Engineering the best trailer for R7 Surf

[Conroe Tiger]

I have a custom steel trailer for my 2018 R7 Surf and considering having a trailer shop weld on some potential improvements. The boat is valeted, so after we put the car in the boat garage, we need to get in the boat. We have done the climb up the back of the boat exercise, but it seems welding a ladder and hand rail to the front wench stand would reduce the challenge of getting into the boat.

I am also pondering solutions for drama-free loading, especially in the wind. Perhaps two guide poles at the very back of the trailer, either vertical for a tight fit, or removable with an outward angle. If we did the removable with a 10-foot spacing at the top, we could have narrower guide poles, perhaps 8’6” mid ship. The dealership thought that with a heavy boat, guide poles rubbing against the hull might scratch it, so he recommended going all the way up past the gunwale trim or rub rail, so any abrasion would be against the stainless steel. With a deep-water trailer position, it might require an 8-10-foot pole to cover the freeboard, draft and margin of safety. I thought perhaps five feet of 2” square steel frame covered with 10 feet of 3+ inch schedule 80 PVC, but we could send the steel all the way up.

An alternative would be to put one guide post and a vertical bunk on the starboard quarter. This would allow me to drift in at an angle as if it were a dock. The guide post and bunk would be more structural. Your thoughts… Thanks in advance.

[Big Block Power]

This sounds like a Tuscany thread to help on. I think your on the right track with everything though.

[AsLan7]

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Hey ConroeTiger. Welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

I'm a fan of guide poles that extend above the rub rail made of PVC or padded. Don't want to mar up that fiberglass. Had them on our second boat when we were river boating and loved them. In fact, it's almost a necessity in the river with a current plus strong cross winds. Where will you be boating?

We use our spare tire to "ladder" up to the bow. Step on the frame, then the tire (which is mounted vertically), then onto the boat. Poor man's lift.

As bbp said, Tuscany will chime in with his beauty of a trailer.

....and again, welcome aboard mate!

.,

[Ytmsn]

Welcome from Oklahoma Conroe! Tuscany has the coolest custom trailer with a ladder and he will show you pics when he checks in.

A couple of thoughts come to mind. Cheater poles are awesome and very useful, especially in wind, waves or current. With your R series you have to back in a little deeper, but not to the point of where you should need a 10' pole. Your ramp may slope off pretty drastically though.. so in that case I probably would back in deep to launch and shallow to load. Snake the nose in between the cheaters, center the keel on the bunks, ease up as far as it'll go, then winch (wench) it the rest.

I always watch my fenders. They're usually just below the water a couple of inches, but every trailer and every ramp is different.

You can buy galvanized poles that clamp on and are adjustable in or out. I'd go that route first and see how you get along before I had anything welded permanently to the frame. That way if you see you need taller poles, or need to make adjustments you can. And I wouldn't put a short bunk up on one side and a pole on the other. That bunk will scratch the snot out of your boat.

On the other end where you're putting a ladder you need to be aware of repainting the welds afterwards. You may want to extend the tongue and at the same time make it a swivel so you can fit it in the garage. If you're looking at having a ladder mounted off to the side you'll need to look at your turning clearance too. Personally I would look at the possibility of having a steep ladder fabricated to center over the tongue and bolt it on. Just a thought.

[Big Block Power]

1 other mention. Without seeing your trailer. With the forward drive you have to come at it straight. If you turn the wheel too much your props can contact your trailer and make junk real quick. It will mess up your beautiful trailer and your drive.

[Tuscany]

We’re sure to get some good natured ribbing about our cheater poles..

Truth is the R sits high and is a PITA to keep straight when loading. I agree with your dealer. Poles could damage the gel.
Your pole solution is easy. Just mount regular sized schedule 40 2” poles and buy a set of padded pole covers. They don’t leave a mark. Fab your poles to be removable. Mine just require removing a pin, and the pole mount slides out from under the trailer. Fenders will interfere with them when unloading, so I always pull off the right side when unloading.

The R series also sits very high on a trailer. It’s a long way down when you are getting off.
When we specced our the trailer, I ordered a bow ladder. What I got was ok, but really..it sucked.
So, I went to a local fab shop and had larger steps made, along with a large top step as a landing that was even with the bow nose. I also added a horizontal piece at the top of the ladder as a hand rail.

I highly recommend the walk plates you see on the trailer rails. I had the Loadmaster weld on a couple wide plates at the bottom so I could safely stand and walk on the trailer rail while hooking up the winch.. or have the wench winch it. (Inside joke)
My body shop used the rough surface paint so not to slip with wet feet.

[Tuscany]

More.

[Tuscany]

Poles and covers

[cmattj]

Great trailer tutorial T! That’s a beut!

[AsLan7]

Like matt said, that is one sweeeeet trailer ,T!

[Tuscany]

Thanks guys..
I hope this gives Conroe Tiger some creative ideas.

My last trailer for our Chaparral came with the boat. It was a Shorelandr, and it was something that I learned a lot from, mostly what I didn't want ever again in a trailer. That thing used to worry me on the I-90. Shake and shimmy.
Cheap trailers? Not good.
I can go coast to coast with this Loadmaster without a worry in the world.
It's not light, but it's safe for the boat and definitely safe and easy for the operator to load.

[Cobalt262496]

Can someone share the bow eye to transom distance measurement?
Thanks

[akorcovelos]

Love that trailer. Seriously thinking about fanning a ladder like that to help get older family and friends in the boat.

[Tuscany]

Can someone share the bow eye to transom distance measurement?
Thanks

Since the winch stand on most trailers are adjustable, there is no set bow to eye distance.
On my trailer, the point of the bow is about 3” away from the ladder. I have a mark on the strap that I use to make sure the boat always sits in the same spot.

[JTinMO]

always jealous of this trailer setup.....

And Tusc wins the award with the most hooks to the bow eye at one time.