Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

The main bunks have the 24 degree cut in them, but they're holding the boat on the horizontal part of the hull(chine/strake??). Should I move the bunks outwards, so the hull slips in between, or move them in a little more?
While I'm generally pleased with the trailer, I don't think they gave me enough room to get the boat forward enough for good tongue weight. I moved the winch stand all the way forward, and I might be able to raise the winch a bit, so every inch will help. Where should the winch/strap be set in relation to the bow eye? I'm thinking just a bit higher so the strap has slight down angle?
I ended up with a 10.5k triple, forward centering bunks, I had them add a set of rear centering bunks (still need to get those in place), and I got lucky because it showed up with bigger 225/75-15 tires; VERY happy with that.
I also want to swap out the recycled black rubber bow/winch roller. Is a nice V thing the way to go?
The 15 mile highway ride was uneventful up to about 65mph. But it seems like the boat wants to rock on the trailer; maybe more weight on the front bunks? Might work out fine if I get it forward another 6 inches.
Thanks,
Michael

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

If you move the bunks out the boat is going to drop. Got enough room under the keel? If not , the bunks will have to be moved in. I would get it off the strakes as you will have much more surface area support on the 24* portion od the hull.
As for moving forward , you look like you're about as far as you can go :( .
Can the axles be moved back??

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

It does look like the boat need to be moved forward. If it wants to wander at speed you probably don't have enough tongue weight. See what you can do to move the bunks in or out as you have noticed, but also move the boat FORWARD.

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

I'd replace the bunks with and have the new ones be squared off on top. (Or flip the current ones over and recarpet. Leave them right where they are. It does not look like you can drop the boat any lower as the fender looks too close to the boat to do so. I would not move the current bunks in, as it would be much harder to load, and the boat would have more tendency to teeder if it gets out of shape when pulling up the ramp.

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Ugh...3 good responses but no consensus.
There's plenty of room under the keel to drop the boat, but I'd probably have to adjust the fenders. Not that big of a deal, and I figured I'd want to do that anyways; I might have 1-2" of room to do that.
BUT, if I do that I change the geometry at the winch stand and I don't know if it will help, hurt, or not really matter.
If I move the bunks in, "ride height" stays the same, I can try and get it forward a bit more, but now I wonder about loading?
Sydwayz, tell me more about the teetering problem. I've got front centering bunks which would hopefully keep it pretty straight, and I've also got guideposts (not shown) that would also help keep it in line? I'm not sure if my rear "centering" bunks will do much at this point? Or maybe they'll help to line it up as it comes out of the water?
Guess it depends on how far I dunk the trailer and the angle of the ramp.

Thanks guys, keep the ideas coming.
Michael

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Shouldn't the "eye" be just above the winch rather then just below? If it isn't, you are going to be dragging the eye over the stop and possibly gouging the gel?? Anyways, I had the same problem with mine (no tongue weight) and moving forward definetly helped.

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Also, the solution to get the boat forward is to lower the winch not raise it isn't it? That way, more boat gets forward. If you raise the winch, the nose will be too high and you will have too much boat and weight off the bunks, in turn putting too much weight on the rear (less tongue weight). I think this makes sense but now I'm confusing myself :rolleyes:

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Bop, now you got me thinking. Of course all this is relative to the winch/bow stop configuration. "Ideally", I'd bet the winch/strap/bow eye should come in right at level, with the winch roller/stop either above or below, as long as it's not in the way.
With my particular setup, I was thinking about raising the winch just enough to get the strap/bow eye under the roller. I was hoping since the winch stand is angled, it might work out not to sacrifice too much room to move the boat forward.
But if I move the winch down, I've got to move it far enough that the strap/bow eye won't interfere with the bow stop. By just eyeballing my winch/bow closeup, I think the bow eye would get to the winch before the stop does its job. I wonder if I can mount a higher up v-stop on the top of the winch stand?
Ugh...

