Am I doing something wrong???

[jamesgreen]

I am having trouble loading my boat onto a bunk(?) type trailer. I am used to an EZ-Loader with the rollers. Should I be able to drive onto this trailer or should I keep lining it up by hand then driving it up? This is pain in my $@# since my wife is not comfortable pulling the boat out or driving the boat the rest of the way onto to the trailer. <br /><br />P.S. My wife is working on both.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

Does it have side bunks? If it has carpeted side bunks they are usually self aligning.<br /><br />Same as getting into Carnegie Hall....Practice..Practice..Practice.<br /><br />Bob

 

[jamesgreen]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

I am getting pleanty of that. It's got them. Guess I just need more time.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

How far do you put the trailer in the water on retrieval? I usually wet the entire bunk then pull forward to where less than 1' of the bunk is out of the water. It should self align.

 

[jamesgreen]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

I put them underwater. I'll try leaving them out next time see if it makes it easier. I really miss the rollers.

 

[milkyway]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

Bunks are better for me than rollers. In rollers, you need to control the boat from slipping too fast when launching. In bunks you have more control. You need to find the sweet spot when you put the trailer on water. In mine, the fenders can't be more than 6" below water, otherwise the boat will float and go out of alignment when retrieving. As BobVT says, practice.

 

[jamesgreen]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

I see your point with the rollers but we always had someone in the boat. I think I may have the trailer to deep.I will get some practice this weekend. Since I got my boat I don't really have time for anything else. (mowing the yard, cleaning the house, work, etc.!!!)

 

[saumon]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

With guide-ons, it's really easy to align the boat and you can go deeper with the trailer (completely submerging the bunks) and still seeing the guide<br /><br />http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jhtml?id=0030707&navAction=push&navCount=1&indexId=cat21382&parentId=cat21382&parentType=index&rid=&cmCat=MainCatcat2 1276

 

[jamesgreen]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

saumon,<br />Thanks I have seen those around but did not know where to get them. They look like it would make things easier.<br /><br />James

 

[cart7]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

You shouldn't have to keep the bunks completely submerged when loading if it's a drive on trailer.<br /><br />Backdown, completely submerge the bunks to get them wet and then pull back out. The distance you pull out varies from boat to boat and on ramp steepness. You'll eventually find the sweetspot.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

I keep my bunks about 1 to 1 1/2' out of the water. It self aligns nicely. You may have to put a little more 'oohmmf' on your winch that way, but it will align every time.<br />If you put them too deep, the boat may not sit right... (been there done that)<br /><br />With a little practice, you can be out of the water very quickly and have the rest of the dock thinking.. "How the hell did he do that so fast'?<br /><br />Oh.. and don't forget to put the drive up first!<br /><br /> <br /><br />H.

 

[randyo]

Re: Am I doing something wrong???

You mean put the drive up before getting in the truck and driving away, right? I thought I should have the drive down until I have it fully on the trailer... (I'll be putting my first boat in tomorrow and wanted to be sure