Converting a pontoon trailer into a tritoon trailer

[OCBray]

I would have never thought it would have been such a difficult task to add a middle set of bunks to a trailer. After several conversations, emails and a trip down to the trailer manufacture. I am not much closer now than when I started. Turns out finding brackets 1" lower to accommodate a Harris center pontoon with the performance package is almost like looking for a unicorn. not to mention 20' 2x4's for the bunks.

Found the lumber across town. But the brackets are a different story. The brackets I purchased from the the trailer manufacture are the same as the ones that are on the outer bunks. In order to accommodate the center toon height difference. I will have to cut them down and weld them either directly to the frame or a mounting surface that can be bolted.

I have located a different type of bracket that should be delivered today. Im keeping my fingers crossed that they will be the correct height.

Is there anyone out there that may have some experience with this and the set up?

[mpilot]

[quote="OCBray"]I would have never thought it would have been such a difficult task to add a middle set of bunks to a trailer. After several conversations, emails and a trip down to the trailer manufacture. I am not much closer now than when I started. Turns out finding brackets 1" lower to accommodate a Harris center pontoon with the performance package is almost like looking for a unicorn. not to mention 20' 2x4's for the bunks.

Found the lumber across town. But the brackets are a different story. The brackets I purchased from the the trailer manufacture are the same as the ones that are on the outer bunks. In order to accommodate the center toon height difference. I will have to cut them down and weld them either directly to the frame or a mounting surface that can be bolted.

I have located a different type of bracket that should be delivered today. Im keeping my fingers crossed that they will be the correct height.

Is there anyone out there that may have some experience with this and the set up?[/quote]

Did you try going to the dealer where the boat came from? I'm not being snarky, but they should have experience with this. I know our local dealer orders the trailers locally for the dropped toons so whoever they order them from probably can supply the brackets.

[Bamaman]

I would assume your outer bunks are in a "V" position--to hold the boat stable laterally when being towed? If so, you can put a flat bunk underneath the center toon.

And if your center toon is an Express Tube (3/4 length), you don't even have to support the center toon at all on a good quality trailer.

If it's a full length toon with a big fuel tank and the engine mounted on the rear, you've got to support it completely.

[OCBray]

I wasn't sure Harris makes their own trailers, but it's worth the call. I may have looked past the obvious. I know they wanted a lot of cash for the trailer which is why we passed on it. That and we weren't going to move from LOTO.

Center toon is full length. 50 gallons of fuel. So I'm looking to support it all the way back.

"V" brackets arrived today from etrailer. They are too wide and the bunks will come in contact with the lifting straights. Straights are 14 1/8" apart.

Next step is calling parts at Harris. Othwise I think I'm stuck with the U channel adjustable brackets. Not sure if the will be heavy enough. Any one have the U channel universal brackets on their trailer? I'm courious if they ever move when loading the boat.

[mpilot]

[quote="OCBray"]I wasn't sure Harris makes their own trailers, but it's worth the call. I may have looked past the obvious. I know they wanted a lot of cash for the trailer which is why we passed on it. That and we weren't going to move from LOTO.

Center toon is full length. 50 gallons of fuel. So I'm looking to support it all the way back.

"V" brackets arrived today from etrailer. They are too wide and the bunks will come in contact with the lifting straights. Straights are 14 1/8" apart.

Next step is calling parts at Harris. Othwise I think I'm stuck with the U channel adjustable brackets. Not sure if the will be heavy enough. Any one have the U channel universal brackets on their trailer? I'm courious if they ever move when loading the boat.[/quote]

Check with a cypress cay dealer too because they offer the exact same toon packages. Our dealer here orders aftermarket trailers as there is a local manufacturer and they are just as good, if not better, trailers for a lot less. The dealer should be able to order the parts from Harris worst case.

[Bamaman]

I know of only one boat manufacturer that makes their own trailers--Basscat. The others will either have their dealers obtain trailers locally or contract with trailer factories producing them in mass.

I was looking online and saw that the big trailer dealer in Elkhart and Lebanon, MO is using two flat bunks on the middle toon on his trailers. He also has a tutorial on pontoon trailers and specifically on supporting middle toons:

http://www.trailersforpontoons.com/trip ... ailers.htm

[zoom650]

Here's your answer.

Do not lower the center bunk.

But, do raise the two outboard bunks one inch with a 1x1. That's what Magic Tilt Trailers did for mine.

[COTTS4x4]

My boat had the same issue and we did it the same as above. Used 1" block under the outer pontoons and left the center to rest on the trailer frame. If you look at the outer brackets youll see we had to modify them so the boat will rest on the pontoon and not on the lifting strakes. In the first pic you can see on the center pontoon near the rear the pontoon has a flat bottom, the manufacturer calls this their "launchpad." We modified that section also but it doesnt look to be touching in that pic for some reason... I had to readjust it.

[OCBray]

Finally finished. After several phone calls and emails and waiting 2 weeks for parts that never came. I took the advice of fellow pontooner's here on the site. I made the 1" spacers out of 100% recycled PVC decking material. Ordered longer U bolts and started wrenching. I attached the spacers by using countersunk self tappers into the frame and added a little marine adhesive to secure the blocks. I then attached the outer bunks with the longer U bolts. I then installed and centered the original brackets they sent me and installed the newly carpeted bunks into place. I used the cut sheet form Harris to set the bunks to the right dimensions.

I am very pleased with the finished product. Thanks again for all the input. I know my neighbors will be pleased to see that thing gone from the driveway.

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