www.iFourWinns.com

2005 Four Winns H250 with original trailer. No noticeable towing problems but saw the left rear trailer wheel seemed forward in the wheel well and upon inspection I found that the rear leafsprings hanger was broken. The shackles are pushed maximally forward with the equalizer tilted all the way. see the photos please. (hopefully the link works). there is an excellent trailer shop but it is 13 miles by highway and much more if tried to take back roads.
The boat and trailer are sitting in my driveway. should I try to limp this in? are there any precautions I even could take? Anyone have a similar experience?

https://www.amazon.com/photos/album/A3G84PROYZG3XM:hg6RFLrIRKeNUUrWjq8TSw

https://www.amazon.com/photos/album/A3G ... UUrWjq8TSw

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2005 Horizon 250

I wasn't able to view any pics from the links you posted...

How far out of alignment is the axle? Does it appear to be "wedged" in place to where it won't move any further?
It seems you have obviously towed the trailer in its current condition, so maybe the additional 13 miles to the trailer shop will be ok. Without seeing it, it's hard to say. Expect some tire wear for sure.
I would limp it down the road as best you can, but I would have someone follow behind you as a safety barrier to other drivers. Only other option would be to call a tow company and they might be able to get it there for you, but the cost might be more than what you're willing to pay (expect a few hundred even for that short of distance).

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

thank you. I will try again to get the pics up. Used to use Photobucket but that is now a pay service. tried Flickr and the images came back with an error message. Sorry. I may have to resize the images.
the pics show that the forward part of the rear spring and the shackle its attached to is pushed all the way forward against the center hanger with the attached equalizer slanted so that the forward half of it is nearly parallel with the trailer frame and the rear portion of the equalizer pointed downward at about 45 degrees. the rear hanger is attached still to the spring and is slid forward a few inches and up on the trailer frame. it's hard to explain in words but pretty simple when you see it. it literally is what you would imagine if you broke the weld on the rear hanger and forced the leaf springs/axle/wheel forward a few inches.
I don't know if the hanger would slide back along the frame was previously welded to while towing forward or what. I may hook it up and pull it slowly on flat ground and observe what it does.

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2005 Horizon 250

You're talking about the rear axle being pushed forward of where it is supposed to be. Is this after you had backed up that it was noticed?
I'm concerned that it will want to push rearward when towing the trailer forward. That being the case, a simple (but not necessarily the right way) fix may be to use a pretty good-sized ratchet strap (2" width) and wrap it around the front and rear axles to help keep the rear axle from sliding back. You really won't know until you try to pull the trailer forward and see what happens.

But....this is all based upon the idea that "something" has broken on either the hangars, springs, or shackles. When looking at the axle, is there anything that is obviously broken? Or is it just that the hangars/shackles have slid forward but are still attached?

If nothing is actually broken (would hang down if the trailer was lifted), then this is really easy. Just head to the trailer shop.

I have seen trailer axles slide before. It doesn't happen often, but it does and puts the wheels/tires out of alignment with each other and it tows horribly. Wears tires really bad also. But the fix is just a matter of repositioning everything to where it's supposed to be.

I'm hoping this is the situation you're trying to explain.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

I wish i could get these photos to work on this site.
it is definitely visibly broken at the weld. the weld connecting the rear hanger to the frame.
it likely did occur when backing the boat on trailer up hill in my driveway, resulting in the rear wheel along with its axle and springs being pushed forward in relation to the trailer frame. By about 3 inches. The hanger, still attached to the leaf spring, now that it is no longer welded to the frame, has slid up to envelop the frame and is slid forward on the frame. it is almost like a sliding door track. imagine your cupped hand is the broken hanger. grab the trailer frame bar from below, like you are going to lift it. that hand is what the hanger is like.

ill try the pics again, from flickr.

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2005 Horizon 250

for anyone on this forum to have a similar problem the successful remedy was getting a trailer service repair truck equipped with a knowledgeable welder to come to your house and repair it in the driveway. I contacted a commercial big rig trailer repair outfit (Apex Trailer Repair), and they were very helpful and had done this before and knew exactly what I was dealing with. I haven't gotten the bill yet but will be a heck of a lot less than getting a flatbed tow truck to take it someplace to repair. i may have new springs and a full inspection done in the off season at my regular trailer service place (who does not do house calls).
i also would advise all to check your suspensions regularly for wear and tear.

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2005 Horizon 250

Glad to hear that you got the issue resolved.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX