Crash Pad source?

[bionaraq]

Just bought a 2004 216 sport on a Eagle trailer and I want crash pads vs the bow roller. Any suggestions on where to find even a universal? Boatmate does not show them as an accessory you can buy, only an option on trailers.

[Scooter G]

bionaraq, I've run into a few items with both Boatmate and Nautique parts that you think, hmm, that should be on the list somewhere. Had to pick up the phone a time or 4, and inquire. Sure enough, availible, just not on the on-line hot item list. I'll be adding crash pads this winter, along with a front ladder grab rail, but in my situation it will be a custom fab thing.

[MN Ryan]

Is there a benefit you guys see from "crash pads" or is it just a personal preference thing? I've never had/used a trailer with crash pads--always bow rollers for me.

[shag]

I would also like to do this.. IMO, the crash pads were a much easier way to load/unload and were just as secure if connected right... I am not 100% sure why they went away from them... Different ramps and angles can make it hard to get a perfect line up with the bow roller..

[bturner]

Crash pads are a first time thing for me on this boat. Not sure how much I really like them, they seem to get in the way when putting the cover on/off. Mine has a winch strap as well so from a security perspective I don't lose anything there like some of the older trailers I've seen with crash pads. Honestly I personally would prefer the winch tower with a roller but this is what I got and it's not horrible. I certainly don't plan to change anything.

[Scooter G]

I will keep the roller, I just want to know that the boat has arrived, good visual for the Captain and the tow vehicle. I mean seems that way on paper, and in my minds eye anyway...

[bionaraq]

For me it's about the fact that the first two times loading the boat the bow came in UNDER the bow roller and my "new" to me boat has a chip in the gel coat on the nose now from it. we had to winch the boat on in order to get it over the roller. My father in law has crash pads and he has it down to the exact placement of the trailer and just rides right on up. signal to the driver and hooks the turnbuckle in the parking lot as we wipe the boat down. quite easily the quickest loading of any boat I've ever seen.

for now i'm going to use a lower tow point on the truck in order to drop the trailer nose so the trailer ON the ramp is less inclined relative to the floating boat.

[MN Ryan]

Gotcha. I just don't back in as far. The wife drives it to within a foot or two of the stop, then, I crank the rest. Lots of variables as far as ramp steepness/depth that play into a successful load. Here in MN, most of the ramps I use are fairly shallow.

I can see the benefits, but also, I think it would make it tough to put the cover on.

[Scooter G]

Ohhhh, good call MN Ryan, never crossed my mind. Haven't really thought it out yet, just on the 101 list of things to do. Will be interesting to see how I fab around that obstacle, sheesh, why won't this boat cover go on, lol.
Stay tuned for the unvailing of the quick release removeable crash pad assembly, or something like that...

[bionaraq]

his cover has the nose removed and ropes up front, so it just attaches around the crash pad.

[shag]

Yes they made covers specifically for those crash pads... even then, I used to just put the cover on over the bow, then pull the boat onto the trailer = problem solved... If you boat in many different lakes, then you've probably experienced different angles of ramps... Crash pads are much easier to do imo...

[MN Ryan]

To each their own, I guess.

[bionaraq]

I emailed Ramlin yesterday in the hopes they get back to me.

[ScooterMcgavin]

I could be wrong but I don’t think Ramlin is in the trailer manufacturing business anymore

[gary s]

I have a Phoenix with a bow roller and hated it Some steep ramps - Norris comes to mind, the roller was over and almost hitting the bow light. After that I had enough and figured I'd do something. Found a used Ramlin assembly and went from there. One could be made up but I lucked out finding one so it saved some work. The original Ramlin system had a pin you would remove tilting the pads forward to allow you to put the cover on which I retained. Here is the original roller system-



I had to extend the original by about a 9" since the boat on a Phoenix must sit higher. Here it is welded and primered.



This is the attachment to the trailer I made and had welded up,with the pad extension mounted in it before being welded to the main pad frame. You pull that small pin and the pad part tilts forward.



Here it is with the pin pulled and in the forward position. Also is where I mounted the winch.


Works great for me so far




Made plastic pads last year since the plywood carpeted ones were falling apart