Picking up new RZ2 on Wed...need your expertise

[Iwndr]

Great advice in the whole thread.

I would suggest wetting your bunks by backing the empty trailer deep enough to submerge the bunks, then pulling out just enough for your optimal loading depth (for us, the water barely covers the fenders). The wet bunks make loading easier and you should not develop as many scratches in your gel coat.

I do that also

[Joeprunc]

Our old routine....

When the dealer shows you the ins and outs make sure you physically do each procedure, and have someone film or take notes.

Have you towed or backed a trailer before?

My list:
Before leaving the house:

1. Check plug
2. Check voltage
3. Check oil & tranny level
4. Take cover off (I don't tow with a cover)
5. Wipe down interior & exterior.
6. Check tire pressure & grease level for bearing buddies.
7. Back truck to trailer, & lower hitch onto ball, be sure to secure coupler onto ball use lock to keep in place.
8. Install trailer chains & brake cable.
9. Hook up trailer lights, check trailer w/ running and Hazzard lights on (the hazards are the same connection as your brake & turn lights)..
10. Tighten front bow strap and install transom straps.
11. Load truck & boat (never tow with your boards in the racks!!) Secure things down.
12. Load truck with larger jack and tools/parts for trailer.
13. Make sure we have our water proof bag w/ keys, registration, insurance in truck.
14. Check tie down straps again.
15. Check plug again.

Get gas for the boat (I like to fill up the truck before so I'm not at the pump for 2 hours) Be very careful and slow going into station, be sure you have an exit plan without having to back up. If you can pull forward enough to block on pump without blocking traffic other motorists will be happier. In CA most of our stations are small so I just block two pumps and pump with the rear. The hose will stretch to the tank, so DO NOT GET TO CLOSE TO THE PUMPS! I have seen several people cut it to close and hit the protective barrios as they exit.

At the ramp, we park somewhere where we are not in anyones way, ie back of the parking lot or off the side (usually close to a bathroom for the fiance).

1. Remove transom tie downs and check plug.
2. We dont' tow with a cover, but when we did we would remove the cover now.
3. Load the boat with gear, make sure you have enought life vests for people.
4. Open the bimini
5. Turn the battery switch on and put the key in the ignition (do not start the boat).
6. Do not turn the radio on as sometimes the truck driver & boat driver need to hear each other.
7. Make sure everyone uses the bathroom.
8. If its a new ramp watch someone else put their boat in and see how they do it.
9. Get boat fenders & rope ready.
10. Check plug.
11. Load everyone in boat except 2 in the truck. Head to ramp.

On the Ramp. Each ramp is different, but you always want to get your trailer & truck as straight as possible and parallel to the lines on the ramp.
Some wide ramps I will drive down the ramp and make a u-turn near the water line. Other narrow or steep ramps you cannot do that.

1. Back boat up (make sure you have room and there are not any boats/truck in your way.
2. Make sure you are not taking up the whole ramp.
3. Stop where your trailer tires hit the water, have your second person in the truck get out.
4. Back trailer into the water, stop when you get the boat deep enough. Have the boat driver start the boat. Check behind you to make sure there isn't a jetski behind your boat.
5. Second person can remove the front strap.
6. Back up truck a little more while boat driver has it in reverse.
7. Put truck in drive!
8. Once boat is 100% clear of the trailer pull out and park trailer & truck.
9. Second guy can wait on the dock and help assist docking the boat while truck driver walks back. (be sure everyone knows on the boat that sticking a hand, arm, or leg between boat and dock will usually result in an injury or amputation. Boat driver to drive very slow. You can usually do this by putting it in gear and taking it out and coasting, repeating as necessary.
10. Load up in the boat & drive at idle speed until you are clear of the no wake zone.

The boat will not turn unless you are under power. With direct drives the boat usually turns in reverse one way, and not well at that.

On the water be very aware of your surroundings, markers, shallow spots, trees, other boaters, skiers, etc. I never drive wide open, with a wakeboard boat its build to pull not haul ***!

Pulling the boat out. Depending how comfortable you are with driving the boat and towing the trailer, and how the dock is set up there are two ways to get the boat out..drive it on or back the trailer up right next to the dock and pull it on with a rope.
There are tons of threads with loading the boat.

