Towing Question

[Geiger41]

So I towed my boat yesterday to get it detailed. (XMAS Gift Certificate) Let me say beforehand I am not familiar with the terminology so bare with me.

When I got to the place, I noticed that the crank used to bring the boat up was not locked in anymore. Normally the piece that prevents the crank from going backwards, is snapped in. On the way I hit a few bumps so maybe it knocked that piece loose. Can this scenario be prevented? If so how.

Also the straps that came with the boat to tie dwn the rear to the trailer were VERY loose. They weren't when I initially tightened them....Any recommendations?

 

[Eric Popper]

The trailer jack has a large pin that should be spring loaded that holds it in position. On my trailer, there is a hole every 90 degrees on the plate behind it to secure it either in the stowed position or jack position. I have found that it stays quite secure if properly seated but sometimes I have to help it seat properly. Maybe you just didn't get the pin seated all the way?

As far as the rear tie-down straps, I have found that the boat shifts on the bunks sometimes while being towed. When towing, I always stop once, after about 10 miles to double check that everything is secure and that I don't have hot brakes. I also re-tighten the rear straps at this time as the boat has likely settled into its "natural" position.

E

 

[njmr2fan]

Are you speaking of the winch? Or the trailer jack? The winch locks in by pressure on the teeth, the jack by the spring loaded pin... I was just confused what came loose.

My transom straps loosen up after just 7 miles to our lake! I'd like to look into the retractable boat buckle type, but don't want to compromise my galvanized trailer by drilling a new hole into it.

 

[Eric Popper]

Ah, are you talking about the winch and strap that holds the bow on the roller? If that comes loose, it could be that you just didn't get it latched. My original winch has become difficult to latch and I am probably going to replace it. If this came unlatched, the boat would definitely move and the rear straps would loosen.

Eric

 

[subysti]

You may not have had the boat all the way up tight against the bow roller. I know when I winch mine up its not tight, I always have to start rolling a little on a level surface and hit the brakes hard to slide the boat up the last inch or so to get the bow eye tight against the bow roller. Then I crank the winch again to tighten and then retighten the transom straps. Any play either forward or backwards is not good.

 

[Geiger41]

YES The winch to the strap that connects to the front of the boat. Yes there was about a 3 inch gap. The lever that snaps in between the teeth WAS secure and tight. However after my trip it was knocked out of place. Maybe just havng it nice and tight would eliminate this potential BIG problem. And looks like boat buckles may be a good security measure

 

[SCSTWG]

I used to have the same issues with the transom straps before I went to the retractable boat buckles. They don't get loose at all now. I am a huge fan of this mod.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

I think if the boat slid up a little when braking it could have removed tensions the strap and a few well timed pumps with a loose handle I could see the over popping out but I have never actually had that happen so it may be someone fooled with it on you or it was unlatched and not re-engaged. Things like that do happen but if the latch is engaged and the boat is cranked tight there is pretty much no way for them to pop free unless you crank the handle a little to take the tension of the gear and teeth mesh.

That being said I will tell you my procedure when loading and I follow it to a T every time so I do not have any unhappy instances.
I load the boat to the stop on the trailer and attach the winch and just snug it so the boat stays on the trailer when pulling it out of the water. I Stop at the top of the ramp and go pull all plugs to drain while the boat is angled heavily down. Then I pull ahead and when on level ground I get on the brakes for a brief sudden stop and the boat slides forward all the way. I have pulled the boat to the stop and winched it tight while in the water and when on level ground would find it an inch or two back due to the stern of the boat was floating and the bottom of the trailer was a few inches below it while in the water so that is when I no longer tried to get it tight while on the ramp. Once the bow is snug against the stop I install the safety chain then proceed to the back and connect my boat buckles. I would highly recommend the addition of boat buckles to everyone. They are a one of the best mods I can see hands down.

 

[SCSTWG]

The separation from the boat to the bow roller just after you pull the boat from the water is an ongoing issue for me. I either do what @Englewoodcowboy does (stopping quick while the bunks are wet) or if the ramp is not congested, I will pull the boat out to see if there is separation (there usually is) and then I will back it into the water but not quite as deep and winch it tighter. I have had limited success with both approaches, but it is an issue I would love to solve. I see that Boat Buckles makes a bow strap. Maybe if when you snug it to the bow roller and then connected and tightened a bow boat buckle it would keep it in place. If anyone can confirm, I would order one today.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

I think the issue is when in the water the boat floats off of the trailer on the stern and is still touching the bunks in the front which pushed the bow down and you tighten the stop against the part of the hull that when the boat is firmly resting all the way on its bunks on level ground, that part of the hull is now above and slightly forward of the stop. I have been boating for years and had to do my procedure with every one of them, its just levers and fulcrums...

 

[tdonoughue]

My (briefer) experience is similar to @Englewoodcowboy 's. In fact, when I pulled the boat this weekend, I didn't quite get to the bow stop when putting the boat on. I hooked the winch and got it up to the bow stop. Winch was locked. When I pulled the boat off the ramp and to a more level spot, there was about 3" more to crank, just from the boat having shifted up when the aft came down.

