Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

[Chaparralboater]

I have a ford F-150, originally only came with a bumper hitch. I installed one of those trailer hitch kits that bolts to your frame. SO, I unloaded my boat ( trailered) into the inner coastal yesterday. We went boating, after a couple hours decided to come back in and end the day. There are only 2 ramps and a third dock to tie to and wait. I pulled in and docked at the only open ramp dock, another one was being used and the third dock had a boat JUST tied to it. The ramps have a one way only entrance and exit. So I went and grabbed my truck and head to the ramps to retrieve. The guy who was tied to the third dock ( the dock is just a dock, no ramp) was in front of me in line holding me up. I walked up next to him and asked if I can squeeze by to load my boat. He said " we are all in line and hold F off !!!" so I reversed real fast and turned a hard right going forward now into the lane the exits the ramp. I went fast so I can beat anyone coming into me. Well as I turned right to go into the lane, I cut the corner too fast and the trailer wheel/bunker caught the wood 6X6 post outlining the lanes and yanked my truck. Stopped me in my tracks. Picked the truck up and turned it sideways pretty much. I stopped and looked back there and noticed it completely ripped off my trailer hitch I just put on there !!! haha. So I unbolted the ball and threw it in the bumper hole and grabbed my boat. Guess who was laughing when I drove by him?? I am an inpatient idiot.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

you must have REALLY hit that hard!

anyway, order of the vehicles generally dicates the load order, NOT where you parked your boat.

 

[Chaparralboater]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

well when I was pulling into the ramps area there was one open ramp then there was the third dock off to the side. The guy who was mean was in front of me and chose to tie up to the third ramp. I was behind him and pulled right into the ramp dock. So if he looked in front of him while in his truck, he would of seen he'd have to let me by to get my boat.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

well when I was pulling into the ramps area there was one open ramp then there was the third dock off to the side. The guy who was mean was in front of me and chose to tie up to the third ramp. I was behind him and pulled right into the ramp dock. So if he looked in front of him while in his truck, he would of seen he'd have to let me by to get my boat.

Was he tied to the dock, or to the ramp. In either case he was there 1st.

If was at the dock, seems like he was doing the correct procedure by not tying up a ramp while he went to get his trailer. You on other other hand, apparently decided you would tie up the ramp, and then felt entitled to push past because you had tied up the ramp.

I think you should re-evaluate your loading procedures, and your attitude of entitlement. It certainly would have been cheaper to wait.

I think I would have laughed, also. Talk about instant karma.

 

[109jb]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

Yep. Doesn't matter where your boat was, the trailer dictates who goes next. That dock that was not next to the ramp is the one you are supposed to tie up to to get your trailer. That way your boat isn't blocking the ramp. Basically, you did it wrong and you were in the wrong.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

well when I was pulling into the ramps area there was one open ramp then there was the third dock off to the side. The guy who was mean was in front of me and chose to tie up to the third ramp. I was behind him and pulled right into the ramp dock. So if he looked in front of him while in his truck, he would of seen he'd have to let me by to get my boat.

I am a new boat owner but by no means new to boating. I always figured if I wanted to boat I'd just go use the one my parents dumped all their money into (they had 3 at once after all). Been around ramps since 1975 or so. Been putting in, etc. I'm quite certain if you had pulled that stunt in front of me on a bad day, you would have got an earful but you never know, as I have mellowed quite a bit. I'm glad you came by here so you could learn how wrong you were. I'm sorry you damaged your rig, but think for a moment,....... the guy that was parked in the 3rd dock was there because you're supposed to go there before getting your trailer so you don't tie up the ramp while someone else could be putting in, and more than likely someone was in the ramp you found empty when he pulled up. You basically jumped the line. If my kid did that, I'd of knocked him upside the head and my dad would have done the same for me. Some people these days are not getting enough beatings (figuratively and/or literally) as a kid and will find sooner or later they will get these beatings as an adult. In your case it came in the form of a broken tow rig. Consider it a lesson. If you learn it, you won't have that problem again. Good luck.

