I just purchased a very clean 1987 Catalina 22 berthed in lake Champlain, Vermont. The trailer is a Trail-Rite, Santa Ana, California. Assuming the trailer is the original with the boat what size spare tire do I purchase? What is the size of the hitch ball I will nee? Is there any formula for insuring proper tongue to load weight for a safe ride. The initial ride will be 265 miles. After that it will only be trailered twice a year approximately 25 miles to Marblehead Harbor in MA. I am sure these are obvious questions but unfortunately not to me. Any help is appreciated. bellsailing
new to trailering
- Thread starter bellsailing
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Spare is same size
as tires on trailer, if the trailer tires are more than a couple of years old you should replace all of them, hitch ball size is marked on the hitch but is usually 2 inch. Take it slow, have the bearings and lights checked before you go. Tim
as tires on trailer, if the trailer tires are more than a couple of years old you should replace all of them, hitch ball size is marked on the hitch but is usually 2 inch. Take it slow, have the bearings and lights checked before you go. Tim
Trailer not available. . . .
to measure? It seems that you do not have access to the trailer, that you have to travel the 250+ miles to get it? In this case take two balls, you can rent them from U-Haul for example. Probably a 2" but take a 1 7/8" also. And take the right tools. As for tongue weight there is not too much that you can do. You might take the bathroom scales and stand on them while holding the tongue. You could adjust for about 100 pounds by moving things in the boat. Or maybe take along some weight, like 40 pound bags of softener salt. Not much help on wheel size. See Related Link for the possibilities. You could call the previous owner or Catalina. I think that was a trailer that came with the boat. And ask about the ball size.
to measure? It seems that you do not have access to the trailer, that you have to travel the 250+ miles to get it? In this case take two balls, you can rent them from U-Haul for example. Probably a 2" but take a 1 7/8" also. And take the right tools. As for tongue weight there is not too much that you can do. You might take the bathroom scales and stand on them while holding the tongue. You could adjust for about 100 pounds by moving things in the boat. Or maybe take along some weight, like 40 pound bags of softener salt. Not much help on wheel size. See Related Link for the possibilities. You could call the previous owner or Catalina. I think that was a trailer that came with the boat. And ask about the ball size.
additional imput
You will find the size of the tire on one of the other tires. Do not miss match tire sizes as it will wear out a smaller one quickly. Your boat and traie with all types of misc. gear should weigh nearly 3000 pounds. Not sure if you have brakes but here are some suggesstions: 1. Replace trailer tires if worn and/or dry rot 2. Replace bearings and racers if never done 3. Add buddy bearings if none are on the axles hubs 4 Check for any loose welds 5. Check the integrity of the binders that hold the spring leafs together. 6. Remove rust and paint those areas 7. If any brakes, check the brake pads and fluid levels. Make sure they work. Hope this helps Crazy Dave
You will find the size of the tire on one of the other tires. Do not miss match tire sizes as it will wear out a smaller one quickly. Your boat and traie with all types of misc. gear should weigh nearly 3000 pounds. Not sure if you have brakes but here are some suggesstions: 1. Replace trailer tires if worn and/or dry rot 2. Replace bearings and racers if never done 3. Add buddy bearings if none are on the axles hubs 4 Check for any loose welds 5. Check the integrity of the binders that hold the spring leafs together. 6. Remove rust and paint those areas 7. If any brakes, check the brake pads and fluid levels. Make sure they work. Hope this helps Crazy Dave
Which Ball Size?
I think there are 2 ball sizes to use. The trick is to pick the correct one. Go to a reputable dealer and ask. He will know just by looking. Good Luck!
I think there are 2 ball sizes to use. The trick is to pick the correct one. Go to a reputable dealer and ask. He will know just by looking. Good Luck!
Tires
Make sure that you have "trailer" tires on the trailer. Check this link for all sorts of trailer information. http://www.championtrailers.com/tire_art.html Also make sure you have a jack that can get under the axle when the tire is flat. It is kinda hard to change the tire when you can't get it up off of the pavement.
