Advanced trailering tips

TiltonBB · 09-21-2015, 11:04 AM

"Drive the boat to and onto the trailer under idle power. Do not use more than idle power and do not make everyone wait while you try to manhandle the boat onto the trailer with lines. The boat has and engine for a reason, use it."

Be careful about "power loading". Many ramps have restrictions specifically prohibiting this. Ramps that have poured concrete or concrete planks only go so far into the water. When you power load you displace the lake bottom at the end of the planks.

When someone comes along with a longer trailer or a larger boat they go off the end of the concrete and the trailer drops. In some situations when there has been a lot of power loading I have seen trailers go off the end and drop down to a point where the trailer frame is on the ground. There is no easy or inexpensive recovery from this.

noreast · 09-21-2015, 12:54 PM

Many ramps in NH are ruined from power loading. Take it easy.

Dave R · 09-21-2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

"Drive the boat to and onto the trailer under idle power. Do not use more than idle power and do not make everyone wait while you try to manhandle the boat onto the trailer with lines. The boat has and engine for a reason, use it."

Be careful about "power loading". Many ramps have restrictions specifically prohibiting this. Ramps that have poured concrete or concrete planks only go so far into the water. When you power load you displace the lake bottom at the end of the planks.

When someone comes along with a longer trailer or a larger boat they go off the end of the concrete and the trailer drops. In some situations when there has been a lot of power loading I have seen trailers go off the end and drop down to a point where the trailer frame is on the ground. There is no easy or inexpensive recovery from this.

Driving onto the trailer at idle speed is not what most consider "power loading". Power loading is when you use the engine rather than the winch to get the boat all the way to the bow stop. That said, if there's any doubt, shut the engine off a second or two before the boat contacts the trailer, that's what I do. I've done it several times in front of F&G officers right next to signs that say "No Power Loading" and I have never been hassled. I also asked the Downings how they defined power loading and they feel the same way I do.

jetlag100 · 09-21-2015, 04:35 PM

If your driving a pick-up..put the tailgate down...better visibility......

Shreddy · 09-21-2015, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetlag100

If your driving a pick-up..put the tailgate down...better visibility......

Learn to use your side view mirrors. You'll thank me later. I never put the tailgate down on a pickup, open the latch on an SUV, or anything like that even with an empty jet ski trailer. It's so easy to see and control the empty trailer by using side view mirrors. I can't remember the last time I actually looked over my shoulder while backing up a trailer but to each their own. I'd have no issue pegging a small trailer with inches of clearance on each side, but I've also been doing it for so long (I drop my jet ski in and out of the water every weekend in the summer).

Grandpa Redneck · 09-21-2015, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

" In some situations when there has been a lot of power loading I have seen trailers go off the end and drop down to a point where the trailer frame is on the ground. There is no easy or inexpensive recovery from this.

Actually there is a simple recovery method I have seen used.
Run the winch strap under the length of the trailer
then pull it up behind the rear cross member and attach it to the bow eye of the boat
tighten the winch and it will lift the trailer enough to pull it ahead back onto the ramp easily.

Dave R · 09-21-2015, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa Redneck

Actually there is a simple recovery method I have seen used.
Run the winch strap under the length of the trailer
then pull it up behind the rear cross member and attach it to the bow eye of the boat
tighten the winch and it will lift the trailer enough to pull it ahead back onto the ramp easily.

Brilliant.

TiltonBB · 09-21-2015, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa Redneck

Actually there is a simple recovery method I have seen used.
Run the winch strap under the length of the trailer
then pull it up behind the rear cross member and attach it to the bow eye of the boat
tighten the winch and it will lift the trailer enough to pull it ahead back onto the ramp easily.

Like I said.................There is an easy way to fix this when it happens!

09-21-2015, 11:04 AM	#1
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,057 Thanks: 726 Thanked 2,233 Times in 954 Posts	Power loading "Drive the boat to and onto the trailer under idle power. Do not use more than idle power and do not make everyone wait while you try to manhandle the boat onto the trailer with lines. The boat has and engine for a reason, use it." Be careful about "power loading". Many ramps have restrictions specifically prohibiting this. Ramps that have poured concrete or concrete planks only go so far into the water. When you power load you displace the lake bottom at the end of the planks. When someone comes along with a longer trailer or a larger boat they go off the end of the concrete and the trailer drops. In some situations when there has been a lot of power loading I have seen trailers go off the end and drop down to a point where the trailer frame is on the ground. There is no easy or inexpensive recovery from this.

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
camp guy (09-21-2015), hig (09-21-2015), noreast (09-21-2015)

09-21-2015, 12:54 PM	#2
noreast Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 648 Thanks: 316 Thanked 120 Times in 93 Posts	Many ramps in NH are ruined from power loading. Take it easy.

09-21-2015, 04:35 PM	#4
jetlag100 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Revere, Massachusetts and Moultonborough, N.H. Posts: 311 Thanks: 228 Thanked 79 Times in 50 Posts	If your driving a pick-up..put the tailgate down...better visibility......

The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Grandpa Redneck For This Useful Post:
ApS (09-25-2015), billy (09-22-2015), CL 240 LS (09-21-2015), Dave R (09-21-2015), hig (09-21-2015), Rattlesnake Gal (09-25-2015), SAMIAM (09-22-2015), TiltonBB (09-21-2015)