'98 Explorer XLT 4x4 V6 SOHC

I'm installing a hitch for an upcoming ski boat rental for a special excursion on the local lake. I have pulled a trailer on two occasions, and although I am somewhat of a towing newbie, I am competent/skilled enough to get the job done.... I don't know how pretty it is, but that is another story.

I have gone boating with friends in the past and know the basic procedures to launching a boat and re-trailering it. My concern and question revolves around the following... I don't think anyone in my party has trailer experience, AND the boat will be my responsibility, so I am concerned about handing the helm over to another inexperienced person to pull it on/off and approach the dock to load myself/others (primary concern.... ie: damage and liability) - maybe I am paranoid. If I handle that part (which I am most comfortable with) I need someone to handle the truck/trailer.
Any advise would be appreciated.?
Also, how does one do it all himself (I do however plan to utilize the inexperienced extra hands where available)?
Is there any launching/trailering etiquette that I need/should be aware of?

Thanks!!!

 

A couple of things come to mind - Don't take out your fustration (if any) on your wife or girlfriend, I have seen this numerous times. This is rule #1 and will come back to haunt you if not followed to a high degree

Second, if you are a newbie, do expect to move right along in the whole process, if at a crawded ramp. Things can get ugly on a busy sunny day when a newbie takes a 1/2 hour to launch or recover, when it should take at most three (3) minutes.

Another - Do take off your transom tie dows (or gunwale strap) before you start backing down. DO NOT disconnect your winch cable / strap / hook / bar / pin until you get the boat and trailer backed down to the water. Otherwise you may end up launching your boat on the actual ramp - if you are using a alll roller trailer that is.

And last but not least, DO use your parking / emergency brake when on the ramp. You want to launch the boat, not your truck!

Oh - do have a line or two already out and ready to use on your newly launched boat! No sense to swim out to retrieve it !

*24 years in the pleasure boat business, followed by 11 years as a boat fleet maint manager, I have seen a lot !*

Good luck - David

 

lol, dave hit it head on.

couple of things that i will add.

if the ramp gets crowded it can get ugly. if crowded and its your turn, do everything slowly. with ropes pull it up on the bunkers, hitch it and winch it in, and if it needs help then you give it a little gas.

like dave said, dont take out frustrations on someone that doesnt deserve it.

and the best tip you can get, dont plan your day to leave or come in during the most packed hours.

 

It would not hurt to have the truck already in 4x4 low when going down a slippery ramp and when parking the vehicle, turn the wheels full lock so if the vehicle rolls, it hits the nearest non-moving object. Hopefully a tall wall. This way your boat trailer can't take the truck for a ride.

25 feet of tow strap and front and rear tow hooks don't hurt either.

In the FWIW category, I have seen people lose boats while on the highway. Always painful to see a front end loader picking up a fiberglass boat worth more then my 1st house with 1/2" chain loops. It wouldn't hurt to have a sling or two in the tow vehicle just in case or bull ropes you can turn into a quick noose.

 

If its a roller trailer, have someone drive it up and another person be ready with the winch cable ready to hook it in the bow eye (dont run person over in process). Crank boat up trailer. If a bunk trailer, back into water as far as you did when launching, just enough so you had to gently shove it off trailer, and drive boat on trailer, second person attaches strap and gives a few cranks to finish the job.

Attach safety chain to bow eye.

DO NOT let any newbies/novices touch the winch crank, a wrong move can break an arm if that thing starts spinning.

Put drain plug in before launching.

Ask for help rather than tie up the ramp if problems arise, people will usually be happy to help.

 

Yes, don't be bashful or embarrassed. Generally, people will be glad to help. But, you may run into launch loonies every once in a while. Just ignore them.

 

practice backing up the trailer LONG before you get to the ramp.

when launching, have someone hold a 20 or so foot rope tied to a front boat cleat. they walk the rope down as you back the trailer in, boat floats off they pull boat to dock (you could also do this yourself by tieing the rope to the trailer bunk)

When retreiving, only back the trailer in till the top of the fenders are at the waterling, have someone slowly drive boat onto trailer (MAKE SURE THEY KNOW how to use the throttle)

My wife and I do this multiple times a week

 

Thanks guys - that is all good advice.

One part I don't understand the rational to is... why leave the transom straps on until at the bottom of the ramp? I understand why the bow winch and chain, but I would think you would want to back all the way in and let the stern float....

 

On re-read I see I got that backward about the transom straps.... you ARE supposed to take them off first - roger. We were on the same page all along.

 

A trick I've taught many people concerning backing a trailer;

When backing, keep one hand on the steering wheel at the 6'clock position.

As you're backing, wherever you want the **** of the trailer to go is the SAME direction you turn your hand.

 

It is always proper launch etiquette to stop and load your supplies and do all your launch preparations EXCEPT releasing the bow winch line hook outside of the actual launching area. You do not want to be blocking the ramp while "getting ready to launch". When it is your turn you can go right on down and launch, this will keep the boat launch dictators from getting all bent out of shape.

Jim

 

I've heard that... sounds like it would work with a lot of people - for some reason my brain thinks that is too easy and it must be harder, so it reverses it.

What has helped me with the little equipment trailers is when a friend told me to "let the trailer pull the truck." For some reason my brain says, "ok - I get it" and makes all the interpretations into hands and feet. Sometimes I will start to turn the wrong way but can fairly quickly correct (as long as they aren't big angles). I just imagine the back of the trailer is driving and I am in the trailer - weird, I know.

 

Also remember that when you're pulling the boat out at the end of the day, a high percentage of the people around you will be inebriated, and will act accordingly.