Replacement Trailer - size, and "bunks vs. rollers"?

[chipleak]

Help! Having a hard time finding a good used trailer for an ODay 20 (1975).
I have located a used trailer that I will have to modify to accommodate the keel. I have to customize it with parts to match the old trailer set up.

First question: Safety - Boat width vs. Trailer Width.
The OLD trailer has 60" LONG bunks set approx. 50" apart (wide).
Shown below is the OLD trailer...

The NEW (used) trailer frame is narrower and will be 48' wide. With the beam at 84" I am concerned about proper load and balance. The OLD FRAME is 60" wide, the NEW FRAME is 48" wide.

If I move the BUNK MOUNTS to the outside of the frame (over the wheel guards) what is the recommended MINIMUM width for a BOAT and TRAILER where the BOAT is 84" wide and the NEW trailer with wheels is only 69" wide?

*The boat is going to be 15" wider than the trailer...is this safe?

Second: Slide on Bunks vs. Roller Bunks? What do people recommend?
Thanks, Chip

 

[CharlzO]

Wider than the trailer, it can still be safe. The bigger question, is the axle width. If your axles are much narrower than the old, then you run a bigger stability risk going around curves and corners. Granted, it's not a huge boat so it might not be as noticeable, but it's still something to think about. Also, depending on the state, might need to check to see if there are any issues with having parts of the trailer overhanging the wheel guards. Having the boat over them is one thing, because that's how a lot would end up. But some places might have issues with the wheel guards not being the outermost width of an empty trailer, though it doesn't sound like you'll be outside the guards, just over them. But worth a check, probably.

 

[Sunbird22358]

My Day Sailer II is at least 6-8 inches wider than the outer edges of the fenders, so close to 2' wider than the trailer frame. Height may be a factor for a bigger boat, so getting the boat as low on the trailer as possible is good.
The one thing that I would be concerned about with the narrower trailer is whether it will mean needing to carry the boat higher to get the boat over the fenders, perhaps your older trailer would allow the boat to sit lower between hte fenders?

I've attached a few pictures of O'Day 20 trailers for comparison.

 

[mjp83]

Why are you after a different trailer? My Mariner had the same trailer and it being galvanized and c channel it was still in great shape. Replacing the bunks with new treated 2x4 's is easy, and you can just put some new outdoor carpet on them.

If your axle is shot, you might get lucky and be able to swap your spare trailer's under it.

My current boat has a way too narrow trailer from the factory, and I feel it is way unsafe! I would keep the wider trailer.

On bunks vs rollers, I would stick with bunks any day. Boats are much better supported while stored on the trailer, and are much safer on them while driving down the road.

Also, my dad's 26 foot Crownline slid off the trailer at the boat ramp due to the strap snapping while pulling out! He just swapped over to rollers..........