Re-trailering.

[chutz]

Hey all,Does anyone have any ideas on how to set up my new trailer to accomodate my Venture 21?My original trailer is bent beyond usefulness and is slowly sagging. Currently I have about 3.5 inches between the starboard trailer tire and the hull (no fender - It won't fit anymore).I just bought another trailer of exactly the same length and I'm pretty confident that the V21 will fit nicely on it. Here comes the question:What's the best way to go about pre-configuring the new trailer to ensure that the boat will sit nicely on it? The cross members of the new trailer are located in slightly different locations that the original MacGregor trailer, the bunks will need to be slightly longer (10') to accomodate this. The keel receiver will also be in a different location (about 18 inches forward)And another:Has anyone tried using "Trex" the plastic decking material for trailer bunks - supposedly it can be cut/drilled/routed the same as wood, but it's actually plastic, thus won't rot - Is this a posibility?Any other general wisdom about switching trailers?Other caveats?ThanksGraham

 

[Steve Paul]

No to trex

Do not use trex as trunk boards on your trailer. Trex is weather proof and could be used as a topping material but has no lateral strength. Pick up a 10 or 20 foot board and watch it bend. Use treated lumber and stainless bolts as the new treated lumber uses salts as the treatment option. Anything steel or iron will corrode very quickly, especially when you keep getting them wet.Just measure the width and height of the old boards on the old trailer and duplicate on the new trailer. Then you can adjust at the ramp by floating the boat off if you need make radical changes.Steve P.

 

[chutz]

Thanks for the info...

Thanks for the info on Trex Steve, I haven't actually looked at the material. One of those "Seemed like a good idea at the time" moments. I'm still working on getting the bunk brackets mounted correctly. I have an entire notebook of measurements. I'm just trying to be cautious about conceivably damaging something when trying to recover on the new trailer.Thanks again.Graham