Holmesie Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Hi Raiders, I'm seeking some suggestions as to how to modify my trailer for easier loading. I have a 5.4m Quintrex aluminium half-cab, which goes on the trailer as pictured below. Basically it's a PITA to load straight, particularly in a cross-wind or current. I bought some plastic skids to replace the carpeted ones, but then thought since I've gone to the trouble to take the boat off the trailer, should I be thinking bigger and going multi or wobble rollers and maybe convert to a drive-on setup? Since I live in the sticks I tow the boat fairly long distances (on average roads!) to get to water, so don't want to risk hull damage if that's a possibility with a multi-rollered setup. Anyone's opinions or ideas would be very welcomed. Cheers Holmesie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamtime Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Hi Raiders, I'm seeking some suggestions as to how to modify my trailer for easier loading. I have a 5.4m Quintrex aluminium half-cab, which goes on the trailer as pictured below. Basically it's a PITA to load straight, particularly in a cross-wind or current. I bought some plastic skids to replace the carpeted ones, but then thought since I've gone to the trouble to take the boat off the trailer, should I be thinking bigger and going multi or wobble rollers and maybe convert to a drive-on setup? Since I live in the sticks I tow the boat fairly long distances (on average roads!) to get to water, so don't want to risk hull damage if that's a possibility with a multi-rollered setup. Anyone's opinions or ideas would be very welcomed. Cheers Holmesie Have a look at the uprights behind the rear wheel. This definately contains the boat when encountering wind or current. It also assists the retreiver in having something to hang on to. Cheers Mariner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjbink Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 There is a device called a Retrievamate which consists of a couple of spring loaded arms, with some models coming with a centre roller. They bolt on the back of the trailer. I had the same problem and found the device to work a treat. The boat always goes on straight - no matter how strong the cross-wind or curent or how crooked the boat is to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh88 Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 (edited) There is a device called a Retrievamate which consists of a couple of spring loaded arms, with some models coming with a centre roller. They bolt on the back of the trailer. I had the same problem and found the device to work a treat. The boat always goes on straight - no matter how strong the cross-wind or curent or how crooked the boat is to start with. I think we had something similar put on our grandpas trailer, but it was like a v shaped entrance at the back of the trailer that made sure it went on straight, that had rollers as well. But if you're winching it up then as long as you can get the front of the boat on with something like the v shaped guide then you should be sweet. Ours just has 4 bunks and i can easily launch and retrieve it on my own, even if you get blown out a bit, if you get your bow onto the bunks the boat will straighten as you drive up the trailer. Maybe look at some good straps for when travelling across bad roads. Cheers Josh Edited December 20, 2008 by Josh88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmesie Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 (edited) I did buy a Retrievamate, but could not see how to fit it as my boat sits with the transom basically level with the back of the trailer... Mariner, those rear upright guides might help me Edited December 20, 2008 by Holmesie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjbink Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 You could move the winch post back a bit and then the retrievamate should fit under the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickman Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 i went down this road a while back and started playing with a vee set up the thought was to extend the runners adout a 2 feet and on a angle down ward stightly then run a flat bar to the rear roller from the extended skid in a vee pattern with a nylon strip pop riveted to the flat bar it all became a pita and i played with the small skids[witch you do'nt have] and found a new method off reteval that solved the prob but i will have to adress this prob for solo trips the pic is off the net and is a spring loaded version i think and after thinking it through it would be easyer to fab a new frame and change over all the running gear i hope this helps but remember any mods you do to the trailer have to be bolt on or your up for a re gal witch makes it not cost efective cherrs mate gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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