houston Status: Offline Points: 75 |
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Lifting the trailer is easy and won't hurt anything structurally if done properly. The only disadvantage is that you will have to back your trailer further into the water. Probably not an issue, but on some ramps it could be.
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gt40KS
Gold Member Joined: August-05-2017 Location: Wichita Kansas Status: Offline Points: 943 |
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I needed to lift the trailer on my last boat but it was a tandem axle (leaf springs). The springs were under the axle so I had to do it by making longer shackles. It worked well but did require a lot of fab work and the purchase of another set of bolts - not the way I would have gone if the springs were above.
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JCCI
1995 Ski Nautique GT40 |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Trevor,
Have you considered castors on the prop guard? |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Also, note the prop guard has been lowered for better clearance to the prop. |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Online Points: 13510 |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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My ADD strikes again! Kevin thanks for the heads up. |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Online Points: 13510 |
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Obviously pictures of the guys trailer would go a loooong way towards helping us help him.
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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I've been known to miss things in pictures too! |
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shierh
Gold Member Joined: April-29-2015 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 605 |
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What about lowering the hitch ball.
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Duane in Indy
Platinum Member Joined: October-26-2015 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 1578 |
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Hagan said in initial post " My truck isn't lifted and my boat/trailer sit level. I'd rather not have the boat nose down while driving" He may end up having to live with it. Pictures as several others have stated. On another note*** it looked like in Petes picture of somebodies rig that it had a lot of prop clearance and did not need that much drop. Just my observation, probably I'm wrong cause that is a lot of effort if you don't need the room |
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Keep it as original as YOU want it
1978 Mustang (modified) |
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Hagan
Newbie Joined: August-13-2017 Location: Albany, OR Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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I worry about raising the prop gaurd. It has a little bit of clearance but not sure if it's worth it if there is a possibility of contact.
Having a hard time posting pics... |
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Hagan
Newbie Joined: August-13-2017 Location: Albany, OR Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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That's the day I bought it. I'm now using a 6" drop ball mount that levels the boat/trailer. 1st pic is the sellers pic |
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gt40KS
Gold Member Joined: August-05-2017 Location: Wichita Kansas Status: Offline Points: 943 |
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Wow. And I thought mine was kinda low.....
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JCCI
1995 Ski Nautique GT40 |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Trevor,
Wow, looks like a PO has been at it with cutting and welding. If it was me, I'd cut and weld again only higher just so there's clearance when the boat is on the trailer. When on the ramp loading or unloading there's more clearance due to the angle of the trailer. How's your tongue weight? I ask because the boat looks like it's sitting pretty far forward on the trailer. If the weight is good, I'd also be tempted to shorten the trailer which would help some going over curbs and dips. |
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gt40KS
Gold Member Joined: August-05-2017 Location: Wichita Kansas Status: Offline Points: 943 |
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Looking at the second pic again, there appears to be 5 or 6 inches of space between the tip of the rudder and the trailer frame. Pete is correct in that all you need to worry about is an inch or so, while it sits on the trailer - the angle difference gives you much more on the ramp.
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JCCI
1995 Ski Nautique GT40 |
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Hagan
Newbie Joined: August-13-2017 Location: Albany, OR Status: Offline Points: 17 |
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Thanks! I think I will just raise the prop gaurd. There really is no reason it needs to be that low to the ground. I'd prefer not lifting my trailer. I cant remember what my tongue weight is but I do recall I can barely pick it up by hand. Similar to my empty car trailer. What I dont get is they used a 3500lb axle for a 3500lb boat/trailer
I will double check and take some measurements then I can cut and weld it up higher. |
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