Roller trailer tips needed.

[109jb]

I just bought a fiberglass V-hull that is sitting on an EZ-loader roller trailer. So far I've had it out twice and the second time was by myself. First time was no problem, but when I was by myself it was a real pain to load the boat back on the trailer. I'm used to bunk trailers and have never had much problem with bunks except for shallow water launches and retrieves. With this roller trailer I wound up having to leave the outboard in gear at idle to keep the boat from rolling back off the trailer while I hooked up the winch strap. I fish in a river and the current didn't help. I couldn't think of anything else and I really don't like leaving the motor in gear so I can get out and hook it up. I do a fair amount of fishing by myself so I need to find a solution to this. I am considering converting to a bunk trailer but wanted to check to see if anyone had some tips for one-man loading with the roller trailer first before I go that route. Anyone have tips for me?

Thanks,

John B.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

Roller trailers are not made for "motoring on". They are designed for the boat to be winched into place.

I tie a rope to the bow and walk around and back out on the tongue of the trailer an pull the boat as far forward as it will go. I then attached the strap and winch it the rest of the way on to the trailer.

 

[109jb]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

Thanks. Not driving on is difficult where I usually launch. I launch in a river that can at times have a pretty strong current with no break-wall to slow it down. Guide ons are pretty much mandatory. Walking a boat on there would be a real PITA. Your post makes me think that bunks are going to be the way to go.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

You may be right about switching back to bunks. I've never used them so I wouldn't know. I've only used roller trailers but haven't had any problems, even on rivers when the current is pushing the tail of the boat away. To be honest I think that it just takes some time to get your system down. I wouldn't let one PITA experience sour you on the roller style. Give it some time and if you get to the end of the season and decide that it still sucks, then switch back to bunks.

I have a 16.5' fishing boat so it's not much of a problem for me to pull and push it around, then winch it onto the trailer. If I'm winching it up and the stern is crooked, I just push it back out and then winch it back on. I like the easy of operation with the rollers.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

I have seen some roller trilers where the folks put on the boat buddies. They are a latch device that latches the bow eye as you get it onto the trailer. They seemed to work real good but I do not know their reputation.

Most of them that I have seen are installed in tandom with the winch strap for the just in case.... Here is a link to one I just found. http://www.kodiaktrailer.com/content/view/14/31/

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

personally i prefer bunk trailers, i've had both. tight guide ons are a must. i have mine set with only 1 inch clearance. the boat has no where to go but the right place. I also like 2 self centering keel rollers, this puts the bow where it belongs. i just idle up the trailer. http://www.iboats.com/Self_Centerin...16134802--**********.431989646--view_id.56624

 

[109jb]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

I'll probably try it a few more times, but with my old boat with the bunk trailer I could drive on, jump out of the boat and winch it the last foot or so and drive away from the ramp in about 2 minutes. My first experience with the roller had me fighting that sucker for about 10 minutes.

If I do switch, what I'm actually thinking of doing is just removing the rollers and welding up some bunk brackets that slide on the roller axles. Instead of 16 rollers, I would have 8 bunks about 2 feet long each. I could also leave some of the rollers in-place and have a hybrid with bunks and rollers. What do you guys think of that idea??

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

sounds like a good way to hole your boat if one of the bunks, get misaligned.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

I have an E-Z Loader on my outfit. It is very easy to use and I have had no issues at all. A big key to your success or failure comes from knowing your particular outfit. Trailer depth in the water and getting the winch hook in place are vital. With my outfit I submerge the mudguards on the trailer by about 1 inch, attach the winch, bring the front of the keel in line with the front roller and just on. (at this point the stern is still slightly floating) then a light push to centre the stern and within 2 turns of the winch the boat is on the trailer and centred. Pull her up the ramp and prepare for the journey.
Tried a few different depths to see what was the best when the ramp was quiet one day. You will get better with a little practice.
Good luck and let us all know how you go on.
Ken

 

[109jb]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

Thanks, I hadn't thought about that, but on the trailer I have, the roller assemblies only pivot side to side, not front to back, and I could put some stops to limit how far they can pivot to the outside. How would that be?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

Thanks, I hadn't thought about that, but on the trailer I have, the roller assemblies only pivot side to side, not front to back, and I could put some stops to limit how far they can pivot to the outside. How would that be?