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Well here's more one. Move the bunks in till they are just off the strakes. This will NOT raise the boat. Just look at the picture of the rear of your bunk...see what I'm talking about. My set up looks just like yours only my bunks are just INSIDE the strakes and have been that way for the past seven years with no problems and I average 35 to 40 launch/retrievals per season.
Want some pics?

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

I got it: scrap the existing bow stop, cut off the tabs, and lower the winch just a tad. Then buy/build/mount a stand-alone bow stop above the winch.
OK, now to decide on the main bunks: I think I'm going to start by moving them in, and then set up the rear center bunks. If it loads up easy enough, and I can get it forward enough to give it a bit more forward weight bias, that should be perfect.

Thanks,
Michael

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Handfulz ,
Did you see my previous post ? While I was outside in the rain taking a picture you made another post AFTER mine and BEFORE minie was entered.

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Hey MO, I was typing while you posted. Now I come back and see you've got a pic...many thanks :D And I think I'm gonna end up with a strap setup like yours too, if I can get mine forward a little more.
And yeah, I'm gonna go with what you've got unless it's unruly to load. But if it's worked for you, it should work for me...
I was just looking at some other pics, and it looks like my trailer is just not long enough the way it's currently set up. IIRC, they said they used a 30' long I-beam, add two feet for main bunk aft of trailer, and two feet forward for the tongue.
Short of re-doing the entire winch stand setup, I might have to put a bunch more holes in this thing to move the axles back. :(

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Been there , done that but made a conversion to torsion axles

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Hard core my friend, hard core :drink:

One of these days I'd like to buy a big-ticket item "off the shelf", and be able to leave it alone, have it perfect as-is.
But I'm afraid I just don't have it in me, I always have to do SOMETHING to make it right just for me :evilb:

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Know EXACTLY of what you speak :rolleyes:

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Micheal, saw your trailer question and remembered you wanted pictures of my color scheme, put a couple in, I also have similar trailer, works great but mine is very high bunked, I plan someday to lower and move forward a bit also. I have a little longer support to roller, I plan to move my winch as far forward as possible cut down roller supports and go to a pivoting bar with a carpet v above and below tie ring. the winch cable then goes between v"s I have seen several trailers set up this way and only way I can see to get mine forward after lowering it 5" at bunks. There is always something to play with We have ours put to bed for the winter so its until next year enjoy Randy

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Hey handfull, you need to put the bow eye UNDER cool: the roller and winch it up tight. The reason is that this makes the boat the backbone of the trailer. This happens only with aluminum trailers as they flex without rigid support. The reason for under the roller is that if you lanch on a steep ramp the boat will hang on the bow eye..To answer your question on tongue weight and bunk placement I need a couple more photos. Between the axles (if you have springs) are equalizers, they muat be flat when boat is level on the road. If they are tilted to the front or back this tells us which axle is the load bearing one. :cool:

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Thanks selpel, good point. My digi-cam is working so let me know which angles you'd like :D
My only problem is with the current configuration, if I move the winch higher, it limits how much more forward I can get the boat for additional tongue weight.
I still think I'm best with cutting off the current bow stop and fabbing up something that I can bolt on above the winch. I think that'd be perfect. The way it sits now it feels like there's only a couple hundred lbs tongue weight, with a near-empty fuel tank. I need at least 12" more forward to feel ok with a full tank o' gas.
The trailer builder is actually supposed to have somebody in town tomorrow so I'll get their take on it. At least they've committed to helping me get it perfect.
Thanks,
Michael

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

the trailer is not long enough. period.

as far as the bunks, what you want is flat top & move 'em in an inch-and-a-half so the inside corner of the bunk is right up against where the bottom starts to " V" and are under more of the flat forward. This will make it load itself right everytime. I see you have board bunks forward instead of just a v-rest another advantage to you...these trailers will load themselves right everytime if you do what I said with the big bunks

but, you have the WRONG TRAILER.

how much do you plan to tow this thing? If you plan on doing road time, not just storage, swap it back. You need the 2' longer one. Your present length trailer will never act right on the road with that boat on it. Can't be done. You don't have enough trailer length to work with!

and yes, I've bought, set up and owned one, and helped more than one other get theirs right. They load easier than the eagles I've owned when set up right!

