How to transport a boat on a car trailer
The boat owner, in addition to regular inspection, preservation and re-preservation of the vessel, has another acute problem - transportation. Light and manoeuvrable on water, boats and boats become bulky and heavy on land. Low vertical stability adds to the hassle: not to do without special mounts and stands. To at least somehow facilitate this difficult matter, special trailers have been created for transporting small vessels. They have proved equally well both in places specially equipped for launching boats and in places not intended for this.
But even in this barrel of honey there is a fly in the ointment. It is one thing to transport a light boat, another thing is a giant with huge dimensions and a weight of 800 kilograms. It requires a powerful SUV with a multi-axle trailer. If you are not a happy owner of such a beast, do not despair. Below you will learn how to transport a boat on a trailer using a car. How to place a boat on a trailer When transporting heavy boats, the most important thing is not to overload the towbar. Place the boat on the trailer so that the load on it is not more than 40 kilograms. If necessary, load the nose of the boat. A towbar load of less than 30 kilograms can result in negative lift loads, which can lead to dangerous fluctuations in the trailer about its axis. That is, the trailer can just stand on its hind legs, and the boat will fall to the ground. The vessel must be insured not only against transverse and longitudinal displacements, but also to be pressed as hard as possible into the cradles with the help of screeds and the best hitch lock. On rough roads, this will ensure that the boat is securely fixed to the trailer. Stretch ties are best suited for securing cargo. To prevent abrasion, boards can be used as spacers. On the way, periodically check the condition of the screeds, especially during rain. Heavy Trailer Driving When transporting a heavy boat, the most important thing is not to rush! In addition to the inspection ticket, the trailer must have the oversized cargo identification marks if the boat protrudes more than a meter beyond the rear of the trailer. If the boat protrudes more than 2 meters, then you should not go in any case - you run the risk of getting a large fine. A red rag, which many people like to hang on a protruding load, is not an identification mark of an oversized cargo. For the transport of such cargo, machines with a manual gearbox are best suited. In the case of an automatic transmission, you will have to control its main indicators, including the oil temperature. It is also worth clarifying the warranty case: some dealers and manufacturers do not refuse warranty service for cars that fail because of the transport of heavy goods. Practical tips to make driving easier:
The pressure in the wheels should be 2.5 atm, this will soften the shock loads on the boat from road irregularities, complementing the shock absorption of the springs. Also, be prepared for the fact that at almost every traffic police post you will have to linger for an indefinite time. If you want to continue the path as quickly as possible, then the following questions should be answered as soon as possible:
Just in case, put a bayonet shovel, tow cables and a hand winch in the trunk, if any. The recommended load of the cable break should be 5 tons or more. In this case, round synthetic cables with a diameter of 20 millimeters and a length of at least 20 meters are best suited. A steel cable is not recommended. Launching a boat We recommend that you locate and inspect the launch site in advance. If this did not work out, then leave the car with the trailer guarded in the nearest village and walk to the place of descent on foot. Pay attention to its steepness, soil density, evenness and steepness of the bottom of the reservoir. The smoother the transition to depth, the further you will have to drive the trailer to launch the boat into the water. Clean the selected area of the descent and the bottom of debris, snags, stones and algae. |
Upon arrival, install the car and trailer perpendicular to the water, remove the couplers from the boat and disconnect the trailer electrics. Fasten the boat to the shore or the car with a long safety rope. When driving a trailer into the water, monitor the water level relative to the axis of the rear wheel - it is best not to exceed this level. Having reached the required depth, do not drown out the car, fixing it on the hand brake.
If the depth is not enough, you can use one of the following algorithms:
If the depth is not enough, you can use one of the following algorithms:
- Try to slide off the trailer in reverse, driving the boat. The more people help you, the better;
- Push the trailer as deep as possible into the water yourself. To do this, disconnect it from the car, push yourself into the trunk with the body, and feet in the trailer, and push it;
- Dig holes behind the wheels for a depth of one bayonet for a shovel and push the trailer into them, previously disconnected from the car.