Do you unplug your trailer when you dunk it?

Baja Guy · 06-17-2012, 09:43 PM

I bought my current boat about 4 years ago. Before that I had bought my family's boat when my dad got tired of keeping it up and became more of a sailor.
When I was water testing my boat back in 09 I noticed the seller disconnected the trailer plug before he submerged the trailer. I thought that's a pretty good idea, and have done it ever since, except once.
Do you think I am being too a _ _ _ retentive? Am I being proactive?. Or would you say it's not necessary?

gf2020 · 06-17-2012, 10:01 PM

I don't do it and it is not necessary.

WINNOCTURN · 06-18-2012, 05:19 AM

Some older trailers were not supplied with sealed lights and the direction specified not to submerge the trailer with the lights on. I would just for the heck of it check the owners manual.

jrc · 06-18-2012, 07:25 AM

My Dad always unplugged the trailer lights before dunking. He felt hot bulbs and cold water were a bad idea. If I trailered today, I would get those fancy LED lights, no heat.

My Mom always said the three biggest causes of divorce among boaters had to be trailering, anchoring and docking. I keep my boat in a slip, and have a windlass, so all I have to do now is learn how to dock.

4Fun · 06-18-2012, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja Guy

I bought my current boat about 4 years ago. Before that I had bought my family's boat when my dad got tired of keeping it up and became more of a sailor.
When I was water testing my boat back in 09 I noticed the seller disconnected the trailer plug before he submerged the trailer. I thought that's a pretty good idea, and have done it ever since, except once.
Do you think I am being too a _ _ _ retentive? Am I being proactive?. Or would you say it's not necessary?

If you have hydraulic brakes you probbaly should NOT unplug your lights. When backing up the signal from the reverse lights prevents the trailer brakes from engaging.
I can hardly move my trailer backwards if the plug is not in...

LIforrelaxin · 06-18-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Fun

If you have hydraulic brakes you probbaly should NOT unplug your lights. When backing up the signal from the reverse lights prevents the trailer brakes from engaging.
I can hardly move my trailer backwards if the plug is not in...

Most trailers with hydraulic brakes have an over ride for this purpose.......mine is a little lever I have to move up so that the coupler can't slide back... The other option is to get the trailer into position, and once it is going down hill down the ramp, pull the plug, and gravity will keep the brakes from engaging.

Now as for leaving you lights plugged in....the bottom line is this:

DO WHAT MAKES YOU COMFORTABLE!!!!!!

I personally unplug my lights... not because I have too, but because for years that what my family always did. I know my boat trailer has sealed lights, and so does my jetski trailer. But it is simple enough to just pull the plug, and it is part of the ramp procedure for me.

LIforrelaxin · 06-18-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

My Dad always unplugged the trailer lights before dunking. He felt hot bulbs and cold water were a bad idea. If I trailered today, I would get those fancy LED lights, no heat.

My Mom always said the three biggest causes of divorce among boaters had to be trailering, anchoring and docking. I keep my boat in a slip, and have a windlass, so all I have to do now is learn how to dock.

You could always ask at docking time, if your wife would like to try and do better?!?!?!?!?

:laug h:

Rangervx · 06-18-2012, 09:15 AM

personally i don't think it's necessary esp. since you more than likely have LED lights...also...agree with a few above in regards to brakes...i prob would rec., if you asked me specifically, not to remove plug

PC31 · 06-18-2012, 09:36 AM

I always unplug the lights. Hot bulb cold water and if there is any hint of a short it could blow the fuse.

chipj29 · 06-18-2012, 09:53 AM

Almost always. It seems that when I forget, I blow a bulb. Coincedence?

