Ramp Loading

[captainron19]

So probably a stupid question but here it goes anyway...

New to trailering and ramp use. No problems with loading boat in the water but the last couple of times I have loaded my boat it seems to always be crooked on the trailer. I think this is mainly due to the fact that I am backing my trailer too far into the water and the boat is not catching the rollers when it should.

What is the rule of thumb for how far to back in when loading onto a roller trailer? Should the rollers be right at the water level or just under it? If I am not backed in far enough I am worried about the possibility of putting too much strain on the front bow connection for the winch.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Ramp Loading

I use my fenders as a guide...and every ramp is different.

Just trial and error...every boat/trailer/truck combo is different also.

I personally use my fenders as a reference when backing down, because I can see them. My rear rollers are just a little submerged under normal conditions. Don't worry about your bow eye...it's designed to take the weight of the winch pulling the boat all the way up.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Ramp Loading

+1 on the fenders. My perfect launch and retrieval is just the top 2 or 3 inches of my fenders sticking out of the water.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Ramp Loading

I keep my bunks about 1/3 of the way out of the water when loading. Otherwise the boat may end up canted on the trailer. But like you have heard, every boat/trailer combo is different.

If winching becomes too strenuous, you can always back up a little bit once the boat is half on the bunks. I will usually winch up a few feet and then back up a foot or 2 to make it easier. By that time the bow is already lined up and sitting properly on the trailer.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Ramp Loading

captainron, are you winching on or driving on. It will make a difference. I do not drive on because the ramp I use is way to shallow so I can't give any ins and outs of driving on. Though from the sounds of it you are winching.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Ramp Loading

I had this problem because I had to back in deep to get the winch to pull it up. I replaced the crappy winch with a heavy duty two speed and now I just leave a bit of fender showing and can winch it up easily with no more problems.

 

[captainron19]

Re: Ramp Loading

Yes I am winching it on..... just got back from a little outing and took the advice from you guys and didnt pull in as far (just enough for my fenders to be out of the water) and rollers right at the water line and it came on as straight as an arrow - THANKS!

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Ramp Loading

I'm still in the re-learning phase with my boat. After using the much heavier boats at work, that we routinely power loaded, I naturally assumed power loading was the only way to do it. Lately I've discovered (actually by accident) that with my little "tinney" (maybe 800 lbs. tops) that I don't have to back in very far at all to retrieve. All I have to do is get the bow on the rear roller and I can winch it up the rest of the way very easily - and I don't even have to get wet.

Now launching is another story. I have to get my pickup's rear wheels right to the water line to do that.

 

[jkust]

Re: Ramp Loading

Well, the manual for my Shorelandr roller trailer states that you back it in until the water is right at that horizontal bottom part of the fender toward the front of the fender not the back part.. In other words the fender itself never actually touches the water if there were no waves. As it turns out, that is the perfect level for easy loading. The key though is that if for some reason one trailer wheel is slightly higher than the other, you can have possible slight issues. Roller trailers can be trouble if you use them light a bunk trailer.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Ramp Loading

You might consider adding some upright guides to your trailer. I have them on mine and they really help centering my boat when loading.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Ramp Loading

mine seems to work best when I back in till the rear top of the fender is at water level. Again, it is all trial and error for you set-up. Keep practicing till you get it right and remember where the water point is on your fender. Then it will be perfect everytime you use that ramp. But remember, a different ramp with a different angle of entry will mean you will have to adjust your back-in distance.

 

[MN Sun]

Re: Ramp Loading

I back my trailer in until just the rearmost rollers are under the water. Boat tracks up right up the center using the winch. I have had problems getting mine centered if I back in the water too far. Boat tends to float around and not sit where it should.