Redeye1962
Member
I have a chance to buy a 24 ft trailer that used to tow a 24 ft express. I have a 26ft express and was wondering if this trailer would work for what I need. Any ideas?
24ft trailer for a 26ft boat
- Thread starter Redeye1962
- Start date
Spookeay
New Member
- Oct 27, 2009
- 768
- Boat Info
- HF Radio ICOM 706 Callsign W4HLK,,
The Tow Truck, 1990 F450 7.3D
- Engines
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Lots of insurance and communion at church this Sunday.
Seriously,,,, it could kill you or the person next to you when the tire blows and you loose it on the Highway.
I have pulled some large boats on a trailer to small and it's very stressful and you loose all room for error.
Get the right trailer.
Seriously,,,, it could kill you or the person next to you when the tire blows and you loose it on the Highway.
I have pulled some large boats on a trailer to small and it's very stressful and you loose all room for error.
Get the right trailer.
Gofirstclass
Well-Known Member
It's important to have the right size trailer, as Spookeay mentioned, but for other reasons than she mentioned.
If the boat is too heavy for the trailer the springs will always be compressed and the boat won't ride as it should. It will be subjected to constant jolts as it goes down the road.
Likewise if the boat is too light for a trailer it won't compress the springs enough and will ride hard.
The right trailer will give your boat a nice smooth ride and won't jar the heck out of it. All that jarring could weaken the fiberglass/gelcoat by causing small, unseen spider cracks in the fibers.
If the boat is too heavy for the trailer the springs will always be compressed and the boat won't ride as it should. It will be subjected to constant jolts as it goes down the road.
Likewise if the boat is too light for a trailer it won't compress the springs enough and will ride hard.
The right trailer will give your boat a nice smooth ride and won't jar the heck out of it. All that jarring could weaken the fiberglass/gelcoat by causing small, unseen spider cracks in the fibers.
OldSkool
Active Member
- May 8, 2010
- 4,360
- Boat Info
- restored 1976 SRV200
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Couple of things to consider. My apology to those who I am repeating.
This trailer has a rated capacity loaded. That capacity has to do with the integral strength of the trailer and axle limit. It will do you little good that the axle/tire has enough rating if your hitch/tongue breaks off.
The length of the trailer has everything to do with the load displacement through out the trailer. How heavy will the boat sit in the rails? How much tongue weight? Will the rails extend to the transom?
A larger boat will most likely have a wider beam. Using the existing rail setup, how high will the boat sit? This will affect the all important center of gravity.
Last but not least, what type of brakes do you have? If they are surge brakes, make sure that they can take the weight increase without blowing out the brake master cylinder. If electric, then are the magnets and rotor plates big enough.
This trailer has a rated capacity loaded. That capacity has to do with the integral strength of the trailer and axle limit. It will do you little good that the axle/tire has enough rating if your hitch/tongue breaks off.
The length of the trailer has everything to do with the load displacement through out the trailer. How heavy will the boat sit in the rails? How much tongue weight? Will the rails extend to the transom?
A larger boat will most likely have a wider beam. Using the existing rail setup, how high will the boat sit? This will affect the all important center of gravity.
Last but not least, what type of brakes do you have? If they are surge brakes, make sure that they can take the weight increase without blowing out the brake master cylinder. If electric, then are the magnets and rotor plates big enough.
I agree with everything that has been said above.
But, to come at this from a different perspective... what if that trailer is actually big enough for a 26'? Meaning, maybe the prior owner was using a 26' trailer for his 24'.
Redeye - you'll have to check it out - don't rely on anyone else, especially the person selling the trailer, to say "Don't worry about it, you'll be fine". This is YOUR responsibility as you will be the one towing it.
First, the carrying capacity, as everyone mentioned - which means you have to know what yours weighs LOADED. Full gas tank/water tank/holding tank, batteries, all of your gear AND ANY OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT as that wouldn't be listed in the weight that Sea Ray publishes. If you have a bigger engine and/or drive than standard, you need to account for that. Add another 300 lbs for good measure.
If the carrying capacity isn't enough, stop right here. It won't work. No way, no how.
Next, the length. The length you're looking for is from the bow eye to the transom. Then, see if the trailer's winch stand can be adjusted enough to fit. There shouldn't be any more than a few inches (at the most) of the hull sticking off past the rear of the bunks or the last roller.
But, to come at this from a different perspective... what if that trailer is actually big enough for a 26'? Meaning, maybe the prior owner was using a 26' trailer for his 24'.
Redeye - you'll have to check it out - don't rely on anyone else, especially the person selling the trailer, to say "Don't worry about it, you'll be fine". This is YOUR responsibility as you will be the one towing it.
First, the carrying capacity, as everyone mentioned - which means you have to know what yours weighs LOADED. Full gas tank/water tank/holding tank, batteries, all of your gear AND ANY OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT as that wouldn't be listed in the weight that Sea Ray publishes. If you have a bigger engine and/or drive than standard, you need to account for that. Add another 300 lbs for good measure.
If the carrying capacity isn't enough, stop right here. It won't work. No way, no how.
Next, the length. The length you're looking for is from the bow eye to the transom. Then, see if the trailer's winch stand can be adjusted enough to fit. There shouldn't be any more than a few inches (at the most) of the hull sticking off past the rear of the bunks or the last roller.
Captain Crispy
Member
- Nov 24, 2007
- 163
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- 33' 1987 Sportfisher II
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- hamsters...scurrying little hamsters...
Get the model number of the trailer and check with the manufacturer for the length and load rating.
If it is rated to carry the weight of the boat/motor/fuel/batteries/gear then the trailer may be OK. If not, find another trailer.
If it is rated to carry a boat of the length of yours, you are OK, but you may need to adjust rollers/bunks/winch to get the load to rest properly on the trailer.
And Lazy Daze is spot-on about the transom overhang. More than a couple inches can cause you to develop a hook in the hull which weakens the structure of the boat and harms boat handling in the water.
If it is rated to carry the weight of the boat/motor/fuel/batteries/gear then the trailer may be OK. If not, find another trailer.
If it is rated to carry a boat of the length of yours, you are OK, but you may need to adjust rollers/bunks/winch to get the load to rest properly on the trailer.
And Lazy Daze is spot-on about the transom overhang. More than a couple inches can cause you to develop a hook in the hull which weakens the structure of the boat and harms boat handling in the water.