 

[Macwrench]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

I see it a lot around the Clear Lake area, south of Houston. Folks go out and get their fancy "go fast" boats, and suddenly feel entitled to block a ramp and load while others are waiting. They assume we're all just hanging out at the docks with our motors idling.

Geez, I'm starting to sound old!

 

[edjay]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

Order goes by the trailer on ramp. I probably would have backed up on the ramp you were on and just drove the boat around your boat. (have done this in the past.)
More than likelly someone was loading their boat on that same ramp you tied up too, when the other guy got there so he tied up at the dock. you should have tied up behind him on the dock then got your trailer.

 

[Chaparralboater]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

Well now getting other that tuned in I now know I was wrong. I am stubborn but will not fight what I think is right because it is not. These ramps only fit one boat. You cant tie up 2. I thought the third guy was just tying up to wait or something. I thought if you want to get your boat out and there is an open dock, pull into that one and go get your rig. I always thought of my self as a good, smart boater. I guess you learn something everyday. And yes I did receive my beating as in form of a broken trailer bunk/trailer hitch. Thanks guys for the eye opener.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

The recommendations by the majority about the trailer deciding the place in line sounds good. That's pretty much what I've seen in my area.

I'd also use class 8 bolts to hold the hitch receiver onto the truck when you reattach it.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

I'd also use class 8 bolts to hold the hitch receiver onto the truck when you reattach it.

He might breaksomething more expensive than bolts next time!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

When I bought my last two trailer hitches they recommended grade 5 bolts and NOT grade 8 stating that the harder bolt would be more likely to shear or break under impact and the grade 5 bolt will give a bit before breaking completely off.

Personally I think the right answer is more bolts and big washers. The frame isn't made of hardened steel, nor are trailer hitches, putting anything in there harder than either is just overkill, but only if there's enough bolts with enough clamping force for the entire assembly to act as one unit.

Trailer hitch bolts should also be torqued down, not impact tightened to prevent damaging the bolts during installation.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

When I bought my last two trailer hitches they recommended grade 5 bolts and NOT grade 8 stating that the harder bolt would be more likely to shear or break under impact and the grade 5 bolt will give a bit before breaking completely off.

Personally I think the right answer is more bolts and big washers. The frame isn't made of hardened steel, nor are trailer hitches, putting anything in there harder than either is just overkill, but only if there's enough bolts with enough clamping force for the entire assembly to act as one unit.

Trailer hitch bolts should also be torqued down, not impact tightened to prevent damaging the bolts during installation.

I can't stress this enough, over-torquing any bolt seriously weakens its strength and makes it much more likely to fail.

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

Well now getting other that tuned in I now know I was wrong. I am stubborn but will not fight what I think is right because it is not. These ramps only fit one boat. You cant tie up 2. I thought the third guy was just tying up to wait or something. I thought if you want to get your boat out and there is an open dock, pull into that one and go get your rig. I always thought of my self as a good, smart boater. I guess you learn something everyday. And yes I did receive my beating as in form of a broken trailer bunk/trailer hitch. Thanks guys for the eye opener.

Well Chap- Good on you for being willing to take criticism like a man.
Sorry you busted your rig; but glad that you learned some things.

I knew an older gentleman who often would say: "The school of experience is the best education but the tuition is very high."

You learned some good etiquette and it can serve you well.
And yeah; I've been there too. Sometimes when someone smarts off and catches me wrong; I've lost my temper and done the wrong thing.
Like I said; you're a good man to admit it.
Cheers; (and good luck with the repair)
-br

 

[Chaparralboater]

Re: Crazy thing happend to me at the ramps !

Thanks. I rebolted the trailer hitch on and the bunker on port side has a smaller crack/ chunk . No big deal. Hope I didn't mess the alignment off on the trailer.