I have also had the experience of trailering for a bit and finding things loose. I would add to the list of things to check: the cover. Hopefully you have it on, but once around to make sure nothing has frayed or come loose. Check the lights while you are at it. I usually stop, turn on my headlights, put on the hazards, then walk around the trailer and check: a) driver side hitch and chains, b) winch, c) cover and clearance lights, d) hubs on driver side, e) driver side back buckle, f) aft cover and rear lights -- then work my way up the other side in reverse.

 

[Eric Popper]

Add to the list tower speakers. I have gotten to the lake before with one dangling on the speaker wire....

 

[CDENsomnia]

My boat buckles get loose too over a few good bumps in the road. We just make sure and check at ever stop that they are tight. Hate seeing them loosen up but they work pretty good otherwise.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

Doing my routine I have never had them loosen. I think your boat is not all the way forward when you load it and that is the slack you are seeing in it IMHO.

 

[CDENsomnia]

@Englewoodcowboy We always bring the boat all the way up to the bow roller and over that first lip on the hull below the bow eye. I don't have any issues with the front winch, the boat stays right up against that. I have actually been towing another trailer behind my wife who tows the boat and when a expansion joint or pot hole is hit its like the boat buckles just give up and loosen by one notch. Generally its only a notch or two but this last weekend it loosened quite a bit between stops. Wondering if we have defective buckles.

 

[Bill D]

You might want to check that out @CDENsomnia. Once I get the bow strap tight, mine rarely loosen up at all. Certainly not a notch or two.

 

[Englewoodcowboy]

@CDENsomnia I would see if you can take a flash light and maybe a mirror so you can try to see behind the cover and look at the gear engagement area. If you see anything slightly worn I would say your buckles are at fault. I would also double check once you set them, look again to see if the cog is fully engaging as well. The only other thing I see is do you hit the brakes hard to make the boat slide fully forward? I know mine semi flattens my Stoltz bow roller, the outer wings that is when it is fully seated. I think from the moment the bow makes contact to the roller to fully seated it moves an additional 1 to 2 inches forward due to the shape of the bow. I will get you a pic when I pick my boat up from the dealer on Friday. My bow is not touching the roller, it is fully seated in it.

 

[Zeus2013]

I think if the boat slid up a little when braking it could have removed tensions the strap and a few well timed pumps with a loose handle I could see the over popping out but I have never actually had that happen so it may be someone fooled with it on you or it was unlatched and not re-engaged. Things like that do happen but if the latch is engaged and the boat is cranked tight there is pretty much no way for them to pop free unless you crank the handle a little to take the tension of the gear and teeth mesh.

That being said I will tell you my procedure when loading and I follow it to a T every time so I do not have any unhappy instances.
I load the boat to the stop on the trailer and attach the winch and just snug it so the boat stays on the trailer when pulling it out of the water. I Stop at the top of the ramp and go pull all plugs to drain while the boat is angled heavily down. Then I pull ahead and when on level ground I get on the brakes for a brief sudden stop and the boat slides forward all the way. I have pulled the boat to the stop and winched it tight while in the water and when on level ground would find it an inch or two back due to the stern of the boat was floating and the bottom of the trailer was a few inches below it while in the water so that is when I no longer tried to get it tight while on the ramp. Once the bow is snug against the stop I install the safety chain then proceed to the back and connect my boat buckles. I would highly recommend the addition of boat buckles to everyone. They are a one of the best mods I can see hands down.

I think if the boat slid up a little when braking it could have removed tensions the strap and a few well timed pumps with a loose handle I could see the over popping out but I have never actually had that happen so it may be someone fooled with it on you or it was unlatched and not re-engaged. Things like that do happen but if the latch is engaged and the boat is cranked tight there is pretty much no way for them to pop free unless you crank the handle a little to take the tension of the gear and teeth mesh.

That being said I will tell you my procedure when loading and I follow it to a T every time so I do not have any unhappy instances.
I load the boat to the stop on the trailer and attach the winch and just snug it so the boat stays on the trailer when pulling it out of the water. I Stop at the top of the ramp and go pull all plugs to drain while the boat is angled heavily down. Then I pull ahead and when on level ground I get on the brakes for a brief sudden stop and the boat slides forward all the way. I have pulled the boat to the stop and winched it tight while in the water and when on level ground would find it an inch or two back due to the stern of the boat was floating and the bottom of the trailer was a few inches below it while in the water so that is when I no longer tried to get it tight while on the ramp. Once the bow is snug against the stop I install the safety chain then proceed to the back and connect my boat buckles. I would highly recommend the addition of boat buckles to everyone. They are a one of the best mods I can see hands down.

I do the same thing regarding the braking. Then just snug up the winch and the transom straps.

 

[CDENsomnia]

Yep, when the boat is all the way up on the roller the roller is semi-bent. Ill take a look at the buckles and see if I see anything. Its usually just a hard bump or something that causes them to loosen so maybe something is worn down allowing it to loosen.

 

[njmr2fan]

Add to the list tower speakers. I have gotten to the lake before with one dangling on the speaker wire....

Oof that would hurt. I was turning our tower speaker 180° so they were pointing at us in the boat and it came out dangling by the wire. I'd hate if I towed that way....