wrote:
snip...

Why hasn't somebody invented a bunk and roller combo trailer?

It would be designed so that the boat sat on bunks, but a series of
rollers set alongside the bunks could be raised (hydraulics?) to ease
loading and unloading. The rollers would only need to raise enough so
that the tops were maybe 3/4 of an inch above the bunks. Getting the
rollers too high would defeat the purpose of allowing easier launching
and recovery with a bunk trailer. Best of both worlds, better support
for the hull on the trailer and easier launch and retrieval.
snip...

Good idea...probably wouldn't need hydraulics for lighter boats. A
couple of screw jack apparatus with a large 'crank handle' would
probably do the trick.

Why hasn't somebody invented a bunk and roller combo trailer?

It would be designed so that the boat sat on bunks, but a series of
rollers set alongside the bunks could be raised (hydraulics?) to ease
loading and unloading. The rollers would only need to raise enough so
that the tops were maybe 3/4 of an inch above the bunks. Getting the
rollers too high would defeat the purpose of allowing easier launching
and recovery with a bunk trailer. Best of both worlds, better support
for the hull on the trailer and easier launch and retrieval.

Would probably add a couple of thousand dollars to the cost of a boat
trailer, but I'll bet there would be folks who would gladly pay that.

Sportsman Trailers in Houston has been building them for years. You
pull a large lever (about 3') near the tongue and it raises a set of
rollers to lift the boat off the bunks. When loading you raise the
rollers, winch the boat to the stops and lower the rollers setting the
boat back on the bunks. I had one on an Aquasport and it worked great
- easy to load/unload single handed. I put an electric winch on the
trailer - I could walk to the end of the trailer, snap the hook to the
bow, engage the winch and just guide the keel onto the first roller.
Once it hit that roller it didn't matter what angle the boat was with
regards to the trailer - it would straighten and roll right up the
trailer - wind, waves etc. were no problem. Never tried driving on
since it was so easy. Their web site is
http://www.sportsmantrailers.com/ but they don't show the option even
though they still build them. Newer drop center drive ons have
diminished the market.

I have a 19' cuddy on a 85 shore land'r roller trailer, and don't even get
the tops of the fenders wet- there is dry land behind the Suburban when
launching-retrieving. Cinch to launch and retrieve. Why not go back to
rollers?



wrote in message
oups.com...
I need to have the boat sit lower on a '91 ez-loader trailer. I am
faced with two problems.

1. Launching the boat at the local ramp requires the trailer and tow
vehicle to enter the water a LONG way before you can launch the boat.
(salt water)
2. I need to add the ability to have the boat hoisted into the water
too.

When launching the boat I have to back the trailer and tow vehicle are
too far into the water before I am able to float the boat. (I have a
similar problem when trying to load the boat.) If I did not have the
same problem loading and unloading I would be inclined to add the
Teflon covers to easily launch the boat, however, since I am have a
similar problem loading and unloading I want to see if I can address
the problem.

pics of existing supports
http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/front.jpg
http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/rear.jpg

In an effort to solve this problem I have reviewed the ez-loader web
site for ideas to allow the boat sit lower on the trailer. To me, it
looks like the bunks are currently supported by older style roller
supports, modified to support the bunks.

http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/trailer.jpg

Using ez-loaders "short bunk mount bracket", "bunk support
mounts" and finally "bunk/roller support brackets". I think I can
get the boat to sit lower on the trailer. I am proposing to use the
38" bunk / roller support attached to the short bunk mount bracket at
the rear of the trailer. For the forward support I would use the bunk
support mounts attached to short bunk mount brackets.

Has anyone else had success getting their boat to sit loawer on the
trailer?

Thank you

~Joe

I had the same problem. Switched out the trailer tires. Can't remember the
exact sizes, but imagine the difference between a car tire and say a golf
cart tire. Works great. Could have gained another 2 inches by relocating
axel to the top of the rail, but didn't need to. Might do that when I
replace the springs this season.

wrote in message
oups.com...
I need to have the boat sit lower on a '91 ez-loader trailer. I am
faced with two problems.

1. Launching the boat at the local ramp requires the trailer and tow
vehicle to enter the water a LONG way before you can launch the boat.
(salt water)
2. I need to add the ability to have the boat hoisted into the water
too.