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

If the main bunks are too close together, its going to be like trying to balance a television on two broomsticks that are sitting on a table close together. (Best analogy that came to mind.) Since you have the guideposts, that should help matters, but I just would not want to see your center of gravity be so high and so central. Its better for your trailer to spread the weight out as far as you can. If you had a 5000lb. sheet of lead laying across the bunks, its going to sit there more securely than a 5000lb. concrete tube sitting up on two bunks in the center of the trailer. Make sense?

Also, ideally, you would want the boat to rest firmly on the main bunks, and front support bunks WITHOUT the winch stand in place. Then go back and install the winch stand with a little bit of uplifting pressure just to keep the bow down on the stops on the winch stand.

If you are keeping that trailer, DEFINATELY use at least 5 tie-downs when trailering.

2 at the transom eyes to the trailer.
2 at the bow eye, facing backwards toward the fenders, to keep the boat from moving forward.
1 straight up and down of the bow eye, to keep the boat firmly affixed to the front of the trailer.

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

the main bunks are in the right place, they just need to be flat-topped and moved in an inch or more. Thats where they are designed to carry the boat, and the hull wants to be carried.

I'll say it again...that is the wrong length trailer!
Doesn't anybody else see this???

Jeez, fill this guy in while he still might have a chance to swap it back for the next longer one and before he modifies it!

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

The trailer overall is the right trailer, it's the parts that are bolted to it that aren't right :(
I've been dealing with the sales guy/middleman, but I finally found the number to the shop and talked to the actual builder. He's going to look at those pictures tonight and we're gonna get some resolution soon.
The first big change is a new winch stand, built at a 45 degree angle instead of the 19 currently. That will give me more room to bring the boat forward. Then we'll figure out where to put to bow stop so as not to get in the way of the bow eye.
As for the main bunks, I think it would be fine however it's done. IMHO, the ideal situation would be to move them out so the strakes squeeze in between and keep the boat perfect every time. The biggest problem with that is the bunks have to be moved higher, which means removing, redrilling, and possibly having the bunk too high in it's own mount.
So the next best option is moving them in. They only need to go in a few inches, and while I perfectly respect the lateral CG perspective, I don't think it'll teeter like a top on that setup. Mopower shared his pic like that and has been running for years so I think it's reasonable.
I'm a little disappointed with the guideposts. They're adjusted as wide as they'll go, but they left a nasty mark down my rubrail. They barely miss the rail at the stern when loaded, but the boat is wider midship. Not sure what to do about that. The round PVC is mounted on square tubing. I wonder if the PVC would spin on a round tubed metal post?
As for tie downs, I'll be mounting eye bolts at the rear of the bunks once I figure out exactly how it'll sit. And I was looking at it yesterday, and I think I'll get them to make an eye attachment rearward of the bow eye so I can strap or chain the boat from moving forward. I've been strapping down my racecars and motorcycles for 10yrs now, so I appreciate the idea of a properly tied down load :D
Thanks guys for staying interested, I promise it'll get done perfect before I go any distance on it.
Thanks,
Michael

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

OK. if you can get the boat ahead at least 1' with a new winch stand you might make it work in terms of tounge wieght. Make sure your drawbar hieght sets the trailer level over it's length on level ground. You'd be amazed what a 2" to high ball hieght will do to your tounge wieght with an azz-heavy load like a twin side by side engined boat.

happy to hear you know where the bunks need to be and cut. ;) Flat 'em and move 'em in 1.5 inches. If you want to leave em angle cut and run them in against the V...be aware this is not the best load bearing on the bottom! Plus it won't be right because of how the deadrise changes going forward. Flat and carrying on the flat of the strake will contact and carry more of the boat as it goes forward!

as far as the guideposts, yes the PVC will spin around round tubing. Mine were that way with a PVC cap at the top pop riveted in place.
Wrap them in bunk type carpet and use zip ties or clear packaging tape to hold it. Been there/ done that also. NEVER left a mark and that was on a boat/rubrail with a white vinyl insert

