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Hmmmmm , I have owned a few trailers but this one lives up to its name , "float on". Its my 1st bunk type. My ? is how do I get the boat back on if the trailer floats ? Any routine to this ? esp. single handed ? Thanks all !
Is this due to an air bubble forming in the tire well? If so, drill a hole or two on each side to allow the air to escape. If there is another pocket possible, such as in the frame, drill a hole or two in that as well, but put one in the bottom as well to let the water drain out when you come up with it.
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41 Hatteras - Hatt'ras Bound Sportfishing
O.U.P.V. Captain
Sounds like tire pressure to weight of trailer was not fully thought out. I'd hate to say add weight to the trailer some how. Hmmm, I know someone here has the majic solution.
Sounds like tire pressure to weight of trailer was not fully thought out. I'd hate to say add weight to the trailer some how. Hmmm, I know someone here has the majic solution.
This is a good point but the trailer is a "name brand" one. ???
adding weight is the only thing I can figure, but by all means deal with it somehow. Lead weight added to the frame, evenly distributed over the axles would be ideal, as the lead doesn't corrode too easily. Definitely not something that you want to happen on the ramp, especially if it is multi lanes. I had a trailer float into mine this past year at the Wappoo Cut landing in Charleston, lady driving the truck hooked to the floating trailer had my rig pulled sideways into the next lane (boat still on trailer) before she heard me yelling at her. Luckily the boat was floating enough to be able to walk it back around, and the only damage was a bent guide post, but not something I would want to deal with again.
The Float on Trailers are aluminum and the axels are torsion, so that the tires often have enough floatation to make the trailer "light". One ramp where there is a current, we have to back the trailer down and then lash it to the dock pilings until the boat weight is on the trailer...
I suspect that it will not take a lot of weight to keep the trailer on the bottom--I suspect it is a current problem like we had. One "solution" is to not back the trailer in so far--and if necessary, winch the boat foreward on the trailer--and then back the rig back down a bit more, if necessary to get the boat fully on the trailer.
Get a PVC pipe and put something heavy in it and then cap both ends. I used rocks and filled the rest of the space in the tube with water. Then attach it to the inside of te aluminium frame rails. I used heavy duty nylon zip ties to hold it on there. Used the right size pvc so that it sits just inside the frame rail. It really doesn't take that much weight to sink it.
If you back it in the water fast, you will trap air in the fenders.....thats the only thing I could think of. Like someone said, drill a hole or 2 at the front of the fender.
If you haven't modified the trailer in any way, I would contact Float On. They are good people to deal with, and I'm sure they can give you a good answer. If its a design error on their part they should send you whatever it takes to make it right.
Mine floated as well until I put brakes on it. PVC tube filled with sand will cure the issue. Its actually nice becasue if you ever back off the end of a short ramp you can get the trailer back without calling for a tow truck.
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I've got a Magic Tilt Trailer that floats also and I called the Manufacturer after the current pushed the damn thing under the ramp side dock and I had a heck of a time getting it out alone.. They told me that the large cypress bunks and the tires were the cause and suggested I wire blocks of cement or lead to the cross braces or some other place on the trailer. What a garbage answer! Now I just don't back down so far and drive the boat on part way to weigh down the trailer and then back down further if necessary.
No harm in adding 20-50 lbs of lead or sand to the trailer, if that's what it takes and makes your life easier. Just have to make sure that it is SECURELY fastened, but a 2" PVC pipe lashed to a cross member ought to do it.
Only time I've ever had a trailer float, though, is when I decided to adjust the bunks on one to get it "just right" and fit the hull perfectly - turns out I fit it so well that the chines on the hull wedged into the bunks... backed the boat in, and there it was - floating at the ramp with the trailer securely attached to it. LOL.
Should have seen the looks people were giving me, I tried to explain that it was easier to just leave the trailer attached to the boat and hook it back up when I was done...
Our triple axle trailer floats like a dam cork. No question it's the bunks, at least in my instance.
Luckily my cross current isn't horrible, plus, if I move the boat close enough to the ramp, the bow of the boat pushes the trailer down as I back under.
I agree with Ranger. I have found Float on to be very reputable. I believe they will present a remedy if you give them a call. I would think that a floating trailer would be wholly unacceptable to you and them. Ask to speak to "Q" she has been most helpful with my Float on questions.
My trailer floats ! 
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