Trailer Loading

[gibbywmu2000]

Hello,

I'm sure this has been posted before, but I have a boat trailer loading question. I've had my boat for several years, and have no problems getting it loaded and straight on the bunks. My problem lies at the front, near the roller. When the trailer is dipped in the water, I just drive it right on, then get off and crank what little remainder is left until the boat touches the roller. I then crank a bit more for a tight fit, and secure with safety chain. Problem is, when I pull it out of the water and get on level surface, I look and the boat is about 2" back off the roller, which results in "bouncing" while trailering. Is there something basic I am missing here? It's not like I can snug it up after its out of the water and on level surface.

Scott

 

[sr54x4]

You should be able to winch it when it is on flat ground and out of the water right up to the roller stop. I have a roller trailer and do it all the time. My uncle has a bunk trailer and just last weekend the same thing happened and I winched it back up the few inches it shifted back after we pulled it from the water.

 

[gibbywmu2000]

It's a bunk trailer, and I've tried before to winch it up after its out of the water and on level ground. My boat weighs about 3200 lbs (dry), so I think it a bit too heavy to get it back right up on the rollers. Any other suggestions?

 

[Outsider]

Two-speed winch, or don't back the trailer in so far. It's an 'angles thing ...

 

[Scott Danforth]

dont back it in as far, or crank it a few more inches when your trailer is still in the water.

 

[kjsAZ]

or spray the bunks with some of the sprays they offer to make them a bit more slippery. Will hold for a while then you have to apply again.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Electronic winch..that can move 3300lbs

 

[Mi duckdown]

What outsider posted. Got Good pics of boat on trailer?

 

[bassman284]

Or winch it up to the bow stop, pull your truck ahead a foot or two until the boat settles down to the bunks, but is still being partially floated and crank it up the rest of the way.

 

[frantically relaxing]

My thought is, the boat is settling into its "home" position on the bunks, where it seems to be comfortable.

Solution: Move and adjust the bow stop to fit where the boat settles. Tighten the winch, the bouncing should stop, You'll likely find loading up will be even easier than before.

 

[frantically relaxing]

dupe...

 

[gibbywmu2000]

No Title

Here is the picture. As mentioned, I've tried just about everything. I've even gotten it a few more feet out of the water, but I've cranked it as far as I physically can. Maybe a tie down like I've read on other forums to secure the bow outlet to the trailer somewhere will use more downward force to hold it?

 

[airshot]

If you are not able to crank the last couple inches while setting on the trailer on level ground tells me you need a bigger winch. I have no trouble winching my 22' on the trailer and I am 64 yrs old. As for the safety chain for the bow eye.....do it....in the case of a panic stop or sudden stop involving an accident you do not want that boat climbing the winch stand and come forward. Look on youtube it happens all the time. A good piece of chain with a clip adjusted to just barely reach the bow eye from the trailer frame (centered) should be a requirement for safe trailering.

 

[oldjeep]

You should be able to winch it when it is on flat ground and out of the water right up to the roller stop. I have a roller trailer and do it all the time. My uncle has a bunk trailer and just last weekend the same thing happened and I winched it back up the few inches it shifted back after we pulled it from the water.

I don't think that is going to work for most boats. You sure as heck are not going to move my boat like that.

 

[oldjeep]

My thought is, the boat is settling into its "home" position on the bunks, where it seems to be comfortable.

Solution: Move and adjust the bow stop to fit where the boat settles. Tighten the winch, the bouncing should stop, You'll likely find loading up will be even easier than before.

Bow stops on trailers that were built for the boat are not adjustable.

 

[phillyg]

I had the exact same problem with my 21' Sea Hunt on a Continental trailer. I determined the front "v" guide (about 4' behind the bow) was 2" below the keel of the boat. After adjusting the "v" guide up to the keel and adjusting the bow roller to the correct position (so the winch strap is horizontal when hooked to the bow eye), and making sure the bow was really tight against the roller, it no longer bounces. You definitely do not want or need to pull the bow down by using a strap.

 

[tjatech]

^phillyg has a good point.

Might also have someone watch it as you pull out of the water to see if the winch is moving, strap/rope stretching or what. With my setup, if I crank the boat just until it hits the front stop, when I pull it out of the water the strap tightens up on the winch enough to let it slide back an inch or so. I really have to ream on it before I pull it out of the water to get it to stay put. But may be a case of needing to adjust the bow roller position in my case as well...

 

[smokeonthewater]

The problem here is that you are backing in too far.... probably way too far.... as the stern of the boat settles onto the trailer the strap gets looser....

If you need to understand it, with the boat off the trailer, hook your strap to the middle of a stick in the approximate position of the bow of the boat against the stop, raise the aft end of the stick a couple inches and snug down the strap with the winch... then lower the aft end of the stick a couple inches as if the back of the boat were floating above the trailer and had settled down on it.... You will see a loose strap... couple that with the rearward pull as you accelerate up the ramp and the picture should clear up.