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Thanks Rip, and I hear you on the load bearing aspect. But I look at the Mycos and Eagles and such, and they're all built in the shape of the V and don't carry the weight on that strake. Not that my trailer can come anywhere near one of those. I guess my biggest problem, is how much freaking work it's gonna take to pull off the carpet and either flip 'em or cut 'em down. I shouldn't have to do that much to get it right. Also gonna be difficult since I have to find a place to put the boat while I do this stuff. Maybe this will be my excuse to get the hull wet sanded..that would give me a few days to get it worked out.
And yes, I've been studying the change in shape of the hull over it's length, and I think where the main bunks are now, plus getting the boat forward a little more, would actually keep the bunks under the straightest/constant section, regardless of where they're final resting place will be :)

Thanks,
Michael

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Handfulz, I think all you need to do is move your bunks out all the way to the sides of the trailer in the back and winch it up tight and you should be good to go. I have a similar trailer 311 and pulls fine. :D I have about 6 foot between the bunks. Propwash

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

My trailer is set up just like Mopowers only the angle on the top of the bunk is the same as the hull. I don't trailer alot, but I towed it from NewJersey to Michigan when I bought it and it travelled fine. Loading and launching are no problem either.

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

With my prop testing and what not recently, I also had a chance to mess with the trailer.
I tried going wide with the bunks, not enough trailer width. So now I moved 'em in and it sits just like Mopower's. I moved the winch platform a little higher on the stand and that seems to be working ok.
But I think I'm going to end up flattening the tops and running the boat on the flats of the strakes. I figure I can just run a circular saw down the length, removing the carpet first off course :D
I'm really still learning how to launch and retrieve this thing, so I'm no expert. But what freaks me out is how the boat pivots/rocks on the trailer when transitioning between the ramp and flat surface. I know it's because there's too much weight over the rear of the trailer; only way to fix is a longer trailer.
And I'm also having trouble getting it all the way to the bow stop. Even if I winch the eye to the roller, once I get it on flat land the bow is no longer resting on it.
I know, ideally I need the longer trailer. At this point I don't know what it'll take to get one out of the manufacturer. But I'm going to try.
Thanks,
Michael

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

you're not winching it tight enough to the stop. Those seat-belt material straps stretch ALOT. Get after that handle and stretch it on the spool! It'll stop letting it back by stretch after a while. Or just get a real winch strap from Champion trailer supply. I did after the cheesy one broke right behind the hook where it's stitched coming up a steep ramp. :eek:

I'm glad you have seen the light on the set-up. Good luck.

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

micheal, just curious on your having trouble getting your bow up to eye/stop, I had to play with mine when I first got it as far as loading and getting it tight so when I pulled out it stayed. I found that putting trailer further into water so that I actually float boat to stop and just tighten it up with winch gave me the best results.second thing if you loosen winch sitting level does trailer flex away from bow? ie winch set proper height just trying to help Randy

Re: Need help with trailer setup for 311
 

Hey Randy, all help appreciated and suggestions noted :D
I think I've been messing with a lot of things that are kinda related. When I change how the boat sits on the main bunks, the bow eye position relative to the roller changes. If I try to mess with the forward centering bunks, it changes again.
I guess since it was so "off" when I got it, I really had no sense of where it should be. Guess you could say I'm still playing with it :evilb:
I think where I've got the winch now will be about right. I've got it right about level with the bow eye so it's only pulling straight, no flex up or down. I think when I flatten the main bunks, the boat will sit a little lower in the rear, angle up a tad in the front, and I'll be able to raise the winch a little higher which will get me forward; we're talking inches here.
I'm still toying with different techniques for retrieving. When I dunked it deep is when I had the hardest time keeping it forward. This last time I kept it out so I had to actually drive the boat on a lot further. The fwd centering bunks did a better job and this time it actually put a little weight on the bow stop.
As for flattening my main bunk tops, I wonder if I'm actually going to have to take them off to run them through a nice straight table saw. Don't know where I'd find a straight edge long enough to just run the circ saw down 'em.
Thanks,
Michael