Does anyone know where I can get a hitch extender? I have only been able to find ones up to 18" and want something in the 4 to 5 foot range. My launch ramp dosen't have much of a angle to it and I have to back down to where my muffler is touching or even in the water. Thanks.
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Does anyone know where I can get a hitch extender? I have only been able to find ones up to 18" and want something in the 4 to 5 foot range. My launch ramp dosen't have much of a angle to it and I have to back down to where my muffler is touching or even in the water. Thanks.
Extension
Check with a welding shop. They should be able to fashion one for your needs at relatively small cost. Take a look at some local trailers if you need ideas for a design that will work with your boat/trailer combination. For a 25.5, I have a simple system of a square tube with a hitch attached that slides inside another square tube that is solidly welded to the trailer frame. It works fine and was built into the trailer when manufactured.
Check with a welding shop. They should be able to fashion one for your needs at relatively small cost. Take a look at some local trailers if you need ideas for a design that will work with your boat/trailer combination. For a 25.5, I have a simple system of a square tube with a hitch attached that slides inside another square tube that is solidly welded to the trailer frame. It works fine and was built into the trailer when manufactured.
Extension
Check with a welding shop. They should be able to fashion one for your needs at relatively small cost. Take a look at some local trailers if you need ideas for a design that will work with your boat/trailer combination. For a 25.5, I have a simple system of a square tube with a hitch attached that slides inside another square tube that is solidly welded to the trailer frame. It works fine and was built into the trailer when manufactured.
Check with a welding shop. They should be able to fashion one for your needs at relatively small cost. Take a look at some local trailers if you need ideas for a design that will work with your boat/trailer combination. For a 25.5, I have a simple system of a square tube with a hitch attached that slides inside another square tube that is solidly welded to the trailer frame. It works fine and was built into the trailer when manufactured.
On the cheap
A treated 4X4 that is cut down on the end to fit about a foot into the square-section trailer tongue, with an extra hitch bolted to the other end, works great for me. I use one about 6' long, and run a bolt through the tongue end to hold it in place.
A treated 4X4 that is cut down on the end to fit about a foot into the square-section trailer tongue, with an extra hitch bolted to the other end, works great for me. I use one about 6' long, and run a bolt through the tongue end to hold it in place.
On the cheap
A treated 4X4 that is cut down on the end to fit about a foot into the square-section trailer tongue, with an extra hitch bolted to the other end, works great for me. I use one about 6' long, and run a bolt through the tongue end to hold it in place.
A treated 4X4 that is cut down on the end to fit about a foot into the square-section trailer tongue, with an extra hitch bolted to the other end, works great for me. I use one about 6' long, and run a bolt through the tongue end to hold it in place.
Home made hitch extension
made from square tubing. The photo shows the "receiver". The 8' long square tube extension bolts to the trailer frame for travelling. With my C22, the extension flexes a bit when under load so I bent it in the opposite direction. It probably wouldn't flex with a M26X. Regards, Bob B.
made from square tubing. The photo shows the "receiver". The 8' long square tube extension bolts to the trailer frame for travelling. With my C22, the extension flexes a bit when under load so I bent it in the opposite direction. It probably wouldn't flex with a M26X. Regards, Bob B.
Home made hitch extension
made from square tubing. The photo shows the "receiver". The 8' long square tube extension bolts to the trailer frame for travelling. With my C22, the extension flexes a bit when under load so I bent it in the opposite direction. It probably wouldn't flex with a M26X. Regards, Bob B.
made from square tubing. The photo shows the "receiver". The 8' long square tube extension bolts to the trailer frame for travelling. With my C22, the extension flexes a bit when under load so I bent it in the opposite direction. It probably wouldn't flex with a M26X. Regards, Bob B.
I use a rope
I launch and retrieve my fixed keel C22 with a length of 1" rope. Back the trailer to the water, chock the trailer wheels, and unhitch the trailer from the car. Then tie the rope to the front of the trailer and the other end to the car hitch. Pull forward until the rope is taut. Remove the chocks and back the trailer into the water. Similar process for retrieving.
I launch and retrieve my fixed keel C22 with a length of 1" rope. Back the trailer to the water, chock the trailer wheels, and unhitch the trailer from the car. Then tie the rope to the front of the trailer and the other end to the car hitch. Pull forward until the rope is taut. Remove the chocks and back the trailer into the water. Similar process for retrieving.
I use a rope
I launch and retrieve my fixed keel C22 with a length of 1" rope. Back the trailer to the water, chock the trailer wheels, and unhitch the trailer from the car. Then tie the rope to the front of the trailer and the other end to the car hitch. Pull forward until the rope is taut. Remove the chocks and back the trailer into the water. Similar process for retrieving.
I launch and retrieve my fixed keel C22 with a length of 1" rope. Back the trailer to the water, chock the trailer wheels, and unhitch the trailer from the car. Then tie the rope to the front of the trailer and the other end to the car hitch. Pull forward until the rope is taut. Remove the chocks and back the trailer into the water. Similar process for retrieving.
I use a chain...
