trailer roller guides / side boards

[rabyers1]

I have my 2001 260 DA on a Venture aluminim bunk trailer. I am thinking about adding roller guides or side boards to help line up the stern when I am loading back on. Has anyone added these? Most I have seen on-line don't seem heavy duty enough for a 6200# boat.

 

[beachcombersc]

I have my 2001 260 DA on a Venture aluminim bunk trailer. I am thinking about adding roller guides or side boards to help line up the stern when I am loading back on. Has anyone added these? Most I have seen on-line don't seem heavy duty enough for a 6200# boat.

I have them. I dont use them that often to help, but they can help in some situations. They are easier to see when empty and backing down the ramps as well. I installed them on my jetski trailer just for that reason....

As far as the boat being too heavy, I wouldnt be coming in that fast ever...

Good luck!

 

[rabyers1]

Thanks for the reply beachcombersc. I already have the PVC posts on my 15' Whaler trailer and they work great. I don't drive my 260 DA boat on to the trailer. I have to tie up at the ramp slip and fetch the trailer as the captain has her hands full with our two little ones. So I am looking for a way to keep my stern properly aligned over my bunks as I am winching at the bow. I usually get the trailer pretty deep to facilitate winching this 3 ton boat onto a bunk trailer, so the stern floats until just before the bow gets to the winch stand. I think side boards or rollers would do the trick to keep the stern in line - I just wanted to make sure they are strong enough to handle any unexpected bumps & errant rammings that might occur during the adventures of loading at the ramp.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Actually, you're closer to 8,000lbs with all of your stuff, gas, water, etc.

But, like mentioned above, just find a sturdy set - it'll be fine. You won't be putting much stress on it.

Another idea - spray your bunks with lubricating bunk spray before dunking the trailer, or attach bunk slides. It'll slide up easier and you won't have to put the trailer as far in the water. How about a power winch.

My wife is super-mom - she keeps the two little ones in the boat with her while she powers all the way on. Just a little bragging, there! :smt001

 

[Morpheus]

Go for the spray or slides don't try a power winch.

I've already broken my winch strap thinking I could muscle the boat another inch to the winch roller. I was strong enough but the strap wasn't I learned real quick how to try the strap through the bow eye to secure it until I go to the store to buy a new one.

Our ramps here are not very steep so I would have to put the truck's back wheels in the water to get the trailer deep enough to winch the boat on, and then usually the ramp is not long enough and yo uend up driving it off the end of the ramp, don't ask how I know, thankfully the boat was not on the trailer when it happened.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Typically a powerwinch will have cable. But, there are stronger straps available than what comes with a typical trailer, too. Besides, a strap is a maintenance item - the sun will deteriorate it over time and it will break. If the strap isn't coming in straight, if it gets twisted, or is chafing against the housing then it is more likely to break, as well. Good point, though, Morpheus, it's certainly something to think about.

 

[Morpheus]

Yea I put a stronger strap on then was on there. I'm glad it was 99.9% on the trailer when that happened though I can't imagin what I would of done if I had not had the boat on the trailer yet.

My dad had a cable version on his winch on old boat when I was a kid. It had one of them trailers that bent in half (not sure what's that called) but he always winched on and one time that cable snaped luckly it didn't hit him but I remember learning alot of new curse words that day.

 

[chuck1]

Morpheus,
Better to have the strap break instead of pulling the bow eye off the boat. You are not going to move the 240 when its on the bunks.
I've thought about the side poles, but have never done it. Quit a few of our ramps around here are steep and your stern is floating when your bow is snugged all the way up.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yea I put a stronger strap on then was on there. I'm glad it was 99.9% on the trailer when that happened though I can't imagin what I would of done if I had not had the boat on the trailer yet.

I hear 'ya - the last thing you want is a boat to be going backwards on a trailer... all by itself!

The straps I was referring to are typically yellow in color and have a 10,000lb rating. Unless Morpheus is your super hero name, there must have been other factors at play here (maybe it was just a defect in the strap, too). However, it is very good you brought this up as maybe it will inspire others to check their strap - a very often over-looked "preventative maintenance" item. A new strap is about $25. I would say it's certainly worth spending that money before it breaks and your boat slides off the trailer as you pull up the ramp.

A few years ago, I was waiting in line at a ramp and the fellow a few boats in front of me (with a roller trailer) decided to unhook his safety chain before backing down and getting the boat wet. I think you can guess where I'm going with this... It was older boat, and the winch gave out. The boat went sailing off the trailer, gear case hit first -- loud BANG -- continued to slide -- hull landed next -- awful sandpaper like sound -- winch cable got the end and -- JERK -- the boat stopped. It was about a 20' cuddy cabin, didn't look very heavy at all - rather spartan on the inside (wasn't a SR). We were able to winch the bow back on; when it got halfway on, a bunch of us lifted the stern to level it out and continued winching.

The bottom was scraped up, although not as bad as you might imagine. No visible problems with the drive. He put the boat in the water and went boating! The drive was a Merc!