www.iFourWinns.com

Hi Guys,

I am thinking to block the trailer with boat up for the winter season. Where/what points are blocked? Is there a solid part of the trailer frame I should be using? Pics would be awesome...

Thank you...

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RICK|2009 H200 5.0L MERC|2010 RAM 1500 LARAMIE
Beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

This isn't what you asked, but - I did that one year and haven't done it since. I can't think of a good reason to do it. But, I'd block it under each axle, right below the springs. And of course the tongue.

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

Another "not what you asked" post. Instead of blocking up the trailer I park it on plywood (barrier between the tires and concrete or dirt) driveway.

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'90 Horizon 220 5.8

My drive isn't level. I found putting a 1" by X under the tires on the "down-hill" side keeps it pretty level L-R. I also put a board under the front to raise the bow about another inch. Both help to keep water from settling in parts of the bilge, as well as other cubby-holes. I do have a "block" that goes between the tires, but that's there whenever I'm not hooked up.

As far as lifting the trailer to get the weight off the wheels.... never done that in 15+ years of boat ownership, and see no need to start now. Just make sure your tires are properly inflated, hit 'em with some armor-all and check about once a month or two.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Thanks Guys....

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RICK|2009 H200 5.0L MERC|2010 RAM 1500 LARAMIE
Beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

I don't have pictures, but I put my boat/trailer on jackstands last year. Keep the flat spots from developing on the tires? I made some wooden blocks with a piece of mud flap attached to the top (to protect the trailer frame) of the block that fits over the top of the jack stand posts. I also cut some pieces of 2 x 12 to set each jack stand on (4 in total). I put one on each side up front and one on each side of the cross member farthest back. I haven't winterized yet this year, but it's on my radar. If I ever get pictures I'll be sure to repost here.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

I've considered putting mine on jack stands for the winter, but noticed that Walt hasn't ever experienced problems with flat spots on tires that haven't been raised off of the ground. I would prefer to NOT raise the trailer, but in the back of my head wonder if I could develop future problems. I travel about 30-40 miles on the interstate to the lake, so tires are extremely important to me.

In the lot where I store my boat, I don't see anybody else raising the trailer for the winter, so flat spots can't be that big of a problem. Heck, some trailers in that lot hardly ever roll in the summer months, much less the winter months.

If I did put it on jack stands, I would probably worry about some idiot rocking it off the stands as a prank.

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Scott
2008 Horizon 210 Frenzy Edition
Volvo 5.7L Gi

I've never even had flat spots develop. My tires lose about 6-8lbs. of pressure during the first 2 months of storage, then no more. Boating for us involves a minimum of an hour at highway speeds each way.

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

As part of my winterization I do turn the boat 180 deg from the way it sits thru the summer. After seeing my Bro-in-laws Crown after a few years of sitting the exact same way year in and out, it has to be done! One side looked brand new, the other side looked about 20 years old! That's just a thought on something I believe is a bit more important and expensive than tires.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I used to put jack stand on axles and tongue.... They puts marks on driveway.... Now days I leave them alone..... Although evry other month I jack up trailer one side at a time and spin tires little so they will not sit on one spot....
only takes 5 minutes.... I understand it is unnessesary to do for trailer tires if they sit less than a half of years...
Just inside of head thing make me do them..

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

I put my boat/ trailer on axle stands every winter and remove the wheels; it makes it a lot harder to steal ! Wheel clamps are easily removed with a 18V angle grinder, the UK/ Ireland "Gypsies" (i.e. scum/ crooks that the police are wary of dealing with in case they fall foul of EU racial discimination laws/ they know they will threaten their families/ they won't pay any fines anyhow) apparently have clamp on tow hitches to attach to trailers so hitch locks are useless.

Graham

We block ours....not much...just enough to take the weight off the springs. Tires are not ever "off" the ground. Overkill? maybe. For comfort...have had my share of trailer problems in the past so I take the extra precaution.

Ernie

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JustBreathe
'05 230 Horizon

A heavy trailer, you can raise the hydraulic jack. The top into a heavy trailer for different reasons. Tires or heavy-duty trailer axle repair of a common repair work. The work requires heavy lifting axle jack enough to remove the tire from the ground, and allow repair to complete high.

We put a block under one side of our trailer to level it up but also to help keep someone from stealing the boat. We also take the tire off the side we put the block under. Gotta have a tire to steal our boat(no spare on the trailer).

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2007 Four Winns H180
4.3GL-G Volvo Penta SX

Hi to all!!!!

I block mine up every year. You want to take the wight off the springs, tires & bearings. Cracks and flat spots can develop on the tires. That much of a load can weaken the springs in time. I keep the boat half on the driveway and half on dirt. Because of that, I use a very unconventional way of jacking it up, PLUS I don't like getting my hands any were near, were something can happen.

The boat and trailer are about 8200lbs, so I use 4 tongue jacks (rated at 3000lbs) , pulse the one that is bolted to the tongue. I bolt one on, to each side if the tires, tandem trailer. Than walk around the boat turning each jack handle once, until I get most off the wight off the springs, but not all. I also use a 2x12x12-14" block under each leg. this stop it from sicking & leaving marks. It seams a lot to do, but it takes me about 20 to 25 min. to do.

Paul