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tie downs up front
Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 6:37 pm
by tkrein
i have a bunk trailer any one here of having to put straps across the front of the toons to get the pontoon to stop bouncing. I had the dealer check this out they said the trailer is adjusted correctly just wondering what you guys have done. the pontoon bounces crazy just up front any fixes or is that how it is going to be. by the way first time posting i don't normaly join forums but after checking this site out i had to join man alot of good info thanks
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 7:06 pm
by mikeherb
Is the entire trailer bouncing or just the toon on the trailer?
If the entire trailer is bouncing you do not have enough tongue weight. You weight distribution has too much weight behind the axles. Tongue weight should be about 10% of the total load. So if your boat and trailer weighs 3000 lbs your tongue weight should be approx. 300 lbs.
My toon bounces some on the trailer, especially since I added the sundeck. I tie a line straight down from the eyelet that I attach my wench line to straight down to the trailer frame. Some folks use a chain as well. This stops most all the bobbing.
Welcome to the site BTW.
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 7:18 pm
by Heatman
I added some straps to the front of mine. Drilled a hole in the bottom of the trailer for the bottom hook on the strap to connect to.

Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 7:22 pm
by lakerunner
Can you winch boat tighter to front stops?
If not can you lower winch to give more down force?
What brand of toon and trailer? If you have a lot of bounce it could mean a weak trailer, bunks ending to far back from nose ( could cause a lot of bounce).
Can you post a pic of front of trailer and boat?
Welcome and hope we can help
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 7:33 am
by tkrein
thanks for the quick response i am veryh impressed with this site. okay i have some pictures ill post. but first ill clarify the pontoon bounces not the trailer. the trailer is an o9 karavan single axle. Thanks heatman that is what i was thinking but wasn't sure if were to hook the tie downs to. here are some pics of our new toy thanks again glad to be apart of this forum
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 8:37 am
by mike
I have a long ratchet strap from one corner tie down point, down under my trailer and up to the other corner tie down point... Works great, no bounce!
I will see if I can dig up some pics...
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 9:52 am
by WaltF
You have tie downs in the back too, right?
If not.. you should....
Otherwise that thing is gonna hop right offa there..
Just checking...

Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 10:53 am
by mike
Here are some pics of my setup... Looks like I am gonna need to get a new front strap soon!

- tiedown2.JPG (80.88 KiB) Viewed 10370 times
Here is the underside where the eyes I hook my tie downs are attached to, nice and solid!

- tiedown1.JPG (60.51 KiB) Viewed 10376 times
Here is the back tie down strap

- tiedown3.JPG (81.51 KiB) Viewed 10365 times
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 11:53 am
by lakerunner
I see your nose cone is high and dry in front of bunk boards. How about the back of toons? Do they have bunk boards past the rear of logs? If so you might be able to move boat back a ways on your bunks. If so be careful of tongue weight.
When I bought my Tracker it bounced a lot also and when I moved it back 6" for weight distribution it cured the bounce at the same time because now my nose has bunk under it to. My rear overhangs about 3"
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 7:16 pm
by tkrein
i can look just got off work ill post a pic of the back. thanks for all the help. i know there is not any more room to go backwards unless it was to hang off then like you said ill have to check the toung. ill post pics after work tommorro
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 6:09 pm
by tkrein
okay sorry later than i wanted but the yard work comes first
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 6:59 pm
by lakerunner
No I wouldn't go any more then a couple inches if that. I guess the ratchet straps will have to do.
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 7:42 pm
by dockholiday
Looks like (from the photo) the wench is about even with the rub rail. Went out an checked mine the wench is below the connecting point and has a roller for the strap to provide some downward force sort of like a pulley. Is there any way you could lower the wench to have some downward force to it. Never had any bounce on this toon or the last one. Think the old one had a guide bar to provide some downward force.
Tie down would work, but you may not need them if you can adjust the strap to pull the bow downward. Couldn't see the photo that well , but thought I would throw that out there.
doc
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:08 am
by FloterBoter
definitely get 'er strapped down tight.
Re: tie downs up front
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:42 am
by tkrein
thanks that is what i guess i will do. just get some straps. thanks for all the help if i have anymore ? ill ask