korey
07-07-2014, 12:30 AM
Hello,
I have a new-to-me 86 Saltare on what appears to be the original SMP tandem axle trailer. At the very least the VIN tag says that it is an '86 SMP trailer. Although the trailer is mostly rust free and mechanically sound, one of the previous owners has made some obvious modifications, and I'm not happy about them... There is no sort of bow stop or roller near the winch, the vertical bow guides were removed, the keel roller near the foremost cross member of the trailer has been raised, and the V stop that the stem (where the keel turns up) sits in was modified (badly). I'm thinking that the purpose of these modifications was to reduce tongue weight or possibly to suit another inboard boat. As it sits with the boat loaded against the V stop (the only thing dictating the boats position along the length of the trailer) there is well less than 100lbs tongue weight, and the stern of the boat hangs 8-9 inches off of the rear of the bunks.
Because of the low tongue weight, the trailer tows miserably. Even with a 3/4 ton truck it is one pothole or quick move away from some deathly sway at highway speeds. It also causes traction problems for the truck - dragging so much weight (I'm guessing 5000lbs) with next to no added weight to the rear of the truck. Also with no bow support, the boat seems to bounce on the trailer more than I would like due to the trailer flexing.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UXCgbftUmOU/U7oKZhGCwdI/AAAAAAAACZE/rqIiyn0It38/w687-h515-no/20140706_212248_LLS.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LiTa1GsvhWI/U7oKV2EwqbI/AAAAAAAACY8/nGr-6FeFP1U/w687-h515-no/20140706_212259_LLS.jpg
I've researched pictures of Saltares on their trailers, and I can't seems to come up with one that has a winch post like what is left on mine. The fabrication of what is there for the winch post definitely looks original, and of much better quality than the modification work. Today I removed the badly cobbled up V stop, and using a couple of floor jacks, stands, 4x4s, etc, moved the boat forward until the transom was even with the end of the bunks, and I'm up to about 350lbs tongue weight (as measured with a couple of bathroom scales as as shown here:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EaRoqd2YC58/U7mzNjpYdTI/AAAAAAAACX0/bmIznR8Qwjs/w387-h515-no/20140706_143611.jpg
I also spent some time and money on a new set of LED lights and fresh wiring:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tvxiCkD00mw/U7mzHol2E3I/AAAAAAAACXs/8dRsX4w173c/w687-h515-no/20140705_202724.jpg
So my question for the forum: Does anyone have a trailer like mine that hasn't been hacked up? If so I'd love to see a photo of the bow stop arrangement. It's a longshot, but I plan to call SMP tomorrow and see if maybe they have drawings that old... Like I said; long-shot there. Any other suggestions? I think that I've moved the boat as far forward as is feasible (getting close to the winch now), although I was shooting for more tongue weight - I'm told that 10% of the total trailer weight is advisable. THat just may not be possible on a boat with such a long bow. I work in a machine shop and plan to draw up and waterjet new brackets for the V stop, and If I can quickly find some information a bow roller or stop asap.
Thanks for any help that you can provide!
I have a new-to-me 86 Saltare on what appears to be the original SMP tandem axle trailer. At the very least the VIN tag says that it is an '86 SMP trailer. Although the trailer is mostly rust free and mechanically sound, one of the previous owners has made some obvious modifications, and I'm not happy about them... There is no sort of bow stop or roller near the winch, the vertical bow guides were removed, the keel roller near the foremost cross member of the trailer has been raised, and the V stop that the stem (where the keel turns up) sits in was modified (badly). I'm thinking that the purpose of these modifications was to reduce tongue weight or possibly to suit another inboard boat. As it sits with the boat loaded against the V stop (the only thing dictating the boats position along the length of the trailer) there is well less than 100lbs tongue weight, and the stern of the boat hangs 8-9 inches off of the rear of the bunks.
Because of the low tongue weight, the trailer tows miserably. Even with a 3/4 ton truck it is one pothole or quick move away from some deathly sway at highway speeds. It also causes traction problems for the truck - dragging so much weight (I'm guessing 5000lbs) with next to no added weight to the rear of the truck. Also with no bow support, the boat seems to bounce on the trailer more than I would like due to the trailer flexing.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UXCgbftUmOU/U7oKZhGCwdI/AAAAAAAACZE/rqIiyn0It38/w687-h515-no/20140706_212248_LLS.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LiTa1GsvhWI/U7oKV2EwqbI/AAAAAAAACY8/nGr-6FeFP1U/w687-h515-no/20140706_212259_LLS.jpg
I've researched pictures of Saltares on their trailers, and I can't seems to come up with one that has a winch post like what is left on mine. The fabrication of what is there for the winch post definitely looks original, and of much better quality than the modification work. Today I removed the badly cobbled up V stop, and using a couple of floor jacks, stands, 4x4s, etc, moved the boat forward until the transom was even with the end of the bunks, and I'm up to about 350lbs tongue weight (as measured with a couple of bathroom scales as as shown here:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EaRoqd2YC58/U7mzNjpYdTI/AAAAAAAACX0/bmIznR8Qwjs/w387-h515-no/20140706_143611.jpg
I also spent some time and money on a new set of LED lights and fresh wiring:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tvxiCkD00mw/U7mzHol2E3I/AAAAAAAACXs/8dRsX4w173c/w687-h515-no/20140705_202724.jpg
So my question for the forum: Does anyone have a trailer like mine that hasn't been hacked up? If so I'd love to see a photo of the bow stop arrangement. It's a longshot, but I plan to call SMP tomorrow and see if maybe they have drawings that old... Like I said; long-shot there. Any other suggestions? I think that I've moved the boat as far forward as is feasible (getting close to the winch now), although I was shooting for more tongue weight - I'm told that 10% of the total trailer weight is advisable. THat just may not be possible on a boat with such a long bow. I work in a machine shop and plan to draw up and waterjet new brackets for the V stop, and If I can quickly find some information a bow roller or stop asap.
Thanks for any help that you can provide!