A question to those who trailer...

berth control said:
I left my trailer without any type of lock on it at all in a parking lot in Key Largo for two weeks. I just foregot to put the lock on it. I got nervous when I remembered two days later that I hadn't locked it and called the lot where it was parked to ask the guy if he would go lock it for me. He said not to worry, in the 20 years they have been storing trailers for people they have never had one missing. I would have gone back to do it myself, but I was a full day's boat ride away and there was no good way to get back there.

My point is I think you guys are all a little overkill here. Throw a lock on it somehow, and if it gets stolen insurance will buy you a new one. I wouldn't go all Fort Knox on it.

Okay, now everyone tell me how "lucky" I am.
Click to expand...
I wish you told me that when it happened.
Could have been fun to test drive a wide beam boat:grin:
 
Tail Chaser 661 said:
I wish you told me that when it happened.
Could have been fun to test drive a wide beam boat:grin:
Click to expand...


I was on the boat, left the trailer, so it would have been an annoying pull down crowded roads with a wide trailer. :lol: That's not so fun - especially with as wide as these long boat trailers turn, right!:smt089
 
With the knuckleheads on the So Ca fwys.
It is more forgiving pulling a skinny boat. They can come into your lane more before taking off there mirror.

Ive driven trucks, 18 wheelers and now Motion Picture Industry Vehicles for 29 yrs.
Safest to just own the road.
Meaning.... Just straddle two lanes or more for making your turns.

Nothing gets you over the pucker factor of not fitting between the lanes.
Or your wheels are on both lines and people continually drift into your lane.

I don't use my stern hooks due too....
Looks like straps may get cut on my trimtabs.
Good place to chain the boat to the trl though.

Besides, How far can a 9500# boat and trl go.
Traveling 65+ mph. Then stopping on a dime. Because you just ran into a pole :huh::grin: Just Kidding:smt043

I have the winch, And two eyelets on the front of trl for strapping down the bow to the trl.
 
Really sucks having concern of your stuff getting ripped off.
My trips are usually three days. Going to new ramps.
I called the ramps finding out about any crime with un attended tow vehicles.

Risking a bad area anyway.
A chain around trl wheel to frame.
Trl saftey chains locked to reciever.
Then pull the slider out of the reciever.
Pull fuse that powers ignition on tow vehicle.

Now if it gets stollen, They really wanted it.
Then take the 40k hit on replacing a payed off 10 yr old highly modified diesel 4x4 pu with a new one.
O'Yea. The new diesels suck.
Might as well sell the boat.
 
Tail Chaser 661 said:
With the knuckleheads on the So Ca fwys.
It is more forgiving pulling a skinny boat. They can come into your lane more before taking off there mirror.

Ive driven trucks, 18 wheelers and now Motion Picture Industry Vehicles for 29 yrs.
Safest to just own the road.
Meaning.... Just straddle two lanes or more for making your turns.

Nothing gets you over the pucker factor of not fitting between the lanes.
Or your wheels are on both lines and people continually drift into your lane.

I don't use my stern hooks due too....
Looks like straps may get cut on my trimtabs.
Good place to chain the boat to the trl though.

Besides, How far can a 9500# boat and trl go.
Traveling 65+ mph. Then stopping on a dime. Because you just ran into a pole :huh::grin: Just Kidding:smt043

I have the winch, And two eyelets on the front of trl for strapping down the bow to the trl.
Click to expand...

You really dont use transom ties?
 
Tail Chaser 661 said:
I don't use my stern hooks due too....
Looks like straps may get cut on my trimtabs.
Click to expand...

That's OK, Berth. It doesn't bother me; as long when I'm towing I'm in front of Tail! :wink:

Tail, we've got lots of boats where the straps touch the tabs - if the tabs don't deflect the straps too much, don't worry about it. besides, possible going through a set of straps every so often is a lot less expensive than you're boat landing in the back of your truck, you know? You could also use a rag or scrap of carpet.

Another option would be to relocate where the straps attach to the trailer.
 
This conversation begs the question - what else do you do to sucure your boat to the trailer? Obviously (to most of us...), transom straps are a must. But what about an additional bow strap. Sure the winch will pull you up, but do you really believ in it for a long haul? I've seen several setups including a strap to the trailer and a turnbuckle.
 
unlvrebel said:
This conversation begs the question - what else do you do to sucure your boat to the trailer? Obviously (to most of us...), transom straps are a must. But what about an additional bow strap. Sure the winch will pull you up, but do you really believ in it for a long haul? I've seen several setups including a strap to the trailer and a turnbuckle.
Click to expand...

The winch and the safety chain up front, transom straps in the rear. IMO that should suffice.

