Hunter 260/240 Trailer Extension

[Bob15530]

This past weekend I ran into another owner with a similar model to mine. He was having difficulty pushing the trailer extension back in and was ready to either grab the sledge hammer or use the tow vehicle to push it back in.
I explained an alternate proceedure that I learned on this website many years ago.
The theory is the angled post the winch is attached to is producing additional pressure on the trailer extension outer tube, causing it to bow and bind up the inner extension tube. The trailer tongue support wheel can also contribute to the problem.
To eliminate the problem, simply loosen the bow winch strap and also lower the support wheel until the trailer extension is level. Once you do this you should be able to push the extension back in by hand- no greese or lubricants are required. When done, don't forget to tighten the bow strap back up (and make sure the safety chain is on).
I have also seen this work on other similar boat trailers.
Try it- you will be amazed at how easy this works.

 

[Jim Kolstoe]

try an experiment

Your extension sounds similar to my h23 trailer. I lower the nose wheel until it lifts the extension off the bottom of the outside tube, but not high enough to push on the top of the tube. It slides in easily. I suspect that you do not need to release the bow winch strap to get the same result.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo

 

[WallyQ2]

It works well,
Bob, read your suggestion this AM. I put my H260 away this PM and it worked like a charm. It made my day. It beats the old method of putting blocks behind the trailer wheels and backing up the tow vehicle until it slams shut, ouch! Thanks much. Love it when a plan works.

 

[sea_casper]

Thanks Bob, after haulout of my H26 I released the winch strap, slid extension back easily, I had parked the boat & trailer, it was disconnected from car and on its support wheel. It will take up less space this year! Since I have to go only 1/4 mile I had been leaving the extension out all the time.