Bunk Trailers

  • Thread starter XMYTRUCK XMYTRUCK
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XMYTRUCK XMYTRUCK

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I was reading my tracker manually last night dreaming the next time I will be fishing, and I saw a statement in the manual saying not to use the winch to load the boat because it was only designed to secure the boat. It then stated to only load this type of trailer by driving boat on it, which I do sometimes but it usually depends on the lake I am fishing on . But some lakes I fish on it is impossible to drive on the trailer so do winch it on.. I just found it funny because I always see people winching there boat on a bunk trailer..

X

 
I have always driven the boat on the trailer, even in a foot of water. I just tilted the motor up to make sure I don't hit bottom. I"ve never had a problem. It helps if you back trailer in water to get the bunks wet first, then pull forward to proper level for loading boat on trailer.
 
I read the same thing in my manual and had my dealer warn me as well. I think it all depends on the load you're putting on the winch. If you sink the trailer deep enough into the water, winching is not an issue. In my experience, if I sink the trailer to the point where the wheels and fenders are completely under water, I can winch up the boat all the way without any harm to the winch. If not, I'll guide the boat in as much as possible, hook up the winch, but then drive the boat on and winch it snug. I'm on my second year of doing this without any problems so far. Of course, YMMV.
 
I always drive on the trailer but sometimes, depending on the ramp, my 40 hp just doesn't have enough a$$ to get it all the way on. In that case I hook the winch rope up to the eye, pull the boat out to a flat area and hit my brakes hard. That always does it.:)



Bill
 
Hey Bill - that's a unique way of snugging up the boat! Hadn't thought of that one, although I have used the opposite approach to get the boat off the trailer - that is, go down the ramp and into the water, then slam on the brakes to push the boat off. Of course, my checklist includes hooking up an extra line from the bow eye to the trailer just in case I'm TOO successful!
 
I winch mine up quite a bit. On electric only lakes, my 55 lb all-terrain won't get it all the way up. ;)
 
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