Launch n Load Tip

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I always unplug my trailer lights prior to dunking the trailer. This prevents the bulbs from blowing out when you have your brake lights on. Even with the submirsable type, I unplug the lights. Take this for what it is, just trying to keep someone from getting pulled over on the way home. Good Luck n Have Fun!

 

[Lakester]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I always unplug my trailer lights prior to dunking the trailer. This prevents the bulbs from blowing out when you have your brake lights on. Even with the submirsable type, I unplug the lights. Take this for what it is, just trying to keep someone from getting pulled over on the way home. Good Luck n Have Fun!

hello,

good tip. this 'action' is part of the check list that came with my boat as a thing to do.

regards
lakester

 

[ziggy]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I always unplug my trailer lights prior to dunking the trailer. This prevents the bulbs from blowing out when you have your brake lights on.

yep, this is a good idea and i do it also for the same reason. works pretty good too. especially if ya got incandesint light system.

just trying to keep someone from getting pulled over on the way home.

i also go the next step too. a visual inspection after i'm hooked and ready to leave. this makes sure that it's not a stupid light bulb that gets the mans attention.....
even after i unplug my lights prior to the dip, i've still had to repair or replace a lamp at the boat ramp. which brings up another point. ya gotta have a stash of lamps for yer trailer on hand at the ramp. enevitably, after enough time, a lamp will malfuntion after a dip. the other item to have on hand is some emery cloth. corrosion in the socket or on the lamp is the other cause for malfuntion..... the emery, cleans em up on the spot....

 

[marine4003]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

Good Idea,as i was in a hurry due to impending storm,blew the lights, came close to getting rear-ended by a Blue hair, So i switched to LED lighting,package claimed SUBMERSIBLE in big print, looking at light unit,it was all self contained,no holes,rubber grommets ect....in small print inside box....Unplug lights 15 min.prior to launching.So, not wanting The Man to win...I bought 4' PVC trailer guide's with lights,lights are now 4' off the deck.....No water immersion. I WIN !!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

Another tip to consider on your trailer lights is to replace the steel/zinc plated screws with stainless in the lense cover. After many dunkings, these screws tend to glue themselves in place making a replacement light neccessary,,,,,,or do like some,,,,,,,tape it up with duck tape

If your experinced as I am, You know water will get into places that you never thought it would............SS

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I did this on my old boat with regular light bulbs but my new one has sealed LED's. They run cool and are sealed from the elements so I don't see any need to unplug them...

Still a great tip that only takes a few seconds to save a few bulbs.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

Let me ask you a question, any of you guys actually have a problem from dunking your lights??

I've never known anyone to. Sure screws rot and that's a pain but that will happen if you unplug them or not.

I never disconnect my lights and haven't seen anyone do it at the ramp either.

Isn't the myth about shorting out your tow vehicles electrical system ?

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

Each of us has a job to do, when we load/unload our boat. It works out really nice. We always check the lights for function, and make sure everything is ready to go whether loading/unloading. (We do our final hook-up, and check AFTER the boat is on the trailer, and in the clear of the boat ramp, so as NOT to slow down the flow of loading/un-loading !!!!!!! )

 

[roadrunnr]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I always unhook mine. This is a little off subject, but last year when I pulled my boat out of storage the tow vehicles tail lamp fuse would blow when the lights were turned on. What a pain!! Four fuses later I had traced the problem to corrosion in the left tail light assy that was only 2 years old. I now check, clean and regrease the lamps as part of pre-storage maintenance. I'm thinking of converting to LED lamps this year, but will probably still unhook at the ramp out of habit!

 

[tommays]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I try to follow a Routine everytime i launch as you will not forget things if you allways do it the same way

1.blower
2.plug
3.straps
4.docklines/fenders
ect
ect

 

[jennis9]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I have a trailer 'kit' in the Jeep... I keep the trailer wires, spare bulbs/fuses, keys, locks and a can of WD40. Every so often, I will give everything a zap with the 40 - trailer hitch, screws and tongues - anything off the back of the trailer or Jeep. Don't know if I am getting into a good habit since I am the new boat owner. I'll let you know in a year or so if it made a difference.

 

[EMM]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I used to blow bulbs on a regular basis, a couple of years I started unpluging before I launch and have not had a problem since.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

Let me ask you a question, any of you guys actually have a problem from dunking your lights??

