Trailering Tips - Loading Your Boat

Don't let your perfect day on the water get ruined by not knowing how to load your boat back onto the trailer. Learn all the steps so you can be on your way, safe and sound!

[@propbraker]

Always remember to drink plenty of alcohol too, makes things a lot less stressful!

[@noxsensorseurope3804]

ohh shit i quit,but now you gave me a good reason not to buy a boat.

[@nickolasroy4801]

not sure if anyone cares but if you are stoned like me atm you can watch all the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Been streaming with my gf for the last couple of days =)

[@jaceeliseo5491]

@Nickolas Roy Yup, been watching on Instaflixxer for months myself :D

[@jimquantic]

Three things 1. I often see boat trailers backed WAY too far down, and the truck gets wet; especially in salt water, this is a terrible idea. But in this video, the other extreme is shown, not far enough back, they make it work by "powering on" but that makes a divit in the bottom, bad for the environment of the ramp. It should go in far enough where the boat BARELY rubs as it comes into place, without needing to "gun it". 2. Guides really help line it up for you, highly recommend. 3. DO NOT assume the parking brake, and "park" will hold the truck. My old GMC could not hold itself, so poor was the mickey mouse secondary brake. A PERSON should keep their foot on the brake, if possible. If no other choice, be very sure the weight comes against the brake, not the gears, but use the gears as a back up in case the brake fails. My system was so poor, that we chocked the wheels, THEN applied brake, then gears. CHECK YOUR SYSTEM out, hope it is much better than mine was.

[@stever00]

Apply parking brake then put truck in park. Let brake take stress off transmission especially important on steep ramp.

[@Flakoswaqq23]

You sir are correct,

[@alr9170]

I like this boat.

[@garyvann4678]

You would think a trailer manufacturer would demonstrate how to properly use the winch after floating the boat onto the bunks and winching up the last several feet to the bumper. Power loading destroys the carpet bunks and will destroy the prop and outdrive if you are tired, stressed out and in a hurry and forget to raise the outdrive. Also, it does wash out the ramp if it does not extend out far enough into the lake. Not all ramps are made equal.

[@ellstackeradventures]

Awesome thanks

[@rlawrence2]

I never get out of the boat at the ramp. but I guess we have well built ramps. Did anyone notice that this video actually uses two different trailers? when he loads it, that one has rollers on the outboard of the bunkers. That is why the boat tips back with bow up. The second time he loads it is straight on the bunkers on a different trailer. dumb to do that...

[@czur8058]

I just pull the motor up and pull it by hand.

[@babiixoxbritty]

I'm not a anti power loader lol but it just seems like this way tears up the felt and will wear out the trailor faster. I just put mine farther in the water and smoothly glide it up manually. But different strokes for different fokes I guess all ways work.

[@Alfsp1]

Those long carpet skids creates big heavy contact surface which makes it hard for getting off and on. We swapp them out for rollers

[@terrywilson1813]

I don't understand why people don't back their trailer in a little further when loading up that way you don't even need the throttle to get the boat on the trailer you should be able to pull it right on there with no risk of damaging anything. I do it that way every time and have never had any issues and it makes loading much easier

[@markspahr242]

Back down the ramp with your vehicle in NEUTRAL. Always!!! This is so you won't be on a ramp fails video because your foot slipped off the brake and onto the gas pedal!! 👍

[@MRJK87.]

i would if i had either a pair of jetskies ona dual trailer or a boat, but all i have is a single jetski and i need to be in reverse so i can see the trailer unfortunatly.

[@eddrichards5000]

Although the trailer could have been a bit deeper, this is a great video. It shows the correct, most efficient, safest, and most courteous way to load your boat. The "anti powerloading" commenters are full of baloney. Done correctly, it requires little more than idle speed, which doesn't hurt the ramp in the least. And it clears the ramp much more quickly than manually loading. Around here, if you're NOT driving on and off your trailer, you're slowing other people down, and would be considered a rookie or a primitive. I actually feel sorry for boaters who live where it "isn't allowed". You need to build proper ramps so you can join the rest of us in the 21st century.

[@thegteam4349]

Power loading in my neck of the woods will get your an immediate fine from the dock master. Washes out the ramp past the cement and can create a drop off area past the cement. It's my experience that power loading is the go-to maneuver for those who are generally clueless.