Make sure that you have "trailer" tires on the trailer. Check this link for all sorts of trailer information. http://www.championtrailers.com/tire_art.html Also make sure you have a jack that can get under the axle when the tire is flat. It is kinda hard to change the tire when you can't get it up off of the pavement.
NEVER EVER...
.. tow a tandem axle trailer with one tire/wheel missing on one side. You will, in no time, overheat the other tire and blow that one out as well! This is a big problem because it makes it much more difficult to jack up your trailer: and it is unlikely you will have two spares! Better to get yourself a matching spare and be ready if you have a problem. Additionally: There is no way you will be able to lift the tongue of your trailer with your Catalina 22 properly loaded on it! You will not be able to use bathroom scales to determine tongue weight. Most good bathroom scales read to about 350lbs max. Assuming you are an average size man (180lbs or so) and your boat and trailer weigh in the neighborhood of 2700-3000lbs. At a 10-15% tongue weight you are talking about lifting over 300lbs! Do yourself a favor and don't even try this. You could use the advice of going to a local truck stop and using their scale to help get the correct tongue weight. Most allow this for a minimal fee if any. Best regards, T
.. tow a tandem axle trailer with one tire/wheel missing on one side. You will, in no time, overheat the other tire and blow that one out as well! This is a big problem because it makes it much more difficult to jack up your trailer: and it is unlikely you will have two spares! Better to get yourself a matching spare and be ready if you have a problem. Additionally: There is no way you will be able to lift the tongue of your trailer with your Catalina 22 properly loaded on it! You will not be able to use bathroom scales to determine tongue weight. Most good bathroom scales read to about 350lbs max. Assuming you are an average size man (180lbs or so) and your boat and trailer weigh in the neighborhood of 2700-3000lbs. At a 10-15% tongue weight you are talking about lifting over 300lbs! Do yourself a favor and don't even try this. You could use the advice of going to a local truck stop and using their scale to help get the correct tongue weight. Most allow this for a minimal fee if any. Best regards, T
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
tongue weight is 10 to 15% of total weight
If it is too light you will get fishtailing. You will know the tongue is too light if you can lift with without too much difficulty. If this happens then move some weight forward in your boat, such as gas tank, other loose equipment, motor if necessary. You don't want problems on your delivery trip. After you get it home, you can get the boat motor and trailer weighed at a highway weigh scale. Tongue weight can be measured by placing a bathroom scale under the jack foot. (You will need to jack it up first, then support it with a block or something, then reduce the jack, insert the bathroom scale and expand the jack again to lift the weight off the supporting block. It should be 10 to 15% of total weight. After you launch your boat, and depending on the trailer, sometimes the axel assembly can be move back to increase tongue weight, or forward to decrease tongue weight. Remember that adding a spare tire to the front of the trailer will add tongue weight. As well, moving the winch mast forward so that the boat sits more forward on the trailer, will also increase tongue weight. Remember that on a boat this size we are talking the difference of 2 to 6 inches to move tongue weight from balanced, (0 pounds to properly weighted at 250 to 300 pounds.
If it is too light you will get fishtailing. You will know the tongue is too light if you can lift with without too much difficulty. If this happens then move some weight forward in your boat, such as gas tank, other loose equipment, motor if necessary. You don't want problems on your delivery trip. After you get it home, you can get the boat motor and trailer weighed at a highway weigh scale. Tongue weight can be measured by placing a bathroom scale under the jack foot. (You will need to jack it up first, then support it with a block or something, then reduce the jack, insert the bathroom scale and expand the jack again to lift the weight off the supporting block. It should be 10 to 15% of total weight. After you launch your boat, and depending on the trailer, sometimes the axel assembly can be move back to increase tongue weight, or forward to decrease tongue weight. Remember that adding a spare tire to the front of the trailer will add tongue weight. As well, moving the winch mast forward so that the boat sits more forward on the trailer, will also increase tongue weight. Remember that on a boat this size we are talking the difference of 2 to 6 inches to move tongue weight from balanced, (0 pounds to properly weighted at 250 to 300 pounds.
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