Major mistake at ramp - need advice

[strokeoluck]

Ok, my wife and I get a babysitter tonight and decide to go practice launching/retrieving our boat (see below for details) at Lake Waconia in the southwestern Minneapolis suburbs. We're new to boating. I had launched two times previously in the last few weeks; once with my Dad who is a former boater. That time went fairly well but a) my Dad was with me and he provided a lot of guidance/assistance, and b) we were on a very small, calm lake with no one at the dock. The other time we attempted to launch was at Lake Waconia but it was extremely calm, and I couldn't get the boat to start so it was a very short excursion.

Tonight however was a different story. It had been fairly windy all day long, but around 5:30 pm the wind died down considerably. I told my wife we'd go ahead and practice. The ramp is on the eastern side of the lake, so the wind picks up a bit of steam by the time it gets to the ramp (we boated on the west side of the lake where it was pretty calm, but there's no public ramp over there); it was pretty choppy at the ramp. I decided we'd go ahead and practice anyway because there weren't a lot of other boaters and I felt it was important to practice when we weren't rushed by others. And if I waited for a nice, sunny, calm day to practice, odds are good there would be a bunch of other folks coming and going at the ramp.

I back the trailer up in the water till the wheel wells are covered; well...sort of covered, depends on which wave was rolling in. The waves are slapping pretty good against the dock and the boat. I put the SUV in Park, start the boat and undo the bow hooks. I push the boat back off the trailer but the waves are doing their best to push it back ON to the trailer. Between my wife on the dock pulling back on the lines, and me pushing hard on the bow we finally (or so I thought) get the boat off the trailer. I get back in the SUV and start to pull away slowly. But something feels wrong and I glance in the rearview mirror and it looks like I'm pulling the boat with me; like it's stuck on the back third of the trailer (we have bunks). I get a touch worried because now I'm pulling it towards the cement ramp, and the waves are pushing it in the same direction. So either I really DIDN'T push it clear of the trailer (in hindsight I should have had my wife pull the boat back further towards the end of the ramp), or I DID push it clear but the waves pushed it back on.

Here's where it gets really fun. I'm thinking the best thing to do is to just back up again and sink the trailer a little deeper so the boat won't get hung up on the trailer, then we can pull the boat back towards the end of the dock and make sure it's free of the trailer once and for all. But, unbenknownst to me OR my wife (who was plenty busy with a bouncing boat) the trailer had popped off the hitch ball. Yep, the weight of the boat on the back of the trailer had caused the trailer tongue to not only come off the ball, but ALSO pop up in the air. But I didn't know this...so I put the SUV in reverse and start backing up. By the time my wife finally notices what's going at the back of the truck she yells for me to stop, but it's too late. I had poked the back of our tailgate with the trailer tongue and put a small dent in our SUV. Wonderful; feeling really good about this whole boating thing!

I can't finagle the trailer tongue onto the ball while at the ramp; not to mention I still have wave action going on - and worried the boat might escape my wife's hands and smack into the trailer again. So I have to pull the trailer - with the tongue laying on the ground and only connected to the SUV by the safety chains - up to the flat part of the launch and then get out and re-connect it.

Holy embarassing Batman.

Keep in mind several fisherman launched while some of this was going on, and they were smooth. Oh so smooth. I swear they were launching w/their pinkies and their left big toe...nothing too it. I was jealous. We took a lap around the lake (fun) and returned to the ramp. We tied up and I went to get the SUV, and then backed in. The waves were even stronger this time so we were standing on the ramp debating whether I should move the trailer closer to the dock. Two more fishermen were launching (same boat) and when the one guy returned from parking their truck he was nice enough to ask if we needed help. Before I could answer (I was going to politely decline his help; what, me???, need help???) he told us the boat was too close to the ramp and we needed to back it up so the trailer could get deep enough. He untied and moved the boat, and I backed up the trailer, hooked it up w/the bow strap/hook and I reeled it in. No problem.

After all this I guess my main question is: how the heck could I have avoided the trailer tongue from popping off the ball? I didn't even think it was POSSIBLE to have the tongue pop off the ball, I thought that's what the coupler (?) was for? Before we even leave home I push the coupler "thing" down to engage it on the ball, and then I insert a pin in that coupler so it doesn't come disengaged. Thoughts???

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

its the wrong size ball or there was nothing locking it down. you should have to put a tongue lock or bolt or something thru the latch after its hooked up and locked down into place. i have unloaded bobcats off a trailer that almost picked up the back of my truck before.....ur boat trailer shoulda been able to stay hooked.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

If you have a matching ball, & trailer cup size, (say 2" & 2") then put a pin through the latch, then this shouldn't happen. One thing to check is when you have it all together, make sure you don't have any play in the assembly, or you can tighten the bolt under the trailer cup to take out all the play, but not too much or you won't get the latch to lock.

