Help! My Winch Roller Keeps Smacking My Trolling Motor, Each Time I Load And Unload My Boat!

[Tony banks]

My 2001 Nitro sport is on a matching nitro trailer. Each time I go to load the boat on the trailer, the winch roller makes heavy contact with my trolling motor and the upper section of the bow. Its almost like the winch post is too tall for my boat. This boat is in new condition as is the trailer. very low hours of operation. I believe this is the original trailer for my boat, but the bow roller is going to damage my trolling motor, if i cant stop it from striking my boat. this happens each time i load and unload my boat. Its almost like the winch mount is too tall for my boat, but I am sure its the factory trailer, since they are the same paint color. I have tried sliding the winch mount forward a back a few inches, but either way, it still make heavy contact with the upper deck and trolling motor!
Please help! Thanks,
Tony B

 

[Tony banks]

BTW....Its a 2001 Nitro 185 sport (F/S)

 

[Larry Williams]

I can only think that you need to be careful not to place the trailer too deeply into the launch.. There is a tendency to think that the trailer needs to be deeper than you really need to go for a clean loading. The front portion of the bunks should remain exposed and guide the boat upward as you push onto the trailer. Ramp angle greatly affects all this too. Hope this helps with the issue.

 

[Dav Lev]

Echo what Larry has advised. Another good practice is to have the trailer fender at or a little higher than the water level. Ramp angle could be a problem if too steep.

 

[Darryl Stafford]

Tony- PM sent.

 

[BassinBrian]

I second the above reply. Don’t back in as far next time. Less trailer in the water means the bow of your boat will be higher. Try it with the fender just above the water, if it still happens pull the trailer up a little more. Trial and error will give you the right depth for your trailer.

 

[Tony banks]

I keep my fenders right above water level now. I was thinking about trying to raise the pads on the trailer, so the bow will ride higher on the trailer or cutting off my winch post a couple of inches. I am not sure where the problem is????

 

[RV3]

I had the same issue with my 2000 185 Sport. Pretty sure that's why I have bulging disks in my L4&L5!

Double check your hitch\ball height making sure it is level or just below. Then it's learning how far to back the trailer in. I have had good luck backing in far enough to wet the bunks and pulling forward just shy of the center bunks sticking out. Sometimes I have to attach the strap and winch it as far as possible and then back in a little farther to get the bow on the roller. I feel the trailer was set up for power loading on low incline launches.

 

[Major Mark]

I disagree with post saying hitch level or just below. Hitch level or slightly higher. Lower causes trailers to fishtail/sway going down highways. Level, or just slightly higher and balanced load or no more than 60% of load weight forward of trailer axle. I spent 34 years in the towing and recovery business before retirement. I was certified in Washington, DC as a Master Specialist in the industry. I was government certified and insured to move everything from Grandma's curio cabinet to high explosives.

 

[Christian]

If you don't have to use the outboard motor to push the boat up the trailer to load it. You're backing the trailer to far in.

Most nitro boats load up the best when you back the trailer in to where the front of the fenders and the top of the trailer frame just get covered with water. The upper parts of the fenders will be above water.