Major mistake at ramp - need advice

[pingman]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

It's hard to tell in your pictures, but I don't think the coupler is seating down on the ball. The catch should be down on the shaft of the ball, not the side. There is too much of the ball showing under the coupler. It look like a 2 1/16" ball going into a 2" coupler.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

It's hard to tell in your pictures, but I don't think the coupler is seating down on the ball. The catch should be down on the shaft of the ball, not the side. There is too much of the ball showing under the coupler. It look like a 2 1/16" ball going into a 2" coupler.

If you're right, that would certainly explain everything. I too feel it's a bit odd that the coupler (when "tight") only hits about 1/2 or 2/3 the way down on the ball. Like Navy Jr. said I'll just hitch it up and take it to a local mechanic, or maybe even the guys at Northern Tool.

 

[Polar_Bus]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Just to build a little on this thread. Take advice from an idiot. Here is why you NEVER rush around loading or unloading your trailer:




This is what happend when I was in a hurry, hooked up my ATV trailer, proceeded to quickly drive a 700 lb atv up on to the trailer (without safety chains, and without the coupler latch latched !!! The toungue wildly pitched straight up, and the foreward momemtum of the ATV, drove the trailer right into my tailgate, and then when I backed the ATV off the trailer, the toungue came scraping right down my tailgate!! ^%$#@@%$!!!!!!!! Color me the IDIOT, and I deserved what I got. Every time I look at the back of my truck, I am reminded of what rushing always leads to.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Just to build a little on this thread. Take advice from an idiot. Here is why you NEVER rush around loading or unloading your trailer:

Ok, you're starting to make me feel a bit better. If I get up the nerve I'll take a pic of the back of our Pilot and post the pic. Someone earlier mentioned not to worry about the tow vehicle because they're usually beaters anyway (my words, not his). Unfortunately this is my wife's $30,000 beater tow vehicle.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Ok, you're starting to make me feel a bit better. If I get up the nerve I'll take a pic of the back of our Pilot and post the pic. Someone earlier mentioned not to worry about the tow vehicle because they're usually beaters anyway (my words, not his). Unfortunately this is my wife's $30,000 beater tow vehicle.

EEEK! Shrink that Biatch down! I've got a huge monitor..and highspeed...feel sorry for the others out there!

Heh..no worries, you see my 'beater' tow vehicle in my sig below...it's all good. Just be aware that sometimes sh*t happens, and don't blow a gasket when it does. These things are fixable.


Ian

 

[Polar_Bus]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Ok, you're starting to make me feel a bit better. If I get up the nerve I'll take a pic of the back of our Pilot and post the pic. Someone earlier mentioned not to worry about the tow vehicle because they're usually beaters anyway (my words, not his). Unfortunately this is my wife's $30,000 beater tow vehicle.

You callin' my Dodge a "beater" ???!!!

You are being too kind, it's actually a wicked terdbox but is does pull good...

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

You callin' my Dodge a "beater" ???!!!

You are being too kind, it's actually a wicked terdbox but is does pull good...

You already said it was a dodge...no further explanation needed.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Yeah don't feel too bad -- you can't boat or tow trailers without having something go awry at some point. I've been boating about 35 years and towing for 25 and usually at least once a year I have a real bad day doing something I could normally accomplish in my sleep, be it docking, launching, backing a trailer up, etc., etc.

Last summer's bad moment was worse than usual. I was towing a utility trailer behind a tractor returning from taking a load of construction debris to the local landfill and was enjoying just chugging along a back woods road, daydreaming with the wind in my hair and bugs in my teeth. The tractor, a trusty old 1952 Ferguson was burbling along in road gear and we were doing a blistering 15 mph... Anyway, I hear a clang and feel and thump from behind. I look back and see that the nut securing the ball to the tractor's towbar has just dropped to the road, causing the trailer tongue to shoot straight up, taking the ball with it, then crash down on the (thankfully!) crossed safety chains. Then it bounced up and down again, and started to whiplash left and right real hard. This trailer is an old home-made contraption of thick steel plate on top of an old truck drop axle. Heavy. I was sure the next whiplash was going to snap the chains and the trailer was going to head for the ditch. The road is popular for people hiking and walking their dogs and I only hoped it wouldn't kill someone coming the other way first.

