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Thinking About Lowering my Trailer...

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5K views 17 replies 12 participants last post by  Ryan in LA  
#1 ·
So purchased my first boat a couple months ago (November). The poling platform didn't fit in the garage, so we ended up having it getting popped off and taken to a welding shop. We have to screw it on every time we take the boat out (takes around 10 minutes). No, it is not a catastrophe but it does get annoying, especially at 4am when it's pitch black. The platform is 80in at it's tallest point while the garage door will fit in 78in. When I posted about purchasing the skiff, a couple of you guys suggested lowering the trailer, and I've been toying with that idea lately. Will lowering my trailer 4-5 inches allow my boat with the platform on fit in the garage? Will it make it easier to launch (currently it's a pain as well)? Is it safe driving-wise, as well as the fear of it sliding off or being too low to the road?

Sorry for all the questions, really trying not to screw this up as this is my first boat. Thanks for the input

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#7 ·
What Brett said. The alternative to rising your hitch ball could be to take the boat off the tow, and extend the jack higher, then push the trailer in manually. I don't know how easy it is to move that boat/motor. My skiff is easy even over the little 1/2"? step.
 
#11 · (Edited)
The only way to lower your particular trailer is with smaller tires, which is probably not a good idea. As others have noted, jacking up ball hitch will lower the rear, so that may be an option. The ultimate solution would be to sell your current trailer and buy a torsion bar suspension trailer with the wheels positioned outboard of the boat's hull. There are no downsides to this type trailer other than cost. A lower trailer makes launching easier and keeps your vehicle away from salt water. It's also more stable towing. Here's my torsion axle setup:
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#14 ·
I had a Rolls Axle trailer built so I could park in the garage.
Dan set the rear of my hull lower to aid in launch and recovery.
Not only do I not need to worry about the poling platform, but cleaning, loading and unloading things in the boat is much easier.

Of course, having your poling platform hinged would be much cheaper.
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#17 ·
JpScott, those were the pics from the owner. They were pretty good so I just use those whenever I share pics of the boat, lol. My garage fits in 78in, while the poling platform measures to 80in. Not planning on doing any major readjustments I don't think, but I'll definitely try the higher hitch ball.

Thanks for all the helpful guys