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Possible trailer buy for my H180
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13626		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  GalacticWaterman [ Sat Nov 15, 2014 6:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Possible trailer buy for my H180
I found this trailer at a reasonable price.
I am ready to pull the trigger on this.
Any thoughts on whether this will work well for my H180?
The length of the trailer is 20ft.
The selection of used trailers is very slim right now in my area and I'm anxious to winterize my boat as it's getting colder here.
Right now the boat is in water and I'm paying weekly fee for the slip.

http://i.imgur.com/V8pDs1X.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ya3t5hI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/oGoUvn3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ej8sUpX.jpg

Thanks
Author:  deafwish [ Sat Nov 15, 2014 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
With some minor roller adjustments, it should work well. :wink:
Author:  GalacticWaterman [ Sat Nov 15, 2014 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
deafwish wrote:
With some minor roller adjustments, it should work well. :wink:


Thanks, much appreciated.
I've just updated the image links in the post.
Interesting that the last set of rollers is so far back, even a bit past the trailer rear frame.
But if I can get the boat on it tomorrow and back into the land storage space then I'll be very happy.
Btw, it's been an awesome boating season this year!
Author:  deafwish [ Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
Most of the weight in a bowrider is at the stern, so those rear rollers look fine.
My roller trailer would have twice the amount of rollers, but I'm lugging a 5.7 in mine...
I'd invest in some maintenance on that trailer, if you plan on towing more than a few miles - It looks sad.
Author:  GalacticWaterman [ Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
Well, the trailer worked as is.
Although I'll have to move the winch post next season as it's too far forward.
Also the front rollers might need a bit of adjustment.
Can someone suggest whether I should move them an inch or two toward the outside.
From the last pic it's apparent that the roller is sitting on one of those "fins". And could over time damage it?
Should I adjust so that the front left roller is just clear of that "fin"?

And yes, the trailer will get new wheels, rollers, and stainless steel ubolts next Spring.
But for now the boat is winterized, covered, and will be "sleeping" till the weather warms up next year.

http://i.imgur.com/WK4ID7f.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Gxowaxg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mccXrM8.jpg
Author:  rpengr [ Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
It looks pretty good. The "fins" are called "Strakes". They generally have a little more fiberglass behind them then the flat surfaces, so they are pretty strong, however, you wouldn't want too much pressure on the corner of the gelcoat. Hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like you are OK. I would try to make sure that the weight is distributed pretty evenly among the four sets of rollers (do the rollers all deflect about the same amount? do any feel loose?).

Also, it would be good if your safety chain (from the bow eye) could be attached to the trailer at a point below or slightly behind the bow roller. Maybe you could add a large eye-bolt to the back of the tongue for the chain to attach to.

I'm no expert on roller trailers. Hopefully LouC will chime in...he's been using them for decades.
Author:  GalacticWaterman [ Mon Nov 24, 2014 2:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
rpengr wrote:
It looks pretty good. The "fins" are called "Strakes". They generally have a little more fiberglass behind them then the flat surfaces, so they are pretty strong, however, you wouldn't want too much pressure on the corner of the gelcoat. Hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like you are OK. I would try to make sure that the weight is distributed pretty evenly among the four sets of rollers (do the rollers all deflect about the same amount? do any feel loose?).

Also, it would be good if your safety chain (from the bow eye) could be attached to the trailer at a point below or slightly behind the bow roller. Maybe you could add a large eye-bolt to the back of the tongue for the chain to attach to.

I'm no expert on roller trailers. Hopefully LouC will chime in...he's been using them for decades.


Thanks for the advice.
The rollers seem to be holding well but I'll check again to make sure.
I might move all rollers about an inch toward the outside to lower the boat a bit and thereby also lower the center of gravity for the whole load.
But I won't do that until next spring when I'm installing new rollers.
And you're right about the chain. Right now it's attached to the winch post and I am aware that it's supposed to be attached to the frame of the trailer and not the winch post. I'll be moving it also next spring to a correct and more permanent location. on the tong beam.

Well, I'm already looking forward to warm spring days next year when I'll be spending time with my boat (half of which will be on land :) )
Author:  rpengr [ Mon Nov 24, 2014 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
Now that I look at your third picture again, I see that each set of 4 rollers will pretty much balance out their loads. So in my opinion, I don't see any issue with the way the load is spread.
Author:  LouC [ Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
Yep I've had a roller for years, and one thing you want to insure is that the rollers straddle the strakes, because if the strake rides on top of the roller that's a lot of weight and pressure on a small piece of fiberglass. Your front ones look fine, the rear ones its hard for me to tell. The other thing is that those roller arms look like they are fixed in place and don't pivot, is that true? Usually the roller arm pivots up and down and that makes it much easier to launch and load the boat. Check the rollers themselves to make sure they are not cracked. There will be small cracks that will open up when the weight of the boat in on them. Make sure your safety chain is well secured and you must also use transom straps. I trailer on very steep hills and have the normal safety chain, transom straps, and an addition chain from the bow eye down to the trailer frame.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ikrodyyxokge2 ... e.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e0lcg8kglsone ... 2.jpg?dl=0

In this second pic you can see how the rollers straddle the inner strakes on the port side of the stern. It helps line the boat up straight.
Author:  alex8q4 [ Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
If you want to doll up the trailer a bit, soapy water and steel wool will clean that white chalk and the rust off the galvanized metal without much effort.

With soapy water and lightly passing the steel wool, you will not damage the galvanizing.

The nice part of a galvanized trailer is it does not take much to make them look new again!

Cheers!
Author:  GalacticWaterman [ Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Possible trailer buy for my H180
@LouC
Thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure the roller arms are self adjusting but I'll make sure next time I get the boat off the trailer.
Also I'm pretty sure that none of the rollers are sitting on the strakes other than the already mentioned front outside rollers that are just barely touching one of the very small strakes. But I'll correct that too.
I'll taken care of all the chains and transom straps before I go anywhere with the trailer.

@alex8q4
Great info. I'll definitely want to do that. There is a bit of rust on the front frame which I'd like to clean up before it gets worse.
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