Ramp-N-Clamp Trailer Modification

jhiestand wrote: I'm curious how well the ramp n clamp works. I have a lot of buddies with Mastercraft boats/trailers and the 'boat buddy' versions they have that operate similarly work pretty well. Well enough that I've been considering adding a ramp n clamp to my trailer. Has it worked pretty well thus far?

Yes, works very well and smooth. Like you, my friend has MCs and replaced all of his boat buddys with the RnC. the biggest advantage to the RnC over boat buddy is the release. the handle to release it has very little tension on it so it doesn't bind. i noticed releasing the boat buddy there was more tension and would be difficult at times to release. The loading mechanism is roughly the same on both. Since my trailer didn't have anything like it, all supports had to be fabricated. but if there is already something there, the RnC should just slip into place. We also had to changeout the bow eye (5 min). Trailered the boat back to IL (5 hours) and boat was solid the whole time. Hopefully after the storms pass this week and the docks are in, I'll get some better loading vids done.

Probably more for our inexperience, but we could never get the boat against the crash pads tight enough and would end up using momentum out of the water to snug them up. I hated doing it that way So this add will definitely eliminate that. And the bow eye is long enough to allow the boat to settle without stressing the hull if the trailer is backed in to deep.

Now that the boat is home, I can take closer pics if you want.

I'm curious how well the ramp n clamp works. I have a lot of buddies with Mastercraft boats/trailers and the 'boat buddy' versions they have that operate similarly work pretty well. Well enough that I've been considering adding a ramp n clamp to my trailer.

Has it worked pretty well thus far?

I really wanted the winch addition, but as you can see from the garage pic, space is very limited. (We already had to shorten the trailer and add the swing away).
The molded platform is what is really making for a tight fit. The winch comes up and through below the RnC, putting the pull of the strap at the same place as all the other winches I've seen. We realize that if we can't get the boat high enough to engage the RnC we can get it close and finish the job after. Or I'll just make my wife stand on the swim platform while loading :)

You make a good point with the roller which would help and we have plenty of steel to add one if it comes to that.

sorry quinner, HW beat you to the punch.

thankfully the ramps i generally go to are decent. Only one was pretty steep and we just don't like the location anyway.    When doing the work, we did make a comment that the bow eyes are farther down (away from the rub rail) on the MC trailers we have installed them on. So, we will just have to be careful until we get the process down. My wife is excited, so at least I won some brownie points this weekend.

spiralhelix wrote: I didn't even know the covers were available. I'm assuming you're the guy that can make that happen?

Yeap.... Also these are available

mtmabe@northstate.net

I didn't even know the covers were available. I'm assuming you're the guy that can make that happen?

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of helping a buddy modify my trailer. We removed the turnbuckle and crash pads to add a Ramp-N-Clamp and winch. We did, however, forget to make the spare tire bracket, so i guess that will come in the spring along with painting. Unfortunately didn't get a chance to test it out as we were pressed for time to get all the other things buttoned down for the long winters nap. Everyone likes pictures, so here are some before, middle, and after pics.

before



RnC came with an elongated bow eye to replace the stock one. The new eye had thread about 1/2" too short, so we had to increase them. Then we were able to start fabricating.



The final product (sans paint)


and she still fits in the garage.