Wrinkle's Trailer Tweaks

[Greene]

Wrinkle's trailer was a former power boat hauler that I modified to fit.  It has performed well, but needed a couple items addressed to make it easier and safer to use.  



I found that I had to bury the rear axle on the 4Runner until the exhaust was gurgling under water to get Wrinkles on/off the trailer.  I made up an extension that moves the trailer back about 52" and is strong enough to manuever the loaded trailer around without worrying about bending it.



I travel with it now pinned to the trailer frame by two 5/16" hitch pins.



Next I added a work platform to the front end of the trailer.  The rails were just too slippery to stand on safely when I was retrieving Wrinkles.  This should work very nicely.  I used a molding blade on the tablesaw to put in a couple of V-grooves on each board for extra traction.  Finally mounted a spare tire also.  If you are wondering, the vertical steel post and brackets are for raising the mast.



Finally, I modified the keel guides to help the keel find the center of the trailer.  After adding the tongue extender the keel tended to float in over the top of the guides instead of between them.  The two angled boards bump the keel right into the slot now.






I even took all four of the Bearing Buddy units off for a good cleaning and to pop two of the snap rings back in place.  The PO had been way over greasing them and had forced the inner snap ring to pop inward.  This caused grease to sling out and make quite a mess. Nice to have that job done.

Now it is time to go sailing.  

Mike

[HeaveToo]

I like your modifications.  The dingy underneath the boat is very cool and I have to consider that idea.  I have an 8' fiberglass dingy.

[HideAway]

Very nicely done!  I did a similar conversion for HideAway-the main difference, other than rust,  is that I made the keel guides very tall so the keel can grab them early in the recovery process.  I have thought of adding the horizontal guides but so far if the trailer is submerged properly they don't appear to be needed.  I like the front deck too. Recovery can be a real dance with the devil during a contrary tide.  Matt

[Bob23]

Very nice, Mike Greene:
   Man, your bottom paint is nicer than some of the topsides I see. And I also like the way you mounted Squint the Second Place Racing Dingy on the trailer. Great! The boat is really looking great. Hope to meet you someday and thread a yarn or two over some Drambuie!
Bob23

[Greene]

Bob!  I thought you were a man of integrity and honor.  As you will remember Squint soundly thrashed your silly little dinghy in our first race.  You agreed in writing to refer to the winner as Squint The Famous Racing Dinghy since you didn't have my Drambuie reward in hand.  I graciously agreed to these new terms.  Now you have gone back on your word.  I demand satisfaction sir.  That means you need to immediately get in your truck and meet me at the CLR in Illinois to share vast quantities of Drambuie with me at your expense.

Mike and SQUINT THE FAMOUS RACING DINGHY

[MacGyver]

Nice work on the trailer Mike
I have been pondering a platform on the 19 to assist with pull and launch. Kinda treacherous walking around on the trailer.

Bob23, you can tell Mike is SERIOUS. He used all CAPS............you never go all CAPS unless you mean business.
See you at CLR.


Mac

[brackish]

really like the platform, however your trailer is somewhat unique in that it has no straight square tube tongue, other than your extension.  On mine, the winch post is on that portion in front of where the two side channels meet, so platform can't span those channels.  But you've got me thinking that maybe a smaller platform with knee braces that fits over the tongue.  Just enough to stand on while cranking the winch.  But no fasteners into the tongue or any other of the galvanized items.

I'm thinking you must launch at some fairly steep ramps to need those elevated keel guides. 

[Bob23]

MG:
   You thought I was a man of integrity? That's what you get for thinkin'.  I don't remember signing anything...please forward a copy of said signed document for my attorney to review. Oooo...caps....I'm soooo afraid.....! DON'T MAKE ME COME ALL THE WAY OUT THERE JUST TO BEAT THE PANTS OFF YOUR SILLY LITTLE DINGY!!!!!!
   Just the other day I was wondering how you came to name your dink "Squint". Then I realized: That is what you'll have to do just to get a glimpse of Little Fellow as he planes off into the sunset!
Bob23 and "Little Fellow" the yet-to-be-famous racing dingy.

[Greene]

Bob - we named her Squint because it leads to Wrinkles.

Mike and B

[kickingbug1]

   could have named her "years" or "kids"

[crazycarl]

ok, i have to plan this out.

1st i head south to leave the boat with jason so he can paint it.

then i head north, and bring the trailer to mike so he can alter it.

this customizing stuff is easy!

so jason, when is a good time for you?

mike?


thanks in advance, you guys are the best!       carl

[Billy]

Carl,
only thing left is to bring your boat to Florida so I call sail her!

Your right, this is easy!

And just so you know Carl, I can move some things around so you can bring her down any time that is good for you. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you!

Billy

[crazycarl]

billy,

that sounds great!

if i had the time, i'd drop by now.

i would like to see a florida compac get together for next spring.  i'm planning something.

carl

[Bob23]

Oh...I get it. Squint. Wrinkles. Sure, that makes sense.
Reeling in the thread: your boat and trailer are looking great. I do like the trailer modifications.
Bob23

[Greene]

I was asked for additional info on the trailer end of the hitch extender, so I dredged up this picture from our collection.  The trailer end of the extender slips into a "U" shaped bracket that is through bolted to the original center metal tongue tube.  It was made up with 1/4" metal to be good and sturdy. 

To install the extender I slide the back end into the "U" bracket and then tilt the extender up until the 2" ball snaps into the original coupler. 



Hope that helps.  Sorry I don't have any better pictures to share. 

Mike