I managed to get it and the tractor stopped soon enough but I could have kicked my own arse all the way home for neglecting to check the nut under that ball before leaving for the dump. Coulda been real bad, even at that slow speed.

Anyway, good you are taking it seriously and taking your time finding the cause. Plus I really like your attitude with regard to practicing launching and retrieving. It will all get easier with time (except for the odd flub which will remind you we all are human. ) Happy boating!

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

You callin' my Dodge a "beater" ???!!!

You are being too kind, it's actually a wicked terdbox but is does pull good...

My favorite truck was a 1982 faded red Chevy Silverado with a "three on the tree." I had that truck when it was about 15 years old; a pretty ugly truck, but useful. Sure wished I had it last Friday night.

 

[Joseph10]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

I agree with pingman. Your picture is showing that the catch is not grabbing up under the ball. Maybe you have a coupler with a bad design?

I have never seen one look like that. That is definitely the problem.

Joseph

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

I kind of wonder why so many people seem to walk their boat to the dock? I've seen very few people do that in the laes that I boat in, and usually when the significant other doesn't know how to operate a boat or it's one person by themselves.

Normally, once the trailer wheel wells are at the top of the water and the boat stern is floating (bow still attached at the winch strap) we start the engine and then once it's been idling for 15-20 seconds we release the bow strap and BACK the boat off the trailer guides. It's always nice and easy, no real fighting of the current or winds since the engine is pulling us where we want to go. One person backs/stays in the truck, everyone else is in the boat. The truck gets parked, and the boat is pulled up to the dock or shore to let the driver onboard.

We do the same with retrieving the boat, one person in the boat, the rest in the truck. The boat is idled up to the trailer, and someone attached the winch strap to the bow eye and pulled however far it is needed. On windy retrievals, we attach a rope to the bow eye and power up to the trailer, but we toss the bow rope to someone at the truck to assist in holding the bow from the current while the boat operator uses the engine to control the stern drift. Works like a charm.

On the coupler issue, that coupler latch doesn't seem to grip the ball down by the shack where it should. Either it is a poor coupler design or the coupler and hitch ball are mismatched. The coupler clasp should grab the underside of the hitch ball, with no possible way for the hitch ball to slide past. If the latch is just gripping the sides of the hitch ball, something is wrong.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Well, I can promise you this. You will get better at it! In a few months of use, you'll be just as efficient as those fisherman, just keep at it.

Ok, others have said they unhook the safety chain and just hit the brakes and let the boat sail off the back. I personally would never ever do that, roller trailer or bunks. I've witnessed boats falling off the back of the trailer on the ramp on the way to launch them on both types of trailers.

First one, roller trailer...didn't anticipate that the ramp they were using, and unfamiliar with, was much steeper than their normal one...rolled right off onto the ramp.

2nd, bunk trailer, kid on a bike rides right behind the trailer...owner (rightfully so) hits the brakes right as he's picking up steam, launches the boat to nowhere...

My procedure is to back the boat into the lake until the stern is floating, then I unhook the safety chain, push the boat off and my wife either takes off with the boat and comes back to the dock when I'm ready, or we both tie it off at the dock (if the ramp isn't busy).

99% of all ramp folks are going to give you the time you need, as long as your not just sitting there standing around. As long as you're trying, or doing something, you'll be fine. Just be purposeful, and if you need help from your ramp neighbor ask, I know I'm always willing to lend a hand...b/c I was new to this too.

I know that lake pretty well, but its been a while. I grew up 30 miles from it.

 

[Polar_Bus]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

You already said it was a dodge...no further explanation needed.

You got me there, I wish I could argue with you about how great my Dodge is, but bottom line I'll NEVER buy another one...... what a waste of $19K (used ) compared to an equivalant Chevy/GMC.....