[@MotoAtheist]

Or for those who live in shitty places who won't build proper ramps. In my neck of the woods, if you aren't power loading, you are the clueless one taking too much time to get your shit out of the water and off the ramp. They build proper ramps around here.

[@bricebockmon210]

@@MotoAtheist TF is a "proper ramp"? Is it one that goes on forever?

[@MotoAtheist]

@@bricebockmon210 A proper ramp is long enough to support the type of boats/trailers expected to be used at the ramp. It's certainly not rocket science.

[@bricebockmon210]

​@@MotoAtheist You sure? Because you make it seem like 99% of boat ramps are built "improperly" even though they use concrete and rebar, going into water at a specific angle for a specific amount of distance. The reason behind why people dislike powerloading boats isn't because it tears up the concrete (that's a stupid argument), but that it displaces the sediment AFTER the concrete.

[@MotoAtheist]

@@bricebockmon210 If ramps are done properly, prop washing shouldn't be an issue.

[@robertparel2001]

A full cargo.

[@craigmurray891]

Power loading wouldn't be needed if the trailer was a bit further in the water ;)

[@frankrojas5369]

Craig Murray What about if you don’t have 4 x 4

[@emrekucur486]

NOT CORRECT! This technique destroys the underwater bottom of the ramps! Here is a link for you to learn the correct ways.

[@olebiker]

The only place power loading could do any damage is on a ramp that is not built properly. I keep reading warnings about power loading but have yet to ever see any damage. Most of the folks complaining about it are trying to load boats that are too large for the ramp they are using.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Maybe some ramps aren't built as well as they could be, but if a ramp is built with separated cement sections that don't go into the lake very far, power loading does wreck the ramp. I have seen it many times. In my "Launching a boat" vid you can clearly see the NO POWER LOADING sign right on the dock at the 7:00 minute mark. I know it's not that way everywhere, but in some places it is an issue and worth pointing out. KPO

[@olebiker]

I must be missing something. All I see is a No Wake sign. If there are signs at a ramp stating no power loading then by all means don't power load. What I have a problem with is people coming from the North condemning power loading everywhere when our ramps down here, even the ones built with separate concrete (not cement) sections, do not seem to suffer from power loading because we build them far enough into the water that the prop wash does not hit the end of the ramp.

[@KnettersPracticalOutdoors]

Olebiker, it's all good. I truly am not trying to upset anyone or prove anyone wrong. If you go to my channel "Knetters Practical Outdoors" then to my vid "Launching A Boat Hassle Free". The thumb says "launching a boat" right on it. At the 7:00 minute mark the sign on the dock reads POWER LOADING PROHIBITED, PROP WASH CAUSES RAMP DAMAGE. I totally agree with you that at some ramps it makes no difference. I am not trying to tell anyone how to launch at ramps I know nothing about. The only point I'm trying to make is that power loading should not be done at all ramps. I've seen washout cause dips and holes, 12 inch drop offs at the end of the ramps all of which can make loading a problem if not cause damage to the trailer. Again, it's all good. You are correct in that people should not make the statement that ALL power loading is wrong because it isn't. We all just want to be able to get our boats in the water and do some fishing right? I'm still dreaming about catching a bass as big as the one in your thumb nail. KPO

[@olebiker]

Ah, I was looking at the wrong video. That fish I am holding is my personal best. Nine pounds, six ounces. Fish like that are one of the benefits of putting up with Florida's summer weather. On the other hand, I envy your opportunity to catch smallmouths. I haven't caught one in over twenty years.

[@ianmilne1185]

Too funny!!!!

[@Nate......]

Or you could just get rid of all the hassle and get guide polls then you have to worry about anyting

[@ianmilne1185]

No idea how easy it makes loading a boat. Should be mandatory ....

[@GusgusA1]

Do not do this. Back in farther so the boat can float onto the trailer. Small throttle is okay but DO NOT POWER ONTO THE TRAILER. That washes out the ramp and really messes it up. Think of this. If you go too far in and the trailer goes off the end of the ramp. You want it smooth to pull ahead. I've seen ramps that were power trailered to much. The trailer went over the end. Truck couldn't pull it back. Someone had to go it and get the trailer lifted back on the ramp as the truck pulled ahead. Dangerous do not contribute please.

[@olebiker]

If someone's trailer dropped off the end of a ramp they were using a ramp that was too small for their boat.

[@uncoiledmarrow]

I have a cabin cruiser and can't back it all the way in because then the part that sticks out for the anchor hits the winch, I have to power on no choice

[@MrDynafxdc]

Exactly, and also to mention it will circulate sand and other material into your outdrive waterpump.

