Roller trailer launching/loading issues

A

AP3

Active Member
Joined
16 Oct 2018
Messages
45
Visit site
Hi Everyone...me again. I have a feeling I'll be asking a lot of questions here.

My trailer is, as far as I can tell, a little odd. For one thing, I have to shove the boat off at the slipway, despite it being on rollers, which turn freely. Any idea why this could be?

Also, loading the boat onto the trailer is an absolute bear. At the end of the main beam, there's a keel roller just sat there by itself, with no side rollers, or anything else to help align the boat, making it near impossible to walk/power the boat onto the trailer straight.

Here is what I mean: (https://i.imgur.com/qpkCSRQ.jpg

Sorry for the angle, but follow the main beam to the end zoomed in. Also not that it appears to be a bit bend downwards.

Could I/should I bolt on a crossbeam at this point, and add some swivel rollers (like it has at the trailer wheels), to assist loading? Would I still need that keel roller?

Cheers,
Andy
 
I was thinking that. What is the weight of the boat? I would have thought the trailer should be braked as well? Or is it? I can't see any cables.

Certainly it needs more hull support than just those 2 rollers.
 
To do what you want you would need a proper roller trailer such as this:
http://www.sbstrailers.com/trailer/easy-loader-roller-trailers?product_id=54
or a braked version depending on the weight of your boat
http://www.sbstrailers.com/trailer/easy-loader-roller-trailers/R2-1000EL
(These are not specific recommendations as I don't know the size and weight of your boat but you get the idea.)
The sticking on the trailer is likely caused by the few rollers that you have compressing under load during storage so that when you try and roll it off you have to overcome the flat spot by effectively lifting the boat to get it moving.
The bend could be caused by overloading in the past by winching a too heavy boat on to the trailer, or could be down to corrosion weakening, or just that it is inadequate for your boat.....
 
I have 7 boats on trailers from 3.4 m rib to 19 foot sports cruiser. I agree with the other that trailer is way to small and flimsy for the boat on it. If I were you I would buy a new one they are not that expensive and you will feel far happier
 
Thanks all. It's a 13ft DQD, does it really need a bigger trailer? That's a bit of a surprise TBH.

It was once waterlogged according to the previous owners, who cut all the old foam out, and replaced with closed cell foam (or so I'm told, the floor feels rigid), which may explain the bend, if the same trailer was in use at that time. Right now, I can push/pull it around on my one with no issues.

How much would you estimate it weighs? It has a Suzuki 2T 40hp on the back. I guess I could take it to a weighbridge on the trailer, then weigh the trailer separately to find out exactly.

A new trailer would cost 60% on top of what I paid for the boat and trailer....

Cheers,
Andy
 
AP3 said:
Thanks all. It's a 13ft DQD, does it really need a bigger trailer? That's a bit of a surprise TBH.

It was once waterlogged according to the previous owners, who cut all the old foam out, and replaced with closed cell foam (or so I'm told, the floor feels rigid), which may explain the bend, if the same trailer was in use at that time. Right now, I can push/pull it around on my one with no issues.

How much would you estimate it weighs? It has a Suzuki 2T 40hp on the back. I guess I could take it to a weighbridge on the trailer, then weigh the trailer separately to find out exactly.

A new trailer would cost 60% on top of what I paid for the boat and trailer....

Cheers,
Andy
Click to expand...

Andy

Post some better pics where we can see the whole boat on the trailer do get a better idea of scale.

I would estimate the weight of the boat at about 500 KG by the way
 
Bigplumbs said:
Andy

Post some better pics where we can see the whole boat on the trailer do get a better idea of scale.

I would estimate the weight of the boat at about 500 KG by the way
Click to expand...

Hi Bigplumbs,

Here are some more pictures: https://imgur.com/a/apidDqM

I found a webpage that says the Dory weighs 300kg, but you have the Outboard to add to that, so maybe another 80kg based on the current model weight.

Could I maybe modify the trailer to be better? There are metal fabricators on an industrial estate near me.

Cheers,
Andy
 
For your keel to align to the first roller easily you need to add side rollers as in the photo. I leave the roller above the water and as long as the keel is 'engaged', the boat can be almost side on but as soon as you start to pull it realigns and climbs aboard the trailer easily. Shetland 535 013.JPG
 
gus said:
For your keel to align to the first roller easily you need to add side rollers as in the photo. I leave the roller above the water and as long as the keel is 'engaged', the boat can be almost side on but as soon as you start to pull it realigns and climbs aboard the trailer easily. View attachment 74399
Click to expand...

Thank gus, that's a great idea, and something I should be able to do with the existing trailer!

Cheers,
Andy
 
Looking at the pics you posted I have changed my mind and think the trailer is just about adequate. If you search ebay you can find many rollers that you could use to modify it

Dennis
 
AP3 said:
Thank gus, that's a great idea, and something I should be able to do with the existing trailer!

Cheers,
Andy
Click to expand...

