Lund 1675 Explorer's most suitable trailer????

[Norton]

I am thinking of buying a new 1675 Explorer with 90" beam,however I need the boat & trailer package to fit inside my garage and the opening width is only 96".

I have visit a local Lund dealer and the normal trailer for this boat should be around 101.5" wide but I need something under 96" to fit inside.

The dealer said it will work on a narrower trailer with the maximum width 89" but he will need to order taller brackets in order for the bottom of the boat clear the fender on the trailer,that means the boat will be sitting 4" to 5" higher than it should be.

My questions is: Has anybody with the same experience that the boat is wider than the trailer itself?And besides looking less attractive than it should be will this create any future problems such as trailering or launching?

Also,the motor I am putting on will be either a Honda 75 or 90 but have not decide yet.Which one is more suitable for the boat and what kind of performance will I be getting?

Thank you in advance and any input will be very much appreciated!

[Jethro]

I'd think you would want a different boat. Even if you got a trailer that is only as wide as the boat, you'd only have 3" on either side for clearance, and that's not much to play with backing a trailer.
In any case, I'd get a roller trailer, boats sit higher on them in general, and when you raise the height of the boat, it's harder to load at shallow landings. I have 1675 Explorer/90hp 2stroke, 41.5 on gps with a full tank and another fisherman.

[Indiana Lou]

This is an interesting problem you have. I went through it myself. Basically my objective was to get a boat that would fit in my garage. My garage sounds simialr to yours - 96" opening. Mine is not quite 20' deep.

I purchased a Pro Sport 1675 - similar in size to your boat, with a Yamaha F115 on the back. I am able to get this boat into my garage, but barely.

Having said that, some thoughts (sorry for the long post):

1. Double-check the garage opening width. The standard is 96", but sometimes the finish width will actually be 94" or so.

2. I have a Pro Sport 1675 with an 88" beam, so our boats are similar in overall size. The smallest trailer I could sensibly put my boat on was a 96" EZ loader with a 4" frame. The "recommended" trailer is a 102", but the 96" works fine. I would guess that this would be the same for you, at least with EZ Loader. Personally, I would not go smaller than that. With the 96" trailer you will not need to raise your boat - it should sit between the fenders quite comfortably.

3. Having said that, the 96" trailer is not exactly 96", and the garage door opening is also probably not exactly 96". In my case, the garage door opening was actually 94" and the trailer needed just over 96" clearance.

4. This is what I did: I cut the garage door frame down to the brick from the ground up to just over the fenders on both sides. I kept the pieces and essentially made this part of the garage door frame removable. When I need to get the trailer in and out of the garage, I simply remove this part of the frame on both sides, drive the trailer in or out, and then replace the pieces. They are held in place by a single 3" bolt. By removing the frames, I increase the opening with to around 98 1/2".

5. Yes, I know. The trailer is just over 96", and the opening is 98 1/2" - not much room. However, you will find that backing the trailer into the garage, even with only 2.5 inches clearance, is actually quite easy. Getting it out, however, is another matter altogether.

6. To this point I have struggled to get the boat out of the garage with my truck, but I think that the better solution will be to install an electric winch at the back of the garage with a control that I can use to guide the boat out at the front. I think this will make life ALOT easier.

7. As to depth, in order for me to fit my boat in the garage I obviously needed a swing tongue, but even then I have to turn the steering wheel to one side in order to create that extra bit of space to get the door closed. With the door closed and the boat in, I basically have between 1" and 2" clearance lengthwise.

Well, there you have it. If you would like me to e-mail some photos, or if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Basically, I am happy that I essentially bough the biggest boat I could while still fitting it in my garage.

I would also appreciate any comments on my electric winch idea.

Hope this helps.

LOU

[Norton]

Hi Lou,

Thank you for your reply and after reading your post I think I have learn a lot and not only that because at least I don't feel that bad that I am the only person with all these strange restriction(Because lot of my friend said why don't I just leave it outside and let it sit on the driveway!)Don't ask me why but besides feel much better having the boat inside,there are quite a lot of kids playing on my court(neighbour's kid) and I just don't want anything happen to them in case the trailer rolls or something fell on them or what ever!!

Anyway,I never thought about cutting all the wood trim around the garage door and make them detachable may be I can even install some kind of a hinge so I can flip it up so it can clear the wheels and fender and put it back after the boat is out.That is an excellant idea.

