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I drilled a hole near the forward end to fit the "T" nuts supplied by trailex, another hole to fit a very long bolt from the local big box store at the other end for the roller assembly. I have the bars bolted to the frame with another bolt under the bar to support it up at an angle and secured to the frame with fender washer. If you bolt the forward section to the frame and have another bolt under the bar you can adjust the angle of the bars, and thus the height of the roller by sliding the aftermost bolt back and forth. It took some trial and error to get it right and even.
Jeffruss,
OK, I think I've got it. But I'd still love to see a pic. I'll send an address.
I did most of the work today to lower the tongue below the frame box. That lowered the tongue the 4 inches due to the tongue plus part of an inch because the brackets hold the tongue a bit below the frame box. I'm really glad I did it -- looks a LOT lower. But there are a few consequences I still have to deal with:
1) The rear cradle crosspiece will not fit inside the frame box any more. No problem. I wanted to move the frame box forward on the tongue anyway -- as you suggested. However, that cross piece is now perfectly centered across the tail lights and perfectly hiding them. Further, the bracket that holds them cannot be used on the rear crosspiece (under the cradles) because it's mounting holes are twisted to fit parallel to the tongue. I suppose that they could be mounted on both sides of the tongue, but I'm not sure that would be very visible, useful, or legal. I'll try to figure out someway to mount the lights on something sticking out from the end of the crosspiece -- though I hate to loose a strap holder option.
2) The tongue is no longer parallel to the ground when hitched. Ken Montgomery at TrailX said that is important. So I will simply buy a new receiver bar for the hitch that is straight rather than curved. Easy solution.
3) The amas now rest lightly on the fenders pressing them down slightly. The fenders are quite flexible and that does not appear to be a problem. The ama weight is still on the cradle. I plan to ignore the "problem." If I wanted to fix it, I'd try to get 4 more of those sticky backed grey foam pieces for the cradles. Adding that to the foam already there would lift the ama more than enough without affecting the main hull at all.
4. I assume that my view of my boat will be diminished when I back down the ramp. Seems like I've seen flags on fiberglass sticks. Don't know where.
5. On the plus side (I think), the trailer axle is now further forward, meaning that I can make tighter turns and get quicker response while backing. Am I right? This is somewhat new to me. Right now, the closest boat launch requires one to pull right up to a sign that says something like, "please respect private property, and do not pull further into this driveway." Putting it in reverse at that point leaves me with barely enough room to make the turn to the ramp. And that is with no one parked there.
Yes, it sounds like an extra pulley in addition to a boat roller pulley is a good idea.
I like your idea of making the tongue longer by making the roller stick out from the end of the tongue. Gets it closer to the water. Would love to float the bow over the roller. But you put the roller higher than the tongue. Wouldn't you get it closer to the water by putting it lower? Wouldn't the roller and the end of the cradle serve as 2 point to slide on? Would it scrape the end of the tongue?
Thanks again for the ideas!
Puget