Nice arrangement but the OP's boat's keel sits on the rear roller when it is on the trailer, unkike AP3's picture. Hard to see how those rollers could be fitted and still allow the hull to sit on the keel roller.....umless a very deep V.
 
jrudge said:
300kg??? My Williams 325 weighs that and it is only 3.25m long. Add and outboard must be a lot lot more than 300kg as the Williams is mostly air in tubes a bit grp and an engine
Click to expand...

Williams are heavy boats, and of course include the engine. I have a 16ft GRP boat with cabin and a 20hp 2 stroke, and kitted out it weighs 600kg ex trailer. 300 kg for a 13ft dory ex engine and ex trailer seems about right to me, give or take a few kg.
 
I think the main issue is that the weight of the boat is on the small rollers on the base of the trailer / keel of the boat. Also, there is only one set of larger rollers. A properly set up 'roller trailer' will have all of the weight of the boat spread evenly across a number of rollers that are designed to take the weight AND roll.

Take a look at the Indespension website - http://www.indespension.co.uk/roller-trailers/65-coaster-swing-mini.html

The rear rollers articulate to match the surface of the bow and helps line up the boat. There are no rollers on the keel. We've used used this design of trailer for 20 years. It works so well that I can launch and recover a 7m scorpion rib, by myself, very easily.

Whilst new trailers are expensive, you may be able to add some more, larger style rollers to your existing trailer, ebay is your friend....

Proper rollers - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roller-C...h=item214ca12b73:g:JlgAAOSwLSZb8sTY:rk:2:pf:0

Alternatively, keep a look out for used trailers on ebay, they do come up relatively often, probably around £500 ish.

Used but good trailer - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAMBER-...h=item3b1d466bef:g:ruAAAOSwszVbrKFY:rk:1:pf:0

Overall, a properly set up trailer will make using the boat a lot easier and a more enjoyable experience - you'll probably use the boat more!
 
Thanks Hambleite! I think my problem is that beyond the proper rollers towards the stern, there is only the central bar.

I thought about adding a cross-member at the back to take proper rollers there, but I don't think it would be very sturdy, unless I also connect the cross-member back to the axle on each side. I think by the time I've got the steel, rollers, and had everything welded that needs to be, I may as well have just bought a new trailer!

I looked at the Indespension one, and have contacted them about part exchange, as they appear to offer it.

I wonder if they can move the boat from one trailer to the other, otherwise I'll need to launch and moor somewhere for a day, assuming I go this route. It does seem to be the most sensible perhaps.

Cheers,
Andy



Hambleite said:
I think the main issue is that the weight of the boat is on the small rollers on the base of the trailer / keel of the boat. Also, there is only one set of larger rollers. A properly set up 'roller trailer' will have all of the weight of the boat spread evenly across a number of rollers that are designed to take the weight AND roll.

Take a look at the Indespension website - http://www.indespension.co.uk/roller-trailers/65-coaster-swing-mini.html

The rear rollers articulate to match the surface of the bow and helps line up the boat. There are no rollers on the keel. We've used used this design of trailer for 20 years. It works so well that I can launch and recover a 7m scorpion rib, by myself, very easily.

Whilst new trailers are expensive, you may be able to add some more, larger style rollers to your existing trailer, ebay is your friend....

Proper rollers - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roller-C...h=item214ca12b73:g:JlgAAOSwLSZb8sTY:rk:2:pf:0

Alternatively, keep a look out for used trailers on ebay, they do come up relatively often, probably around £500 ish.

Used but good trailer - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRAMBER-...h=item3b1d466bef:g:ruAAAOSwszVbrKFY:rk:1:pf:0

Overall, a properly set up trailer will make using the boat a lot easier and a more enjoyable experience - you'll probably use the boat more!
Click to expand...
 
CLB said:
Williams are heavy boats, and of course include the engine. I have a 16ft GRP boat with cabin and a 20hp 2 stroke, and kitted out it weighs 600kg ex trailer. 300 kg for a 13ft dory ex engine and ex trailer seems about right to me, give or take a few kg.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected, however I am genuinely surprised. They are far from flimsy, but equally they are not built like tanks and the majority of the bulk is air in the tubes!

I have a 16ft speed boat once with a knackered trailer. I bought a nice new one and then got a surprising amount of money for the old one - in those days from an Exchange and Mart advert!
 
I would also look at the deformation of the rollers as very often in such cases the individual rollers deform too much and this overly compresses them which creates drag, in addition an uneven weight unequally distributed across the rollers will overly flex the individual rollers bearing the most weight.
 
Hi
For what it’s worth, my thoughts.

The DQ 13 is a great thing but known most for its ability to get water logged between the hull skins. The foam gets full and can just about double the original weight of it. Many fit an extra bung drain between the hulls to try and drain over time.
Secondly, they are extremely difficult to get a well suited trailer because of their hull shape and form. Most trailers will never totally suit the boat.
Thirdly, if you put the trailer in deep enough you won’t have a bother getting it off the trailer I’d think, but that triller isn’t a proper roller type in the normal sense. Those type trailer are normally for displacemt shaped fishing dinghies really.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top