R25 Trailer Mounted Bow Steps?

M

Meerkat

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2020
Messages
8
Fluid Motion Model
C-248 C
Vessel Name
PERCY
I’m curious if anyone has successfully added steps to their trailer to safely and easily board the boat at the bow while it’s being launched. There aren’t many boat ramps locally that have adjacent docks to facilitate boarding and getting off like in Ranger Tugs videos on YouTube. Since my better half won’t drive the truck, boarding from the stern isn’t an option after I’ve backed it down the ramp and dipped the boat into the water. I want something permanently attached. Yes, I already have a step ladder and an extension ladder but I’m not foolhardy enough to climb 9’ up one that’s set up on an uneven, slick, boat launch ramp. I’ve broken enough bones in my life already. There are a few online that interest me, but each has their drawbacks. Before I go talk to some custom outfitters, I thought I’d check with this group first.
 
I’m not 100% sure I get the reason for having a ladder on the trailer for accessing the bow. If for some reason I’d need to get on the bow from the trailer I think I’d just use a rope ladder secured to the bow cleat and hang that off the front of the bow.
A different set of approaches for your consideration - assuming you are not doing this solo.
We carry the dinghy in the back of the truck when towing. It would be relatively easy to unload and beach the dinghy before launching the boat. Then just rowing the dinghy out to the boat. Boat wouldn’t need to be at anchor, just holding position nearby.
Or having the admiral launch the dinghy from an anchored boat once the boat is splashed and rowing/motoring the dinghy to shore to pick you up.
You could easily substitute inflatable SUP or kayak for a dinghy using these methods.
Either way seems easier than a ladder on the trailer. Besides, who’s going to park the truck and trailer once you’ve climbed the ladder?
 
The Easy Step system for boat trailers seems mostly made for fishing boats but they may have an idea or custom built for what you are looking for. There use to be a folding step system for getting off from the bow , wanted it for getting onto the beach without getting wet, but I have not seen it advertised in a while.
Good luck, let us know what you finally come up with
 
look at bumperbecky.com
expensive but they appear to do the job.
I would think you would need an opening so you
don't have to climb over the rails
bow-ladder-store.com was the other one
but he retired
 
Just curious as to how your going to get off the boat to load if the ladder is mounted on the trailer and no one to drive the truck? I've seen steps and ladders (usually 3 or 4 steps) mounted on trailers with a hand rails most of the time for pontoon boats, so I'm sure it's dooable. Good luck and pictures of what you come up with would be nice! Bob
 
I might be missing something. If there is no dock to board the boat once launched, how do you get on the boat after you park the rig or off the boat once launched? As far as climbing on the bow while the boat is on the trailer: I have a spare tire bracket that holds the tire high enough so that I can boost myself up and stand on top of the tire and then climb onto the bow.
I just can't figure out how you will get to shore once the boat is launched. Perhaps your dingy?
 
Yes, I have added welded step plates on my bow stopper for my R27 trailer. Great addition. I do have to be in good balance and some arm strength to get over the bow rails, but it has been a great addition for launching and retrieving the boat. Occasionally I do get my feet wet, but boat shoes are important from a safety standpoint because of slick surfaces, and I did use 3M non-skid tape on the step plates. The bottom step plate is located on the trailer tongue wide enough for three feet so I can crank the bow winch with some security. Early in my Ranger career I did the infamous "ranger slide" to snug the bow against the bow stopper and bent the aluminium bow stopper 😳 , replaced it with a steel box beam with added step plates, painted and its been good for over seven years with minimal rust from saltwater. Add the step plates, better than sliced bread and your crew will reward you many times over.
 
Thanks for the great responses. I’m still leaning towards installing steps on the trailer to access the bow. I’m probably going to buy a 10’ “Escape Rope Ladder” from Amazon too. I’ve always liked the bumper Becky ladders too but am not really keen on putting holes in bow to attach them at this time. That could change if Mexico ever opens back up and we are allowed to go to the Sea of Cortez again. Bumper Becky would be ideal in the Cortez.

To answer a couple questions, I said docks aren’t adjacent to the launch ramps. I didn’t say they don’t exist. It appears I confused several people and that deserves an explanation. Launch ramps down here all have nearby docks to tie to when moving the trailer. However, unlike the Ranger Tugs videos (always perfect dock right next to the boat ramp), no docks are close enough to ease the trailer into the water right next to and “walk the boat off”. It’s California and some bureaucrats probably decided that the dock has to be far enough away from the launch ramp so no green sea snipes are ever molested. In reality, once the boat is off the trailer, I can power to and tie off on a dock that’s usually 50 yards +/- away. Then I can park the truck and trailer.
 
Re a rope ladder if you have never climbed up one you may want to try one before buying. Not as easy to use as it looks like.
 
Yep. Definitely easier going down than up.
 
I am so glad Meerkat posted this question. We have a Ranger R21EC and my wife is only comfortable with parking the trailer after the boat is launched. And like Meerkat, many of the ramps we visit have courtesy docks but not immediately adjacent to the ramp. I suspect this is done in order to keep the ramp traffic from being slowed by boaters loading and unloading gear etc. Some ramps, even multi lane ramps, will have long waiting lines to launch. So, my job is to back the boat into the water, board the boat and move it to the courtesy dock while my wife parks the car and trailer. The dilemma is how to board and leave the boat over the bow with the trailer partially in the water. My solution, thus far, is to use a folding, collapsible 3 step boarding ladder. Here’s the one I use but others are out there: https://www.amazon.com/Garelick-Eez-061 ... 15&sr=8-11
The ladder steps are collapsible, the hooks that go over the gunnel fold flat and it uses folding stand-off legs to hold it out from the hull, it stows easily in a locker. I modified the legs by lengthening them to different lengths to compensate for the hull shape. Photos are in my photo album. Still looking for other solutions but this has been working for now.
 
fyi: I followed the link to the bow mounted steps. Very poor website with only one photo. Largest concern is how do they mount to the boat and where/how are they stored when not in use???

Edit: Sorry I was referring to the Bumper Becky steps higher up in the post. https://bumperbecky.com
 
TwoFootitis,
More information can be gleaned by looking at the photos in my album.
 
Lots of good pictures of different ladders mounted to boat trailers on the web under trailer mounted boat ladders / the hull truth. I'm sure one of them will fit your needs! Bob
 
Bob Daily - thanks for the Hull Truth tip. I had forgotten about that website. They’ve got lots of posts and pictures that have given me ideas. Awesome.
 
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