www.iFourWinns.com

I've had a 1992 H200 for 13 years - it has served our family well. I recently "expanded my Horizons" and purchased a 1999 H220 5.7 gsi/sx dp. With it has come a bit of a learning curve, the first of which is the trailer. I am new to the forum, so hope to gain its collective wisdom. Any answers or pointers to where good info is would be appreciated.

Anyway, the first set of questions is about the Four Winns trailer. It is a model D06442. Is that the original / correct trailer for this year H220?

It seems to fit ok, but after trailering the boat, with the tow ring up against the single roller above the winch, the boat tends to slide back on the bunks as I tow it home over the bumps in the road. I will loosen the winch strap a couple of clicks to release the tension, and it will be super tight again after a few miles. I release the winch a couple of more clicks, and it retightens again.

Also, with the boat/trailer sitting in my driveway, I can push up on the bow, and easily get the bow to come up an inch above the winch roller. There is still plenty of tongue weight, but the boat seems to be not sitting on the bunks correctly? Should I raise the bunks? the front of the bunks? the back of the bunks?

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Red '99 H220 5.7 GSi/SX DP
Red '92 H200 5.8

Are you using any tiedown straps? Should be 2 on the stern and one from the bow eye to a point almost straight down to the trailer.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Sounds like there might be something up with the trailer??
Have you got the boat far enough up the trailer so that both front bow rollers are actually touching the bow?
Also as NiagaraChillin mentioned, have you got the front bow eye strap on?

Cheers, Craig

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2007 H220 5.7 MAG

Sounds like you only have One bow roller? Most had two rollers on a toggle, one below the bow eye, and one above. I hated that setup because the bow eye would catch on the lower roller. I replaced the toggle with one fixed roller above the bow eye.

I keep my H240 bow eye tight up to the roller (or within 1 inch), and have never had it slide, even without hold-down straps. However, I did replace the winch strap with a 10,000 lb rated strap, not the wimpy strap that was on there when I bought it used (seat belt size strap). The little strap was scarry tight, but the 10,000 lb strap does great. The two speed winch was plenty strong enough.

Here is a picture of my setup, shown prior to adding the heavier strap:



Here is a picture of Jdpber's setup, which is similar, but with a hold down turnbuckle, and the lighter strap:

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

I am really surprised that you all invest that much trust in nylon webbing. I also have a safety chain connected to the bow eye, as instructed by the dealer I bought it from.

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

To answer some of the questions...

1. Yes, I have 2 stern straps. The rear hull sits pretty much at the back edge of the bunks and the straps go straight down.

2. When trailering the boat, I get the front eye up to an inch or so from the single roller above the winch (see picture). Since the trailer is at an angle on the ramp, I have to roll the nose up on the roller for the last 16" - 18".

3. I have only a single front roller. My H200 has the double roller on the toggle. It would toggle up and clunk down when loaded, with the eye between the two rollers. I then would attach my safety chain, and the boat would stay put just fine, no sliding. I was considering changing to the two roller toggle type, if I can find one. The front support looks like it has a tube there for a hinge pin to go thru.

4. I was going to add a safety chain like my old trailer, but if the boat slides back too far, I wouldn't be able to unclip it without backing it into the water and moving the boat forward on the trailer to release the tension. I have temporarily added the two small tie downs, as a way to take some of the pressure off the winch strap.

Anyway, I was thinking of shimming up the back of the bunks to get the boat at a "better" angle. (1.5" at the rear, 1" at the next support, 0.5" at the third, and then no shim at the front support. This should keep the same support on the hull?) Any comments or suggestions?

<< I will add the picture as soon as I figure out how... My son just said that the bratwurst is hot off the grill, so it may be a while >>

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Red '99 H220 5.7 GSi/SX DP
Red '92 H200 5.8

Nylon webbing is very strong, reliable and resilient, ask any climber or anyone on a sar team

I do rope rescue. NEW nylon webbing is all the things you described. HOWEVER - after it is placed under a load, especially for an extended period (hours on end), and it gets wet and dries, it's strength is reduced. We typically replace our webbing every year, and rope on a 2-3 year cycle. (The webbing is used for anchors on uneven surfaces and wears quicker)

That said, I would not rely my investment on just nylon webbing when $30 of chain can provide an added layer of security.