I've never known anyone to. Sure screws rot and that's a pain but that will happen if you unplug them or not.

I never disconnect my lights and haven't seen anyone do it at the ramp either.

Isn't the myth about shorting out your tow vehicles electrical system ?

Nope, not a myth. The lights get hot when they are on with the tail lights or brake lights. When the water seeps in and hits that hot glass,,,,,,,it shatters. Newer lenses/lights have good seals, wait for 5 or 6 years and the seals rot out. That is when you will start blowing bulbs. That is also when you find out the screws has rusted itself into the base so hard it either twists of or strips out the head.

On our company utility trailers we have the LED type. Out of 3 pairs of lights, only one light went bad due to water intrusion. So, I'm not 100% the LED type is fail safe.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

Nope, not a myth. The lights get hot when they are on with the tail lights or brake lights. When the water seeps in and hits that hot glass,,,,,,,it shatters. .

ummm... sooo you have faulty fixtures that leak and pop bulbs?

Pretty sure the myth is still that it will short out your truck wiring, which is a unbelievable rare thing.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I never unplug my lights when launching. I have Dry Launch brand and they trap air to keep the bulb and wireing dry. In 28 years have replaced one blub and two complete light assembly. One lamp assembly because some dirver did not know his trailer does not track right behind his truck when making a 90 degree turn into a parking spot and his fender took out the light.
Second one when kid in the house behind us thought the light and mirrow would make good target pratice for his BB gun.

Also replaced one side marker light, Lawn mower contact broke it.

I will tell you this when retrieving at midnight on a unlighted ramp the lights sure make it easy to guide the boat onto the trailer.

Checking the lights before each trip is the wife's Job. While I am hooking up the saftey chair and brake saftey wire she turn on the flashers and checks the lights.

Bodega Bay Weather May 7 2008
Winds NW 320 degrees true at 27.2 knots with gusts to 33 Knots, Sea Temperature 48.4 Degrees F
Seas 13.5 feet every 10 Seconds, Chop 6.7 SEC, Swell steepness = steep
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=46013

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

ummm... sooo you have faulty fixtures that leak and pop bulbs?

Pretty sure the myth is still that it will short out your truck wiring, which is a unbelievable rare thing.

I don't pop bulbs because I unplug my lights. I only use my trailer 2 times a year. To launch in April and to haul out in October. Can't see buying new lights just for those 2 times. Having to buy trailer tags for my 2 times of use a year is pricey enough for no more than I use it.

As for blowing the fuse on the light circuit of the tow vehicle? I can see that happeining if the person was in salt water. Pure water is not conductive, it is the minerals and impurities that make it conductive.

Send the myth to Jamie and Adam, I'm sure they are looking for something to blow up or destroy

 

[tommays]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I have been using the SAME Wesbar sealed units since 1995 without unpluging then in saltwater without a problem

8.99 for new guts if they ever go bad


There is NO unsealed unit that would last more than a week here SO the bulbs NEVER get cold water

 

[Expidia]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I have been using the SAME Wesbar sealed units since 1995 without unpluging then in saltwater without a problem

8.99 for new guts if they ever go bad


There is NO unsealed unit that would last more than a week here SO the bulbs NEVER get cold water

Those are sweet. I never knew of them. I Googled them and they are pretty reasonably priced too. I might upgrade to their wrap around tail light assemblies. One less thing to have to remember to do with each launch.

Funny, since it's that's just old habit as even when I forget, I've never blown a bulb yet. Even the cheap tail light assembly my Shoreland'r came with still must be fairly water tight, but it's only a year old.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

. I only use my trailer 2 times a year. To launch in April and to haul out in October.

Oh sure if that's all you use it, I was just saying I don't get why someone would bother if they use their trailer a lot. If it needs repair I'm more for doing it then wasting time trying to make something live forever.

I really am not a fan of breaking down on the water. It's not that I can't deal with it it's just it takes a lot of the fun out of it.

Well I'm going go put the boat in and ride up to the inlet. A friend has company from out of town so were gonna go up to disappearing island and then hit a bar or two.

Have fun.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Launch n Load Tip

I launch and recover my boat in brackish water twice a weekend from May through November. Never unplugged the lights, had to replace 2 bulbs since 1997.

If i did unplug them, I'd probably forget to plug them back in on the way home! I'm probably better off risking the blown bulb.