Best Boat Trailer Mods On A Budget DIY
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- čas přidán 12. 10. 2019
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These mods to my Jon Boat Trailer have been a life saver. LITERALLY in the case of the LED lights. The boat buckles have been great as well. No more stowing the ratchet strap in the car, getting tangled, having it pop loose after hitting a large bump. Seriously, everyone needs those things. I hope this inspires you to get out there and do these modifications yourself. There's no reason to have to pay someone else to do this.
~Eric
I don't trust crimp connectors. Recently I re-wired my whole 20ft boat trailer with LEDs. I used only Solder & heat shrink on all wire connections, I'm confident it will last the life of the trailer. Also, I used to work at a trailer parts/service store and we would have people coming in all the time who lost their license plate after the cheap plastic bracket broke. The plastic becomes brittle after some time and just snaps off whether you hit anything with it or just from the wind while going down the highway. It's a good idea to use an aluminum or steel license plate bracket. Just my 2 cents. Good how-to guide though.
Good job man. Your moving in the right direction
I just upgraded to LED Submersible on my boat trailer. Those Boat Buckles are sweet though. Im using those ratchet straps like you had and I agree, total pain in the ass. Definitely gona check out those bad boys. Thanks for the video.
The boat buckles make life so much easier. Time saved loading and unloading is priceless.
Awesome! Love those LED's!
I still use a strap over the gunwale because the transom straps I have are not the ratchet type and they kind of will come loose.
Good video, very to the point.
My only suggestions are...
I probably would solder the wires together and use heat shrink. Then I would smear some dielectric grease on the ground connetions.
And...
I use Neverseize (or your favorite equivalent) on everything I take apart or put together. I even have a nice little supply of marine grease for just such an occasion.
And I probably would blast the new rachet mechs with WD-40 or whatever you like to keep them running smoothly. Yes, I know that WD-40 on a trailer is going to attract a lot of dirt but I would rather clean the things once in awhile then have it freeze up on me and die. They don't look like stainless, and even if they did, I would still blast them!
Oh, and red/white reflector stickers for a little extra protection.
Peace, Love & Happiness, Brother
✌🏼❤😀
🎶 "IIIIIII'm gonna miss her...
...oh, looky there, I got a bite" 🎵
Nice tips. The boat buckles are quick and easy but I had rusting issues pretty quickly even though I rinsed them every time I used in salt. That was about 10 years ago so hopefully they've improved.
Saltwater will eventually ruin everything. I haven't used them in salt so I cannot give my opinion on the boat buckles there, but I feel like replacement would be expected after a few years of service in the salt.
jack fat nope they are still the same I had same problems 😩
Sorry about your bad luck. Mine are still going strong and it’s been over 2 years since this video posted. Salt water, gravel levee roads, etc. I just rinse them down and use salt-x.
Actually just looked at mine a few days ago. I have two sets and see one set is rusted and doesn’t work well and the other is pristine. I may have been the victim of counterfeit merchandise.
Was already familiar with the LED lights, but gave a big thumbs up for the boat buckles & well done vid.
The boat buckles are a game changer. After having them for two years, I can say they do add some extra maintenance if you launch in salt water. They will require a good fresh water rinse and de-salting. But still worth it. Well worth it.
Made my day, I just subscribed!
How wide should the bunks be spread apart from the center of the trailer in reference to the hull of the boat? Should the bunks be on the edge of the trailer or 2/3 or 1/3 from center hull?
I'm no trailer builder, but here's what I've learned based on the setup in this vid, and also adjusting this trailer for the duck boat I purchased in July.
On a flat bottom boat you want the bunks outwards of the outer ribs on the hull. You can see in this video there's about a half inch of space between the bunk and the outer ribs. This does two things for you. It makes loading the boat easier. Wider platform is more stable. Also when you line those outer ribs up inside of the bunks, it helps guide the boat onto the trailer.
If you were to move the bunks closer together so they're in between the middle and outer ribs, the boat would be very unstable on the trailer. Loading the boat onto the trailer would be very difficult as well as you're trying to line up on a more narrow path.
DO you remember where you got the lights? I am getting a HF trailer tomorrow to convert to a JON BOAT trailer and want to do it right to start with. Great Info on your video.. Thanks for it as I am researching.
I just got the ones on amazon that had the best reviews.
You should wire loom the wires for a cleaner look
You should consider extending the length of your trailer frame to better match the boat length. In my personal opinion at least. Like, the boat buckles are a nice addition, however if you look closely at the angle of the strap and how hard it cuts backwards to the transom before going up, it's putting a ton of tension on the top of your buckles and pressure in a manner different than they were built to last while holding. Plus it's an odd shearing pressure on the mounting bolt as well. But, maybe you fish right up the street or plan on upgrading to a different platform when you can, idk. If it were mine, I'd feel better about it if the trailer cradled the entire hull, especially if I have a motor mounted and the added weight from it and it's fuel tank. Plus in my state the regulations for overhang are too strict to legally run the setup on the roads. What do I know lol I'm just a stranger with an opinion. Just finished adding reverse lights to my own last night. Evening as it's getting dark and you're coming off the lake, nothing better than nice clear light to see the landing and orientation to the dock 👌
Hey Good Job Brotha! Hey What Size Tires and Rims are Those?
