v1rot8
Member
Specs: 22' Bennington SLMX
PT-22 Phoenix Tandem Axle Bunk Trailer
Took our new boat out to High Cliff State Park near Appleton, Wisconsin this weekend to take advantage of the great spring weather that finally arrived this past weekend. Talked to several other boaters about the launch and was told that it was good. Looking around at the various sailboats that were in the marina and knowing that they most likely used the ramp I decided to launch the boat. Started backing the trailer in and before I got to the point where I normally launch the boat (bunks approx 3/4 submerged) the trailer dropped without any warning. ( I later found out that the end of the ramp had been washed out and the trailer axles went off the edge of the concrete. Of course there were no signs or other indications that there was a problem with the boat launch) Got out of the truck to figure out what was going on and could only see the front 4-6 feet of the tongue. I tried pulling the trailer forward and found that I could not move it.
After securing the boat to the dock I spent the next hour with some of the local boaters trying to get the trailer out of the landing. When we did, I found that my month old trailer was in pretty bad shape. The fenders extend below the frame rails so when the trailer axles went off the edge of the ramp, the fenders were smashed up and the brackets holding them were also damaged. The spring shackle that was hooked on the edge of the concrete was bent slightly. The dealer informed me yesterday that they want $2800 to repair the trailer because the fenders and brackets are all welded on.
Question #1: Has anyone else had this problem launching their boat?
Question #2: When I order the new trailer is it worth adding an angled piece of metal (made out of the same material as frame of trailer so that it does not look like crap) that would be even with the bottom of the spring shackle on one end and extend forward say 24" or so in order to prevent the fenders from hitting ramp should it happen again. Also with it being angled it should help me to pull it out without getting hooked on concrete?
Question#3: Is this boat launch problem not common enough to worry about it happening again? I have since looked at several other local boat launches and have found that the water is not clear enough to see the condition of the end of the ramp. Being that I trailer the boat every time I use it and will be going to various lakes I am concerned about it happening again.
Any suggestions would be appreciated?
PT-22 Phoenix Tandem Axle Bunk Trailer
Took our new boat out to High Cliff State Park near Appleton, Wisconsin this weekend to take advantage of the great spring weather that finally arrived this past weekend. Talked to several other boaters about the launch and was told that it was good. Looking around at the various sailboats that were in the marina and knowing that they most likely used the ramp I decided to launch the boat. Started backing the trailer in and before I got to the point where I normally launch the boat (bunks approx 3/4 submerged) the trailer dropped without any warning. ( I later found out that the end of the ramp had been washed out and the trailer axles went off the edge of the concrete. Of course there were no signs or other indications that there was a problem with the boat launch) Got out of the truck to figure out what was going on and could only see the front 4-6 feet of the tongue. I tried pulling the trailer forward and found that I could not move it.
After securing the boat to the dock I spent the next hour with some of the local boaters trying to get the trailer out of the landing. When we did, I found that my month old trailer was in pretty bad shape. The fenders extend below the frame rails so when the trailer axles went off the edge of the ramp, the fenders were smashed up and the brackets holding them were also damaged. The spring shackle that was hooked on the edge of the concrete was bent slightly. The dealer informed me yesterday that they want $2800 to repair the trailer because the fenders and brackets are all welded on.
Question #1: Has anyone else had this problem launching their boat?
Question #2: When I order the new trailer is it worth adding an angled piece of metal (made out of the same material as frame of trailer so that it does not look like crap) that would be even with the bottom of the spring shackle on one end and extend forward say 24" or so in order to prevent the fenders from hitting ramp should it happen again. Also with it being angled it should help me to pull it out without getting hooked on concrete?
Question#3: Is this boat launch problem not common enough to worry about it happening again? I have since looked at several other local boat launches and have found that the water is not clear enough to see the condition of the end of the ramp. Being that I trailer the boat every time I use it and will be going to various lakes I am concerned about it happening again.
Any suggestions would be appreciated?