Correct trailer position for Boat Buddy Latch

[rlivingood]

I've heard different opinions and can't seem to get the correct info from the trailer manual, but for the 2004 trailer with the Boat Buddy Latch system, what is the correct way to trailer tow?

Should the pin be through the latch or in the safety position extended out of the latch.

I've been told by one dealer that if you tow the trailer with the pin in the latch then the pin will be bent, but it doesn't seem very safe with only the back straps and front winch strap during towing.

Comments and what others do please.

Thanks,

Rod

[east tx skier]

You'll get opinions on both sides here. The MC manual says leave it engaged as an extra measure of protection. I was told by my dealer to disengage it so it wouldn't get bent by the stresses placed upon it during towing.

My advice would be to disengage it and have an extra strap or chain connecting your bow eye to the trailer. I'd also recommend a strap over the top of the boat just behind the engine box connecting to the eyes on the trailer. My $.02.

[chris.willman]

I leave mine engaged all the time. I have had 2 MC PS 190's, both with Boat Buddies, since 1991, and I have never had any problems with the pin getting bent. Perhaps it's luck, but I don't think so. I have a fairly steep ramp, and have had some inexperienced drivers in the tow vehicle pull me out of the water pretty agressively. I would think that would be the most extreme pressure on the pin that could happen (other than an accident). Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't there only be excessive pressure on the pin during agressive forward acceleration (or hard stop while in reverse), or while pulling the boat out of the water.

I often wonder how many of the stories about bent pins are a result of improperyly engaged pins during loading. in other words, leaving the pin closed and coming into it with the boat eye. That could certainly bend it.

[bcampbe7]

I leave mine engaged all the time as well. I agree with Chris on the bent pins theory...

[OhioProstar]

I have always towed with it engaged. The wench strap should take enough pressure off the pin.

[east tx skier]

Chris, I think you're right on most bent pins. My father-in-law bent his that way.

Even so, were I still using the boat buddy, I'd be disengaging it and using something else as a backup. If things get truly hairy on the highway, that little pin isn't going to save the boat. There is zero chance of bending it while underway if it's not engaged. Not to say that your theory about the possibility of it being bent isn't perfectly plausible. No matter which side of the aisle you're on on this issue, I think everyone can agree that the winch isn't enough by itself and the more fail safe devices employed, the better.

Like I said, this question will continue to draw responses on both sides of the issue.

[paulphillipson]

When I bought my '95 Prostar 190, the salesman told me to leave the pin in, so I did, and the bow eye literally wore through the pin in one season. When I took the Boat Buddy back to the dealer, the (new) salesperson said that the proper protocol was to only use it to pull the boat out of the water. They replaced it, and I've had no more problems until this month, when it ceased working. I think some of the recovery evolutions were kind of aggressive, since the pin is now bent, and won't trip the slider catch. I guess 10 years is pretty good working life for a slam-bang mechanical device. I'm going to replace it.

I have always left mine engaged and never had a problem. I try to make sure it is in the middle of the eye. I pull up with the strap, never been able to make the boat buddy work like it should. I think I'm just afraid to drive the boat while on the trailer (story of boat through the back window )

[MarkP]

I do the same thing Leroy. Well after I drive on.

[BriEOD]

I leave the pin engaged. Also, I cannot say enough superlatives about the boat buddy. I changed from that ridiculous bar contraption on the 1980's trailer to the boat buddy. It's like going from dial-up to cable internet!