Loading distance

[dietz]

When power loading, how close do you load to roller before cranking it the rest of the way?
We usually power to about 18" , then pull up rest of the way with crank.
Seems like some stress on the strap.

Sinking trailer deeper doesnt seem to center and hold on bunks , so think trailer is in sufficient depth.

 

[seanmclean]

Usually about the same, foot and a half or so. Winch is fine, before I powerloaded and just walked it on, would be even further away.

 

[Ratket]

Make sure to “ Dunk” the trailer fully or at least till all the bunks are submerged , this will help with that last 18” of cranking since the Carpet will be wet.

When I say Dunk I mean dip it in then pull it back out to ur preference.

 

[Rod5]

We Power up till it bangs the stop roller!

 

[Liveto99]

Trailer fenders just under water, then power it up, I go to the bow lean over and hook it and crank it in the last foot. Climb onto trailer then in to back of truck, Pull it all up till I can pull the plug out on the ramp with out standing in water. It always drains a quart or so I have no clue how it gets in there. Then pull up and a little brakecheck, snug winch and hook chain. put back straps on and go home.

 

[Beachbummer]

If you spray silicone spray on the bunks they turn into magically slippery bunks for a while. The winch will require much less power to crank the boat. but Watch out! It's slippery when unloading too, so don't unhook it except when you are ready for it to jump out of the trailer.

 

[dietz]

Trailer fenders just under water, then power it up, I go to the bow lean over and hook it and crank it in the last foot. Climb onto trailer then in to back of truck, Pull it all up till I can pull the plug out on the ramp with out standing in water. It always drains a quart or so I have no clue how it gets in there. Then pull up and a little brakecheck, snug winch and hook chain. put back straps on and go home.

Drain plug used to drain very little first 2 seasons. This season looks around a gallon. No clue why the increase. A bit concerned, but since i dont leave on lake overnight, i havent looked into it.

 

[Ratket]

Check those exhaust through hull bolts.

@dietz

 

[Ronnie]

When power loading, how close do you load to roller before cranking it the rest of the way?
We usually power to about 18" , then pull up rest of the way with crank.
Seems like some stress on the strap.

I power all the way up to the bow stop and would do so with or without a ramp n clamp or boat buddy ii .

IMHO one of the benefits of power loading is not having to winch at all or very little. There is always some stress on the strap when winching a boat that weighs several thousand pounds unless the boat is actually floating over its trailer's bunks. If you are concerned about hull damage consider buying bow scuff plate.

 

[Liveto99]

I want some stress on the nylon so it stays tight.

 

[ZGhost]

I never power load any boat. It put undue stress on your car transmission gear which is park at that point as the boat pushes the trailer and car forward. Besides, you unnecessarily risk banging your boat against the roller.
I pull up slowly, let the boat center itself and when it stops, I jump out and winch it up. Safest way to load. My 2cents.

 

[Dixie Highway]

Some ramps are just too shallow to allow a full winch on. When I say shallow I mean the angle of the ramp into the water, the ramp I use most often the back tire of my pickup is in the water when the trailer is where I like it, and if I just floated on the boat wouldn’t be over halfway on. If the ramp was just a bit steeper I could winch on.

 

[haknslash]

I winch on shallow angle ramps. Actually I don’t think I set the trailer any deeper back when I used to power load compared to only winching now. Boat still requires the same depth to get on the bunks. I could set the trailer deeper to take a little strain off the winch but it’s not like you’re having to winch a dry boat. Either way still requires a good stab of the brakes when you pull out to set the boat on the bunks so it won’t shift a few miles later going down the road.

 

[Ratket]

I winch on shallow angle ramps. Actually I don’t think I set the trailer any deeper back when I used to power load compared to only winching now. Boat still requires the same depth to get on the bunks. I could set the trailer deeper to take a little strain off the winch but it’s not like you’re having to winch a dry boat. Either way still requires a good stab of the brakes when you pull out to set the boat on the bunks so it won’t shift a few miles later going down the road.

I’ve never done the stab at the breaks, I will give it a try next time right after we pull the boat out of the water to see how much it moves. But to my defense it’s a 5 mile trip from my house to the ramp and I drive like 35-40 mph the whole way.