Be sure you attach bow strap and pull boat up to designated spot. Turn the motor off.
When you pull the boat out make sure it is fairly centered. I usually have everyone sit in the middle of the boat.
Pull the boat out slowly with someone watching for anything.

Tow the boat out of the way of everyone else preferably in the shade.
Wipe down the boat with product of your choice, we use Babes Boat Bright, Boat Bling makes a great product too, or others use their own concoctions. It is 1000xs easier to clean the boat while it is wet at the lake than at your home later, try to get off all the water spots.

Pull plug.
Take out trash.
Put on rear tie downs, check front tie down.
Check lights.
Pack truck and boat for tow.

Tow home.

There are a lot of tricks that you will learn along the way to speed things up, and make life easier. But for now take it slow and steady.

Wow that was a little long...sorry.

[bja37]

Joeprunc and all....

great info!

if you have anything to add please keep it coming....knowledge is power!

[Eastern shore wake]

Wow, great advise from the masters here.
Wish I had read some of this before I started. Would only add that getting used to the whole trailering on and off can be a little nerve wracking the first several times you do it. What can make it even worse is if the first several times you are doing it is on a saturday or sunday when the launch ramp is full and people are staring (or at least you think so)at you as you make very move. Would strongly suggest you and your wife go out on a weekday or an off hour of the weekend when you can take your time, try it a couple of times and do it in an environment where you won't feel rushed. The very best of luck and congrats!

[Ewok]

Wipe down the boat with product of your choice, we use Babes Boat Bright, Boat Bling makes a great product too, or others use their own concoctions. It is 1000xs easier to clean the boat while it is wet at the lake than at your home later, try to get off all the water spots.

X2, It makes the boat MUCH easier to keep clean, ask Wakeman22.

Wow, great advise from the masters here.
Wish I had read some of this before I started. Would only add that getting used to the whole trailering on and off can be a little nerve wracking the first several times you do it. What can make it even worse is if the first several times you are doing it is on a saturday or sunday when the launch ramp is full and people are staring (or at least you think so)at you as you make very move. Would strongly suggest you and your wife go out on a weekday or an off hour of the weekend when you can take your time, try it a couple of times and do it in an environment where you won't feel rushed. The very best of luck and congrats!

X2

[Nobody]

You have my permission to power turn all you want.

Here's an example::

[bja37]

Leaving in an hour to pick up the RZ2!!! Excited is a gross understatement.

Thanks for all your input!

[Iwndr]

Leaving in an hour to pick up the RZ2!!! Excited is a gross understatement.

Thanks for all your input!

I can't think of a better way to spend Hump day, Congrats, enjoy and be careful

[Wakeman22]

X2, It makes the boat MUCH easier to keep clean, ask Wakeman22.



X2

I can advise that. I never wiped mine down each time out of the water and the hard water stains built up. I was a lot of work to remedy it this year. I now wipe it down aftyer each use. Only takes a few minutes but saved days in the long run. Ewok my boat shines now.

[rucks22]

Leaving in an hour to pick up the RZ2!!! Excited is a gross understatement.

Thanks for all your input!

Post some pics when you get them!!

[houstonshark]

Congrats! Can't wait to see pics!

[Bruizza]

Awesome! Post up some pics when you get her.

[bja37]

Came home without my boat!

Had an issue with the ballast and the PCM 409.

Very disappointed. You would think that when you're spending that much $$$ that the boat would be tested to insure everything works properly prior to delivery.

I ended up with 6" of water in the bottom of the hull....took almost 10 minutes for it to drain out of the plug hole.

How pissed would you be?

[rucks22]

Came home without my boat!

Had an issue with the ballast and the PCM 409.

Very disappointed. You would think that when you're spending that much $$$ that the boat would be tested to insure everything works properly prior to delivery.

I ended up with 6" of water in the bottom of the hull....took almost 10 minutes for it to drain out of the plug hole.

How pissed would you be?

That is really very sad to hear. I'm sure they will correct whatever issue the boat is having. Tige does the water test with every boat for at least 1 hour, so I'm very surprised to hear you had issues.

[Ohope]

What was the matter with the PCM 409? I pick up my RZ2 next Friday would and like to know more on your issues.