18 replies to this topic

[suppoz]

Hi,

Quick question... When trailering the doo, it seems to bang a lot. The straps are all tight, but it just sounds weird. This is even on small bumps.

Do i have it too high or too low on the trailer? I don't want to crack the hull of course, so I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks,

j

[firepit1]

Hi,

Quick question... When trailering the doo, it seems to bang a lot. The straps are all tight, but it just sounds weird. This is even on small bumps.

Do i have it too high or too low on the trailer? I don't want to crack the hull of course, so I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks,

j

There could be a few reasons for this:

Next time you have your boat in the water be sure the bunks on the trailer are straight and tight and not bowing. If they bow or are broken replace them quickly because they are not supporting your hull like they should and will cause damage.

The bunks may not be adjusted to fit your boat correctly, or:

Be sure your trailer tires are at the recommended pressure and not overfilled.

Just my thoughts.........

[suppoz]

thanks for the thoughts... I'll check, but the boat is brand new. First time out was Saturday. I hope they are okay?

Are some bands normal, or should there be none?

[Kevin Leclair]

I don't have any problems trailering my boat and it is basically the same boat as yours except it is a 2000. You might need to take it back to the dealer have them take the boat off the trailer and adjust the bunks. I will try to find of picture of my boat so you can kind of see how mine sits on the trailer.

[Kevin Leclair]

Here is the best shot that I could find of my boat sitting on the trailer:
http://seadoosportbo...id=5&fullsize=1

[tiggerman]

Here is the best shot that I could find of my boat sitting on the trailer:
http://seadoosportbo...id=5&fullsize=1

Even yours is further up than mine, although yours is longer (the boat)....
My boat is sitting where it always has I assume even new. Neither the bunks nor the winch post have been moved from their original permission- or at least you cant tell it.
http://www.seadoospo...p?album=1&pos=0
You can tell how much hangs off the rear of the trailer......

[Kevin Leclair]

Mine hasn't been modified either, I did have the bunks re-carpeted but as far as I know the dealer place them right back where the were originally.

[suppoz]

do either of yours ever make ANY banging noise at all? Also, how's the pulling with the Xterra? I was thinking about buying a used one to tow with.

[Kevin Leclair]

No mine doesn't make any banging noise at all, my guess is your bunks are sitting to low and the bottom of your boat is hitting the fender wells on your trailer. How much of gap do you have on each side there?

[suppoz]

not sure.. i'm going to check it tonight. I'll snap some piccs, and then send them on Friday. Going on the water tomorrow

sunny and 83..

[Kevin Leclair]

Ok sounds good.

[tiggerman]

do either of yours ever make ANY banging noise at all?  Also, how's the pulling with the Xterra?  I was thinking about buying a used one to tow with.

The Xterra has made a good tow vehicle so far. No problems pulling it anywhere. I do switch off the O/D when not on the big road.
Your hull should be the same as mine if you got the Sportster (14.5 feet?) and should be setup pretty much the same on the trailer. Mine bounced around after I put new trailer tires on- but I found that they did not have the correct amount of air in them. Mine should have been inflated to 80 psi, and were at like 35 psi!!
I didn't put the full 80, just filled them to around 70 psi. What a difference. It didn't feel right before I did that.Check that too......
Edit: My bad, I didn't pay attention to the fact you didn't get the LE DI Sportster. THAT's the one that is 14.5.....

[firepit1]

Suppoz,
If you do move your winch mast (post) do not overload the tounge weight or 'underload' it. I saw a good segment on Shipshape Boating on the DIY channel about trailers and it said the tounge weight should be 8% of your total load. Anything over that will cause the tow vehicle to squat and miss handle...anything under that will cause your boat/trailer to go side to side down the highway.

In fact they still have the online read version available at:

http://www.diynet.co...7_25803,00.html

And by the way......
Mine does make a 'bass' sounding thump when I hit a good hole in the road and my PWC trailer does the same thing. But your boat shouldn't be bouncing around and slapping the bunks on small bumps in the road.

[tiggerman]

Good info firepit1! Thanks for the link!

[cAn'T sWim]

You never really explained what the banging noise was? Or maybe you don't know? The reason I ask is because it may not be the boat at all. If you have the opportunity to have someone sit in the back of the truck or even in the boat if they are brave enough...(by the way, that is illegal) but I will bet you will find out exactly what the problem is.

Kevin....I find your pic very interesting (the boat) When I first got mine, the strap and hook were under the roller. My buddy told me that it was suppose to go over the roller.....so I did. I have never really checked both ways to see the difference but it does seem to sit better when it is over the roller. Let me know if you have any facts on this.

[Kevin Leclair]

Kevin....I find your pic very interesting (the boat) When I first got mine, the strap and hook were under the roller. My buddy told me that it was suppose to go over the roller.....so I did. I have never really checked both ways to see the difference but it does seem to sit better when it is over the roller. Let me know if you have any facts on this.

I don't really have any facts on this but with my boat and all my friends boats that I have seen we all doo it under the roller. It seems to sit very well and that is just how I have seen them come when they were delievered. Mine has always been doone this way and never had any problems. Maybe it is just more of a preference?

[suppoz]

for lack of pictures, here is what may be causing it. Maybe not too... The boat rests firmly on the left and right supports, but does not even touch the one on the bottom. Is it supposed to? Do I have it too high on the trailer?

[tiggerman]

Kevin....I find your pic very interesting (the boat) When I first got mine, the strap and hook were under the roller.  My buddy told me that it was suppose to go over the roller.....so I did.  I have never really checked both ways to see the difference but it does seem to sit better when it is over the roller.  Let me know if you have any facts on this.

I don't really have any facts on this but with my boat and all my friends boats that I have seen we all doo it under the roller. It seems to sit very well and that is just how I have seen them come when they were delievered. Mine has always been doone this way and never had any problems. Maybe it is just more of a preference?

As a general rule, the winch strap should always be in the same plane as the bow eye, not pulling up or pulling down. With this said, the bow eye will be UNDER the roller, with the strap pulling straight towards the winch. Also for those interested, the rear of the bunks should be FLUSH with the transom.
(Courtesy of ShoreLand'r)

[firepit1]

for lack of pictures, here is what may be causing it. Maybe not too... The boat rests firmly on the left and right supports, but does not even touch the one on the bottom. Is it supposed to? Do I have it too high on the trailer?

Bottom support? You don't want the bottom of the boat touching anything on the bottom of the trailer, only the bunks and the winch roller/stopper should be touching. But don't ever remove the pads on the bottom of the trailer, depending on the water level at the dock, your boat may come into contact with that cross member and no pads mean damage.

Your setup may be correct. You have to remember the bunks are supporting the hull, which is mainly a hallow "drum" and hitting bumps in the road will cause it to "boom" at times.

I have seen a boat or two that were not trailered correctly and the result is hairline cracks in the gel coat right around where the bunks make contact with the boat. Keep your eye out for that.

Good luck.