Trailer For 22 crusier

[hauptmaus]

I have a 2003 C-Dory Crusier with a 50 Honda that is now in a slip on the upper Cheaspeake Bay. I am now thinking about getting a trailer (new or used). Any advice on the make, type, and weight rating of the trailer and whether it should be bunk or roller would be apprecisted. Also will a manual winch suffice for easy retrevial?

Jim

 

[sailor-d]

Hi Jim
I am sure there will many suggestions given by the group. I have a 22ft cruiser. Some of the features I have are a 9ft tongue, makes it easier to control while reversing, two axles, 4x12 ft bunks, load guides and a manual two speed winch. Another useful thing is a freshwater brake flushing setup - if you launch in saltwater. My trailer is has a 4500lb capacity which is plenty adequate for a 22. I have a RoadRunner all welded unit, not sure if it is available in the USA. Good luck sifting through the options.

 

[416rigby]

Welcome!

I'm no trailer expert, but here's my two cents. Manual winch is just fine...no problem there at all. The 22 is pretty light and goes on and off a trailer pretty easy, especially if the ramp is not real steep. A tandem axle trailer will tow better...more stable. We've put several thousand miles on ours...no sway or any other issues, so if you plan on towing any long distance...I'd go for a tandem. I think most CD's are sitting on bunks, ours (a Pacific) works just great. Also, we have eight foot side guides on our trailer...very good investment and makes loading a snap.

Your closest CD dealer is probably Cutter Marine. I'm sure they could help you.

Rick

 

[Sneaks]

I too have a Pacific tandem with bunks and side guides. Also opted for sling slots in the rear "just in case" Bunks are common here in SoCal, rollers in the midwest. Dunno what you right coasters do, but whatever trailer you get, you're better off getting stainless disk brakes.

Don

 

[mikeporterinmd]

For the upper Chesapeake, a galvanized trailer will be fine. Single axle
if you are not towing far, else double axle. We use surge brakes. We
paid about $2,000 for a single axle Ez-loader with disk brakes and
bunks.

Mike

 

[snal]

Anybody have pics of the side guides? I'd like to add those to my trailer. BTW...my 22 angler sits on a bunk single axle galvanized trailer with surge brakes. I don't really like the way it's set up right now, but I plan to move the bow stop forward and add a roller up front. I pulls just fine (450 miles last weekend at 70-80mph) with no sway at all. 7 lug 16" wheels/tires and she doesn't bounce.

 

[Sneaks]

Anybody have pics of the side guides? .

Ask and ye shall receive





The rails were subsequently raised to clear the Wallas exhaust so as to not burn the indoor/outdoor carpeting.

Don.

 

[Hunkydory]

Jim

We have trailered our 22 with a EZ loader with single axle, surge brakes, galvanized and a weight rating of 3750 lbs for 32,000 miles, which included two trips to Alaska and one to Prince Rupert, BC, from Wyoming. No problems with swaying or other concerns at higher speed, but it just makes sense that a tandem axle should be even better. A single axle for sure has a much rougher ride. They are less expensive and should be worth considering if your travels are mostly over smooth roads. Would absolutely not recommend it for someone who might have plans for an Alaska trip or the equivalent. Along with the single axle making for a rough ride, the 3750 weight rating is to lite if really loaded heavy like we are on our long trips.

Our trailer is equipped with rollers and would prefer bunks especially after this years trip in which we had two roller support arms break. Rough roads, max weight, single axle with rollers is a recipe for trouble. Before another trip north we will be replacing ours with a tandem axle with bunks like Rick and Don are using.

Agree a hand winch is fine and I wouldn't suggest going under 4000 lbs capacity with 4500 lbs being better.

Jay

 

[hardee]

Jim, you are getting the "good stuff" here. What a resource. My trailer came with the boat, so I have some changes I would opt for and some are more important than others. My preferences are listed in this order, from galvanized or powder coated on down.
1. Tandom axel, (Better directional stability and smoother ride)
2. Bunks with side load guides (easier loading and better suport for traveling.)
3. A 2 speed manual winch, (nice but can do with a single.)
4. LED lights. (More durable and water proof)
5. Spare tire and tire covers.(increase tire life)
6. Stainless disk breaks with a freshwater wash down would be nice.

