I bought my trailer separately from my boat hence it wasn’t setup by a Grady dealer. I’m concerned it isn’t correct. The tongue seems heavy and the winch/bow stop roller seems low. If anyone has this boat, can you tell be the distance from the stern to the center of your two axles. And ideally a picture of your winch setup? I’ve attached a photo of my winch post. I didn’t get the boat fully up to the roller as the strap seems to pull down on the eye making it near impossible to pull fully forward with putting my truck nearly in the water. It was much closer when I loaded it but at the top of the ramp, I let off the tension and the boat settles on the bucks rocking back/up away from the post. Can’t imaging all that tension/weight on the bow eye is good, especially while towing.
Freedom 215 Trailer setup
- Thread starter spc337
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- trailer freedom 215
Hookup1
GreatGrady Captain
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My roller is over the top of the bow eye. The winch is underneath and "lifts" the bow instead of pulling it down.
I don't particularly like that assembly but try sliding the winch /bow roller arm up about 4 or 5 inches. You want the winch cable to pull straight forward or a bit upward. I think the cable should route under the bow roller.
Also be aware that it is common to not snug up the hull to the bow roller until the trailer is on relatively flat ground. Leave some space between the keel and the roller. You do not want the cable pulling the hull up or down but rather straight into the roller.
Here’s a pic of my 215. I’ve since sold it so can’t provide measurements. It was set up by the dealer “bow high” on the trailer which helped with the angle of the hull for launching and retrieving.
As others mentioned, simply slide the winch up higher and put the strap under the roller. At that point, that's the best you can do.
Why do you think there is too much tongue weight? Did you measure it? Do that. Shoot for somwhere around 300lb to 400b and you'll be fine - that amount of weight will be plenty for a small boat.
Post a pic of your boat on the trailer from the side. But, "roughly" speaking, that "Grady dip" in the shear line of the boat will generally line up with the middle of the two axles.
Why do you think there is too much tongue weight? Did you measure it? Do that. Shoot for somwhere around 300lb to 400b and you'll be fine - that amount of weight will be plenty for a small boat.
Post a pic of your boat on the trailer from the side. But, "roughly" speaking, that "Grady dip" in the shear line of the boat will generally line up with the middle of the two axles.