Trailer Loading

[ghollow]

One thing I learned a long time ago is that if you hold your steering wheel in your tow vehicle at the bottom instead of the top it makes it easier to back a trailer. I do not know why but it seems to help.

[jsz]

a 21v was my first boat and i was very nervous about getting it around all the launch ramp traffic and on the trailer staight. I heard the stories of inboards veing very difficult. A couple things that helped me were
- making (and laminating) a launch/load list of all the things mentioned in this post and having it out every time i launch or load.
- bought a cheap pair of 2 way radios to comunicate w/ whoever gets my trailer. then you can get out of the way of everyone else while you wait and just have him radio you when he is next in line on the ramp.
- bought an 8 ft pole that collapses to 4 ft and has a hook and soft tip on the end. good for grabbing the dock if you're having a hard time getting close. also good for pushing other boats away that are out of control and heading your way. sold at boating supply stores.

[scottie4421]

I agree with most of what's been said. I have one more tip to add. This applies to both backing the trailer down and loading the boat.

Don't make very big adjustments with the steering wheel.

When backing a trailer down, make small adjustments with the wheel and it'll be much easier to back it straight down. Of couse if you need to cut it, you'll need to turn the wheel a lot. But if you're just backing straight down...make small adjustments and take it slow.

When loading the boat....start way out as others have said, and if you get off line a little, make a small correction with the steering wheel. It will take a few moments for the boat to react, so be patient and reverse well before you hit the trailer if you can't get it lined up. If you make big adjustments with the steering wheel, you'll get the @ss end of the boat swinging around and back and forth and it'll be near impossible to hit the trailer right on.

Good luck and relax...the only reason people may laugh is because they've been there before. I guarantee you any boat owner has had learning days and many adventures at the ramp.

[joe8395]

Just don't do this -

http://www.thefridayflyer.com/FF-2005-8-12/FFS-2591.htm

[TeamAllen]

All I can say is 4WD.

[scootc]

Here's something that helped my wife practice. We went out to the edge of the no-wake area, and she practiced slowly driving up to, then backing away from a buoy just before touching it. This was an excellent way to learn how to maintain a straight, controlled approach. A few times we bumped into it - which was no big deal. This was also good practice for dropping someone off at the dock. You can practice all day without getting in the way or damaging your boat (or pride ).

[raythompson]

Originally posted by TeamAllen
All I can say is 4WD.

4WD will not stop you from sliding backwards anymore than a 2WD. There are still brakes on all four wheels and if they don't hold on the ramp 4WD is not going to help.

[TeamAllen]

God point, Ray. I was thinking about the part in the article, where it suggesed not to put your wheels in the water at all. With 4WD you could have your front tires out and rear tires in and still have traction. I forgot the guy left the vehicle unattended and it slid in. The e brake wouldn't help at all beacause they are only on the rears. We need front emergency brakes now. I've never seen a ramp that slippery.
I have only had problems getting traction when I'm pulling the boat and trailer out. Usually because the water level on the lake is low and your vehicle is on gravel. That's where the 4WD helps. Not neccessary, but helps.

[BrentRR]

I just want to be clear on what you 'seasoned veterans' consider the best way to load the boat on the trailer. I have a '05 24V and when the dealer showed me how to load, he basically drove the boat all the way up to the roller. It sounds like a number of you recommend only getting the boat on the bunks enough to hold it and then use the winch.

I just want to be sure I am not doing anything wrong...

Thanks.

[scootc]

We put the trailer in the water deep enough to float all the way up, but shut the engine off when the boat is about half on - then pull it the rest of the way by hand. It only takes a small freak wave to push you sideways and run the prop into the trailer.

[Tequilasun]

BrentRR,

You can do it either way. Most people winch at least a little bit. The last few times we've just winched the last foot or so.

[rpaxton]

Recomended trailer depth

I am having problems determining how deep I should set the trailer when retrieving my Tiege 22i. The dealer set it fairly shallow then used the motor to push his way up the trailer. I have been setting it deeper, but either way I have problems with the bow roller being taller then the bow as I try to winch the boat up. I make sure that the bilge is pumeped and move any weight in the boat (people, coolers, etc) to the stern.

Any thoughts on how deep the trailer should be set?

Rodger

[rob_and_trish]

I back my trailer in until the water is just below the fender on the trailer.
If I go too deep and the fender goes under - just pull fwd a bit.

Once its ready - the wife pulls the boat on - I hook the winch to the front hook and crank her as far as I can go - then she moves it fwd until the front hook is touching the front trailer wheel.

She then cuts the engine - I attache the saftey chain to the front hook - I pull out. Dry the boat off and attach the rear tie downs.

Thats pretty much it.

[joe8395]

Don't do this either -

http://www.thefridayflyer.com/FF-2005-8-19/FFS-2629.htm


It's been a rough couple weeks @ my lake for trucks with boats...I don't have any problems with my Tahoe at this ramp not sure what the deal is with these knuckleheads.

This is kind of interesting to me as well -

http://www.thefridayflyer.com/FF-2005-8-19/FFS-2626.htm

This ramp is on the other side of the lake and I've used the ramp a hand full of times this year...I wonder how close my prop has come to the roof.

[rpaxton]

Trailer depth

Rob,

Which boat and trailer are you using. I have tried going shallow like you describe, but it is almost impossible to get the boat on the trailer.

Also, what kind of safety chain do you have? My trailer was never equipped with one for the boat itself. Sounds like a really good idea though. I have worried what would happen if the strap broke.

Can you send some pics of how it attaches to your trailer? I can probably get someone to weld one on for me.

Thanks!

Rodg