When trailering alone........or not

[reelapeelin]

90% of the times my boat goes out the driveway, it's well before sunrise for 1 1/2 hr interstate run to the lake...if you tow in dark, be sure you have ample light for roadside emergencies and that you can mark the fact that you are on the side of the road...

[bgreene]

That's a real good tip too !!!

Trailering is really a bit of a hassle. Not hard to do......... just a hassle to do well.

Anyone who thinks a trailer is just a frame with wheels - wrong.
So much to do and maintain, besides avoiding issues at the ramps.

I only trailer for two reasons:
1. So i can go where the fish are - up /down the jersey shore and delaware bay.
2. I like to keep the boat at home so I can keep it crazy clean and fuss with it.

This may change in the future, thinking about options.

[step up here]

well to trailer a boat alone may not be so bad but at my age i would never go fishing or boating alone!

[chumbucket]

I trailer my boat alone a lot of the time. Another thing I found useful for launching and loading in the dark or low light; Take note on a good bright sunny day of how deep your trailer needs to be for optimum launching and loading. Mark your fenders at the waterline, then apply reflective tape at the marked lines on your fenders. Now when you back down, the tail lights on your truck will illuminate the reflective tape. If the tape disappears below the waterline, you know you're too deep. You'll also know if you're not backed down enough.

[reelapeelin]

Just got back from the beach Sunday...trailered the boat down on Wed, back home Sunday...5 1/2 -6 hrs each way...took interstates going down and came back on backroad Hwy 9...I find the back way more relaxing and the hills not as extreme as trying to maintain interstate speeds...

Of course I can't say I was alone...wifey read and slept...Kate slept...

[Road King Cole]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

Of course I can't say I was alone...wifey read and slept...Kate slept...

I often bring the wifey and or the dog, but might as well be alone, they are both almost equal in help provided. Instead of tying up the bow line, I let the wife hold it to make her feel like she is helping...

Good thread, great tips....

rkc

[cfelton]

Another thing I've noticed is alot of guys never check the tires for cracks, air pressure correct, and wheel bearings for looseness and grease. I grease my bearings after every dunking. Also check axles for rusted out spots around the leaf spring brackets. A good friend lost a wheel last year turning around at the ramp when his axle snapped into about an inch behind the brake backing plate, where the leaf spring is attached. Check your trailer jack and lug wrench, make sure they work ok. I replaced a tire yesterday because it had alot of dryrot cracks. Now I have four matching new tires and a good spare. Good topic for starting out a safe year of boating!!

[macojoe]

I also use a big rubber wheel chocks behind the wheel of truck, more when I am loading the boat, as some of the ramps can be slippery, I have a rope with a S hook on the end to hook to the truck bumper so when i drive up ramp the chock will be in tow. This way i no have to pull it out before i am in truck, and don't have to walk back down the ramp to get it.

[RidgeRunner]

Informative.

I carry a set of reflective triangles in my truck box. Easy way to be seen on the side of a dark road. Also a bottle jack a block of wood for stability of jack, 4-way, bearings, grease, chisels, hammer, rags, an extra hub loaded with bearings, spare tires, basic hand tools and some rags and gojo for washing up.

Everybody has their way of launching. A Pre-launch checklist is a must as is keeping your cool. A busy launch ramp can be intimidating.
Beyond that when I launch, I prefer to back the boat off the trailer. I back it in to my pre-marked level (CB)(or until the stern starts to float) set the brake throw her in park (REEL), get out and release the safety chain and winch strap from the bow eye. If I hit my mark the boat will stay put on the bunks. (If it starts to slide off I can pull the truck out just a hair before releasing the winch strap) I then climb over the bow via the winch stand and see if she will start and make water before backing it off and mooring it to the dock. It is quick, effective and saves a lot of time in the event the engine won't start. I don't think it would work for the guys with roller trailers or runaway Yamahas (RWilson). A quick look around your tow vehicle post-launch to make sure everything is locked away and you didn't forget anything: sunglasses, cell phone w/charger, food, drinks and incidentals..
Be safe..

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by step up here

well to trailer a boat alone may not be so bad but at my age i would never go fishing or boating alone!

Hmmmm....I'm 67 and I trailer, launch, boat, fish and retrieve alone all the time. (A powerwinch on the trailer is a must). Please don't misunderstand me, I love having company, but a lot of times ppl have something else to do. To my way of thinking lifes too short to not go fishing when you get the chance. You just have to observe the proper safety precautions... always wear a life jacket of some kind (I like the kayakers type because of their cut out arm holes). Always wear a safety lanyard. Always attach your engine cut off switch cord onto your person. Unless there are health concerns it's really not that hard for a single person to do it alone. Try it, you'll like it.