Welcome and wish you smooth trailoring.
Harvey
Sleepy C :moon

 

[mikeporterinmd]

We have the single tube PVC side guides. I would prefer the larger
guides as pictured in this thread. I have had to recenter after getting
the boat on the trailer just slightly off center.

The reason is that if you have a bunk trailer, you want the boat as low
as possible on the trailer. Therefore, the sides of the hull are fairly
close to the frame and must be centered if you do not want the hull
to hit the frame.

A two speed winch is a must with bunks. Probably a must in any case.
At low speed, it is fairly easy to crank the boat up the bunks if you have
to.

Even though the ramps on the upper Chesapeake can be shallow, I have
not had a problem launching because it does not take much water to
float a CD-22.

Mike

 

[snal]

Anybody have pics of the side guides? .

Ask and ye shall receive
The rails were subsequently raised to clear the Wallas exhaust so as to not burn the indoor/outdoor carpeting.
Don.

Hmmm? It's hard to tell by the second pic....how close are the guides to the boat?
I also noticed that your trailer has 4 bunks...I think I'll add 2 more to mine so that I can mount 2 of them just inside the chines like you've done.
Thanks for the pics!

 

[Sneaks]

Hmmm? It's hard to tell by the second pic....how close are the guides to the boat?
I also noticed that your trailer has 4 bunks...I think I'll add 2 more to mine so that I can mount 2 of them just inside the chines like you've done.

The guides are about 1/4" from the beamiest belly of the C-22 if perfectly centered, and that distance is adjustable. This unfortunately means there's enough clearance at the stern for the stern to slip/slide sideways while driving as well. The shorter bunks near the chines and the transom hold down straps prevent our flat bottomed ride from slip sliding away!

Those outer bunks are shorter and do not extend past the rear of the wheel "fenders."

TyBoo Mike, if memory serves me, had two little clip on carpet covered centering aids he'd put on the rear of his side rails during the recovery process to help with final centering once the boat's belly passed that point. Some of the younger, fitter crowd just shoulder the stern over a bit but I ain't one of them!

The macho method, of course, is to become a very experienced boat driver and periodically state "Side guides? Don't need no stinkin side guides." On the other hand I bet many of those same people are great at touching up fiberglass/gelcoat.

Don

 

[Sea Wolf]

Those big, long, and tall side guides are not only great in simplifying getting the boat centered on the trailer in wind and current, but they're a lifesaver for your boat if you absentmindedly forget to put on the stern tie down straps before proceeding down those curvey roads!

I've never done that with my C-Dory, but did it once with a dinghy sailboat once. Fortunately, the side guides, or "guide-ons", saved the day.

I do understand, though, that boats have a way of "hard planing" down asphalt freeways!

Joe. :smileo

 

[Sneaks]

I added a few detailed photos of the Pacific tandem trailer that's used on the Jenny B. Had a chance to get some shots without the boat They're in my album, page 2.

The boat's off the trailer because I screwed it up after refurbishing the disk brake actuator and bleeding the brake lines. Yup, too much neanderthal not enough sense. Bleed port sheared off at the caliper. (sigh) At least the Jenny B is back in the water where it belongs....

Don

Here's the short bunks with sling slots and the details of the adjustable side guides.

 

[Kent Richmond]

You probably don't need any more information, but here's my two cents. I launch and retrieve my 22 off a trailer pretty often. I love the roller bunks; the manual winch is a piece of cake with the rollers. As easy as it is, I wouldn't think of replacing it with an electric. I also have the side guides and appreciate them. As for trailing the boat, the surge brakes work well (though I've had to bleed air out of the lines a couple of times), and the tandem axle gives good support.
Kent on Hunky Dory
Bayfield, WI

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi Joe,

I passed one of those boats that had done the "hard plane" on the road today. It was a large cabin boat just north of Rio Vista on Hy 160. You could see the scratches in the road. The boat was up-against the rail on the side of the road and there was no one around - just a boat sitting on the road. (kind of a shocking sight)

I will make sure to check that saftey chain on the bow eye next time I tow!

Steve