Since it’s been a year how have the buckles held up with the trailer going in and out of the water have they seized up or are they still working very good?😎🇨🇦
We're coming up on two years, actually. They still work just fine. I literally do zero maintenance on them. I've taken them in the salt a half dozen times, but I mostly do fresh water. They're showing signs of wear, which is no surprise as I'm always using the boat every weekend. By my educated guess, I'd say they have 2-4 years left in them if I continue to not maintain them in any way.
Good video, I like your others too.
Quick question about the boat buckles, have you had any issues with them being dunked every time you launch or load your boat? I have been using the strap (over 30 years now) and I agree that I’m not loving it, but it works. The buckles seem like they’d get mud/dirt/grit in them from the nasty water at boat ramps, and the hooks just hold those grab handles on the transom, which aren’t seeming to be that strong. How have those boat buckles held up over time?
Well, I've had the buckese on there for about 10 months now, and I'm loving them! I haven't had any issues yet. I only fish freshwater, so corrosion from salt is not something I need to contend with. I would definitely wash down the entire boat and trailer if I launched in the salt. Hopefully thats next weekend! I've had the trailer covered in all kinds of grass and garbage and the buckles have never gotten stuck or given me any issues. Those handles on the transom are pretty sturdy. You're just keeping the boat from moving side to side on the trailer, so there's no need to wrench down the boat buckles that hard to where it would snap off those handles.
FloBass Thanks for the response!
My strap has made a shiny wear spot on the gunnels, but over decades of use, no other issues. I through-bolted my grab handles when I replaced the transom a few years ago, with thoughts of something like the buckles, but I never got them. Might give them a closer look now.
Tight lines!
They’re really just a convenience item. The strap definitely works but the buckles make it fast and easy.
I'm curious,,, does having the boat buckles mount underneath the boat cause the strap to wear , where it is tight to the bottom edge of the transom? Thx.
It’s been about a year now and so far no they haven’t worn at all.
im wondering the same as well. that's why im going to extend the side rail.
It’s been almost a year and a half now and I see no visible wear. They’re basically the same as a seat belt and they’re really strong. As long as they don’t flap and the boat isn’t constantly sliding around I don’t foresee any issues.
Thank u sir..i learned alot to make thinks easier.
I'm glad it helped!
Digg'in the boat buckles!!!
Thanks! Just something to make it a little easier.
Are you from Michigan? I saw a 2 door golf hauling a boat on a trailer similar to this like 3 weeks ago
Lol no I’m in Florida. A lot of GTI owners have voiced to me that they started towing small boats after watching my videos. Never knew they could do it.
"cold water, hot bulbs, equals kaboom"
what size is your trailer?
17'
Can’t use them in the winter in Michigan!
links to belt buckle please
I got them off of amazon. Just type in Boat Buckle and they should come right up.
How can you see smiling faces in each of these videos? Lol nice mods
The greatest self is a peaceful smile, that always sees the world smiling back.
@@FloBass lol yeah, ok
Great vid unlike mine ha!
What kinda of boat!?
Can they be used for saltwater?
Yes both tail lights, and the boat buckles. You still have to wash everything down as you should with any salt water use.
Well if the MB was cheap "crap". Me thinks we would all be speaking German...... Just saying. I think a more accurate assessment would be to call it a light from a disco floor. Hahaha Always like the videos man! Keep it up
Yeppers
Boat's going to bounce on the trailer. Straps pulling forward and not down very much.
Negative
Left light is on backwards
16:10 no idea what you're talking about
@@FloBass I noticed you changed it later on. Just did my trailer lights same exact set except I guess they send the wires through the sides of the lights now instead of the back.
😎 must have been the refraction of light into the camera lens that made it appear backwards. Weird...
Why don't you have amazon affiliate links to all of the lights and straps? Make some cash brother.
I used to do that but not enough people would purchase through the links, so they close your affiliate account. I’ll start that back up when I have more subs.
Perhaps "Dry Launch' means "don't get me wet".
First!
You believe they can do it yay let’s all be hippies
Speaking of hippies, I'll take some of whatever you're smoking...
Like your video, but lose the glasses. You aren’t ugly. Accomplish your fears and be happy
I do appreciate the compliment. They're actually corrective lenses. I also have a degenerating eye condition that they help protect me from sunlight and any other bright artificial light to prolong my vision.
@@FloBass makes sense. My bad. Good job tho!
What you're calling "twist ties" are called "Wire Nuts."
You put your ratchet in the wrong lace on THAT trailer.
Oh? Where should I have placed it?
This guy needs to get out more
Hey you could run the wires through those stupid watusi rings in your ears.
Sorry, but water still went into these lights... JUNK!!!