Advanced trailering tips

DBreskin · 09-29-2015, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dickiej

The only tip I know of is: when launching, make sure the transom plug is in! Learned the hard way more than once!

Having learned the hard way, I attached a split ring to my garboard plug by drilling through the square end of the plug. When I remove the plug from the transom I attach it to a shackle I installed on the winch handle. It's hard to forget to install the plug if it's right in front of you.

upthesaukee · 09-29-2015, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBreskin

Having learned the hard way, I attached a split ring to my garboard plug by drilling through the square end of the plug. When I remove the plug from the transom I attach it to a shackle I installed on the winch handle. It's hard to forget to install the plug if it's right in front of you.

Or you can run a key chain through it, and attach it to your boat key ring.

Happy Gourmand · 09-29-2015, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Or you can run a key chain through it, and attach it to your boat key ring.

Or, put it in a sandwich baggie and tie it to the steering wheel.

DBreskin · 09-29-2015, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

Or you can run a key chain through it, and attach it to your boat key ring.

This wouldn't work for me since I leave my keys in the boat all the time. I store the boat on the trailer and launch each day I want to go boating, and I'd hate to have to climb in the boat each time I needed to get the plug.

Dave R · 09-30-2015, 07:33 AM

Thought of another tip. This one's a bit counter-intuitive, but hear me out. If you have surge drum brakes, replace them with electric drum brakes and immobilize or replace your surge coupler. Electric brakes are simpler, less susceptible to problems from being submerged hot and require less repair over time. They are also much more effective because they engage instantly. They are also REALLY cheap. If you have 3500 Lb Dexter axles (very common trailer axles) you can get complete and pre-assembled backing plate/brake assemblies for 37 bucks per wheel. You re-use your drums.

The only electric part on an electric brake is a completely encapsulated electromagnet. It has zero issues with being submerged. The rest of the parts are simple mechanical devices that are no more complex than hydraulic brake parts.

I did this switch a few years ago and other than self-inflicted problems, it's been trouble-free. Prior to this, I was replacing one or two wheel cylinders a year and dealing with bleeding and such.

jhnmdahl · 10-10-2015, 06:55 PM

The one thing I wish I'd known when I started is that everything goes smoother if you put the trailer in deeper when unloading than when loading. It takes a little practice to find what works best, but with the boats I've worked with it's always easier to load with the trailer a little shallower and unload with the trailer a little deeper.

John

09-30-2015, 07:33 AM	#5
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Thought of another tip. This one's a bit counter-intuitive, but hear me out. If you have surge drum brakes, replace them with electric drum brakes and immobilize or replace your surge coupler. Electric brakes are simpler, less susceptible to problems from being submerged hot and require less repair over time. They are also much more effective because they engage instantly. They are also REALLY cheap. If you have 3500 Lb Dexter axles (very common trailer axles) you can get complete and pre-assembled backing plate/brake assemblies for 37 bucks per wheel. You re-use your drums. The only electric part on an electric brake is a completely encapsulated electromagnet. It has zero issues with being submerged. The rest of the parts are simple mechanical devices that are no more complex than hydraulic brake parts. I did this switch a few years ago and other than self-inflicted problems, it's been trouble-free. Prior to this, I was replacing one or two wheel cylinders a year and dealing with bleeding and such.

10-10-2015, 06:55 PM	#6
jhnmdahl Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The one thing I wish I'd known when I started is that everything goes smoother if you put the trailer in deeper when unloading than when loading. It takes a little practice to find what works best, but with the boats I've worked with it's always easier to load with the trailer a little shallower and unload with the trailer a little deeper. John