Tilt Trailer

[steam_mill]

I have a Gator Tilt Trailer. I've had the 15' boat for three years but only pull it out once a year. My trailer has the tilt mechanism and it works. My question: When would you use the tilt mechanism? I don't go to the ramp to put my boat in/out. I do it at the shore. I sink the trailer in until I can get the boat about 2/3 of the way up the trailer and then winch it up. What's the tilt mechanism for?<br /><br />Tx.

 

[bradyt]

Re: Tilt Trailer

I ,also have a Gator boat trailer,have owned it for 2 years,and I put in and take out everytime I use the boat.I have tried the tilt option(on boat ramps)in shallow water, deep water,and off the bank on rivers at a camp site.I've tried using that neat tilt option under a couple different conditions, and have found no real need except at the river,with a steep bank.You will still need a strong back in the water to push.other than that I'm also curious?It is a well built trailer.Mine was built in 1965 ,I put new wheel bearings, tires and rims,sand blasted and painted black instead of the original color.It is a sturdy boat trailer.Your Gator is only the second one that I've heard about.What year is it?Has it also got tathe expandable tongue option for a longer or shorter boat?These options must have been a selling point of some sort.<br /><br />mth54-Pink at night sailors delight, Pink in the morning sailors take warning!

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Tilt Trailer

The trailer is of a 1972 vintage. It is galvanized and looks new. Is a combination of keel rollers and small (2X4) bunks. I don't have the adjustable tongue.

 

[poppopfishes2002]

Re: Tilt Trailer

had a late 80s haul rite trailer with this option and all it is used for is low water or hill loading

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Tilt Trailer

Do you use the tilt mechanism to tilt the bow up and slide the boat off. Won't you hit bottom with the stern?

 

[Lark40]

Re: Tilt Trailer

My dad was a dealer for Holsclaw trailers in the '50's and '60's. All the trailers we stocked were tilt-tongue.<br /><br />Used the tilts every time we launched. Thought they were great! Surprised years later to find out that nobody was making them anymore.

 

[bradyt]

Re: Tilt Trailer

In deep water,I didnt hit the stern,But the way the wench is set up, it wanted to pull the rear of the trailer back down on the front before I had the boat far enough up on the rollers to actually pull the boat up.If I had some help in the water pushing, it helped considerably.On my trailer the wench is on the front portion of the tongue and it tilts at the axle,so it defeats the purpose.Now if they would have configured the wench on the front portion of the arm that comes down (up in the air)on the tongue you could wench the boat up the ramp and when the weight was transfered up the rollers you could seat the tongue members together.Mine does'nt work that way.If your wench is configured on the arm in the air you can probably use it in some conditions that you have'nt come across with success.<br /><br />mth54-Pink at night sailors delight,Pink in the morning sailors take warning!

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: Tilt Trailer

Have seen some used to tilt boat up for long term storage.

 

[bradyt]

Re: Tilt Trailer

By the way if anybody out there nows if Gator Trailers are still made I'm looking for some original decals.<br /><br />mth54-Pink at night sailors delight,Pink in the morning sailors take warning!

 

[DuoBoat]

Re: Tilt Trailer

I'm glad I'm not the only one that wondered what the tilt was for. I have two tilt trailers with 14ft boats on them. One is a Dilly and the other a Tennessee trailer. I have never had a moment when I thought using the tilt would be advantageous. I just back down the boat ramp and slide the boat off or slide it on. I don't see where tilting would help at all and in fact would make it harder to get the boat on. Perhaps getting it off would be useful but I think it is more trouble than its worth.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Tilt Trailer

DuoBoat -<br /><br />Well, it's been a long time ago, but I've launched hundreds of different boats from tilt-tongues and found them of great advantage.<br /><br />Almost couldn't believe it when I go back into boating in the 1990's and nobody was selling them. Much harder to raise a boat from the water without the tilt.<br /><br />Try it - you'll like it.