In terms of backing it up to the garage I guess you might be right that install an electric winch at the back of the garage and after I back the trailer half way in I can use the remote of the winch and finish the job.

Do you mind if I ask you what is the total length of your package?And what model of Easy loader trailer you have?Because the dealer I went to suggest me to have the boat put on the shorelander SLV20 with the 88" width.

I think I really want some informations from you and if you don't mind please email me at nortonyu@yahoo.com so I can ask you a few more questions and if you don't mind some pictures will be really helpful!

As for launching the boat,do you have any trouble?How high is your rig sitting on the trailer?

But I think your idea is brilliant and if the dealer can get the same trailer for me I think I will go for it!

Thank you very much again!
Norton

[Norton]

Hi Lou,

I have problems posting message because I have just post a reply 5 mins ago and still not showing up.

Can you email me at nortonyu@yahoo.com so I can ask you a few more questions?

Thanks again!
Norton

[Jethro]

"The trailer is just over 96", and the opening is 98 1/2" - not much room. However, you will find that backing the trailer into the garage, even with only 2.5 inches clearance, is actually quite easy."

Sheesh. You are the man as far as backing goes. I don't think I'd have the stones to even attempt this. (and I KNOW my garage would come out worse for wear)

[Norton]

Hi Lou,

Please email me at nortonyu@yahoo.com because I can't post any message!

Thanks
Norton

[Norton]

Hi Lou,

I tried many times but my post didn't came up!

Please email me at nortonyu@yahoo.com


Thanks
Norton

[Indiana Lou]

>"The trailer is just over 96", and the opening is 98 1/2" -
>not much room. However, you will find that backing the
>trailer into the garage, even with only 2.5 inches
>clearance, is actually quite easy."
>
>Sheesh. You are the man as far as backing goes. I don't
>think I'd have the stones to even attempt this. (and I KNOW
>my garage would come out worse for wear)


Each time I back in it does get easier, but I never get it on the first approach. I use the driver side of the garage door as a guide, and when my wheel is as close as it can get I know I'm clear.

I have had a few bumps, but only on the way out, never backing in, which is why I will probably install a winch for getting the boat out of the garage.

[Indiana Lou]

Norton,

Keeping the boat in the garage is a good idea. Most boats are stolen from the driveway. Snatching a $5,000 lower unit is as easy as removing 4 bolts.

Anyhow, as I said backing the boat into the garage will be easy (believe me). You may have to approach a few times but you will get it in OK, even with only 2-3" clearance. I would highly recommend the winch for getting the boat OUT, however.

I will send you pics next week, when I get my boat back from the cottage. I should by then also have the winch installed.

One more thing - if you are restricted like I was in terms of length of the garage I would also highly recommend using concrete nails and a piece of 2X4 on the cement floor of the garage as a block for the trailer tire so that it stops before the engine hits the back wall of the garage.

As for launching the boat - this trailer is very easy, easiest I've ever had actually. It is a bunk trailer and basically I drive the boat right up. It seems to center itself without my having to dicker with it. Personally, I don't see the need for side rails/guides, and these things in my opinion increase the risk of dinging the hull if you aren't careful. Even if I approach slightly off-center or diagonally the boat always centers itself on the bunks anyway.

I will get you the specs on the trailer, length of rig, etc. in a private e-mail.

LOU

[Norton]

Hi Lou,

Thank you for your reply!I really appreciated you can send me some pics when you have time...thank you again in advance!

I think I misunderstand you in the beginning because I thought it will be harder to get it in but I thought about another idea and wants to discuss with you when getting it out.

I was thinking if I install a "U" shape track either by metal or just using two 2X4 for each wheel on the garage floor as a guide just like what we seen in the car wash,do you think it will help to get it in and out?

I think there might be something we can discuss when I receive your email,but you idea is great and when I told my wife we can get that boat with your idea of removing the trim on the garage door she was so excited.

I am looking forward to hear from you soon and thanks again for everything!

Norton

[Indiana Lou]

>I was thinking if I install a "U" shape track either by
>metal or just using two 2X4 for each wheel on the garage
>floor as a guide just like what we seen in the car wash,do
>you think it will help to get it in and out?

Hmmmm...I don't thik this would work, nor do I think its necessary. I will send you some pics next week....

[Norton]

Thanks Lou,

Yes,whenever you have time please send me some pics and email to me directly because I really need your help and your info!

Thanks again
Norton