AC2717 · 06-18-2012, 10:27 AM

never thought of it to be honest, but i think it is a good idea on trailers that use bulbs instead of LED
i have a small crack in one of my jetski trailers lens, if water got in there and i hit the brake it would blow the bulb or fuze

thanks for the food for thought, I do agree though that led or sealed lights there should be no need

BroadHopper · 06-18-2012, 11:19 AM

I have disk brakes. Instead of the 4 prong plug I have the 5 prong. The fifth is connected to the backup light. The braking mechanism uses this prong to allow the trailer to operate in reverse, otherwise the brakes will lock up.

BroadHopper · 06-18-2012, 11:22 AM

The best places to be for great entertainment are at the launch ramps. Comedy galore and oh the drama when couples argue over how a boat should be launch!

I'm sure a boat launch have turned into a divorce.

Rangervx · 06-18-2012, 03:01 PM

agree with B-Hopper on both

MJM · 06-18-2012, 03:33 PM

Yes, I always unplug prior to dunking. I undo the straps, make sure the plug is in, etc., and unplug the lights.

Cal · 06-18-2012, 05:09 PM

No I don't. Can't backup with disc brakes with no backup lights. Plus I have all LED lighting

rick35 · 06-18-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

Almost always. It seems that when I forget, I blow a bulb. Coincedence?

Same here. I plan on replacing the lights at some point with led's but until then i can count on blowing a bulb if i forget.

codeman671 · 06-18-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

The best places to be for great entertainment are at the launch ramps. Comedy galore and oh the drama when couples argue over how a boat should be launch!

I'm sure a boat launch have turned into a divorce.

Definitely true. When pulling our pontoon last night at Glendale to put it on a brand new trailer we spent a bit of time (with nobody waiting) to get it seated just right for its voyage to Michigan. A marine patrol officer came over to ask if we were having issues and if we forgot to put the plug in..

He didn't realize that the plugs always stay in pontoons unless there is an issue.

Back to the thread, I never bother to unplug. Most of our trailers are larger and need power for backing up as others have mentioned.

Rangervx · 06-19-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

The best places to be for great entertainment are at the launch ramps. Comedy galore and oh the drama when couples argue over how a boat should be launch!

I'm sure a boat launch have turned into a divorce.

10-4 B-Hopper...and to save time and fuel...there is always youtube!!!!!! i have actually launched my boat and forgot to put the plug in...but that didn't equate to comedy at the ramp...i still looked good doing it...trouble wasen't until later when no-one could see my blunder!!!!!

Wolfeboro_Baja · 06-19-2012, 08:34 PM

Both of the boats we've owned have had surge brakes on the trailer so no power is needed to release the brakes. Both trailers have bulbs and even though they both claimed to be waterproof, I've always pulled the plug before backing down the ramp. An ounce of prevention and all that stuff.....

As for spousal comedy at the ramp, we try not to provide any! We've got our launch/retrieval procedures down to a science. Launching or retrieving, she's on the boat and I'm on the ground, moving our stuff between the boat and truck, AWAY from the ramp. Since we launch at WAM, I drive the truck, she handles the lines on the boat, pulling it off the trailer or pulling it on. When retrieving, I'm in the water winching it up. Piece of cake!

06-17-2012, 09:43 PM	#1
Baja Guy Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 45 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Do you unplug your trailer when you dunk it? I bought my current boat about 4 years ago. Before that I had bought my family's boat when my dad got tired of keeping it up and became more of a sailor. When I was water testing my boat back in 09 I noticed the seller disconnected the trailer plug before he submerged the trailer. I thought that's a pretty good idea, and have done it ever since, except once. Do you think I am being too a _ _ _ retentive? Am I being proactive?. Or would you say it's not necessary? __________________ 1989 Baja Sunsport 196, Mercruiser 5.7, For Sale 1987 Formula 223 LS with 1997 350 Mag

06-18-2012, 05:19 AM	#3
WINNOCTURN Deceased Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 849 Thanks: 350 Thanked 351 Times in 193 Posts	Can depend on the age of the trailer? Some older trailers were not supplied with sealed lights and the direction specified not to submerge the trailer with the lights on. I would just for the heck of it check the owners manual.

