bunk trailer for 290 SS

CKL said:
Great modifications, I have been thinking an electric winch and jack would be great to have. I am also going to add a ladder to whatever trailer I get. I had a local welding shop put one on my old 260 trailer and I was able to easily launch/retrieve solo.View attachment 90631
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Ladder is an interesting thought. I do a lot of boating solo also, so I might have to think about that. I've seen a guy launch using a rope tied to his winch upright. He had enough where it would slide back, but not pass the rear side trailer markers. As long as there isn't any current and the boat ramp wasn't too steep the boat would stay straight and stop where you want it. That would give you the opportunity, without scrambling, to walk your boat to a spot next to the ramp to tie off. Of course this would be for a ramp that isn't busy...
I like the "boat stop" that TN_Ryan has on his trailer. I wouldn't mind adding one of those. It's the piece that goes up from the bottom of the winch mount to the hull of the boat to stop forward movement.
 
I like the “boat stop” also. It should reduce the chances of the anchor hitting the winch stand. You should check out this video...
F13B894A-20E1-418E-AD04-23541C5B1C3A.jpeg
 
CKL said:
Good looking rig. I have a 2008 290 DA and am looking for a trailer. Did you purchase model VATB-12625? Curious whether you would change anything if you were to purchase another?
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Yes it’s a custom VATB-12625. The trailer is shorter then a normal 12625. The 2006-2008 290 is heavy for its length. So Venture shortened up a 12625 to keep it from being 37’ long on a 31’ boat. Which is nice! I really wasn’t wanting all the extra length that wasn’t needed. So when I picked the trailer up it looked shorter then I thought it would. So I called Venture and they told me what they did. Bunks are pretty close from factory...but you will have to adjust to get your tongue weight and whatnot right. I love the trailer though, rides smooth! Oh that does remind me...if you order one new ask them to not put the beads inside the tires. That is their idea of balancing...I had to have a tire shop break all 6 tires down to remove the beads and balance them normally. After that she rode smooth. Electric over hydraulic is a life changer though...I’ll never go back to surge brakes LoL.
 
TN_Ryan said:
Yes it’s a custom VATB-12625. The trailer is shorter then a normal 12625. The 2006-2008 290 is heavy for its length. So Venture shortened up a 12625 to keep it from being 37’ long on a 31’ boat. Which is nice! I really wasn’t wanting all the extra length that wasn’t needed. So when I picked the trailer up it looked shorter then I thought it would. So I called Venture and they told me what they did. Bunks are pretty close from factory...but you will have to adjust to get your tongue weight and whatnot right. I love the trailer though, rides smooth! Oh that does remind me...if you order one new ask them to not put the beads inside the tires. That is their idea of balancing...I had to have a tire shop break all 6 tires down to remove the beads and balance them normally. After that she rode smooth. Electric over hydraulic is a life changer though...I’ll never go back to surge brakes LoL.
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Looks like I am going to have to order as I have not found one in stock yet. Do you know (1) how much length they took out of your trailer and (2) what your total height is to the top of the arch with the anchor light folded down and tv and gps antennas removed? Do you think there are some instructions I could give them so they could get the bunk placement spot on? Appreciate your help!
 
Aw man, you want all the answers that I couldn't find LoL

My trailer is almost 33'. I want to say 32'8" sticks out in my mind...but it's been a hot minute since I measured it. The height measurement comes in around 12'4" to the top of the finsih of the fiberglass arch. I didn't have to remove the GPS antenna, but I did remove the TV glomex to get our boat from Lewisville TX to Chattanooga TN. If you give me a week I'll have the boat back at the house, and I can get you some bunk measurments that work for me.
 
Mine is supposed to be 38'. I'll try to measure it tomorrow. Looking at the picture with my 290 on it, it sure looks shorter.

Edit: my curiosity got the best of me. The trailer is 32'. So they must have cut 6' off from the factory. It was ordered custom for a 290. My 290 is 32' bow tip to stern.


