DB trailer questions, long winded ;-}

[spinner53]

I've had a home-made fiberglas db for about 7 or 8 years now, it was built in Sheridan, has a vertical stern ( for kicker motor ??). It's 16 feet, with fixed seating that are basically large dry storage areas that cant be slid fwd or aft. The seats are 3/4" plywood on piano hinges.
The trailer is LOONG, the roller goes all the way back to within one inch of the stern.
When the boat is cinched up fwd, there's about 80 lb.s on the tongue, (if i push it back about 3 feet = the weight becomes balanced over the wheels and i can push the trailer around very easily.) besides the roller, they're three strips supporting the boat, they are 2by4's with outdoor carpeting on them, boat slid easy enough, but the carpet deteriorated and I replaced it with 1/4" UHMW = even more slippery !.
My question is should I change the position of the winch/brace tower thinggee to push the boat back to a more balanced position/load ?? I would then shorten the front of the trailer ( have band saw, grinder and welder) and move back one of the supports that fit under the boat.
Is there a downside to a shorter trailer ? As it is now she is very easy to back down the ramp, but I've been doing it a while plus I used to tow/back large helo's.
12" wheels on 1" bearings, Go Larger ??

[SeanD]

Sounds like an interesting trailer. But it seems to work? I wouldnt move the boat back so its balanced. You need a little tongue weight for the tailer to track correctly. If you ever hang a motor on the back and haul the boat around you will be glad you had a little tongue weight.

[KingFisher85]

shorter tongue will make it a little harder to back down the ramp.

[Road Rage]

You want 10 to 15% of the total weight of the loaded boat and trailer to be on the tongue. If much lighter, the trailer will have a tendancy to sway at hwy speeds.

My suggestion would be to load the boat as you would for a trip, then weigh it. Driftboats are light enough you should be able to weigh under each wheel and the tongue with a bathroom scale. (Remember to have the tongue of the trailer at towing height when weighing.) If necessary, shift the boat back a little to lighten the tonge to 10-15% of total. I think I'd leave the long tongue, because like you said, it'll make it easier to manage.

[KChookem]

I'm not clear on what you wish to accomplish. If you want to be able to hand push the boat around, perhaps a swivel jack on the tongue would work.

[SeanD]

10-15% minimum, doesnt hurt to have more. 10% tongue weight may not be enough if you hang a kicker on the back.

[spinner53]

Thanks for the head's up re the 10-15% tongue weight. I think I'll leave well enough alone re placement on the boat on the trailer.
What Ya'll think 'bout those 12" wheels on 1" inch bearings ? I see ads with 14 and 15" wheels and get trailer envy ?? :rolleyes:

[Road Rage]

That kind-of all depends on where and how much you're going to tow it. If most of what you do is local, you're probably fine. If you're going to start pulling the boat a couple hundred miles every trip out, you might look at a trailer with bigger tires/wheels, or upgrade what you've got.