scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

[salmonee]

I'm looking at a 18' striper. My biggest fear is this being my first boat and the thing will come flying off the trailer because I forgot something. I really like the boat but am scared to death of the trailer. As I understand the rollers should allow the boat to launch easier. What are the key importance in owning a boat with roller trailer?

 

[arks]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

Roller trailers aren't any different than bunks as far as securing boats to them. The bow is held by the winch cable (with an additional safety chain), and the stern should have a strap from each towing eye to the trailer. Tighten 'em down and you're all set.
Might make you feel better to stop after a few miles and double-check them, too.
Just do it.....

 

[triumphrick]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

Just wait until you're at one of those ramps and you have a long way to winch the boat. About that time you'll be thanking yourself for buying a boat with the roller trailer. Look, you don't HAVE to be one of those people we will see on you tube because you backed down a steep ramp with no safety chain. I treat my boat with the roller trailer the same way I treat my boat with bunks. The winch line and safety chain stay on until I am down at the waterline and ready to launch. Good luck!

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

I can readily identify with what you are going through. We got our first boat last year, and the trailer came with rollers.

My first preference was bunk because when I went to the various boat launches to watch how everyone launched and recovered their boats they all had bunk trailers. Recovery was pretty simple. They would simply drive their boat up onto the bunks and it would pretty much park itself. One guy didn't even fasten the bow strap until after his wife drove the rig off the ramp and out of the way. Slick!

I soon learned why various dealers were steering me to rollers. The water level in some of the lakes in our area have been a tad below normal in the last few years. You can't always get a trailer deep enough to drive the boat on, which means you may have to fasten the bow cleat with the winch strap almost fully extended.

On a bunk trailer, that means you have to crank the boat onto and along the bunks for the length of the trailer. Sore arms.

On a roller, however, you have to do the same thing, but the rollers provide less resistance as the hull moves along towards the bow stop. Much, much easier on the arms.

At a lake up north I had to take turns with a guy cranking his boat onto his bunk trailer, but had no problems getting our boat on our roller trailer by myself.

But you're right about being concerned about your boat flying off. I was, too, in the beginning. It's really just a training issue. I don't let the safety chain off until the trailer is backed in when launching, and always fasten the safety chain before pulling the boat and trailer out upon recovery.

You'll be fine. Hope this helps. - Ken

 

[salmonee]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

Let me see if I understand. The boat is strapped to the trailer with 2 safety items: 1) winch strap and 2) safety chains? I thought the safety chains folks were referring to was the safety chain from the trailer to the hitch? I was like, how is that going to stop my boat from flying off the trailer.

I don't see how launching the boat with roller is better when water level is low and you have a long ramp. If the water is low, won't the boat hit the ground/pavement anyhow?

 

[donnyskz1]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

I Have Had Both Type Trailers And I Really Like The Roller Trailer Better When I Had A Problem With My Boat It Is A 23 Foot Wellcraft Cuddy Cabin I Had To Crank It Up On The Trailer The Full Length Of The Boat And Because I Had The Rollers It Was Not That Difficult. If I Would Have Had The Bunks I Dont Think I Could Have Gotten It Up At All. I Also Have No Problem Driving The Boat On The Trailer Either Because Of The Location Of The Rollers It Still Self Lines Itself On The Trailer.

 

[jkust]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

I was fortunate enough that the guy who bought my boat new got the upgraded roller trailer. I am so glad he did since he only trailered it 3 miles. I can attest to the benefits of a roller trailer. My boat is as heavy as they get for its LOA and it goes on and off smooth as silk. That is great but the real advantage is since I have an inadequate minivan as a tow vehicle, the roller trailer is perfect. You dont have to get the hull in the water at all to launch or retreive which means the van doesn't need to get wet which also generally helps at the shallow accesses. In fact the trailer instructions say to only get the water line up to the bottom of the trailer fender. Usually the water depth at the very end of the trailer is deep enought that the draft of the boat is not a problem. The great part is ensuring the waterline is up to the bottom of the fender is like a gauge so you know the boat won't hit the lake bottom. I have gotten many a look and comment as to why am I launching without getting the hull wet from the bunk people. Then they see the method to the roller trailer madness and realize the roller trailer offers advantages. Being new to trailering a boat (but not to boating) the roller trailer is a big help and makes you just a little more competant at the ramp. Upon retrieval, the rollers allign the hull perfect no matter how crooked you set it which is also a big help when windy. Roller trailers are like a carb I/O compared to MPI...you don't absolutly have to have it but once you do you wouldn't go back.
Get the roller version if you can...you will be glad you did.

 

[mthieme]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

I have both type of trailers. For a larger heavier boat, rollers - hands down.
For smaller lighter boats, either way - I prefer bunks 14' and under which might have keel rollers. Also hull type can be a deciding criterion too. A flat bottom or sailboat lends itself better to sitting on a bunk.

 

[crb478]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

Let me see if I understand. The boat is strapped to the trailer with 2 safety items: 1) winch strap and 2) safety chains? I thought the safety chains folks were referring to was the safety chain from the trailer to the hitch? I was like, how is that going to stop my boat from flying off the trailer.

