driftboat trailer help.

[sliverslinger]

As you all know I finally sold the trihull I had, I got home and I noticed on craigslist there was a driftboat, Just the size I have been looking for. So needless to say it is now in my yard.
The trailer was in need of some help, the boat is in OK condition. I took the boat off the trailer to see what all was under it. The plywood on the trailer was rotten, so I tore it off.
I was told by an ifisher just to use bunks instead of putting on another piece of PT plywood. I will try to get pics of the trailer later.

The question is. Do I want the bunks higher than the roller in the back or lower?

[fishkisser]

Same height ...

[Artwo]

I don't have either bunks or plywood on my DB trailer (Baker trailer). I just have a cross member along the back (directly in front of the roller) and a cross member along the front. Both are carpeted and at the same level as the roller.

[sliverslinger]

Thanks for the info, Now I just got to go out tomorrow and work on it and it all the sale size. How many bunks do you have? 2 or 3? I have sapce I can put 3 but if I only need 2 it would be better.

[DirectDrive]

Two bunks.
That way the DB "nests" between the bunks.
My Baker has two carpeted bunks.
Here's a pic of a Baker with two UHMW bunks, mine is the same only carpet.
http://gregboats.com/pages/trailer.html

[sliverslinger]

Ok, here are some pics of what I am working with.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/ebay_pic_2_112.jpg

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/ebay_pic_2_111.jpg

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/ebay_pic_2_109.jpg

The overall length of this trailer is 14'6" from rollers to tip of tongue. You wouldnt believe how toungue heavy this trailer is. It is all I can do to lift it. Now where would you put the cross members? I plan on using 2x6 boards made out of the plastic /wood deck material. They wont rot away.
On another note, how would you shorten up the trailer to reduce tongue weight?

[DirectDrive]

Take another look at that Baker.
Look at the shape...notice where the frame starts to angle toward the winch.
The straight rails on yours look way too long.

Notice how the rear roller is the same height as the first bunk.
Yours are too high.

The whole trailer looks high...you could lose some height by mounting you leaf springs to the bottom of the axle.
Nah, that might be a pain, I see you have shocks to deal with, etc.

Nice looking geometry on that boat.
If it's wood, don't let it sit outside too long.

Post back if you need dimensions.

[sliverslinger]

Take another look at that Baker.
Look at the shape...notice where the frame starts to angle toward the winch.
The straight rails on yours look way too long.

Notice how the rear roller is the same height as the first bunk.
Yours are too high.

The whole trailer looks high...you could lose some height by mounting you leaf springs to the bottom of the axle.

Post back if you need dimensions.

The cross members are actually approx 2" below the roller, that is why I was going to mount the 2x6 flat wise across the frame, to get it all to the same heigth. I do need to find a welder to cut up the trailer a bit and make it shorter, I thought it was too long.
This boat is only a 14' so about how long should the trailer be? I do like the longer tongue though for backing so it wont turn to quickly.

[sliverslinger]

do you happen to know how far it is from the rear of the trailer to where it starts to narrow down?

[DirectDrive]

Here's a few dimensions:

Overall Length = 15'-0" (roller to tip of hitch)
Top of frame to ground = 18 1/2"
Cross member to cross member = 6'-0" (angle starts here)
Tip of hitch to intersection of angle = 5'-10"
Center of axle to rear roller = 3'-2"

With boat loaded, tip of stem to tip of hitch = 3'-2"
This is adjustable on the Baker.