Making Trailer Drive On

hayhauler

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 9, 2004
Messages
194
My Boat Trailer needs new bunks, and one new roller. I'd like to make it easier to drive the boat on the trailer. Are there any online instructions that show how to set a trailer up to make it as easy as possible to get the boat on and off?
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Just one general rule. Make the trailer bunks/rollers as low to the ground as you can get them. Post a picture and we'll be able to give some advice.
 

nboater

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 14, 2004
Messages
41
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Also, it helps to back the trailer in far enough to wet the bunks completely, then drive out to your usual loading position.
 

trebot

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 7, 2004
Messages
102
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

I've got a device which helps makes power/drive-on loading really easy. Contact me at kurt1550@aol.com and I'll give you the web site address.
 

Neverhome

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 12, 2004
Messages
86
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

You can try several things to make it easier to drive the boat on. Adding Bunk Slicks to the trailer will make the boat go on and off much easier but be sure to secure it well when traveling or you could find it in the road. I have also heard that spraying Pledge on the bunks will accomplish the same thing. You can also add self centering rollers to make the loading esier.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Neverhome
 

Winger Ed.

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
649
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

All I've ever used is side posts at the rear of the trailer to be able to tell where the rear of the trialer is as you approach. Put your trailer lights on the top of them, and they'll never get wet either.<br /><br />On my 21' Alum. hull, I went one step further and put side boards on it that are about 15" tall, and run up about 6 feet from the rear of the trailer.<br /><br />On the ramp, they are about half way in and out of the water (diagonally of course) and covered with carpet.<br /><br />If you hit anywhere between them with the boat during windy conditions, it centers up and runs right up onto the trailer.
 

magna

Recruit
Joined
Oct 12, 2004
Messages
1
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Originally posted by hayhauler:<br /> My Boat Trailer needs new bunks, and one new roller. I'd like to make it easier to drive the boat on the trailer. Are there any online instructions that show how to set a trailer up to make it as easy as possible to get the boat on and off?
Hey hayhauler: check out this site www.magnaplas.com<br />the products on this site will help make launching your trailer a breeze, and driving your boat back onto your trailer.<br />They are a new product on the market, and quickly growing, so take a look<br /><br />Regards.
 

Navigator

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
517
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Magna,<br /><br />Sounds alot like you're trying to plug your own products here. :mad: <br /><br />Soliciting is not permitted on these boards...<br />May the wrath of JB strike you down !!!! :D <br /><br />Nav :cool:
 

trebot

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 7, 2004
Messages
102
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Helping a member solve his problem is what I thought this site was all about. If pointing to an applicable web site helps, I don't see a problem.
 

Dunaruna

Admiral
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
6,027
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Trebot, a few members have noticed that magna has posted on other boards with the same info, it is possible that he/she is promoting their own product. If that is the case, they are getting a free ride through i-boats, i-boats is a commercial business, its not a charity.<br /><br />FWIW, I replaced my carpeted bunks with the plastic (i think their plastic?) smooth bunks with good results. In Australia they are available for both aluminium & glass boats.<br /><br />Aldo
 

Dave Abrahamson

Lieutenant
Joined
May 8, 2003
Messages
1,497
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

For all those getting on Magnas case about promoting their own products on this board, have you totally missed all the smart tab posts from Nautijohn(his product)? If I'm outta line here sorry, but what's the difference? Why are some folks allowed to promote their own stuff while others get poofed or slammed by others? Where do you draw the line?
 

Rudderman

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 14, 2004
Messages
283
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Dave that is something I have wondered as well. I think everyone should be allowed to help out. People can make their own minds up if they want to buy a product or not.
 

Dave Abrahamson

Lieutenant
Joined
May 8, 2003
Messages
1,497
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Thanks Rudderman. It seems were on the same page here. It would still be interesting to have an admin spell out the rules regarding promotion of your wares on the site though.
 

Dunaruna

Admiral
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
6,027
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

I agree its a grey area but but in regard to smart tabs I see two things in Johns favor. 1: i-boats sell his product, I assume an agreement is in place. 2: He regularly gives advise (doesn't just try and sell,sell,sell).<br /><br />Aldo
 

POINTER94

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 12, 2003
Messages
5,031
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

I have to agree with Aldo in that nautijohn not only sells his products here on i-boat but has paid for advertising space as well. I would also agree that tabman from bennett trim tabs frequents here and provides valuable advice and has on more than one occasion shared free product to help facilitate a repair.<br /><br />I personally have several other resources that I have hesitated to post because they compete directly with i-boats. I will post other sites if they don't compete with i-boats or their vendors. I have not looked at the above link, and perhaps they are the better mousetrap, but they should be respectful of the investment in time money and resources that it takes to maintain this sight that is here to help promote their busness. It would be like the GM dealer bringing a desk and brouchures into the Ford dealer that is across the street and soliciting their customers.<br /><br />I have found the mega-mall to be quite comprehensive and I am sure they are always on the lookout for inovative products that benefit those who patronize their site. I would check with the mod's and pitch my mousetrap to i-boats team, which would perhaps bolster future sales before utilizing the goodwill shared by their generousity. <br /><br />Just my humble opinion.
 

Dave Abrahamson

Lieutenant
Joined
May 8, 2003
Messages
1,497
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

Well said Pointer.<br />I guess business is business, but who knows? Maybe the guy could have given some good advice rerarding towing and trailering etc... not just hype his products. It might not matter anyway, he probably won't be back with the reception he got here.
 

Jdeagro

iboats.com Partner
Joined
Jul 30, 2003
Messages
1,682
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

To All on this post;<br /><br />First, let me apologize to anyone who thinks that I have given them bad advice or advice that excluded other options. <br /><br />It is not in our companies best interest to advise anyone incorrectly just to sell our product. If the advise is not good, the results will be not good, and the bad news will travel much faster than and good news has ever traveled.<br />Not to mention that it is not morally correct!<br /><br />The main reason I / we get into so many "debates" about boat performance is that we are proposing something that is outside of the traditional answers and the long time accepted solutions. Additionally since our relatively new product has some inherent and significant differences, we end up trying to educate (sell if you will - the new concept). For the most part people like their old shoes , even if they have holes in the sole. but sooner or later when their feet get wet and sore, they will need new shoes.
 

Dave Abrahamson

Lieutenant
Joined
May 8, 2003
Messages
1,497
Re: Making Trailer Drive On

John, first off I've never known you to give bad advice here. And I believe your product will do what you claim. Lots of people here to testify to that fact. You had a great idea when you came up with your tabs. However, that being said, I still don't quite understand why you are the only one allowed to post and reccommend your products here, while anyone else who attempts to do so gets, as Navigator so eloquently put it, "the wrath of JB" plus a lot of others chastising them as well. "How dare they talk about their own product, This is no place for free advertising, ect..."<br />I think Rudderman had a good point when he said "I think everyone should be allowed to help out. People can make their own minds up if they want to buy a product or not. "<br />Personally, I think Smart tabs are a great idea.Who knows, I just may need some new shoes here in the near future. ;) <br /><br />Dave
 
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