[@eddrichards5000]

Build longer ramps. Manually loading is dangerous, takes too long, clogs up the ramp. It's archaic.

[@bartmcfly588]

That water looks nasty!

[@MRJK87.]

I watch these videos just to see the anti power loading crowd get uptight. It's funny that they think all ramps are no power loading, I can't help but laugh

[@MRJK87.]

James Moschella Correction, it's funny to see such bad grammar and spelling as well 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rlawrence2]

Damage to the ramp? really? to the concrete? what wake does a boat make when loading a trailer? all that is nuts.

[@boedekerj1]

Prop wash erodes the sides/backs of the concrete ramp.

[@eddrichards5000]

The comments about eroding the sediment at the end of the ramp are bewildering. Why aren't these ramps built deeper? I've launched at some reservoirs that can get very low at the end of the season. I've yet to see the end of the ramp. The dangerous techniques and extremely poor body mechanics displayed by people manually loading in other videos is horrifying. I can't understand why people insist on making this procedure much more difficult than it needs to be.

[@boedekerj1]

A video on how to power load a boat...which most public ramps disallow...which most boater detest as the prop wash f*cks up the concrete loading ramps. Boo.

[@eddrichards5000]

"...which most boaters detest"?! Around here, most boaters detest those who manually load. Their lack of boating skills takes far too long, blocking others from using the ramp, and are often the same folks who clog the dock by tying off, prepping and stowing gear while on the ramp. You must have some very poorly built ramps in your area if driving the boat on and off the trailer "f's up" the concrete. I launch at ramps that are 50+ years old and are in fine shape. I've never manually loaded a boat in 30+ years, and have seen others do it only rarely. It's backwards and primitive, and the way most people do it just about guarantees a lifetime of back pain.

[@Theweldingmillennial]

Power loading your boat is a great way to ruin a boat ramp. If you have a newer extra long ramp you may be ok. But that winch is to pull the boat onto the trailer it’s not just for looks.

[@richardredhead]

Have never seen a "ruined" ramp in 35 years of boating at places where driving on/off is S.O.P. Where do you guys come up with this nonsense?

[@lodwill5116]

?

[@rms59]

Power loading is not allowed in many places in Connecticut. You can be fined big time. So thanks for nothing Shorelandr

[@eddrichards5000]

Sorry that Connecticut is so backward.

[@davidthomas2921]

Connecticut another communist state..

[@jamesmoschella2234]

Wrong powerloading is the incorrect way the poper way is to back the trailer in the water and walj the boat up to the trailer and winch it on the trailer

[@JenniferWoellert]

At the ramp we use my winch strap sounds like it’s going to snap there’s so much tension. What are we doing wrong

[@eddrichards5000]

Driving on and off your trailer is the correct, quickest, safest and most courteous way to launch and load. At the busier ramps in my area, you'd be heckled mercilessly, and probably cussed out, if you wasted time clogging up the ramp with a manual load. And you'll probably destroy your back decades before you hurt the concrete.

[@fike301]

Not in deep enough... Most idiots sink trailer feet below water! Lol

[@forgednotcast612]

Folks! This video did not show the proper depth for the trailer! It was not deep enough! There is no need to give that much power forward to reach the winch. These so called experts need to do more boating.

[@richardredhead]

I've never seen an expert boater manually load their boat. It's slow, poor etiquette, archaic, and increases the potential for injury. Even if it did somehow hurt the ramp ( it doesn't), I'll never manually load because my back, knees, shoulders, feet and time are far more valuable than any ramp.

[@MXers5]

FFS is there actually a video that does show the "correct" way to load a fkn boat onto a trailer???

[@bobbishop9926]

This is not the right idea. It destroys the ramp. You should line up as your coming in to the trailer and then kill the engine and drift on to the trailer. Then use the winch to pull it up. If you want my wife can show anyone how to do it.

[@eddrichards5000]

And my kids, by age 12, could have shown anyone how to properly drive a boat onto a trailer at little more than idle speed....how, exactly, does that "destroy" the concrete? So keep on blocking the ramp by doing it the old fashioned way...we'll be halfway home by the time you manhandle your boat onto the trailer. Oh, and good luck with your back.

[@colelane3711]

Loading the boat requires a complete different depth than unloading. Worst video I’ve seen.