Trailering '86 Hunter 23

Benny17441 · Apr 19, 2012

No problem, we trailer our 1985 Starwind 223 approximately 1,200 miles one way, every year, on a single axle trailer. The main area of concern is heat on the tires and the hubs. Make sure you have trailer rated tires adequate for the load and that they are filled to the max PSI recommended pressure. Air disipates heat. Also make sure the bearings are clean, well greased and in good shape. It is a good practice to stop every 100 miles and check the temperature of the tires and the hubs. Nothing fancy both should just feel warm to the touch. If they are to hot to touch then they are overheated. We drove back from NY once and one of the hubs was overheating so we stopped every 100 miles and let it cool for about 15 to 20 minutes. It is a good idea to carry a spare set of bearings for an emergency. Among other things the weight of the boat should be balanced on the trailer and the tongue weight should be around 15% of the total load. If the trailer does not have brakes make sure the brakes on the tow vehicle are adequate to stop both the vehicle and the trailer.

MrUnix · Apr 19, 2012

What Benny said.. as long as your trailer is 'well maintained', you should be fine. And these boats came with a single axle trailer, so that should not be a concern at all. Checking your tires for excessive heat can save you the pain and agony of seeing one of your trailer tires bouncing past your passenger side window while driving down the interstate! Don't ask how I know

Cheers,
Brad

Fly_H23 · Apr 19, 2012

I towed our Hunter 23 from NY to Ohio, almost 600 miles. If your tow vehicle is adequate with good brakes and newer tires you'll be ok.

Have the bearings serviced by a pro if you aren't comfortable doing it. Newer tires and a good spare are essential.

Go have fun and share photos of The Apostle Islands, I'm hoping to get there someday too!

C Jones · Apr 20, 2012

Also check all of your tie downs, trailer wiring and hitch at every stop. Have a fun and safe trip. Don't forget the pictures

Benny17441 · Apr 20, 2012

I forgot to mention, besides a spare tire carry an adequate jack and perhaps a jackstand. Replacing the bearings might be a little tricky by the side of the road. The bearing races are usually stamped in on the hubs. In an emergency it can be done easily if you keep the old races and just replace bearings but if you have a spare you can stop by any service shop and get it replaced with minimum delays. When bearings start going bad they will usually give some warning like overheating and a grinding noise. Just have them serviced before the trip and you should be fine. If a tire does pop take your foot slowly off the gas and let it coast down to a safe speed and then use the brakes.

Crazy Dave Condon · Apr 23, 2012

the major issues with the KWs trailer or Kens welding trailer was bearings, fenders and no spare tire. The orginal fenders would break welds so check for that. the orignal bearings were replaced by me with Timpken or good bearings. Take the suggestion and get a spare tire and make sure you carry gear to jack the trailer up and do chock the tires.

If you have a trailer without brakes, get brakes as the axle can be converted to brakes contrary to what others say so they can make a buck or two on a new axle.

teacher63 · Apr 23, 2012

Mine is the same set up but an 1987. I hauled it from South Jersey to southern MD 200 miles. We went down I95 through the 895 tunnel in Baltimore with no problem. Just make sure bearings have been checked and greased and tires are good. Check trailer spring U bolts that hold the spring on the axel mine were bad, when I got it home it failed inspection. New u bolts and a dremel tool with a cutting blade and 2 hours, job done.

jorg027 said:
Id like to trailer our 23 about 5 hours north and launch it from Sand Bay near the Apostle Islands Lake Superior.
Concerns:
My trailer is well maintained, but single axle.
My boat is well maintained, but 25 yrs old.

Any thoughts on trailering that distsnce would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Crazy Dave Condon · Apr 25, 2012

Word of caution

With a boat sitting high on a trailer without brakes, do not go over 55 mph. Should any single axle trailer set up in this manner should start to sway, most would hit the brakes and that is the worst nightmare could happen.

Once bringing a catalina 22 wing keel back on a new single axle trailer without brakes driven by a friend, that happenned and he started to brake and fish tailing was getting worse, I kicked his foot off the brake and tapped the accelarator briefly pulling the swaying motion out and then told him to brake slowly which he did and pulled over and let me drive the rest of the way. He learned a good lesson.

When pulling please gentlemen, maintian a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and with or without brakes, pretend you are on snow and ice allowing acceleration and braking at least 3 times more than without towing anything. Good advice.

The only reason I mention this that some of the trailers had no brakes as that was an option when the 23 wing keel was sold. However, the axles can be converted to brakes and always take a spare, jack and lug wrench. If you unattach the trailer from the tow vehicle, chock the tires because it will roll on an incline.

crazy dave condon