06-18-2012, 09:36 AM	#9
PC31 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 47 Thanks: 12 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I always unplug the lights. Hot bulb cold water and if there is any hint of a short it could blow the fuse. __________________ A bad day at the Lake ... never happens!

06-18-2012, 09:53 AM	#10
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	Almost always. It seems that when I forget, I blow a bulb. Coincedence? __________________ Getting ready for winter!

06-18-2012, 10:27 AM	#11
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,573 Thanks: 753 Thanked 354 Times in 266 Posts	never thought of it to be honest, but i think it is a good idea on trailers that use bulbs instead of LED i have a small crack in one of my jetski trailers lens, if water got in there and i hit the brake it would blow the bulb or fuze thanks for the food for thought, I do agree though that led or sealed lights there should be no need __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

06-17-2012, 10:01 PM	#2
gf2020 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of Boston Posts: 203 Thanks: 11 Thanked 35 Times in 28 Posts	I don't do it and it is not necessary.

06-18-2012, 07:25 AM	#4
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	My Dad always unplugged the trailer lights before dunking. He felt hot bulbs and cold water were a bad idea. If I trailered today, I would get those fancy LED lights, no heat. My Mom always said the three biggest causes of divorce among boaters had to be trailering, anchoring and docking. I keep my boat in a slip, and have a windlass, so all I have to do now is learn how to dock.

06-18-2012, 09:15 AM	#8
Rangervx Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: VIRGINIA / WINTER HARBOR Posts: 82 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 15 Posts	personally i don't think it's necessary esp. since you more than likely have LED lights...also...agree with a few above in regards to brakes...i prob would rec., if you asked me specifically, not to remove plug

06-18-2012, 11:19 AM	#12
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,570 Thanks: 3,205 Thanked 1,101 Times in 793 Posts	Disk brakes I have disk brakes. Instead of the 4 prong plug I have the 5 prong. The fifth is connected to the backup light. The braking mechanism uses this prong to allow the trailer to operate in reverse, otherwise the brakes will lock up. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

06-18-2012, 11:22 AM	#13
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,570 Thanks: 3,205 Thanked 1,101 Times in 793 Posts	Free entertainment. The best places to be for great entertainment are at the launch ramps. Comedy galore and oh the drama when couples argue over how a boat should be launch! I'm sure a boat launch have turned into a divorce. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

06-18-2012, 03:01 PM	#14
Rangervx Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: VIRGINIA / WINTER HARBOR Posts: 82 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 15 Posts	agree with B-Hopper on both

06-18-2012, 03:33 PM	#15
MJM Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 262 Thanks: 0 Thanked 23 Times in 11 Posts	Yes, I always unplug prior to dunking. I undo the straps, make sure the plug is in, etc., and unplug the lights.

06-18-2012, 05:09 PM	#16
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pitman , NJ Posts: 627 Thanks: 40 Thanked 21 Times in 12 Posts	No I don't. Can't backup with disc brakes with no backup lights. Plus I have all LED lighting __________________ Paddle faster , I think I here banjos

06-19-2012, 08:34 PM	#20
Wolfeboro_Baja Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hopkinton NH Posts: 395 Thanks: 88 Thanked 80 Times in 46 Posts	Both of the boats we've owned have had surge brakes on the trailer so no power is needed to release the brakes. Both trailers have bulbs and even though they both claimed to be waterproof, I've always pulled the plug before backing down the ramp. An ounce of prevention and all that stuff..... As for spousal comedy at the ramp, we try not to provide any! We've got our launch/retrieval procedures down to a science. Launching or retrieving, she's on the boat and I'm on the ground, moving our stuff between the boat and truck, AWAY from the ramp. Since we launch at WAM, I drive the truck, she handles the lines on the boat, pulling it off the trailer or pulling it on. When retrieving, I'm in the water winching it up. Piece of cake! __________________ Cancer SUCKS!