Trouble Launching - would like to avoid powering off

[NHGuy]

Re: Trouble Launching - would like to avoid powering off

That extender looks pretty trick. If the ramp has an major crest then you'd back down the ramp to just before the trailer wheels touch water. Chock trailer wheels, disconnect coupler, pull tow vehicle away, extend hitch, reconnect to tow vehicle, pull up a tad, remove chocks, dunk. It's a couple of extra steps, but it's better than getting rid of a perfectly good X5.
If the ramp doesn't have a big crest you can do the extender while waiting for your turn at the ramp. And then pull the trailer away before stowing the extension so you don't block other ramp users.

 

[Shark_bait99]

Re: Trouble Launching - would like to avoid powering off

I'm not sure if the extender will work with my equalizer wdh. I definitely can't mount it to The swing tongue bc of the mounts from the wdh. Perhaps under the winch mount, as there is a flat surface there where I set the trailer on jack stands. Swing the tongue out of the way, then extend the hitch. I will lose a few feet by not mounting to the tongue, but I only need 2-3 more feet to get her to float.
This has a few pics of the hitch at the end.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/pdf/pta_l-bracketinstallation_0211.pdf

To protect a car from bottoming out on a curb I would take the curb at an angle. I don't know if this will help for a trailer?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Trouble Launching - would like to avoid powering off

The lake in Canada where I sometimes launch also has a very shallow ramp, making it very hard to launch. I got an 18" extension and it made a huge difference. I don't tow with the extension, but it is just enough to get the trailer deep enough to launch. It cost about $30. I have seen longer extensions online, but they are much pricier.

 

[Shark_bait99]

Re: Trouble Launching - would like to avoid powering off

Thanks for everyone's help. The teflon spray did the trick. Idled right off the trailer. An 18" extension that is removable would be a nice touch though.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Trouble Launching - would like to avoid powering off

I see you are good with the slip spray. Sometimes the easy way is best.
I just wanted to comment though because those extenders could be a nice help for someone who launches at a ramp with a shallow drop off, or a heavier stern (me). Or a lower tow vehicle with valuable electronics in the rear bumper (you).
If you were to use that extender you couldn't leave it on the swing tongue because it would not allow the tongue to pivot. I guess if you had to pivot you'd remove the extender when you needed to do that.
I took a look at your WDH link and I think you linked to something else. The link goes to an anti sway device. Whether you have that or a WDH fine. Just thought I'd make that remark for those trying to understand or considering taking this route.
Also, I hope you do not have surge brakes on your trailer because weight distribution and anti sway hitches are not compatible with surge systems I know of.
To answer another question with the extension you'd not have weight distribution (WD) for the back down & dunk. The extension goes on your ball by itself. I don't think that's an issue though. Most boat trailers don't have as much tongue weight as other trailers. To use it the right way you'd see what the tongue weight is on the boat trailer. If the vehicle hitch rating exceeds the tongue weight, you are OK. Not the tow rating, the hitch weight rating.
Where WD helps is away from the ramp when it puts some of the tongue load onto the front wheels. They are more essential with tow vehicles with long distances to the hitch from the rear axle, especially if the tongue weight is nearing the maximum hitch rating. Weight distribution hitches use levers and pivots on the hitch to push down on the front tow vehicle tires. This levels the tow vehicle suspension and corrects steering and braking issues you get with the unmanaged hitch load.
An antisway device helps whenever it is hooked up. It just helps keep the tow vehicle and trailer going the same way with less input from wind and other conditions.
I have an combination anti sway weight distribution hitch on a 6000 lb "ultralight" travel trailer. Without the WD it's dangerous, without the antisway it's miserable.

 

[Shark_bait99]

Re: Trouble Launching - would like to avoid powering off

I took a look at your WDH link and I think you linked to something else. The link goes to an anti sway device. Whether you have that or a WDH fine. Just thought I'd make that remark for those trying to understand or considering taking this route.
Also, I hope you do not have surge brakes on your trailer because weight distribution and anti sway hitches are not compatible with surge systems I know of.

The equalizer hitch is actually a wdh and sway control in one that works with surge brakes. Uses trunnions instead of chains so it does not restrict the forward and backward movement of the trailer coupler. Forward and backward movement compresses the coupler which activates the surge brakes.