Trailer adjustment question- Prestige Trailer

[Paxdad]

Hoping some of you can assist. Please take a look at the photo and tell me if the trailer front roller and winch are positioned ok. Based on the ramp I use if it were positioned any higher up on the bow when loading, the bow nose would be under the roller. I would really like to convert it to a bunk v pad style set up instead of the winch roller configuration but Prestige is no longer in business so contacting them is not an option. Any ideas or comments are certainly welcome.

[Zach@n3]

I have a bunch of old stock Ramlin bow stops you could probably make work. I am a slalom skier so I like bow stop style trailers till the day I die.

[NCH2oSki]

On my Magnum trailer that uses a bow roller/winch there is an additional roller in between the bunks that boosts the bow of the boat up if it needs it. The ramlins have additional set of bunks that basically accomplish the same thing. The boat doesn't touch either of them after its loaded. I can get a picture later today if that doesn't make sense.

I'd be interested in converting my Magnum trailer over to the bow stop also, if you have enough for a couple of trailers.

[s_kelley2000]

How deep is your trailer in the water when you are loading? Most trailers, the fenders should be right at the water surface for the best loading angle. If the trailer is too deep in the water that can cause the nose to end up under the roller or bow stop because the boat is still floating in the water and not riding up the bunks. I am basing this off of my experience with Ramlin trailers drive on trailers so your results may vary. I used to have problems loading at one of the steep ramps I use but once I started leaving the trailer so the fenders were at the surface of the water it solved my issue.

[Quinner]

Winch strap sure does not look level, maybe try moving it down a bit. Know what you mean about the bow roller, always hated mine!
You may want to contact Eagle trailers, their framing looks very similar to yours so their Bunk stop could be a bolt on for your trailer.

Shawn, if you drive on hard/power load as you explained, it scratches the gel, not as big a deal with a white hull as they are barely visible, with colored hulls those scratches really show.

[s_kelley2000]

I agree Quinner, but what option do I have with a Ramlin power load trailer that doesn't have a winch? I back the trailer in deep enough to wet the bunks and then pull back out so the fenders are level and then drive on. So far there are no visible marks on my white hull and same with my family's 91 Sport that has been trailered this way since new. With a colored hull I would probably look into adding a winch or getting a different style trailer.

But to clarify, my point was that if the trailer is too deep in the water that whether power loaded or pulled up by the winch that it can go under the bow stop/roller because it is floating in the water lower than it would be if it was resting on the bunks. With a colored hull maybe the trick is to have the trailer deep at first and crank it up most of the way and then pull the trailer forward a little bit and continue cranking?

[Quinner]

With a colored hull maybe the trick is to have the trailer deep at first and crank it up most of the way and then pull the trailer forward a little bit and continue cranking?

Exactly, it can take two or three moves forward on a crappy ramp.

Had a ram-lin w/no winch under my 93' which had a colored hull. Hull is so tight between the fenders you really cannot float it on without running the risk of the hull ending up on top of the fenders, total pita.

They all have their shortcomings, just a matter of making do!!

[Paxdad]

How deep is your trailer in the water when you are loading? Most trailers, the fenders should be right at the water surface for the best loading angle. If the trailer is too deep in the water that can cause the nose to end up under the roller or bow stop because the boat is still floating in the water and not riding up the bunks. I am basing this off of my experience with Ramlin trailers drive on trailers so your results may vary. I used to have problems loading at one of the steep ramps I use but once I started leaving the trailer so the fenders were at the surface of the water it solved my issue.

I have the trailer fully submerged as if not the bow roller is above the nose of the boat when approaching. The ramp is not that steep either so I don't think that is the issue. I have a dark blue colored hull bottom so I am trying to be meticulous about not power loading it but you can definitely see the scratches in the gel coat. By submerging the trailer fully and having the rear guide poles in very tight I try to float the boat up to the roller, attach winch and tighten it down then pull forward/ out of the water slowly while the boat centers itself on the main trailer bunks. It works out fairly well but if off by a couple of inches the boat can sit on one side of either fender causing you to have to back in a bit for the boat to reposition and then pull forward again. Other than the rear guides and the winch mount there is no adjustability to the trailer.

[Paxdad]

I have a bunch of old stock Ramlin bow stops you could probably make work. I am a slalom skier so I like bow stop style trailers till the day I die.

Zach, Can you send me a photo of the bow stop you mentioned. That will give me a better idea of what it looks like as I am certainly interested and appreciate the offer. My thinking is that if I have a bow stop and have the trailer fully submerged I can easily pull into the slot secure it with winch or turnbuckle and then pull out limiting the amount of movement on the bunks and reduce the scratches from my front bunks.

[ski4evr]

I have the exact same trailer. The bow eye is snug under the bow roller like yours. With this trailer design, the top of the fenders are out of the water, ease boat between guide poles, and let it stop when centered up on main bunks. I attach the winch and assist by cranking the winch while she puts a little throttle to it. Only way to make it a one shot event and not KO the nose of the boat. Definitely very sensitive to ramp steepness. When using different ramps, I watch fenders as I back in slowly and notice where the boat starts to float off and stop just short of that point when loading. Too many ramp idiots and short tempers to be jacking around trying to baby it on the trailer here. Haven't noticed any scuff marks and my hull is black. Other than that, it has been a very dependable and low maintenance trailer.

[Paxdad]

I have the exact same trailer. The bow eye is snug under the bow roller like yours. With this trailer design, the top of the fenders are out of the water, ease boat between guide poles, and let it stop when centered up on main bunks. I attach the winch and assist by cranking the winch while she puts a little throttle to it. Only way to make it a one shot event and not KO the nose of the boat. Definitely very sensitive to ramp steepness. When using different ramps, I watch fenders as I back in slowly and notice where the boat starts to float off and stop just short of that point when loading. Too many ramp idiots and short tempers to be jacking around trying to baby it on the trailer here. Haven't noticed any scuff marks and my hull is black. Other than that, it has been a very dependable and low maintenance trailer.

I just got back this evening from the lake and took this photo before launching. You can see the rub marks on the bottom just in front of the bunks. It does not take that much effort now that I have the hang of it but there is certainly a trick to it. I am going to replace the front bunks the next time boat is off the trailer and double up on the carpet to afford a little more padding. I did notice the brake actuator was very low on fluid so I am going to fill and bleed and fill again to get the crud out at the same time that I work on the bunks. Thanks for everyone's replies.

[Paxdad]

Well I cant seem to post the photo for some reason>>>>>Will try again later.

[Paxdad]

Well I cant seem to post the photo for some reason>>>>>Will try again later.