Here's some eye candy to push my point...
https://www.google.com/search?q=boat+came+off+trailer&safe=off&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=nzkFVIemKaL3igKI3oAQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAw&biw=1280&bih=629

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2008 Four Winns h180 Bowrider
3.0 Volvo Penta

2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

I use the bow chain but that's mainly to hold boat back and out of my ass in case is a collision. Post some overall pics of boat on trailer....someone here will see the issue I'm sure. I have a 210 and can't lift it off the bow rollers so some kind of adjustment may be needed.

That within an inch maybe the issue...you want it all the way up to the roller so the bow doesn't bounce going down the road.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Something sure doesn't sound right. A 5000 lb + boat shouldn't be sliding around on bunks unless you are hitting some major pot holes. When on the trailer, does the hull make continuous contact with the bunks? Any gaps, or "bowing" of the bunks along the hull?


I guess that all comes down to how you launch. Do you undo all bow straps before backing in, so you can drive off trailer, or do you back in first then undo the bow straps? If you back in just enough for the stern to "float", pulling it forward to release the chain shouldn't be a problem.

Same goes for how you recover, do you drive onto trailer or guide it on by hand? How far do you back trailer into water? By no means I'm I a trailer/towing "expert", as I only go about a mile from house to ramp, but my boat sits similar to how you described yours, and it has never slid back. And to leave my ramp you have to drive up a verrry steep, long hill. I even stop half way up to let any water drain from bilge (great steep angle for that), and no sliding on bunks.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Boyd,

I have have a 99 H220 with the exact same trailer, DO6442. I went out and checked. I don't seem to have the same issue, but at least I can verify that the trailer is correct for your boat. If there is anything that you would like me to look at, measure or take pictures of let me know. I'd be glad to help

Skert

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99 220 Horizon
5.7 GSi DP

I am a little slow in replying now because I am out houseboating for a few days. I have both the old horizon 200 and the newer horizon 220 here. I don't think I have Forum permission to upload pictures yet but I will work on that when I get home again. I'll get more experience with the boat and trailer this weekend so we'll have more to report, and maybe more questions to ask .

Thanks for confirmation on the trailer model number. I do have no gaps between the boat in the bunks.

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Red '99 H220 5.7 GSi/SX DP
Red '92 H200 5.8

I guess it's my turn to do this...

To put pictures on this forum, you upload them to a photo sharing site, and then include a link inside your post using the button labeled "Img".

I don't think any regular user is allowed to upload pictures directly onto the forum servers.

There are tutorials about it in the "welcome" area.

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2004 Horizon 230
Volvo/Penta 5.7 DuoProp

flickr is a good site for sharing photos on these web boards....


that said I have a 98 H200 similar issue and mine is due to a bent trailer. Therefore it gets used to and from the dock once a season about 3 miles away, I kind of doubt that's your problem but just throwing it out there.

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Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr

Thanks for the tips on posting pictures. Here is the one I was trying to post before.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/7877536@N02/15009073459/

or...



We put 10 hours in 3 days on the H220, and about the same on the h200 in 5 days. Gotta get a bimini for the the h220 - the sun was hot! On the return trip home of 2.5 hours, I stopped a couple of times and loosened the winch strap a couple of clicks. The next time it would be tight again. I started with the bow eye about 1/2" from the roller, and it ended up about 1.5" back. The stern started about an inch in from the end of the bunks, and ended about even.

One of these times when I am headed to the lake, I may try and see how far back it will go (within reason). Maybe it will stop another 1/2 inch farther back. I'm just somewhat reluctant to try

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Red '99 H220 5.7 GSi/SX DP
Red '92 H200 5.8