 

[gss036]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Launching in rough water is not the easiest thing to do. The best think you could have done was wait until a calmer day and then do the training. The only reason I can think of that would cause the trailer to uncouple from the ball is that you have a 1 7/8" ball w/ a 2" coupler on the trailer. Thank goodness for safety chains. You did the right thing there.
Sorry about you bump in the tail gate, but then again that is what insurance is for if it is that bad, otherwise pay for it out of pocket and get it behind you.
You are launching in freshwater, one should never go that deep in salt water, I have seen it many times though, saltwater is really hard on brake drums/rotors.
I never start an engine while still on the trailer, most of the time you have the motor tilted up too high and there goes the water pump impeller. Keep trying, you will master it after a few times. We all make little mistakes from time to time, the most important advise is to learn to stay calm and think about what it is you are doing and how to make it right w/o causing any more problems.
Good luck

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Thanks guys. I forget the exact ball size but I'm 99.9% sure I have the right ball & cup size. When I purchased the boat the seller told me what size it was and I purchased that ball size.

Where do I look on the trailer to see the mfgr recommended ball size?

Also, how do I adjust the coupler to take any play out?

Thanks again.

 

[td8]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Are you sure your ball is the right size. You need to check your trailer tongue because something is definitely wrong.

 

[superpop]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Depending on your coupler design, you probably have a bolt underneath the coupler right behind the hole for the ball. If this is too loose that could cause the problem as well. If it is properly engaged there is no way it is coming off the ball. Also, if you are freshwater boating it is not going to hurt anything to submerge the trailer wheels, I typically back in until my fenders are about an inch underwater and that seems to work very well. I could tell you a doozy of a story about our first launch and retrieve, it could be a Seinfeld episode. Above all, go slow and double check everything and don't let anyone get you flustered.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

You had multiple problems and let them get ahead of you. First off, deal with the boat, always pull it completely off the trailer and tie it off as out of the way as possible...so that others can launch while you are parking if the ramp is large enough. This ensures that the boat is off the trailer. This is a lot tougher in choppy or windy days, windy days in particular can be a real challenge, specially if you are on your own. Having a rope at both the bow and stern cleats will greatly help when launching and loading your boat. It will give you tonnes more control of the boat from the dock. I used to alway run a single rope on my smaller boat, but with my current one, I quickly learned that it wasn't good enough. Also, if your launch has multiple docks, choose the dock that has the wind pushing your boat towards the dock. This will make things much much easier.

Pulling the trailer out of the water with the chains was a good move...I'd have done the same. The dent...well, it's a tow vehicle...and crap happens. Not much can be done for it, and it may happen some other time. I'd leave as is and only fix it if you think it will effect resale when it comes time to sell it. But that's me...

Why'd the hitch come off? Anyone's guess, could be the wrong ball as others have suggested, could be that the coupler is too loose, if you look underneath there will be a large nut. Tighten it up a turn or two and try latching it down. When you latch the lever down, it should take a fair amount of pressure, but with one hand. Once it's latched, try lifting the tongue off, if it's loose, or pops off, re-confirm the ball size, and tighten the nut some more. You may even have had the coupler lever ON the ball instead of under the ball. Always double check, by lifting if you can lift the tongue with the boat on, or get on your knees and see that the lever is under the ball. My old trailer was bad for the lever sticking and when I dropped the coupler on the ball the lever would be on the ball instead of under it. This can happen also if the nut is too tight...which was what mine was doing. I turned it back half a turn and the problem went away. Good luck, and keep practicing...and we all make mistakes...

Ian

 

[gtownky]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

My thoughts was the same as last post. The coupler may have been on the ball instead of under the ball. Two ways to check before lifting the jack all the way up and after you have lock the coupler in. You can turn the jack back down to see if it starts to lift rear of vehicle or look under hitch to see if the coupler is under the ball. I had a trailer come off going down the road. After investagating the situation I discovered that was my proble. Good luck and make sure you find out why it happen before you go back out for your safety and others.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

The coupler may have been on the ball instead of under the ball.

I will admit I didn't check this thoroughly because I didn't think I had a problem. When I lowered the trailer onto the ball the bottom of the trailer tongue (coupler area) seemed to be level w/the bottom of the ball so I just assumed it was "on". But I'll be double-checking things in the morning. In retrospect I'm darn glad the trailer didn't come off when we were pulling out of the driveway. We have a mildly steep driveway and that could have been ugly had the trailer come loose when we were pulling out.

