Keel Roller Sizing for a 1989 Calkins Boat Trailer

Updated 08/19/2009 | Published 08/16/2009

Question:

I have a calkins 1989 boat trailer and I am looking for the keel rollers for it can you help me. the 2 aft one are about 4 1/2 x8 does it matter oif i go with a smaller in diameter?

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

If the brackets your rollers mount to are adjustable, then diameter would not matter as you could compensate with the bracket position. If the brackets are not adjustable, a half inch or so in diameter change would not matter. If you were to use rollers with a significant size difference, then the winch may improperly pull the boat on the trailer. You may be able to adjust your winch hook position on the boat to fix this.

The 8 inch Dutton-Lainson Rollers you were looking at, part # DL21712, have a diameter of 3-1/4 inches at the outside where it mounts to the pin and bracket. At the narrowest point, down in the V, it is 2-1/4 inches. So if your brackets are adjustable, the size difference in this case would not make a difference. Even without adjustable brackets this size drop may not matter depending on how your winch is mounted and pulls on the boat.

expert reply by: Patrick B