HOW TO MOVE A BOAT (ON TRAILER) THATS HEAVY BY HAND

[robbo101]

Few suggestions that may help.
-As posted above by someone, reversing camera is very handy.
-Always park the boat in the same spot and mark on the ground where the car wheels need to be to be perfectly under the hitch, back up top this mark and don't go past.
My favourite budget option.. find a medium size mirror. mount the mirror perpendicular to the trailer coupling at a 45deg angle so when backing up you can see the coupling from your car when you look back into the mirror, once you get close you should have the mirror on such an angle that you can see both the hitch and tow ball at the same time, you should be able to stop perfectly every time. The only catch is that this method gets the distance correct and you have to do your best to line it up straight but after some practice it becomes second nature and you will hardly ever miss. i have done this with my heavy tool trailer for years. Hopefully you understand this method as it is cheap and effective. If you need me to sketch it out I can!

Rob.

[ducky]

I had a similar problem with my boat. Ball weight was around 125kg. BMT is around 1050kg. I also had a problem where the car boot would just clip the electric motor and not lift completely. We solved both issues by moving the winch post back about an inch or so. It's a shite load easier to move around now that it's around 85kg ball weight. Amazing what a small change makes.

I've always brought the car to the trailer for heavy stuff then lower the jockey wheel. On my tow car I have a reverse camera which means I can get the ball directly under the hitch every time. it's a absolute godsend especially in the dark when solo.

The mirror idea is a good one

[Scraglor]

Few suggestions that may help.
-As posted above by someone, reversing camera is very handy.
-Always park the boat in the same spot and mark on the ground where the car wheels need to be to be perfectly under the hitch, back up top this mark and don't go past.
My favourite budget option.. find a medium size mirror. mount the mirror perpendicular to the trailer coupling at a 45deg angle so when backing up you can see the coupling from your car when you look back into the mirror, once you get close you should have the mirror on such an angle that you can see both the hitch and tow ball at the same time, you should be able to stop perfectly every time. The only catch is that this method gets the distance correct and you have to do your best to line it up straight but after some practice it becomes second nature and you will hardly ever miss. i have done this with my heavy tool trailer for years. Hopefully you understand this method as it is cheap and effective. If you need me to sketch it out I can!

Rob.

That mirror trick would work pretty well if you dont have a camera, even if it doesnt line you up, at least it would stop you damaging your car on the hitch, and most times even if ur a little out u can still move the trailer around a little bit to fix it up.

[chris srsc]

This is my plan if i get too old....
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=remot ... 242&spud=0

[purple5ive]

Some great tips here guys.
Thanks for the help.
Ill look into a reversing camera eventually bit till then ill use the mirror trick.

Brett - I've seen those before. Do you have to permanently mount them on the hitch though?

Also that ratchet dolly is anothwr option but ill try these easy ones first
Thanks once again Guys
Cheers

[Wolly Bugger]

The jockey wheel has a handle on top that can be used to raise or lower the wheel when you wind it.

Thanks mate,
yes i do understand now how to effectively use the jockey wheel, i know how to raise and lower it, but didnt quite realise how i can effectively use it to hitch the trailer on.
i honestly thought it was just there to make the front of the boat level with the back so it didnt look funny, and to drain water out the bung hole by raising the front end of the boat to max
(gotta have a laugh at someones expense once in a while)

:a_goodjob: :banana: :victory:

It is easy to assume that someone knows something, that appears to be so simple. I really did wonder why you were trying to lift the trailer coupling, whilst you had a wind up jockey wheel. But then some of us really do need to go to the gym and that is a great way to save on gym fees.
:woohoo:

[re-tyred]

I had a similar problem with my boat. Ball weight was around 125kg. BMT is around 1050kg. I also had a problem where the car boot would just clip the electric motor and not lift completely. We solved both issues by moving the winch post back about an inch or so. It's a shite load easier to move around now that it's around 85kg ball weight. Amazing what a small change makes.

I've always brought the car to the trailer for heavy stuff then lower the jockey wheel. On my tow car I have a reverse camera which means I can get the ball directly under the hitch every time. it's a absolute godsend especially in the dark when solo.

The mirror idea is a good one

When I replaced my trailer last year, I had almost no weight on the hitch. I simple undid the winch post Ubolts and slid it forward 50mm. Bingo 40kg on the hitch. Five minute job.
Being a motorbike rider all my life, I have towed many trailers with big bikes. Hitch weight is everything. Always weighed it after loading. Simple with bathroom scales. On bikes a couple of Kg makes all the difference between a smooth tow and one that is pushing the rear wheel around. If you have too much weight and the rear of the vehicle is pushed down too much, then the steering will become light. This can lead to disaster in slippery conditions. If insufficient weight on the rear then when the trailer pushes you the vehicle will jacknife more easily.

[Brett]

Brett - I've seen those before. Do you have to permanently mount them on the hitch though?

Cheers

Video is a bit 50/60's style lol

https://youtu.be/62bmgwwRpyo

[Lightningx]

Clever device :thumbsup:

[purple5ive]

Thanks brett.
wasnt sure if that whole assembly needed to be permanently mounted, the video explains it all.
looks like a winner to me.
cheers