Outnumbered Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 G'day all i'm planning on converting my trailer from skids to rollered and need opinions as to weather my planned method will work. its not really practical for me to do it with the boat off the trailer so i'm planning on doing it like this: 1. jack up one side of the trailer to transfer natural lean to one skid. 2. cut off the now non loadbearing skid at the two welded brackets on the frame 3. after grinding the frame flat and cold gal bolt on two sets of quad wobbles at the same point that the skid brackets were mounted. 4. raise the quads to fit snugly against the hull, tighten and lower off the jack. 5. rinse and repeat on the other side . can anyone think of a reason this wont work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TunOFun Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Mate not sure if it will work or not, but give me a yell if you want a hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outnumbered Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 sure will Brett, it's always good to have someone standing by ready to laugh and take pics when i screw someting up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TunOFun Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 i have confidence in you mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outnumbered Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 glad one of us does will probably give it a shot in a couple of weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Iam more interested as to why you're converting? I love skids, and can't stand rollers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outnumbered Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 it's a 5.25 fibregalss half cab, shes a heavy boat and launching/retrieving is a right pain in the rear (especially if i'm solo). i've tried just raising the keel rollers but that only made it a little easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domza Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 im no expert, but i wouldn't be lifting the boat onto two skids at one time. A better option would be going to a boat ramp on a weekday and working on it there. have u considered buying 'retriever mate' or the cheap version at bias boating or super cheap auto for around 300 bucks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outnumbered Posted November 25, 2006 Author Share Posted November 25, 2006 (edited) i've got retriever mates on it (they're fantastic for getting the boat on straight) i'm not lifting the boat just tilting the trailer so it has a natural tendancy to lean away from the skid i'm removing. the problem with doing it at a ramp is the lack of power for the tools Edited November 25, 2006 by Outnumbered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riders Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 it's a 5.25 fibregalss half cab, shes a heavy boat and launching/retrieving is a right pain in the rear (especially if i'm solo). i've tried just raising the keel rollers but that only made it a little easier. I've just gone from roller to skids on the new boat and trailer and to be honest find it far esier with the skids to load on and off. I may be a bit further back in the water with the trailer, buts its a dream to get on and off. No help to you of course but I would make sure that is the way you really want to go. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 I've just gone from roller to skids on the new boat and trailer and to be honest find it far esier with the skids to load on and off. I may be a bit further back in the water with the trailer, buts its a dream to get on and off. No help to you of course but I would make sure that is the way you really want to go. cheers Yeah I agree on that, I've just found skids are the easiest way to load and unload a boat because you can drive straight on and off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Is it possible to see a photo of the trailer , preferably without the boat. My experience with skids is that they are there just to provide side support when the boat is completly on the trailer & not to be actually load bearing. Noted your comment about raising the keel rollers & that slightly improved the situation. Have you tried lowering the skids a few mm so they are just touching the bottom of the boat. This tends to be be more easier than trying to figure out the correct height of the keel rollers Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outnumbered Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 i'll get a pic next time i get the boat off, the trailer is old and the skids are impossible to adjust. your right about the skids only beieg for support and not load bearing. i might try just ripping off the old thick skid tops and putting new ones on first, see how that goes. thanks for all the opinions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outnumbered Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 yeah i've done that before stewy, the skids are very old and look like they have at least 2 layers of strips on them so removeing and replaceing would probably be more useful in taking the load off them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirate pete Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 A mate of mine had similar problems to you, we went to a boat ramp and once the boat was of the trailer we stripped the old rubber strip of the skids and replaced it with 10mm thick Teflon strips that we had measured and had cut. The only tools we required was a pair of pliers to remove the staples that held the rubber and a cordless screwdriver to drill and countersink holes to attatch with Stainless wood screws to the skids. Cost for materials was about $45.00. Purchased from DOTMAR at North Ryde. He has not had a problem with it since. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outnumbered Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 yep thats what i'll do first, then see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmesie Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 (edited) Sorry to drag up an old topic but I am considering changing my skids to rollers (didn't see the need to create a new thread ) Outnumbered, are you happy with the rollers compared to skids? I have a 5.8m Quintrex cuddycab and would like to fish solo occasionally; only thing stopping me is the fear of having to load by myself with any sort of crosswind... A rope on the stern makes it easier, but it can still be difficult. Any of your thoughts,experiences,info would be much appreciated! Cheers Holmesie PS: my trailer has 4 keel rollers and a skid on either side Edited June 12, 2007 by Holmesie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishingrod Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 (edited) Hi Holmesie Thats a nice robust looking trailer you have there, even hydraulic brakes ! For a pressed alloy boat like yours, the skid trailers are normally prefered as they distribute the weight over a larger area, maybe across 2-3 ribs in the inside of the hull. If you insist on going for rollers, id try to make sure that they are NOT positioned between the ribs as it may cause the alloy (i assume 3-4mm bottom) to bow inwards. You may also want to measure the width of the gap inbetween the stakes to make sure that the rollers fit in between. If they are too wide they will touch the peak and valley of the stake and this can cause the boat to shear off to one side if it gets caught on one edge. If you are only worried about loading you can get a set of retreive-a-mates (spelling?) They are a V shaped guide that bolts at the back of the trailer to help with centreing in cross winds etc. Once you get the bow about 2-3 feet up into the V the stern normally pulls back around square to the trailer. By only swapping the skids to rollers would not normally help with alignment, except maybe a bit easier to winch/drive up due to less friction. Id start by getting one of the retreive-a-mates, you would probably still want it even if you did go down the roller path later. There are 2-3 brands all doing the same thing but retreive-a-mate was the original as far as i know. cheers Rod Edited June 12, 2007 by fishingrod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmesie Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 (edited) Thanks Rod, I think I'll take your advice and try a Retrieve-a-mate or Eziloader. I'm only worried about loading and from what you suggested and what I've read, it will probably be the answer. Also, your comments about the weight-distribution of the skids are wise, and it would probably be in my best interests to retain them given the poor-quality (rrrrough!) roads I regularly tow the boat on. Any comments on self-centring keel rollers? Useful addition or a gimmick? Probably they're not required if I get a Retrieve-a-mate. And thanks, it IS a nice sturdy trailer (the disc brakes are cable operated though, not hydraulic). It tows very nicely without any hint of swaying which is comforting as I've towed my fair-share of badly designed trailers in my time! Cheers Holmesie Edited June 12, 2007 by Holmesie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishingrod Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 (edited) no worries Holmesie I notice that a lot of you regional guys have dual axle trailers (even on light to medium weight rigs) and its definatly worth it for stability. I saw a curly bit near the calipers in one of the photos ... thought it it was hydraulic piping. Ive got no expeierence with those keel rollers you mention. The theory is good ... but as you say prob not required if you have the Retrieve-a or Eziloader. EDIT: If you really want more support you can upgrade to double keel rollers ... arrrrrh its all money. Im really fussy with my trailer. After i got it i spent 6 months making tiny adjustments here and there until i was entirely happy. cheers, good luck Rod Edited June 12, 2007 by fishingrod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfish Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 although i only pull my boat onto my trailer not drive it on, as i find this hassle free, my trailer has retrieve mate and its great i just get the boat behind the trailer dosent matter what angle its at or if its lined up on rollers just pull it on and bingo she slides down onto rollers and straightens by herself no worries, perfect every time. i can see the last owner drove it on and i think that it would be great to drive on also. cant fault this setup! oh yeah i have skids! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmesie Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 thanks rod & wildfish will find a retrieve-a-mate and see how I go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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