Happy "Trails" or Sad Mishaps ?

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Larry

While recently visiting a couple of boat yards, I happened upon the wrecked trailers area. I one yard, a whole stack of trailers had what appeared to be a "failure point" -- twisted beams leading to the welds near the hitch area. Another yard ... "trailering" accidents. What can I do to survive the "trail"?
 
Sep 25, 1999
600
Hunter 23.5 Indian Lake
twisted trailers,

The best thing you can do is make sure that your trailer was made for your boat or one like it, then be reasonable about the amount of stuff you have in your boat while trailering, the list can go on and on, one big thing would be to have someone who knows what they are looking at inspect the welds on the trailer, recently a relative who is a life long boater, and who does welding sand blasted his trailer and found all of the welds needed re done,I used to travel extensively and have seen lots of boats and trailers sitting side ways across the highway , a loaded boat doing 65 or 70 mph that has a blow out can put some stress on a frame, common sense, hope th is helps , when we went from trailering a 16 ft day sailer to a 23 ft boat I was a nervous wreck, finally it dawned on me, the whole deal is insured, do what u can to make sure you are safe and get on with it, good luck mike b
 
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Ray Bowles

Larry, While not truly knowing the exact...

point of failure you are speaking of, one cause of twisted main beams leading into the hitch area can be be the result of inproper tongue weight (lack of) that can cause the trailer to sway side to side at highway speeds. This motion can very rapidly increase to the point that it can result in a roll-over of the towed vehicle or the total loss of control of both vehicles. Jumping on the brakes during this situation sometimes can also increase the violence of the sway. Go to any RV, boat or trailer dealer and they can measure your tongue weight and advise on corrections.
 
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Larry

Trailer 5' under water....

Our maiden voyage of our new boat was spoiled when we were loading the boat back on the trailer. Everything was going fine until we tried to pull the boat out. The ramp had 2" clean gravel that rolled under my truck tires. Attempting to get a run at it, I backed up and then really got stuck. We took the boat back off the trailer. But, the trailer was 5' under. Luckily, another boater pulled me out, the process went better the second time around.
 
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Ray Bowles

Larry, Trailer underwater OK, even truck.....

Just make sure the boat is OK and that the truck and trailer is as far,far under water so as not block the next man on the ramp. This how you become a liveaboard sailor and your world will be much calmer. Heck, we actually watch a very drunk, vile and offensive man (and buddies) about 15 years ago launch his drag/ski boat without installing the drain plug. They had cussed and shouted obsenities at us so bad the hold time that after he roared up, shot the boat off into the water and raced into the parking lot we all decided to remain quiet. As they drug out their gear and beer the boat slowly sank while tied to the dock as the combined opinions of us spectators was that the safest place for this whole outfit. Some of the most pleasent beauty to have been seen in northern Idaho that year. Ray
 
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