Roller problem

[bidkev]

My rollers ain't rollers.......that is, they don't roll. When I bought the rig, the rollers were all chewed up so I replaced 'em and I greased 'em, but they still refused to roll....other than the lead rollers (tilt). I literally drag the boat onto the trailer and I manage ok, but surely this places a lot of strain on the winch and cable. Does the winch need lowering/raising or what? Any ideas?

cheers

kev

[littlejim]

Kingtin,

few variables in there, weight of boat number of rollers etc. but if the thing worked ok once might need a bit of adjustment. When I got mine one roller was taking all the weight. (ended up crunching the hull.)

Can even them out by loosening the middle ones, leave both end ones done up, then tap the others up until they touch the hull and take a bit of weight then do them up. When you greased the rollers did you notice dags of galvo on them? Smooth those off too. I bought some stainless steel rod of the right diameter and made my own (smooth) axles. Keep them oiled (better than grease which turns to a gooey clay).
When you get them rolling keep the winch rope connected to the bow when going down the ramp. Once I fixed mine up I was so used to undoing everything I nearly dropped it on the ramp because it started sliding off halfway down (with mrs inside). had to flatten it in reverse, just got to the water in time.

[mini696]

Once I fixed mine up I was so used to undoing everything I nearly dropped it on the ramp because it started sliding off halfway down (with mrs inside). had to flatten it in reverse, just got to the water in time.


That would have been such a funny sight... Tragic if your boat is damaged... But so funny.... ROTFLMAO

[megafish71]

Hey littlejim,

I would have loved to see the look on the cooks face :o :o
LMAO just thinking about it.

[SeaHunt]

Hi Littlejim,
I never undo the safety chain or the winch until the arse end of the boat is in the water, well anymore that is, you can guess why. # :P
Luckily I had the motor tilted a fair way up and it landed on the keel reinforcing at the bottom of the transom and didn't slide all the way off. This was half way down the ramp with a lot of people watching , very embarassment # :-[ #[smiley=stunned.gif] [smiley=oops.gif]

[bidkev]

Cheers Littlejim.

She's 6.1 metres and the trailer is set up exactly as it was sold by Quintrex at the 89 boat show (5 keel rollers, the rear being a double roller tilt). I replaced the rollers as the previous owner had 'em all chewed up so i'm assuming he had the same problem. The boat sits evenly on all the keel rollers when at rest but the rear is the only one that rolls. As soon as it hits the second roller it simply drags along and the other three refuse to roll also. They roll freely when the boat is off and I'm buggered if I can find the cause for them sticking when the weight is on!!!!

cheers

kev

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

when you say the rollers were replaced do you mean the rollers AND the axles ?

if the axles are bent ever so slightly (most likely) - or have a flat spot they will not roll.

chris

not that I can talk kev, my stacer's a right P#$%k to launch. The rollers keep settling so all the weights on the skids.

chris

[bidkev]

when you say the rollers were replaced do you mean the rollers AND the axles ?

if the axles are bent ever so slightly (most likely) - or have a flat spot they will not roll.

chris

not that I can talk kev, my stacer's a right P#$%k to launch. The rollers keep settling so all the weights on the skids.

chris



Yes, I replaced the axles as well. When I got it the side rollers seemed to be taking the strain. I dropped them a touch so that all they do is stabilise and guide. The whole weight of the boat is on the keel, which is, as I believe, the correct way to set it up

[redspeckle]

I own aluminium plate boat when out and purchase keel rollers for it got self centering rollers blue pollyurterne made for aluminium boats ot two of them put on the back and normal ones up the front now boat go's on & and off proplery now no more crooked
anymore ;D
Which is great after overnighter's or day fishing is the last thing you want to struggle putting on the boat on & off the trailer to get it right couple of times and holding up :-[ other boat"s in busy periods at the boat ramp

[littlejim]

kingtin,

if they are all taking the weight evenly, in the same situation I would think that each roller had too much weight on it. Weight of boat divided by no of rollers - weight per roller. Some roller expert might tell us correct load. Otherwise spend couple of hours at ramp perving on trailers for similar sized boats. Have seen double roller sets that use the single roller bolts on the trailer. If it were me I might try fitting a couple of those. Problems like that with trailers really give you the s***s because you have to start off assuming the setup was correct when sold, but of course that isn't always the case. One way the seller can make more money is to sell an inadequate trailer. (From my earlier comment you get only a slight inkling that the majority of my early problems were caused by the trailer.)
Hope you figure out what is going wrong.

[bidkev]

Cheers littlejim.

As I said, she flies off the trailer and they roll as easy as. It's only coming on that's the problem, which leads me to think that it may be the angle I'm pulling it on at. If it is, then it's a winch position problem not roller problem.

cheers

kev

[Aaron_Fogarty]

I think Cris is on the money with the bent center pin to the roller. Like he said even the slightest bend will cause no roll. double check your roller bars, remove them and roll them on a flat surface this will show up any inperfections. If this is the problem you need more rollers to distribute the weight or larger diameter rollers and pins. Two years in a trailer boat marine workshop and the bent pin was the main offender.
Regards Aaron

[bidkev]

I think Cris is on the money with the bent center pin to the roller. Like he said even the slightest bend will cause no roll. double check your roller bars, remove them and roll them on a flat surface this will show up any inperfections. If this is the problem you need more rollers to distribute the weight or larger diameter rollers and pins. Two years in a trailer boat marine workshop and the bent pin was the main offender.
Regards Aaron

Cheers Aaron, I'll have a go at 'em this weekend and let you all know if that's the problem

[cosmo]

I've been looking around for a good roller supplier that doesn't charge an arm a leg.

[bidkev]

I've been looking around for a good roller supplier that doesn't charge an arm a leg.

Whereabouts are you? There's one at Sandgate that only charges a finger and toe :-)

Found out after a bought my newest batch at 15 bucks each <shrug>

cheers

kev

[mako_5.2]

Trailer partsplace on Logan River road opposite the service station at Beenleigh has the best prices I have seen for rollers etc. I think they supply manufacturers but they sell to public too. They have recently started selling some boat gear. I wait till I am down that way and grab what I need. Hard to justify driving an hour plus toll for the bridge to get 1 or two things