IMG_20200730_132324.jpg
 
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Here is the actual work order for my trailer. It was built for an 06 290.

wo edit.jpg
 
TN_Ryan said:
Aw man, you want all the answers that I couldn't find LoL

My trailer is almost 33'. I want to say 32'8" sticks out in my mind...but it's been a hot minute since I measured it. The height measurement comes in around 12'4" to the top of the finsih of the fiberglass arch. I didn't have to remove the GPS antenna, but I did remove the TV glomex to get our boat from Lewisville TX to Chattanooga TN. If you give me a week I'll have the boat back at the house, and I can get you some bunk measurments that work for me.
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Thanks so much! I am trying to tailor the trailer as much as possible for a good fit.
 
CKL said:
Thank you! The last big trailer I bought the manufacturer was able to measure my boat for an exact fit. That’s not possible this time but I am trying to get as close to an exact fit as I can.
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You're welcome. Another big thing with mine is that it's actually setup with a -----lb suspension. Makes it a little stiffer and more stable.
Edit: see below. I got the weight difference mixed up...
 
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Hey guys. I might be able to help. (The trailer HawkX66 bought was from me, built for my 06 290DA). The trailer has the dimensions of the VATB-10625 with the components and capability of the VATB -12625. Basically its a shorter VATB-12625. I spoke directly with Venture and wanted the beefiest trailer I could get for safety reasons. Based on the length of boat they built me a VATB - 12625 "shortie." Great people to work with btw. I highly recommend them! They even gave me a tour of thier facility up in Baltimore. Glad to see that my trailer went to such an active member! I have learned so much from this forum and its great how everyone pays it forward!
 
mdolesh said:
Hey guys. I might be able to help. (The trailer HawkX66 bought was from me, built for my 06 290DA). The trailer has the dimensions of the VATB-10625 with the components and capability of the VATB -12625. Basically its a shorter VATB-12625. I spoke directly with Venture and wanted the beefiest trailer I could get for safety reasons. Based on the length of boat they built me a VATB - 12625 "shortie." Great people to work with btw. I highly recommend them! They even gave me a tour of thier facility up in Baltimore. Glad to see that my trailer went to such an active member! I have learned so much from this forum and its great how everyone pays it forward!
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Thanks Matt. Loving the trailer!
This is why I thought it was 14,625. That's the gvwr.
Trailer tag_1.jpg
 
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HawkX66 said:
I saw that. I was just glad I wasn't waiting behind him at the ramp. ;-)
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Yes, thats me....
I can do it in about half that time on the ramp when its just me and my wife and not being filmed, explaining everything to the camera and my son in-law..
We did that early on a Friday so not to get anyone upset, its a nice quite slow ramp most days.
 
hughespat57 said:
Yes, thats me....
I can do it in about half that time on the ramp when its just me and my wife and not being filmed, explaining everything to the camera and my son in-law..
We did that early on a Friday so not to get anyone upset, its a nice quite slow ramp most days.
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So when you say half the time....that was a 30 minute video. You’re saying it takes you 15 minutes to launch your boat on average???

How long does it take you retrieve the boat then?
 
30 minutes included a lot of time in the prep lane, that still takes about the same.
But I can be in and out of the ramp in about ten with no interuptions, another 5 to park the trailer and get back.
I'll time it next outing...
 
HawkX66 said:
Boat is 8,500 and the trailer is 1,800. I'm pulling it with a 17 Expy EL Platinum with the tow package. 3.5L Ecoboost. I'm a little overweight, but all three axles have disc brakes. It stops beautifully... I can honestly say there wasn't a single pucker factor situation today. I was never searching for more towing power which surprised me. 780 lbs on the hitch. I ordered an adapter so I can use my Fastway e2 load leveler that I use for my 24' enclosed car trailer.
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What hitch are you using?
 
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