I don't see how launching the boat with roller is better when water level is low and you have a long ramp. If the water is low, won't the boat hit the ground/pavement anyhow?

To hold the boat to the trailer you have the winch strap, either fabric or a cable, and then the safety chain that goes through the bow eye also. In the stern you should also have a strap on each corner to hold the stern tight to the trailer. You need to have the stern straps attached anytime you are driving down the road. They will help keep the boat in place during sudden stops and if you are hit from behind. The safety chains on the tounge of the trailer are there to keep the trailer attached to the tow vehicle.

When you have a shallow ramp you will not be able to float the boat over the trailer. Often only the back of the trailer will be under water. In that case you can get the bow of the boat started on the trailer, but then you have to winch it up to the bow stop. That is where the roller trailer has an advantage, it takes less effort to winch. On an 18 foot boat you can use either. I personally like bunk trailers over rollers for their overall support, but would take a roller trailer anytime.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

I preffer roller trailers hands down. You can haul/launch from shallower water and with less effort. As with most trailers, you need to fins the sweet spot for trailer depth to get consistancy in performance but once you do, you'll love it.
BTW, not all roller trailers are equal. Some are poorly set up and cheaply rigged. IF your's doesn't allow you to push that boat off one handed, consider upgrading to new (yellow) urathane rollers. They are much slicker and cut the effort in half.

 

[ziggy]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

yep, pretty much what others say is right on.
my new to me boat came with my first roller trailer too. i had no idea if i'd like it or not. so far, after 2+ seasons, i like it. only other thing i'll add, is that launching is easy too. trailer fenders at water level, unhook the safety chain and bow strap and give it a mild push. off she comes....

 

[cbavier]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

"The winch line and safety chain stay on until I am down at the waterline and ready to launch".

This is really important because on an incline the boat can roll off the trailer if you disconnect the strap/ cable before reaching the water line. So since I have to get out of the truck anyway. I just leave the safety chain attached to the bow eye also. I load and unload by myself and prefer to do it alone unless of crosswinds. Then it can become a challenge, especially if it's blowing you away from the dock. The Calkins trailer has cradles that rock as well as the the rollers that tilt so loading is a breeze and it does self align almost every time. Make sure also that you hook the safety chain to the bow eye before you pull the boat up the ramp. Just in case the strap were to break. Once the boat is almost out of the water I get out and make sure the boat is properly aligned on the trailer before pulling it out the rest of the way. I only had to back in and re-align it once in the past four years. Also if there is no one else waiting to launch or retrieve I wash the hull off with lake water and an old towel right at the launch before pulling away. that only takes a few seconds and gets all the scum, slime or dirt off easily while the boat is still wet. Mine stays in the water three weeks at a time so it does get a scum line but that washes off easy while still wet.

 

[45Auto]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

I've got both types of trailers, bunk and roller. 22' has bunks, 16' has rollers. I personally prefer bunks because I feel they support the boat better. Makes no difference to me which one I'm using. Leave the bow strap and front safety chain on while you're launching, hook them up before pulling out when you're coming in.

I've never launched anywhere that either type made any difference. No problems with any kind of water shortage in southern Louisiana .....

When coming in I back either trailer in far enough so that the boat idles onto the trailer and stops a foot or two before the bow stop, shut down and tilt up the motor, then winch it that last little bit. Can't really tell any difference between bunks or roller.

They make some kind of "slick spray" you can spray on bunks to supposedly make them as slippery as rollers if you feel the need.

The winch strap and safety chain are better than nothing, but if you really want your boat to stay on the trailer put a turnbuckle up front to hold it down. Mine came from Champion Trailers. It also allows you to back off on the winch strap so it's not under tension all the time. Most heavy duty winch posts have a place to attach it at the bottom, or they make a u-bolt bracket if your winch post doesn't have one.

The turnbuckle holds the front of the boat down against the bow stop on the winch post and keeps it from coming forward if you hit something, the tie-down straps hold the back down and keep the boat from moving backwards on the trailer.

I prefer not to have my boat coming through the back window if anything happens ............

 

[CATransplant]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

Don't worry about a roller trailer. Just make sure you keep the winch strap and safety chain attached to the bow eye when you back down the ramp. Release them when you're ready to push the boat off. Attach them again before towing up the ramp when you retrieve.

Use the stern straps religiously, but don't forget to remove them before backing down the ramp to launch. You can put them back on after retrieving when you get to the parking lot or staging area.

As a new boater, you'll thank your stars that you bought a roller trailer. Launch and retrieve on a pure bunk trailer takes practice before you get it right every time. Roller trailers make it all pretty easy.

Remember this rule with a roller trailer: Launch deep; Retrieve shallow.

What that means is that you can back in until the boat floats a bit for the launch. On the retrieve, don't back in so far...let the rollers bring your boat back on the trailer. I back down until the rear roller is just above the water line, then crank the boat onto the trailer.

 

[H8tank]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

I think you should consider a new hobby salmon. I think this is causing you too much stress.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: scared of buying boat w/ roller trailer

Rollers are great in my book. Just follow the safety steps that have been spelled out already, especially the safety chain.