 

[roger777]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Good idea going to the ramp when there isn't much traffic.. If you are at the ramp and it is busy "take your time" People always make mistakes when they rush.. At one time we all had to learn the launching and loading tricks. Dont be afraid to ask someone to hold a rope for you or something. You will find out most boaters will be willing to help.. I have 2 bits of advise to any new boaters. 1.Double check your plug. Don't join iboats club(launch with no plug) 2. When the trailer is in the water and you walk down the ramp to hook or unhook boat, walk flat footed and walk slow.. Stand in upright position. You can be the most careful person and still end up wetting your bottom.

 

[Ram58]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

The tongue size is uaually stamped on top of the coupler and the ball size is usually stamped on top the ball. I would couple the trailer to the ball and check for play. You can tighten the nut underneath until it's hard to latch the back it off until it's easier. Then use your jack to see if you can raise the back of your tow vehicle without the coupler coming off the ball. Good luck.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Ball wrong size and / or receiver locking mechanism terribly out of adjustment. Take your existing ball off and try it on the receiver by itself. Then see how much slop is in it when the locking mechanism is activated. If it is adjusted all the way and you still have slop then you need a bigger ball. Repeat the exercise with the bigger ball and when happy that it fits correctly put it on the hitch.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Nut under coupler needs adjusting. But first make sure it's still there. I.E. it's not laying in your driveway or some kid took it on you as a "practical joke." Also make sure those forks under the coupler aren't broken or bent out of shape.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[45Auto]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Congrats on practicing when the ramp was slow. At least you knew you had something to learn, puts you ahead of about 99% of the others out there.

Most likely the hitch was not seated all the way down and you just clamped the ball lock down on top of the ball instead of underneath it. Easy to do, I see people do it all the time, tried to do it myself a few times. As others have said, try to lift the hitch up once you think it's clamped down to make sure.

Good Luck!

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Two more fishermen were launching (same boat) and when the one guy returned from parking their truck he was nice enough to ask if we needed help. Before I could answer (I was going to politely decline his help; what, me???, need help???) he told us the boat was too close to the ramp and we needed to back it up so the trailer could get deep enough. He untied and moved the boat, and I backed up the trailer, hooked it up w/the bow strap/hook and I reeled it in. No problem.

As you know, there are two docks at the Lake Waconia DNR access. The northern side of the northern dock is the "courtesy dock" where you can tie up your boat while you back your trailer down the ramp on the other side of the dock. In that way your boat will be out of the way.

My wife has learned how to dock and to generally navigate our boat at low speeds. (On ours, the trick is to use "nudgies" on the throttle to get little bursts of steering control at low speed). The boat approaches the dock, I jump off and get the trailer while she motors the boat off shore out of the way until I back the trailer down the ramp. She then approaches the trailer and the two of us work together to get the bow eye hooked to the trailer. If it is a windy day or she is otherwise uncomfortable with the idea, she returns the boat to the courtesy dock and I jump in and take over.

Hope this helps. - Ken

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Ok guys, I checked the trailer and it calls for a 2" ball, and we have a 2" ball - so we're ok there.

This morning I connected the trailer to the SUV. First of all, when I lowered the trailer onto the ball, and then latched the coupler I could not lift the trailer off the ball. I also wanted to point out that when we loaded up yesterday (the ugly day!) I also lowered the trailer to the same point, where it appears to properly "seat" on the ball. So unless it's really subtle when it doesn't properly "seat", I'm pretty sure it was on the ball.

I played with the nut on the coupler. First, I tightened it up considerably (see "tight" picture link below). The good thing about this tightening was that it indeed got tighter on the ball. However, it seemed to ride up slightly higher on the ball. I'm guessing that's not a good thing as you guys are telling me to make sure it properly locks into place UNDER the ball.

Then I lowered the nut all the way down to the bottom of the bolt (just for illustration purposes; see "loose" picture below). This time it allows the fingers/plate to come down a bit lower on the ball, but there's a lot more play in the whole contraption that way.

The middle ground? That's where it was when I started this whole process...which resulted in the trailer popping loose.

I also took a third picture which is the "plate" picture below. I noticed that when I pushed the top of the coupler latch (?) down all the way beyond where it will currently go, that there's a gap in the plates at the top. If that gap could be filled somehow then that would really tighten up the grab underneath. But maybe I'm overthinking this whole thing because I know of no way to adjust/add to those plates.

Thoughts? Thanks guys.

 

[EricR]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

It sounds like you may have found the problem- and don't feel alone, we have all had our messups at the ramp.

By the way the last time I was at Waconia I just drove right on down the ramp with no problem at all!

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Now that's funny! Yep, I can almost see the sandbar on the southwest side of Coney Island in the background!

 

[dave11]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

One item you can use to keep it from poping off the ball is a Trailer Guardian.