www.iFourWinns.com

I was towing my trailer (sans boat), from one launch ramp to another on the same lake last weekend (wanted to exit lake at the end of the day at the same ramp as friends of ours). It was only a few miles but I found I couldn't go faster than about 20 mph without the trailer beginning to bounce, seemingly initiated from the right side of the trailer. at lower speeds there was no jumping but the right side was visibly bobbing slightly in the rear view mirror, with the left remaining smooth and quiet. Ater limping to the othe ramp I noticed the right rear wheel on the trailer was sitting about a quarter inch off the ground, and could spin freely. I thought, well at least my bearings haven't freezed up! With the weight of the boat back on the trailer all was apparently well. What do you all think? What do I need to do if anything?

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2005 Horizon 250

Check your spring shackles. I have a car trailer that will do this if I hit a bump with no load on it. It will flip a shackle, and do exactly as you describe.

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1989 205 Sundowner
5.0 HO OMC Cobra

+1.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Well, damn, it seems that both sides have flipped shackles. Of course the 4500 pound boat is sitting on the trailer as well which will make working on this more cumbersome, or impossible. I think this may have happenned when I backed the trailer up a slight slope getting out of the parking area without hooking up wiring (and therefore no reverse lockout).

Any good advice on how to fix this myself? Do I jack up one side, lifting both wheels off the ground and then try to put force on the flipped shackle to return it to its proper place (and then repeat on the other side)? Where should I put the jack exactly?

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2005 Horizon 250

How far are you from a boat ramp?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

2-3 miles to the launch ramp into the muddy Ohio.

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2005 Horizon 250

If it were me, I think I'd get the boat off the trailer if you can tow it that far the way it is.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I took it over to a great shop called Dukes A&W that does a lot of work on trailers - primarily hitches, but also suspensions, bearings, other. They had me back my trailer with boat onto a flat area in their lot and they wheeled out the big-ass hydraulic lift and put it between the tires, and lifted, contacting the joint (arm and shackle) and lifted, repositioned, lifted, stuck a 6 ft pry bar in there and wham! it was back in place. He repeated this on the other side with less difficulty. After checking out the springs he was done. 15 bucks. He said it was one of the more difficult ones he's done, but didn't know why. He said they usually have to do it with the boat on because that is how they are brought in to them. It was about a twenty minute drive, but well worth it to me. I sure as hell would have spent hours screwing with it, and probably would not have been successful (at least with the boat on). I recommend these guys highly.

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2005 Horizon 250

Glad you got it fixed. A good local trailer shop is a huge asset.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

HEllO!
This is a problem I might have. I also backed the trailer in my back yard and it was uneven of course. I didn't notice it at first but the shackle on the front side of the trailer was up against the frame. It stll is the trailer is just sitting at the marina. I guess it needs adjusted. I also noticed that the front tires were off the ground slightly.
I should take it to a shop to get readjusted.
Captain Zero

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CAPTAIN ZERO

If you don't have the boat on the trailer you can probably do it yourself. For me, with the boat on the trailer, I think it adds to the danger and difficulty, and so taking it in and paying a few bucks was well worth it.

It is easy to tell if its flipped - there's plenty of pics on the internet - just do a google search for flipped trailer shackles.

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2005 Horizon 250