Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Despite all the warnings I've heard about scissor trailers, because I typically don't trailer very far and most frequently launch in about 2' of water, I went with a scissor trailer when I ordered my pontoon recently.

I've seen a couple of references online about "outrigger" or "training" wheels that prevent a pontoon from completely tipping over if the scissor trailer would start to tip. I've not been able to find any pictures or anyone that offers them. Do such things actually exist and has anyone ever seen them? I'd like to get an idea of where / how they mount. Most likely the furthest I will trailer the boat is about 50 miles away. Most trips will be within 8 miles of the house but I wouldn't mind a little extra pc of mind for the longer distance trips.

Thanks

Never heard of them, but thinking about it they may be useful if trailering more than your normal distance.

How about some sort of wheel dolly that you strap around the pontoon when it's on the trailer? You could remove them before launching the boat. Don't know if you'd need two on each side or if one would do it. It could keep the pontoon from making contact with the pavement in an emergency maneuver or high winds.

I've never seen them either. Just replying to share my experience with a similar trailer. My former trailer didn't scissor, but it was designed to go between the tubes and support the boat by the deck. It was cheap (paid about $600 for it used) and was great for acid washing the pontoons because the tubes were nearly 100% accessible. Didn't like anything else about it.

I don't think you have to worry towing in a straight line down the highway. You most certainly do have to worry making 90 degree or sharper turns. When I'd go around a turn, I could see the whole boat leaning to the outside and the toon getting precariously close to the roadway. This was exacerbated if you were changing elevation like going down a sloped apron and turning onto a level road. Watching in the mirror made my stomach do flip flops.

Then I had one really close call. I was uncharacteristically in heavy traffic pulling the toon and decided too late to turn right into a business. I had a little more speed going than I should have and the turn was a little more than 90 degrees. The boat and trailer actually started to roll over with the right wheel off the ground. Luckily I had room to jerk the steering wheel left in the middle of the turn and saved it. Decided right then and there to sell the trailer and buy a bunk trailer. I am much happier now with my set up.

Would be unsettling to me knowing that the pontoons are completely unsupported and hanging from the cross-members by what ever means they were fastened. Pontoons were meant to support the cross-members not the other way around.

Comstocker wrote:Never heard of them, but thinking about it they may be useful if trailering more than your normal distance.

How about some sort of wheel dolly that you strap around the pontoon when it's on the trailer? You could remove them before launching the boat. Don't know if you'd need two on each side or if one would do it. It could keep the pontoon from making contact with the pavement in an emergency maneuver or high winds.

I have thought about possibly attaching something to the pontoon as you mention. It would have to have a fairly large "pad" to prevent the toon from denting if the wheel hit. If there were gaps in the attachment rail on the top the toon a wheel attached with a heavy duty ratchet strap might work. Once I actually get my boat I'll have to give it a 3 beer pondering to see if I can come up with anything. I'm a Mechanical Eng and work at a fab shop. If I come up with anything, I'll post some pics. (in a few months)

If they come up with training wheels for scissor trailers that attach directly to the pontoons I see a possibility for some future humor. I can just see some guy not being able to get his pontoon up to speed only to find out he forgot to remove the training wheels from the pontoons. Or better yet keeps going around in circles because he only removes from one side. Not that anything like that would happen with anyone from this forum.

Glenn

I saw one years ago on a saddle trailer. It was a bracket that carried a 8 inch wheel that ran about 4 inches above pavement. I remember the guy drove rough dirt roads.

I have them on my center lift trailer. I will try and get some pictures of it this week. Mine attah to the tail of the trailer.. Its as wide as the pontoons and add stability that keeps the trailer from tilting side to side. You just pull the pins and release them before you unload the boat. Its a pain in the ass but are useful if I decide to go any distance. But as soon as I have the money I am buying a new bunk trailer.

I knew someone had some! pics!