"Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

[E_S_A_D]

Hello All... My first post, hope to be back often. After about 7 years out of boating, we're back in it. Bought a 15 foot trihull with a 50 horse Johnson to do some boating/ fishing on.

I'll be towing it with a Subaru Forester. Here's my question... has anyone ever seen a trailer that has a mount to the ball that 'screws on'. It twists, which engages or losens the clasp onto the ball itself. I've never seen this until this old trailer. Is there any way to lock these once they're tightened?

Also, it doesn't have a safety chain, but it sounds like I can just mount one to the frame itself.

I think these forums are going to be a great resource. I hope to contribute as well, as I've worked 5 summers at a harbor / marina on Lake Huron during college.

Thanks all!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

You used to see them a lot on u-haul trailers. Normally there was a tab that you had to push down to get the knob to loosen up.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

Yes it's an old style mount.....and they work. GET SOME safety chains and attach them to the trailer.

 

[insearch]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

Is this it, I have one on mine too

 

[lncoop]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

I have one on my party barge trailer (2000 model) and I love it. It just feels really secure to me. You MUST add safety chains though, which I'm sure you already know. Welcome to iboats!

 

[BigB9000]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

It may be old and difficult to work, but I prefer it.

The new latch/idiot proof ones are pretty crappy. Lots of lifting and shaking to get them on and off once the rust starts setting in.

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

Don't have to wait for rust; they work pretty crappy right out of the box! I bought a delux (more expensive) one and it still leaves groove marks in my fingers trying to get it on and off.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

That's great news, that it's a good quality latch. Thanks all. There's a tab to release it? I haven't picked up the boat yet, how does that work?

 

[lncoop]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

You just hold it down with the other hand.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: "Old Fashioned" Boat Trailer Mount

Without seeing the part, it's hard to know exactly what you have there.

We recently rented a UHaul trailer that had a hitch that resembles the one you describe. If I remember correctly, some units of that style were designed to tighten down over various size balls and not just one size as with most hitches.