When launching the boat I have to back the trailer and tow vehicle are
too far into the water before I am able to float the boat. (I have a
similar problem when trying to load the boat.) If I did not have the
same problem loading and unloading I would be inclined to add the
Teflon covers to easily launch the boat, however, since I am have a
similar problem loading and unloading I want to see if I can address
the problem.

pics of existing supports
http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/front.jpg
http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/rear.jpg

In an effort to solve this problem I have reviewed the ez-loader web
site for ideas to allow the boat sit lower on the trailer. To me, it
looks like the bunks are currently supported by older style roller
supports, modified to support the bunks.

http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/trailer.jpg

Using ez-loaders "short bunk mount bracket", "bunk support
mounts" and finally "bunk/roller support brackets". I think I can
get the boat to sit lower on the trailer. I am proposing to use the
38" bunk / roller support attached to the short bunk mount bracket at
the rear of the trailer. For the forward support I would use the bunk
support mounts attached to short bunk mount brackets.

Has anyone else had success getting their boat to sit loawer on the
trailer?

Thank you

~Joe

On 25 Apr 2005 19:07:32 -0700, wrote:

I need to have the boat sit lower on a '91 ez-loader trailer. I am
faced with two problems.

1. Launching the boat at the local ramp requires the trailer and tow
vehicle to enter the water a LONG way before you can launch the boat.
(salt water)
2. I need to add the ability to have the boat hoisted into the water
too.

If you want your boat to sit lower on the trailer, you are going to
have to change the bunk supports.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom

Visit the dealer or any trailer dealer. Quick, professional solution.

Butch
"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On 25 Apr 2005 19:07:32 -0700, wrote:

I need to have the boat sit lower on a '91 ez-loader trailer. I am
faced with two problems.

1. Launching the boat at the local ramp requires the trailer and tow
vehicle to enter the water a LONG way before you can launch the boat.
(salt water)
2. I need to add the ability to have the boat hoisted into the water
too.

If you want your boat to sit lower on the trailer, you are going to
have to change the bunk supports.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom

That looks just like my trailer. I converted mine from roller to bunks. I
used some angle brackets that were not nearly as tall as yours. The thing
you have to watch out for is the axle hitting the bottom of the boat so
check that first. You could probably just cut off pieces of 2x2 galvanized
angle iron to make new brackets.

http://home.earthlink.net/~jamesgangnc/front.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~jamesgangnc/rear.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~jamesgangnc/bow.jpg

wrote in message
oups.com...
I need to have the boat sit lower on a '91 ez-loader trailer. I am
faced with two problems.

1. Launching the boat at the local ramp requires the trailer and tow
vehicle to enter the water a LONG way before you can launch the boat.
(salt water)
2. I need to add the ability to have the boat hoisted into the water
too.

When launching the boat I have to back the trailer and tow vehicle are
too far into the water before I am able to float the boat. (I have a
similar problem when trying to load the boat.) If I did not have the
same problem loading and unloading I would be inclined to add the
Teflon covers to easily launch the boat, however, since I am have a
similar problem loading and unloading I want to see if I can address
the problem.

pics of existing supports
http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/front.jpg
http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/rear.jpg

In an effort to solve this problem I have reviewed the ez-loader web
site for ideas to allow the boat sit lower on the trailer. To me, it
looks like the bunks are currently supported by older style roller
supports, modified to support the bunks.

http://www.csofwa.com/boat/boat/trailer.jpg

Using ez-loaders "short bunk mount bracket", "bunk support
mounts" and finally "bunk/roller support brackets". I think I can
get the boat to sit lower on the trailer. I am proposing to use the
38" bunk / roller support attached to the short bunk mount bracket at
the rear of the trailer. For the forward support I would use the bunk
support mounts attached to short bunk mount brackets.

Has anyone else had success getting their boat to sit loawer on the
trailer?

Thank you

~Joe

Get some smaller angle brackets(the ones that bolt onto the cross-members)
and that should lower the boat 4" or so. It looks like you can lower the
front supports by just re-clamping them lower.
It might be possible to move the bunks out so the boat rides lower?
If you lower the bunks, you should consider getting a center protector on
the cross-members to protect the bow when you ride up the trailer while
loading, and be carefull about the axle also. If you hit a big bump you
don't want the axle to jump up and damage the hull.