196 Ramlin Trailer

[TRBenj]

I have a question for all the 196 owners who have Ramlin single axle trailers.

The new trailers seem to be universal for several different length boats, presumably the 206 and possibly the 216. They can be adjusted for length by moving the entire front tongue assembly.

My dad's boat (2003 196) came set up for the shorter length, where the stern overhangs the bunks by about 6". Has anyone tried the next position up? What were your results?

I assume the shorter position would make it easier to move the trailer by hand (less tongue weight) and the longer position may tow a little nicer (more tongue weight). Any comments?

[jhiestand]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean when you reference the 'entire front tongue assembly' but I had a similar question I presented to Ram-Lin only a few months ago. My SAN hung off the rear of my Ram-Lin by 3+ inches and it appeared the nose/paddle assembly is just bolted on, and that there were extra bolt holes that would allow me to move it forward. I contacted Ram-Lin via email with pix of the tongue and the rear of the boat hanging off. They replied back that the paddle assembly could be shifted forward without causing weight distribution problems.

I was concerned that the extra tongue weight would push my already-finicky F150 around more, but I haven't noticed that to be the case. I'd say contact Ram-Lin (ramlin@ramlin.com) and run it by them to be sure.

[skinautique]

on that trailer, you want the bow stop to be on the actual tongue. There are three bolt holes behind the actuator. One has the brake line running through it and then the two behind it are empty. Those are the two you want to use.

[AB]

196 Ramlin Trailer

The front bow stop holes will provide 300lbs of tongue weight which is the recommended lbs for most vehicles. This setting allows the bunks to stick out beyond the transom, and the only problem it might cause is with the speedo pickup. If you move the front bow stop to the back position, the tongue weight goes to about 150lbs, which might cause the trailer to wander at highway speeds. The trailer bunks will be about 3" short of the transom and the boat will not sit on the bunks in the last 2 or 3 feet of the bunk. This is not a problem, as the weight is under the middle with the engine. If you add a spare tire, you will add about 80 lbs to the tongue weight.

I moved my stop to the back postion and behind my Tahoe the trailer does not wander, without spare tire. I didn't want to risk breaking the speedo pickup.

In the back position though, the length as it sits on trailer will be about 6" longer in your garage.

AB

[TRBenj]

RE: 196 Ramlin Trailer

My dad's trailer is currently in the longer "back" position. The tongue is a little light- great for moving the boat by hand, but it wanders a bit while towing. 300 lbs would give you ~10% tongue weight, so that sounds much better. Ill tell him to watch the pitot's. Thanks!