Mine only pivot side to side as well. They will fit great if you follow the steps I posted above. BUT, remember to experiment with the depth.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

The trailer is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. Not only does it unload easier, it is easier to load as well. People not used to roller trailers do one of two things wrong. 1) They back in too far or 2) they don't back in far enough. That varies somewhat with steepness of the ramp but generally, you need to back a roller trailer in only so the water just touches the bottom lip at the back of the fender. When launching yourself you merely tie a bow line from the bow eye to back of the trailer. You back in, touch the brake to float the boat, then pull ahead thus pulling the boat back to the ramp.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

The trailer is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. Not only does it unload easier, it is easier to load as well. People not used to roller trailers do one of two things wrong. 1) They back in too far or 2) they don't back in far enough. That varies somewhat with steepness of the ramp but generally, you need to back a roller trailer in only so the water just touches the bottom lip at the back of the fender. When launching yourself you merely tie a bow line from the bow eye to back of the trailer. You back in, touch the brake to float the boat, then pull ahead thus pulling the boat back to the ramp.

I will certainly second that...... depth, depth and depth are the most important things. Too far in and the stern is wagging all over the place...... not far enough and you are fighting to get it on the trailer.

 

[109jb]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

The trailer is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. Not only does it unload easier, it is easier to load as well. People not used to roller trailers do one of two things wrong. 1) They back in too far or 2) they don't back in far enough. That varies somewhat with steepness of the ramp but generally, you need to back a roller trailer in only so the water just touches the bottom lip at the back of the fender. When launching yourself you merely tie a bow line from the bow eye to back of the trailer. You back in, touch the brake to float the boat, then pull ahead thus pulling the boat back to the ramp.

Launching like that won't work unless the guys at the 3 ramps next to me don't mind my boat slamming into theirs. Also "...pulling the boat back to the ramp." means pulling my fiberglass boat into the concrete ramp. Not something I want to do.

I launch in a river with 4 parallel ramps with a pretty decent current. Once the boat is off the trailer there had better be someone in there driving it. Launching isn't the problem anyway, loading is. I either need some way to keep the boat from rolling backward off the trailer long enough to hook the winch to it, or one of the spring loaded catches for the bow eye, or something. Walking the boat on the trailer isn't an option either because the first ramp is not right next to the dock, not to mention that I may need to use one of the other 3 ramps due to traffic in the launch area. With the spring loaded catches my question is if you can still use the winch as a backup (IE: Motor failure and can't drive on). It is becoming clear to me that for one man loading the bunk trailer is the way to go. With my old boat I could drive up the bunks a bit and then just climb over the bow onto the trailer tongue, hook up the winch and pull it forward the rest of the way.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

There is a strong current in the Ruscom tiver where I usually put in and take out but I can still load up by myself no problem. As stated many times earlier in this thread, depth is vital. If there is only one ramp that is suitable for you then wait for that ramp !!!!
Another question for you is.....how do all the others cope ????? or do they all have bunk trailers ????
Watch and learn from the others.....or ask for help if it is impossible by yourself.

 

[109jb]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

There is a strong current in the Ruscom tiver where I usually put in and take out but I can still load up by myself no problem. As stated many times earlier in this thread, depth is vital. If there is only one ramp that is suitable for you then wait for that ramp !!!!
Another question for you is.....how do all the others cope ????? or do they all have bunk trailers ????
Watch and learn from the others.....or ask for help if it is impossible by yourself.

