www.iFourWinns.com

So I put my boat in the water on Sunday and pulled it back out on Monday this past week. I didnt really notice until I got home, but the front tires on my trailer are not on the ground! What in the world caused this? Is there a simple fix, to get the tires to hold equal weight again? It seems strange that this would happen to both front wheels at the same time.

_________________

2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

It might be the weight distribution; basically the position of the axles on the trailer. When I tow my trailer without the boat on it, it's only the front wheels that are touching the ground ( it makes it easier to reverse than a 4 whel one, as it behaves like a 2 wheel trailer !). I can only assume my trailer was set up to take into account the considerable weight of the engine and outdrive when the boat is on the trailer; that weight being taken by the rear axle.

Graham

Flipped shackles?

_________________
2005 Horizon 250

It does look like the shackles might be flipped. How do i get them back to the way they are supposed to be? I am worried that I am going to do some serious damage to the leaf springs or something else on the trailer. How would this have happened, all four tires used to be on the ground holding about the same weight. Can someone take a picture of what the shackles are supposed to look like, so I can see how they are meant to be?

_________________

2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

I had the same thing years ago. Had to take it in to a local trailer sales co. They fixed it in a day. I cut a corner short putting the trailer away and my trailer hit the curb.

_________________
2000 268 Vista
Flying Dutchman
"Howl with me boys"

Sounds like flipped shackles to me. It has happened a few times and a real PITA to flip them back. Need pry bars and 2 jacks but doable. Prob easier to have a trailer shop fix it. Whe the trailer is on level ground, the shackl straps should be in a vertical position (up and down) with the leaf springs connected at the top and the shackle equalizer connected to the bottom.

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graph ... aa_500.jpg

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

Leaf springs/ shackles on a trailer that is immersed in water ? Seems a pretty high maintenance construction. Both the trailers I have had were fitted with rubber suspension axles; basically tubes with a rubber insert into which each suspension arm fits. Galvanized steel and maintenance free.

Graham

Graham, over here we call those torsion axles. The overwhelming majority of the trailers sold here have leaf springs & shackles. And you're right, they're crap, however the parts for them are relatively cheap and painless to have installed, or even do it yourself in some cases.

_________________


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

Mike,

Thanks for the explanation. At least you can have disc brakes on trailers in the US, not allowed here, nor are electric or hydraulically actuated trailer brakes ! Drums, all mechanical with cables ( which rust, seize etc). Maximum weight of trailer ad boat 3,500 kg. Totally stupid regulations probably written 150 years ago when all we had were horse drawn carts and steam traction engines .

Graham

Thanks for the diagram, this definately confirms that they are flipped. I guess I will have to get my boat in the water in the next day or two and try to do it. I have a good spud bar and jacks! I just bought this boat this year and I dont know much about maintenance other than bearings. Would it help this not to happen if I were to lubricate these every couple weeks? Thanks for the help, everyone.

_________________

2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

No.

_________________


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

I flipped mine when I tried to back up without the wiring being connected. Those brakes just work too well! I only pushed the trailer back 6 inches or so but that was enough. won't do that again

_________________
2005 Horizon 250