Personally, I am MUCH more fearful of the hitch coupler coming off the ball. I dont know why. I have been trailering various things since I was 17 from jet skis to landscape trailers to boats, and nothing has ever happened, but the fear remains...

Going downhill especially, because if it comes loose its coming into the back of my truck. :smt009
 
Here is how you can prevent your trailer from being stolen wile you are gone.
#1) Leave the transom straps attached to the boat.
#2) Leave the winch strap attached too.
#3) Launch the boat.

Here is a video to demonstrate this technique

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvAHYR5DnZE[/youtube]
 
Presentation said:
Here is how you can prevent your trailer from being stolen wile you are gone.
#1) Leave the transom straps attached to the boat.
#2) Leave the winch strap attached too.
#3) Launch the boat.

Here is a video to demonstrate this technique

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvAHYR5DnZE[/youtube]
Click to expand...

Well wasnt that a fine howdy do?
 
berth control said:
You really dont use transom ties?
Click to expand...

NOPE! They run on the hinge on my trim tabs.
Will cut them ASAP.
Guess I could use some stern straps loosely.
I'm using,
Two ratchet straps on the bow eye attached to the trl Port/Starboard
Also the winch strap.
Trl has side bunks. No concern bouncing off trl
With the big hills I pull. Boat has a tendency to walk to the rear about 4"
I'm looking to add short safety chain just below bow roller.
The trl is beefed up at the roller.
The assembly is all mounted on 4"X4" hvy gauge steel and some 1/4" channel steel.

Having rear drums on the dodge and drum surge brakes on the trl. I'm not stopping that fast anyway :grin:
 
Lazy Daze said:
That's OK, Berth. It doesn't bother me; as long when I'm towing I'm in front of Tail! :wink:

Tail, we've got lots of boats where the straps touch the tabs - if the tabs don't deflect the straps too much, don't worry about it. besides, possible going through a set of straps every so often is a lot less expensive than you're boat landing in the back of your truck, you know? You could also use a rag or scrap of carpet.

Another option would be to relocate where the straps attach to the trailer.
Click to expand...

Hey Lazy Daze, :smt018
No worries,
I have a faster, more powerful tow vehicle then you.
I will always be in front of you :grin::lol:
My concern would be......
If I did let you pass me. And you then stomped on your brakes.
With me having trl drum surge brakes. That could get spooky. Especially when the trl wheel cylinders blow out.

My trl does have the tabs for hooking transom straps to.
They are welded like 4" below and to the inside of the tabs
That causes stern straps to cut into the tabs at about a 20 degree angle. Cutting in on the sharp hinge.
I'm not comfortable with putting a side load on the tabs either. Causing a possible transom leak

I have two straps at the bow attached to the trl. along with the winch strap. Very beefed up assembly.

You're right,
Boats and trls are equipped with eyelets for straps.
So they should be used.

Thanks Lazy Daze
That's whats good about these forums.
A little more thought.
Good idea having them eyelets cut off and moved outward on the trl.
Then the straps wont cut into the tabs.

The bad thing about forums.
My boat would have already been splashed back in March

My focus has been on increasing fuel range 120%
Increasing mpg by at least 80%
Increasing cruise mph by at least 7mph
Dropping cruise rpm by 500 to 1000rpm.

Got all that figured out.
Never gave the stern straps much thought :huh::lol:
 
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Tail Chaser 661 said:
Hey Lazy Daze, :smt018
I have a faster, more powerful tow vehicle then you.
I will always be in front of you :grin::lol:

Good idea having them eyelets cut off and moved outward on the trl.
Then the straps wont cut into the tabs.
Click to expand...

Yeah, yeah, yeah. :smt001 What are you towing with, a Dmax?

You don't have to cut and weld - you can buy new tie-down eyes for about $10. There similar to an L-bracket - but think supersized - about 3" wide, and each leg is about 3" long - bent to about 45*, not 90*. Then there's a 1/2" hole in each leg. Bolt one hole to your trailer, the other hole is for your hook.

I've got many boats (standard issue from Sea Ray) hanging around that the strap hits the tabs and deflects the strap by a good 20* or so. We don't even use a rag with those!

But, of course, it's better to have it straight.
 
:lol::lol:
A 97 Dodge 5.9 Cummins 5sp manual with gear vendors od (8 Speed)
370 hp 850 ft lbs of tq . Bigger turbo, injection pump mods, 4" straight thru exhaust, Blah,Blah,Blah,
Mechanical fuel pump. No computer. :grin:

Thanks for the info.
Getting the die grinder out is hard on the ears.
I would just get a new L bracket welded on. Stronger?
Let them drill the strap hole in it also
 
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