Can i use a 25 foot trailer for 20 foot boat?

Question

i have a brand new 25ft trailer and just bought a 20ft boat can i use the trailer ? I have adjusted the pads so they fit properly but im unsure if I can still use it. Or should I cut off the end right behind the rear wheels?

Answer 1

Don't cut it off.  You will have to move the bow stop back. and in some cases you might need to "slide" the axle back for proper balance.  Check with the place you bought the trailer and they can tell you what's involved.   Proper adjustment is a safety issue, so hold your speed down until you can have them look it it, with the new boat loaded.

Answer 2

I wouldn't.  You will have to raise the motor all the way up to load and unload.  You cannot drive it onto the trailer without hitting the lower unit on the trailer.  Unless you have an inboard, might work then.  I would go to a boat dealer and ask to trade.

Answer 3

One problem to be addressed is the balance of the boat on the trailer. With the boat in position on the trailer you should be about 25 pounds nose heavy then adjust the pads and bow stop to ensure the boat sits comfortably and does not rock or slide about then I think you will find that the tail does not stick out very much and you can ignore it.

Answer 4

You want the tongue weight to be around 5 to 7% of the total trailer weight.  Please take tongue weight seriously...too much weight on the tongue reduces traction of your front wheels;  too little tongue weight reduces the rear wheel traction.

My experience, a tongue light trailer will sway like crazy, tongue-heavy you can feel it shaking the truck.

slight movement of bow stop can make a big difference in tongue weight, so make your adjustments in small increments.

to move the boat back, you can just use the transom eyes to strap it to a tree and pull forward a little.

You might end up needing to move the axle(s).