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Convert roller trailer to keel roller?
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| arthureld |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 7:44 AM
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I have a 1986 Shoreline roller only trailer that came with my 84 Outrage 20.
It has no keel rollers.
Can I convert it to a keel roller and leave the other rollers to balance the boat, or is it better to convert it to a keel / bunk trailer?
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| Derwd24 |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 3:59 PM
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Hi Arthur, I just purchased a new Venture bunk trailer for our 22' Outrage after doing a bit of research, and I had to have them add keel rollers as the traler came with none. But if I could have found a roller trailer, I would have considered adding keel rollers to it and using it as is. I think as long as you have at least two, ideally 3 cross braces that you can add the keel rollers to (and you may want to double them up on each brace), and are able to adjust the height so that the majority of the weight is on the keel rollers, with the rest of the rollers just providing lateral support, you should be fine. The other thing to consider is that the rear keel roller needs to be far enough back to start taking the keel weight when you're loading before the side rollers do to prevent excess pressure on the hull as you crank it up and on.
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| kamie |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 4:28 PM
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Rollers, like the bunks but with tiny rollers rather than a solid bunk? I would add Keel rollers and if the roller bunks are in ok shape, then keep them. Just be sure the keel rollers take all the weight. What happened on my Cox trailer is the roller bunks were in such bad shape it was easier to replace them with bunks than to try to fix them.
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| arthureld |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 5:03 PM
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Thanks Kamie and Derwd24.
Kamie, I had just sent you a PM asking about a thread where you were inquiring about converting your roller trailer before I saw your reply here. 
I was thinking the same as you guys about using the keel rollers and keeping the other rollers.
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| Joe Kriz |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 5:08 PM
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Roger,
I would add double keel rollers to all your cross members.
You can buy the adjustable mounts for the keel rollers just about anyplace. I think shipshape is one brand.
If your roller bunks are OK.... then yes, I agree with leaving them on for now...
The minute you have something wear out or needs replacing on those roller bunks, do as kamie did.... Replace them with 4 carpeted bunks... 2 long down toward the center and 2 shorter ones out near the sides...
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| arthureld |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 5:10 PM
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Here's a pic of the rollers I have now.
arthureld attached the following image:
[48.5Kb]
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| kamie |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 5:24 PM
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They look like they still roll, but I would put keel rollers under that hull. Make sure they take the weight. What you might find is that with the keel rollers and those stabilizing rollers you can't get the boat to stay on the trailer. No friction to keep it there. In that case, switching to bunks is really easy. If you can get those off without too much cutting, you don't even need to take the boat off the trailer, it's easier if you can but not required if you already have keel rollers.
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| arthureld |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 5:32 PM
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I just realized that my trailer doesn't have the center frame that the keel rollers attach to. You can see that in the pic. 
I am starting to think a new trailer is the best solution.
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| kamie |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 5:33 PM
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how may cross members do you have on the trailer?
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| arthureld |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 5:46 PM
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There are 2 cross members that the roller assemblies attach to. Each roller assembly has 8 rollers. So there are 2 roller assemblies on each side of the keel which makes 32 rollers.
There is another cross member way in the front, but it's only a short one that supports the tongue and the 2 outer frame rails.
The axle also works as a cross member.
Edited by arthureld on 06/12/07 - 5:47 PM |
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| Joe Kriz |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 5:53 PM
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Roger,
See this thread for a properly setup trailer.
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...#post_6212
Rule of thumb....
Single keel roller per cross member for boats 18' and under
Double keel rollers per cross member for Whalers 18' and over
The 18 foot model can go either way and that is left up to the individuals preference...
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| arthureld |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 6:05 PM
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For some reason, my cross members are very low. If I was to use the existing rollers, I'd have to have some very long extentions on my keel rollers.
arthureld attached the following image:
[58.68Kb]
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| kamie |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 6:29 PM
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I would be looking for a new trailer. Here is a photo of mine after I added the rollers.
http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q1...ailer1.jpg
Edited by kamie on 06/12/07 - 6:30 PM |
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| arthureld |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 7:11 PM
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kamie wrote:I would be looking for a new trailer.
hehe, I think you are right. That thing is a rusty piece of junk.
The guy I bought the boat from only used it to move the boat a short distance then put the boat up on blocks.
I plan to do the same in the spring and fall, but I will get a different trailer before I take the boat out of the water in the fall.
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| kamie |
Posted on 06/12/07 - 7:40 PM
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sell it, you will be suprised how much you can get for a used trailer.
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