Trailer Hitch Question

[ffmedic74]

Would it make much of a difference going on the trailer angle pulling the boat in and out of the water if I used a 5-3/4" drop hitch vs my normal 2" drop hitch? If so I was thinking about the Anderson mfg rapid hitch so I could use the 2" drop for towing and the 5-3/4 drop for pulling the boat in and out of the water. Let me know your thoughts.

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

On steep ramps, I use the method. It levels the trailer out slightly to the level of the boat sitting in the water. I feel it helps

[SkiTower]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

So you're talking about changing hitch heights to launch and recover??? Do you have a problem launching and recovering?

[TravisFling]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

I'm confused. You would pull your boat to the ramp, change hitches, put it in the water, pull it out and change hitches back to the 2" to tow it back to the house? Is your boat loading improperly? not seating on the trailer?

[gride300]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

IMO, the ramlin trailers sit way too low in the front and the prop guard too. for example, on my old mc trailer(ya ya i know) i put the ball on the hitch upside down to make the tongue level when towing and the prop guard was still nowhere near as close to the ground as my ramlin. i run a normal style hitch/ball set up now, but still don't care for it.

[mf01]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

Personally I use a 4" drop on my boat trailer all the time. The tow vehicle is a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500. It is just slightly higher at the back of trailer than the front, but it keeps the prop guard from hitting the ground.

[Nbigger]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

Adjustable ball mounts are nice but you should be able to find a mount that is the right height to tow and launch your trailer. Is your trailer towing at the 2” drop level? Or is the ramp very steep? The hitch ball is designed to have a very good range of motion and should not bottom out on a normal boat ramp.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

what vehicle and what boat? If you are towing level, and have a reasonably normal launch condition, I do not get why this would be an issue. Am I missing something?

[Quinner]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

My interpretation is By lowering the tongue of the trailer in essence the trailer would be at a lesser angle then the ramp. The lowering would be done for launching only, not towing. IMO it's a great idea particularly if you have a trailer like mine without crash pads, my boat tends to come back on the trailer with the rub rail being below the bump stop, coming off has similar problems which both could be solved if the trailer was not at such a steep angle.

[harddock]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

If you have the Turnbuckle style the boat shouldn't move. If you dont have a turnbuckle use a strap.

[ffmedic74]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

Quinner is right on......"My interpretation is By lowering the tongue of the trailer in essence the trailer would be at a lesser angle then the ramp. The lowering would be done for launching only, not towing. IMO it's a great idea particularly if you have a trailer like mine without crash pads, my boat tends to come back on the trailer with the rub rail being below the bump stop, coming off has similar problems which both could be solved if the trailer was not at such a steep angle"..

I do have the ramlin bow stop/crash pad but coming out of the water the rub rail always rub up on the bow stop. With the angle of the ramp I always put the trailer in a bit deep. Then when I start to take it out, I always have to have my wife watch to ensure the boat is centered well on the trailer so the fender doesn't rub the side of the boat even with the guide poles. My thinking is that if I make the boat more neutral in loading then I would not have any issues. The 2" drop hitch for normal driving is perfect with a newer chevy silverado. This is my 3rd boat/Ramlin combo and always had this issue. Just thinking of a better way.

[gride300]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

i have a turn buckle and webbing strap/winch and i use the winch to pull the boat up to where i want, tighten the turn buckle, pull her out of the water, and then make sure the winch and buckle are taught. works like a charm.

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

I'm glad Chris (quinner) caught on to the principle. As mentioned steep ramps can be a problem. It also helps eliminate the old method "slam on the brakes to get the bow of the boat against the bow stop problem".
People using the turnbuckle method be careful. As the trailer is pulled out of the water the tension on the bow eye is increased substantially. I've seen damage to the stem from bow eyes being ripped loose.

[ffmedic74]

RE: Trailer Hitch Question

Since some others have helped explain the issue. Does anyone know if a 2" to a 4" drop or 2" to 5 1/2" drop would make much of a difference?