Please read my posts carefully. I have stated before that NONE OF THE RAMPS ARE NEXT TO A DOCK THAT WOULD ALLOW WALKING THE BOAT TO THE TRAILER. The point is that all of the ramps are the same and none are next to the dock. The closest you can get from ramp to dock is probably about 50 feet. THE ONLY WAY TO WALK THE BOAT FROM THE DOCK TO ANY OF THE RAMPS WOULD BE TO WADE OUT IN CHEST HIGH WATER. Most of the boats that launch there are launched and retrieved by more than one person. I fish alone many times and that is the problem. I have to be able to get the boat at least partially on the trailer without the current taking it off, or it rolling off the trailer long enough to get the winch hooked up. I can do it by leaving the motor in gear, but I really don't like that idea. I'm just going to switch to bunks and be done with it.

Edit: As I said, most are loaded by more than one person because they are pleasure boaters with a group of people gathered. All of the fisher types I've seen have bunk trailers. I'm sure there are some that have rollers, but I haven't seen them. I fish during the week and the boat launch can be lik a ghost town at 9:00 or 10:00 AM during the week, so getting help isn't always going to be possible.

 

[NolaZach]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

Maybe if you put an electric winch on your trailer. They have them with remote controls. You could winch back and you could winch on.

Altough I think bunks are better.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

Please read my posts carefully. I have stated before that NONE OF THE RAMPS ARE NEXT TO A DOCK THAT WOULD ALLOW WALKING THE BOAT TO THE TRAILER. The point is that all of the ramps are the same and none are next to the dock. The closest you can get from ramp to dock is probably about 50 feet. THE ONLY WAY TO WALK THE BOAT FROM THE DOCK TO ANY OF THE RAMPS WOULD BE TO WADE OUT IN CHEST HIGH WATER. Most of the boats that launch there are launched and retrieved by more than one person. I fish alone many times and that is the problem. I have to be able to get the boat at least partially on the trailer without the current taking it off, or it rolling off the trailer long enough to get the winch hooked up. I can do it by leaving the motor in gear, but I really don't like that idea. I'm just going to switch to bunks and be done with it.

Edit: As I said, most are loaded by more than one person because they are pleasure boaters with a group of people gathered. All of the fisher types I've seen have bunk trailers. I'm sure there are some that have rollers, but I haven't seen them. I fish during the week and the boat launch can be lik a ghost town at 9:00 or 10:00 AM during the week, so getting help isn't always going to be possible.

First time we had heard of the chest deep water thing. Well whatever works for you !!!! bunks it is then !!!!
Sounds like you need a different place to launch maybe if there is somewhere else ????
I was not trying to be rude by the way, just trying to help with your situation. Apparently in vain !!!!

 

[109jb]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

First time we had heard of the chest deep water thing. Well whatever works for you !!!! bunks it is then !!!!
Sounds like you need a different place to launch maybe if there is somewhere else ????
I was not trying to be rude by the way, just trying to help with your situation. Apparently in vain !!!!

No no. I didn't think anyone was being rude. I'm sure it was probably a case of my not explaining it fully. The ramp I use is actually very nice except for the fact that the dock is not right next to the ramp. No idea why they did that. Only thing I can think of is to keep the dock traffic separate from the launch traffic. On the weekends they need all 4 ramps, but during the week one ramp is all that is really needed.

I do appreciate the help. I just think I'm in a somewhat unique situation where my best option is to probably switch to either full bunks, or the partial bunk idea. I'm going to look at the trailer after dinner and see what I can think of.

Thanks again

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Roller trailer tips needed.

No no. I didn't think anyone was being rude. I'm sure it was probably a case of my not explaining it fully. The ramp I use is actually very nice except for the fact that the dock is not right next to the ramp. No idea why they did that. Only thing I can think of is to keep the dock traffic separate from the launch traffic. On the weekends they need all 4 ramps, but during the week one ramp is all that is really needed.

I do appreciate the help. I just think I'm in a somewhat unique situation where my best option is to probably switch to either full bunks, or the partial bunk idea. I'm going to look at the trailer after dinner and see what I can think of.

Thanks again

Good Luck with it and I hope you find a viable solution. Please keep us all informed of your progress.