Boat doesn't load evenly onto trailer at launch ramp!
 

At the end of last summer, being brand new to boats (power boats) and
trailering (any kind of boat), I was getting a little frustrated with
putting my boat back onto the trailer. I could never get it to sit right;
it was always too close to the right wheel well and lower on that side.

Finally today I realized as I backed my boatless trailer into position, that
the ramp is uneven; tilted! That's why the boat always ends up the same
lopsided way every time. Now all I have to do is figure out how to modify
the positioning onto the trailer to get it to set evenly. Summer project.
;) Maybe a remote control wireless winch so that I can hang onto the left
side of the boat as it makes it's way to the bow rollers. Just kidding, so
don't start sending me links for such an animal if it exists.

Boat doesn't load evenly onto trailer at launch ramp!
 

I thought everyone knew that you just put a larger wheel/tire on the
downhill side of the trailer.... or a smaller one..... you get the idea, eh?

Butch
"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 03 Jun 2006 02:06:01 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

At the end of last summer, being brand new to boats (power boats) and
trailering (any kind of boat), I was getting a little frustrated with
putting my boat back onto the trailer. I could never get it to sit right;
it was always too close to the right wheel well and lower on that side.

Finally today I realized as I backed my boatless trailer into position,
that
the ramp is uneven; tilted! That's why the boat always ends up the same
lopsided way every time. Now all I have to do is figure out how to modify
the positioning onto the trailer to get it to set evenly. Summer project.
;) Maybe a remote control wireless winch so that I can hang onto the left
side of the boat as it makes it's way to the bow rollers. Just kidding,
so
don't start sending me links for such an animal if it exists.

Most ramps have a tilt to one side or the other. The trick is to
either find the place where the ramp is level, or slightly turn your
trailer such that it leans (tilts) slightly in the opposite direction
of the ramp tilt. Also, if don't completely submerge the trailer -
leave enough out so that the boat can self center on it's strakes when
it is winched up. All this comes with practice.

I might also widen out the bunks if you have them or do the same with
rollers if you have them. A little more width will probably solve
some of the self centering problem.

Boat doesn't load evenly onto trailer at launch ramp!
 

Butch Davis wrote:
I thought everyone knew that you just put a larger wheel/tire on the
downhill side of the trailer.... or a smaller one..... you get the idea, eh?

Butch


....or carry a floor trolly jack in the bed of your pickup. When
retrieving, drag it out and jackup the low side.

Boat doesn't load evenly onto trailer at launch ramp!
 

"Butch Davis" wrote in message
.net...
I thought everyone knew that you just put a larger wheel/tire on the
downhill side of the trailer.... or a smaller one..... you get the idea,
eh?

Butch

Bunch of wiseguys, eh.

Since I obviously don't want to drive a trailer that has different sized
wheels, but the suggestion seems logical, I've thought of an alternative
solution.
I'm going to mount a roll of duct tape on a roller behind the downside
wheel. Then when I'm retrieving the boat I'll attach the tape to the tire
and it can wrap onto the tire as I drive to the prep area; this should give
me the extra inch or two of wheel height I need when the trailer is in the
water. When I leave I can attach the tape to the dock and driving away will
unwrap the tape leaving me with equal wheels again.

Thanks guys, couldn't have thought of it without you!

Boat doesn't load evenly onto trailer at launch ramp!
 

Bryan,

Now you're thinking like a trailer boater, hombre. Way to go!

Butch
"Bryan" wrote in message
.net...

"Butch Davis" wrote in message
.net...
I thought everyone knew that you just put a larger wheel/tire on the
downhill side of the trailer.... or a smaller one..... you get the idea,
eh?

Butch

Bunch of wiseguys, eh.

Since I obviously don't want to drive a trailer that has different sized
wheels, but the suggestion seems logical, I've thought of an alternative
solution.
I'm going to mount a roll of duct tape on a roller behind the downside
wheel. Then when I'm retrieving the boat I'll attach the tape to the tire
and it can wrap onto the tire as I drive to the prep area; this should
give me the extra inch or two of wheel height I need when the trailer is
in the water. When I leave I can attach the tape to the dock and driving
away will unwrap the tape leaving me with equal wheels again.

Thanks guys, couldn't have thought of it without you!

Boat doesn't load evenly onto trailer at launch ramp!
 

"Butch Davis" wrote in message
k.net...
Bryan,

Now you're thinking like a trailer boater, hombre. Way to go!

Butch

I thought about just letting the air out of the upside tire and reinflating
after reloading, but duct tape is so much more fun.