Centering your tug on the trailer – on land

[hwhayes]

So, sometimes I don’t get our Ranger R21 EC centered on the trailer when I retrieve it single handed at the boat ramp. Or, sometimes is may shift slightly while towing. I have a Float-On dual axel trailer with vertical guide poles at the rear. It bothers me if the boat is sitting in the driveway with the gunwale resting against one of these guide poles. To rectify this problem, I have found the following works without leaving my driveway.

1. Unstrap or loosen the boat straps, leaving the winch strap and safety chain in place,

2. If you use them, remove wheel chocks/blocks, NOTE – this should be done on flat ground.

3. Lower the trailer hitch jack most of the way down,

4. Place a stack of 2x6’s or 2x8’s scrap lumber under the stern of the boats keel near the rudder (not on the aluminum rudder bar of course) making the stack high enough to come close to the keel.

5. Raise the trailer hitch jack up maybe half way, the amount will vary

6. By hand, pull the tongue of the trailer sideways (port or starboard) in the direction of the side of the boat with the largest gap, i.e. in the direction you want to move the stern of the boat. (Actually, you are moving the trailer under the boat and not the stern of the boat).

You don’t need to jack it way up just enough to ease the friction on the rear of the bunks so the trailer will slide sideways pivoting on the wheels. It may take a few tries. Lower the jack and remove the wood blocks, DONE! Don’t forget to put the wheel chocks/blocks back in place.

Hope this makes sense, if not, please ask for clarification.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

I'm sure this process works for you, but it seems complicated compared to getting it lined up at the ramp when retrieving.

Our R27-OB has an EZ Loader triple axle trailer with bunks that was matched to the boat. After driving on and hooking boat up firm to the roller, we pull out slowly and boat self centers. I do spray bunks down with Marykate Liquid Rollers, which helps with the Ranger bump to pull boat tightly to the roller.

Once secured on your trailer at the launch, I don't understand why your boat would shift unless you aren't using your tie down straps.

 

[S. Todd]

If I correctly recall the shape of the hull on the R21, I can understand why the boat does not always center on the trailer. We once had a boat that was almost always off by an inch when I put it on the trailer. I used a pair of engine hoists to center it when I got home because like the original poster it seemed to me it was better if it was centered perfectly. Unlike that earlier boat, our R25SC always centered perfectly.

 

[Ard]

On my old trailer I would just rock the boat into place. That's easier done with 2 people but it can be done by yourself. When I built my new trailer I just installed guides. Problem solved.

 

[hwhayes]

"Ard", when you installed the guides on your new trailer were they the "bunk" style guides and if so how long are they, where along the hull were they placed and what clearance did you use between the guide bunk and the side of the hull. My trailer has vertical poles as guides at the very rear but with about 3" clearance on each side when the boat is centered but no guides other than those.

 

[hwhayes]

"Ard"
I just looked at your gallery and see you have an R21 Classic.
Very nice trailer you made! Looks very similar to my FloatOn dual axle trailer and I see you used the vertical guides very similar to what I have.
The centering issue I'm experiencing may be due in part to the fact they changed the hull shape from the R21 Classic and the R21EC. Yours may have a little more of a displacement "V" shape and as I understand it the R21 EC's have a hybrid displacement and semi planing hull. I think this makes mine a little more flat in the stern profile and hence the centering issue. Thanks for the input.