PRO TRAILER-LOADING TIPS

Eight tips for retrieving your boat at the ramp.

Loading a boat on a trailer is easy, but new trailer boaters sometimes struggle. These tips, combined with a bit of practice and experience, will quickly convert a newbie to an expert. It’s easier and faster with two people—a driver for the tow vehicle and another for the boat. However, many skippers load their boats single-handed.

WINDOWS DOWN

Roll down the vehicle windows and turn off the radio. This facilitates communication and enables an escape should the vehicle somehow roll or slide into the water.

POSITIONING

Ramp conditions and the type of trailer determine how deep to back

in the trailer. A rule of thumb for a bunk-style trailer: Position it with the tops of the fenders barely awash. This allows the bunks to capture the boat’s hull as it slides up and onto the trailer.

SECURE THE VEHICLE

With the trailer in position, secure the tow vehicle to prevent it from rolling backward. With an automatic transmission, shift into park and set the emergency brake. With a manual transmission, set the emergency brake, then shift into low gear and turn off the engine. On steep and slippery ramps, be sure to chock the rear wheels of the vehicle.

EASE IT ON

At deadidle speed, slowly drive the boat onto the trailer. With a sterndrive or outboard boat, trim up as needed to prevent contacting the ramp with the lower unit. Once the bow is near the trailer’s bow stop, connect the winch strap and, if possible, the safety chain.

WINCH OR POWER?

At some launch ramps, using extra engine thrust to nudge the hull all the way up to the bow stop is prohibited. Known as power loading, this scours a hole at the base of the ramp and piles up a shoal on the approach. Where power loading is prohibited, use the trailer winch to finish loading. You can back the trailer in a bit to make this easier. You might consider an electric power winch to ease the task. Learn more at boatingmag.com/10things-to-look-forbefore-you-buy-electric-boat-trailer-winch.

If you have not already done so, tilt the sterndrive or outboard all the way up to prevent it from dragging on the pavement as you drive your rig up the ramp.

PULL UP THE RAMP

Remove any chocks you may have set.

With an automatic transmission, put your foot on the brake pedal and start the engine (if not already running). With a manual, depress the clutch and brake pedals, and start the engine. With both, release the emergency brake and use low gear to slowly pull up the ramp. If the ramp is slick and you have four-wheel drive, now is a great time to use it.

PREP FOR THE ROAD

Don’t stop on the ramp to secure the boat, because you will risk blocking access for other trailer boaters. Instead, pull into the

parking area, and then stop to lower antennas and the Bimini top, batten the transom tie-downs, attach the bow safety chain, ensure the trailer lights are plugged in, attach the transom saver for the outboard or sterndrive, and square away loose gear. Now is also a good time to remove the drain plug to shed any water in the bilge.