(i'm getting off topic, I apoligise, no more posts O/T)

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

My procedure is to back the boat into the lake until the stern is floating, then I unhook the safety chain, push the boat off and my wife either takes off with the boat and comes back to the dock when I'm ready, or we both tie it off at the dock (if the ramp isn't busy).

Ok, I have to ask: how long was it before you trusted your wife to move the boat away from the dock, and then gently nudge up to it again to pick you up? I am NOT sexist, but my wife leaves all the vehicle/engine/equipment "stuff" to me, whether it's cars, boats, lawn mowers, etc. I'm a little nervous that the first time she comes back to pick me up she'll put a hole in the boat by ramming into the dock. I know, I know...practice makes perfect. But it's those first few practice sessions that I'm worried about. And again, MY wife just isn't into that stuff, though she'd probably try if she felt it was necessary. I agree that most of the fishermen that were launching that Friday night were doing it exactly the same way. Guy # 1 would pull the boat away from the docks, then pull up two minutes later to pick up Guy # 2 that had parked the truck/trailer.

I made an appointment for this Friday to take the Pilot/trailer into a trailer sales/repair shop about five miles from our house. We'll see what they say!

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Ok, I have to ask: how long was it before you trusted your wife to move the boat away from the dock, and then gently nudge up to it again to pick you up? I am NOT sexist, but my wife leaves all the vehicle/engine/equipment "stuff" to me, whether it's cars, boats, lawn mowers, etc. I'm a little nervous that the first time she comes back to pick me up she'll put a hole in the boat by ramming into the dock. I know, I know...practice makes perfect. But it's those first few practice sessions that I'm worried about. And again, MY wife just isn't into that stuff, though she'd probably try if she felt it was necessary. I agree that most of the fishermen that were launching that Friday night were doing it exactly the same way. Guy # 1 would pull the boat away from the docks, then pull up two minutes later to pick up Guy # 2 that had parked the truck/trailer.

I made an appointment for this Friday to take the Pilot/trailer into a trailer sales/repair shop about five miles from our house. We'll see what they say!

Agreed, my wife knows how to run the boat back to shore in an emergency (I am hurt or something) right to the proper starting procedure...however she's not equipped to try and land at the dock. Heck she refuses to drive the truck without the trailer except to work and back which is a few blocks of no traffic....and the last time she took the wheel of the boat while I was retrieving a fish at trolling speed had us beached...I still don't know how that happened!


Ian

 

[Joseph10]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

I'm a little nervous that the first time she comes back to pick me up she'll put a hole in the boat by ramming into the dock.

Yeah, I hear you there!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Anyone who is old enough to operate the boat by themselves legally should understand how to operate the boat. That includes starting procedures, use of trim, lake/waterway rules, and docking procedures. At the vry least they should be able to understand verbal commands from the person who just backed the trailer in.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

My wife is the same way as others have written in this thread; she's heard all the horror stories and doesn't want to be the brunt of another one.

One thing she does do, however, is park the 4Runner and trailer after the boat is unloaded. And she does a great job of it, too.

We were out on Lake Waconia this afternoon and I asked if she would like to drive the boat and practice slow speed maneuvering. Nope. My hope was that when we returned to the launch I could jump off and she could stand the boat off shore a ways while I back the trailer in; and maybe she could approach the trailer for me to hook the strap on. Instead, I had to park the boat at the courtesy dock and do everything myself. But I DID remark to her about her OUTSTANDING parking job.

"You can say all the nice things you want, but I'm still not taking any chances with the boat!"

Still laughing...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

Well backing a triler is a lot harder for most people than operaing a boat at idle speeds. I have seen people who were never taught how to back a trailer (guys and girls) get angry very quickly. If you have the time and can convince your wife to let you teach her how to operate the boat to get it on the trailer, it would give her a big sense of accomplishment and purpose. Even if it takes her 4-5 tries on a non-busy weekday evening, it would be worth it.

Then she will have the confidence to do it more often and save you lots of time and running around between the trailer and the boat!

 

[pingman]

Re: Major mistake at ramp - need advice

After reading these posts, I feel real lucky. My wife can drive the boat and back the truck/trailer. But, she perfers to back the truck/trailer down the ramp. Especially, on windy days.