Trailer Loading Procedure

[tcunio]

All. We have a 96SN that sits on a single axis ram-lin trailer. The boat did not have a turnbuckle when we purchased it. The original owner used the boat exclusively on a lift during the summer and only used the trailer 2x per year (in and out of the water).

We originally used a HD tie strap to connect the boat to the trailer. After that started to wear the paint off the crash pad support we switched to a heavy duty chain. We have a single D-ring that connects the HD (5000 lb) chain to a HD clip we attach to the boat bow.

The issue is that the D-ring broke last week.

Do most people attach the turnbuckle / chain / wench before pulling the boat out of the water? In my case the chain we are using becomes so tight I’m assuming the backup D-ring I have is going to break soon as well.

Should I just purchase a turnbuckle?

Thoughts?

[BrennanK]

Yes you should just purchase a turnbuckle. I wouldn't consider anything else.
I pull my boat out without the turnbuckle, and attach it right after. I have a very shallow ramp and I know it well. If I go to any ramp that I am not familiar with I will use the turnbuckle. If you do decide to pull out with the turnbuckle attached, be sure to leave it loose or else the transom of the boat will not sit on the trailer bunks.

[DanielC]

The boat sits level when it is floating. and the trailer is down hill, on the ramp. If the front of the boat is contacting the trailer bunks, and the back is still floating, and you attach the bow eye to the trailer, when the back end of the boat meets the back of the trailer, as it is being pulled out of the water, something has got to give.

A nylon strap wound around a winch will give a little. A metal D ring, attached to a chain has no give.