boat won't load straight

[outdoor guy]

HELP! For 8 years I have trying to get my 21 foot Lund Baron to Load straight on it's tandem axle Easy Loader roller type trailer. The keel of the boat always loads 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" inches to the starboard side where the keel is supposed to line up with the bow roller. The rear of the keel near the transom is usually very close to the trailer center line. The obvious fix would seem to be adjusting the roller sets but this has not helped. I put the boat in a local lake a couple times so I could measure and adjust all the hardware. I squared up everything to within a 1/16th of an inch all the way around. The boat still loads so far to the right that the winch strap actually gets folded in half as it winds on to the hub. The winch strap and bow roller get chewed up quickly. I have had to replace them several times. Even when I do get the center of the boat close to the center of the bow roller, the bow shifts to the right after I have been towing for a while.

Another issue I have with this boat trailer combo is that the boat loads tipped to one side (keel off center at the rear) if a boat ramp is not perfectly level.

One more issue, I hate to tow this boat on the interstate because it is very susceptible to wipping which is terrifying when you look in the mirror and see other vehicles taking evasive action at 60 MPH. I know I have pretty good tongue weight so I am leaning toward all these problems being inter related. I think the boat not being square on the trailer makes it vulnerable blowing off line and wipping at highway speeds.

Do any of these problems sound familiar? Any suggestions would be great. Thank You

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: boat won't load straight

i tried to set the brackets all sqaure and such on my trailer too, pulled the boat back on and it was still crooked. so i jacked the keel at the front roller got it lined up in the bow stop and readjusted the front roller sets to contact the hull. i have yet to get it off and on the trailer since adjusting but i hope all is straight now

 

[beagleboy]

Re: boat won't load straight

Even though you think you have tongue weight it might not be enough. This whipping action is classic not enough tongue weight.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: boat won't load straight

on my ezloader I installed a self centering bow roller on the front crossmember (back of the tongue)
X2 on the tongue weight..... not enough

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: boat won't load straight

Sounds so familiar that it makes me sick! I have a number of boats and trailers but only one gives me fits.

I have a beautiful 21 foot capacity caulkins roller trailer. I used to have an 18 foot Renken on it and no matter what I did, it loaded straight. I just couldn't get it wrong.

Now I have a 21 foot cuddy (manatee) and no matter what I do it always loads crooked, just as you described. I have changed roller placement about 20 times, put on side guide rollers, experimented with trailer depth in the water, etc. Nothing works. Just about the time the bow hits the center roller, the stern starts to walk off and angle the bow off the roller. So with that boat I always try to go with someone and while they work the power winch, I wade into the water and guide the rear of the boat.

I feel for you but my next step is probably going to be converting the trailer to bunks.

 

[Kack]

Re: boat won't load straight

We have PVC Sissy sticks on one of our trailers for the 26 foot Bradley. Loads straight.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: boat won't load straight

I had a flat bottom boat that loaded onto bunks w/ a power winch; it would weave back and forth on its own accord but end up straight.

I wonder if there is uneven weight in the boat causing this (and what to do) or the jack stand isn't straight? How about the hook?

INstead of wading in to straighten (I assume you don't have a dock beside the ramp) try a long stern line, or even a bow line pulled ot the opposite side.

 

[gt]

Re: boat won't load straight

Something to try, works for me...
Alumacraft Trophy/Shorlandr roller..

Let it load crooked, mine usually comes up at least a couple inches off. After I winch it tight, I back in a foot or so, then pull out. My boat settles right in. Just don't back off the end of the ramp (been there)...

I've set all my rollers equal on both sides. I think my issue is 1 bank of rollers doesn't track with the centerline.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: boat won't load straight

You know GT: That's one thing I never thought of trying! That is definitely on the agenda for the
next retrieval.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: boat won't load straight

Another thing to try if your boat loads low to starboard- stand in the center of the boat, not in the seat.
It's possible your body weight is causing it to be off-center.

 

[labassman]

Re: boat won't load straight

One thing I've noticed when my boat is on the trailer crooked , is after trimming up my 90hp 4stroke....as I'm pulling up the ramp the motor tilts to the starboard side and shifts the boat to that side of the trailer. I have a plan to eliminate that problem and what FunInDuhSun mentioned will definitely help matters. I have a "hot foot" on my boat so I'm leaning toward the center, leg stretched out to the pedal to "drive on the trailer". Hope this helps.

 

[TJDave]

Re: boat won't load straight

My old boat and EZ Loader roller trailer was hard to load straight. The front was always centered, but the rear would always be off. It would lean to one side too. It trailered fine, but still bugged the heck out of me. One day an old timer was watching me load my boat trying to keep the rear end centered while a family member cranked it up. He said I had it too deep in the water, and to pull out until the water was even with the center of the wheel. What do you know, It worked! More weight needed on the rear rollers to keep it centered. Alot more cranking, but well worth it not to drive down the road with a crooked boat on a trailer! lol. Not sure if it helps, but that is my experience.
Those days are over. Present boat trailer has bunks and I love it.

 

[eric136]

Re: boat won't load straight

Another thing to try if your boat loads low to starboard- stand in the center of the boat, not in the seat.
It's possible your body weight is causing it to be off-center.

Standing in the center is how I have to load my aluminum boat or it'll be off to one side. With a fiberglass boat, I never had a problem.