Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Troy on 08/15/08 - 4:45 AM

Greetings fellow Whaler owners. I am the proud owner of a 1988 Outrage 18' since June. She was in bad need of a trailer, so being from Iowa I purchased a Shorelandr bunk trailer. (They're made in a small town here called Ida Grove.) I would love some recomendations as to what to do for spare tire mounting. It looks like there is room on the forward frame of the trailer to bolt on a carrier. It has a swing tongue, so tongue mount isn't really an option. This is my first "real" boat, so I would appreciate some wisdom from your experiences. Thanks in advance for your kind advice.

Posted by Barryg on 08/15/08 - 5:01 AM

TRoy, congrats on the boat purchase and new trailer. I went on vacation a couple of weeks ago and had the boat off of the trailer for a week. During this time I had alot of work on the old trailer to do.I went to the local trailer supply store and the next thing I new I also had a new trailer. Made the boat look better as soon as I loaded it up. I have the spare tire mount in front of the trailer winch. This may still work on a tongue that folds up. I like this set up for loading and unloading the boat, it is a great step . BG

Posted by CES on 08/15/08 - 5:20 AM

I mounted my spare tire on the tongue of my trailer, works well. You can buy a spare tire mount from many places. I've seen spare tire mounts for sale in the Overton’s catalog and also the Jamestown Distributors catalog.

Mount your spare tire anywhere there is room and where it won't impede the boat loading and unloading process.

Posted by Troy on 08/16/08 - 6:00 PM

Perhaps I dismissed the tongue mount option too early. I will check it out and see if hardware is available. There certainly is plenty of room up there and it should be out of the way. Thanks gentlemen! B)

Posted by Phil T on 08/16/08 - 6:57 PM

If you mount the spare tire on the trailer, you are affecting the tongue weight.

Is there a reason not to store the spare tire and the spare hub with bearings (should get this) in the tow vehicle?

Posted by Troy on 08/18/08 - 11:16 AM

The only reason not to store in the tow vehicle is convenience really. I thought it would be easier to have the spare mounted somewhere on the trailer. I noticed recently that the after-market guys are selling a spare tire carrier that also has a spare hub. Do boat trailers have a lot higher incidence of hub and bearing failure because of being subjected to the water?

Posted by Barryg on 08/18/08 - 12:52 PM

Troy, there is some degree of ware on the trailer from going in out of the water. I am guessing you are in fresh water? Phil who suggested the spare hub and bearings, is right on ,especially in the salt water area that he lives. But if your using your trailer in fresh water only , you probably have many years of trouble free use(new trailer). Keeping a hub and bearings is a great idea. I never have forgot my spare that is attached to my trailer and have had no trouble with added weight because of it. On my trailer I have the new(to me) concealed bearings that are lubricated with gear oil . I am anxious to see how they work compared to buddy bearings and grease. we will see. BG

Posted by Troy on 08/19/08 - 6:47 PM

I wondered if the extra hub was more of a salt water issue. Though as we all know, there is no subsitute for having the right spare parts on hand. I will opt to mount the spare carrier on the trailer for a couple of different reasons. Not the least of which is to avoid the sinking feeling of getting halfway to the lake and realizing that I have left it behind. I do have a some wiggle room on the tongue weight issue, so this shouldn't cause a problem. Having pulled an RV for many years I realize that tongue weight is something we all need to pay close attention too. (Good tip Phil) Anyway, thanks much for the kind guidance.
Troy