New parking requirements at COE ramps

[Bill Babler]

I really don't see much unusual there.  In 20 plus years my truck, trailer or both has been run into 8 times at ramp parking lots and never once has anyone left me a note.

[m&m]

1 hour ago, Bill Babler said:

I really don't see much unusual there.  In 20 plus years my truck, trailer or both has been run into 8 times at ramp parking lots and never once has anyone left me a note.

Bill,

why would you think that a person who hits the only trailer on a huge parking lot can write? 
 

Mike

[bobby b.]

3 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

In 20 plus years my truck, trailer or both has been run into 8 times at ramp parking lots and never once has anyone left me a note.

Bill, On more than one occasion on this forum, you have recommended that t get my boat out of my slip at the lower end so I can travel to more productive waters at certain times of the year.  As I have said recently I have a new boat on order.  Is this what I have to look forward to?  I am a bad backer as well (no practice or maybe old age or both) but I can still write and I will leave a note with my real phone number.

Bobby 

[Terrierman]

16 minutes ago, bobby b. said:

Bill, On more than one occasion on this forum, you have recommended that t get my boat out of my slip at the lower end so I can travel to more productive waters at certain times of the year.  As I have said recently I have a new boat on order.  Is this what I have to look forward to?  I am a bad backer as well (no practice or maybe old age or both) but I can still write and I will leave a note with my real phone number.

Bobby 

Have you considered having some cards printed to save time?

[Bill Babler]

All three great comments.  I think Mike Webb has had about as many dings as i have I know he really got crunched this year.   Bill Beck when he was alive and Rick Lisek both have had their rigs broken into at unattended ramps.  Rick's in downtown Branson and Bill at Cooper Creek.  Rick has also had his truck and trailer dented 1/2 dozen times.  I guess its just the price of doing business at public ramps.

A few years ago, I got hit a the downtown Branson ramp and had a guy waiting for me that had seen the person run into it and took down his lic and gave it to me.  Said he waited at the ramp for an hour for my return.  Don't know why he just did not leave me a note but I appreciated it.

Guy that ran into it had no insurance and not enough money to buy a coke.

[liphunter]

Great, now why I'm out there pretending to fish. All I'll think about is my truck. lol

[Hughesy]

MMMMMMMMel Tillis hit my trailer fender at the state park while I was guiding. He left a note with his secretary's phone number and she sent the check. Should have had him sign the fender.

[mixermarkb]

On May 15, 2020 at 6:32 PM, bobby b. said:

Bill, On more than one occasion on this forum, you have recommended that t get my boat out of my slip at the lower end so I can travel to more productive waters at certain times of the year.  As I have said recently I have a new boat on order.  Is this what I have to look forward to?  I am a bad backer as well (no practice or maybe old age or both) but I can still write and I will leave a note with my real phone number.

Bobby 

Not at all being a smart mouth, but a couple things that have made my life easier backing trailers that may seem obvious, but took me longer to figure out than I'd like to admit. 

First, really take your time to get your mirrors dialed in. A spouse or kid really helps here. Have them walk from the back of the boat to the drivers and passengers doors, and adjust your mirrors until you don't lose them, and can see the trailer tires. It took me a good minute to get the two part mirrors on my new truck dialed in, but it's worth the time. Use those things when you are backing. Don't depend only on turning around to look.

If all else fails, G.O.A.L. Get Out And Look. A hit to your pride is better than a hit to a trailer or truck, or dropping a rig in right on top of a big old log that washed in the night before.

Prep your rig to go in, before getting in the line to launch. Put the plug in, pull the straps, load anything you need to load, etc. Get your lines ready to tie up to the courtesy dock. Once you launch, pull the boat to the side of the courtesy dock opposite the ramp lane if possible, so your boat doesn't block things while you park and walk back. If there isn't a dock, and you are solo, a long rope on the bow eye and tied to the trailer works for me. Dump the boat in, let it float off and pull rope. Pull your truck up, then pull the boat in with the rope by hand, beach it and park. 

Make you a routine, maybe even a written checklist, and do it the same every time. Once you are ready to launch and in line, go as slow as you need, don't get in a hurry and make a mistake because someone is in a hurry to launch or retrieve their tub. Back as slow as you need to go to keep control of your trailer and truck. Their insurance isn't gonna take the hit if you make a mistake because they were watching and giving you the eye. Don't get get in a hurry.  

Finally, when you are pulling out, dunk the bunks in all the way to get them wet, then pull forward and leave plenty of bunk in to guide your boat onto the trailer. On my rig, that is halfway on the diamond plate on the fenders, you will find the sweet spot on yours. The single most common mistake I see people make at ramps is trying to load a boat on a trailer that is in too deep. Crosswinds and wakes then push the boat around in the trailer and it gets sideways or just won't sit on the bunks the way it's supposed to. 

 

Practice a few times, and it will become second nature. 

Congrats on the new rig, sounds super nice! 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Practice helps.  When I first started and would be at a ramp alone I would spend an hour or so launching and loading a few times.  Use your mirrors.  I always stop just short of the water to get out and take a look to make sure everything is ok. Someone told me that once in the downslope put your truck in neutral and let the trailer pull you down.  I fish rivers so current is always present.  
 

My first launch at Branson city ramp I came back and somebody had taken the bolt out of my roller.  Left the roller but it’s no good without the bolt.  Had a nice guy watch my boat while I drove to Lowe’s and got the correct size bolt to get it back in there.  Bass pro did not have it.  

[Guest]

On 5/15/2020 at 10:54 AM, bfishn said:

Someone did that to my rig at Big M once (also the only one in the lot). I say "someone" because all he left me was a mangled fender.... no name, no number, no "ooopsie, my bad...

when did that happen?  i posted of such an event in one of my rants.  seems like it was in march.

bo