... with my H260, as described by R Kolb. He didn't mention that the tounge Jack/wheel is used to support the front end of the trailer. I found that an extra heavy duty, double wheel jack works better. Sometimes it is a little challenging to get the rig to back straight down the ramp. I have done this single handed, but it is easier with help. One person backs the truck while the other walks down with the trailer, pushing the tounge as needed side to side to steer straight down the ramp. It is more difficult, but you can also pull the tow chain (rope) to either side to steer the trailer without getting in the water. Fair winds and roads.... Tom
... with my H260, as described by R Kolb. He didn't mention that the tounge Jack/wheel is used to support the front end of the trailer. I found that an extra heavy duty, double wheel jack works better. Sometimes it is a little challenging to get the rig to back straight down the ramp. I have done this single handed, but it is easier with help. One person backs the truck while the other walks down with the trailer, pushing the tounge as needed side to side to steer straight down the ramp. It is more difficult, but you can also pull the tow chain (rope) to either side to steer the trailer without getting in the water. Fair winds and roads.... Tom
Re/Tom's Jack
Just a note regarding use of the jack as mentioned by Tom. I bent a single-wheeled jack about 70 degrees that way when the small wheel hit a gouge in the ramp, and because I had forgotten to crank the jack back down before moving the trailer down the ramp. If you crank it down, you have a double tube which is stronger. Santana 20's trailers have a neat sturdy wheel built into the front of their trailers which work very well for their fixed keel configuration. Dick
Just a note regarding use of the jack as mentioned by Tom. I bent a single-wheeled jack about 70 degrees that way when the small wheel hit a gouge in the ramp, and because I had forgotten to crank the jack back down before moving the trailer down the ramp. If you crank it down, you have a double tube which is stronger. Santana 20's trailers have a neat sturdy wheel built into the front of their trailers which work very well for their fixed keel configuration. Dick
The rope
At one time, I sailed a lake where the water level would drop so much by the end of the sailing season that I couldn't use the ramp to get my swing keel C22 out of the lake. The trailer wheels would drop off over the edge of the concrete,(you all know what that means)!! It was just possible to get my boat into the water at the beginning of the season. I had the only sail boat on the lake, ski boats were OK. Since then the water level has really dropped
At one time, I sailed a lake where the water level would drop so much by the end of the sailing season that I couldn't use the ramp to get my swing keel C22 out of the lake. The trailer wheels would drop off over the edge of the concrete,(you all know what that means)!! It was just possible to get my boat into the water at the beginning of the season. I had the only sail boat on the lake, ski boats were OK. Since then the water level has really dropped
A Sugestion and a Caution
I have seen spindles atached to the tounge so that it provides a spare tire, bearings and hub as well as working as a third wheel. Seems like an ideal solution. Do not be tempted to use on of those polypropylne tow lines. They work well a couple of times and are then too weak to be of any real use. We watched a couple of guys at the yacht club here last sping pull a Catalina 22 out using one and the jack stand. The line broke twice then the jack bent it was pretty entertaining. If there had been a curly headed guy there it would have been just like the three stooges.
I have seen spindles atached to the tounge so that it provides a spare tire, bearings and hub as well as working as a third wheel. Seems like an ideal solution. Do not be tempted to use on of those polypropylne tow lines. They work well a couple of times and are then too weak to be of any real use. We watched a couple of guys at the yacht club here last sping pull a Catalina 22 out using one and the jack stand. The line broke twice then the jack bent it was pretty entertaining. If there had been a curly headed guy there it would have been just like the three stooges.
Extending from the vehicle
From a suggestion from another O'Day owner, this is what I did for my O'Day 25 trailer. Rather than extending the trailer, I extended the hitch from the vehicle. I took the hitch out of the receiver. I then got a 5' section of square steel tubing the same diameter to fit inside the receiver. Then, I got a 5' section of tubing the same size as the receiver. After drilling all the appropriate holes, I put the smaller section in the receiver on our tow vehicle. I then put the larger section on the smaller section. Finally, I attach the ball to the larger section. This extends my hitch 10' (approximately) behind my van. Leaving the dolly wheel down on the tounge of the tralier, I attach the trailer to the hitch, back down, and load up the boat. I pull it straight out, chock the wheels, remove the extension, and hook up normally. It's worked every time. The guy that suggested it to me has been using one for 10 years.
From a suggestion from another O'Day owner, this is what I did for my O'Day 25 trailer. Rather than extending the trailer, I extended the hitch from the vehicle. I took the hitch out of the receiver. I then got a 5' section of square steel tubing the same diameter to fit inside the receiver. Then, I got a 5' section of tubing the same size as the receiver. After drilling all the appropriate holes, I put the smaller section in the receiver on our tow vehicle. I then put the larger section on the smaller section. Finally, I attach the ball to the larger section. This extends my hitch 10' (approximately) behind my van. Leaving the dolly wheel down on the tounge of the tralier, I attach the trailer to the hitch, back down, and load up the boat. I pull it straight out, chock the wheels, remove the extension, and hook up normally. It's worked every time. The guy that suggested it to me has been using one for 10 years.
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