Loading and unloading a boat by youself with a truck with a camper shell tips?

[Triton_JayCope]

I recently purchased a camper shell for my truck and went out for the first time fishing by myself and I really didnt think about this but im used to being able to climb in the bed of the truck to get into the boat and now cant do that with the shell. I needed the shell to haul extra gear to tournaments and I know alot of fisherman have shells on there trucks. Whats the best,way to load and unload when you fish by yourself? If I could get some type of step to go right behind my rear tire I could then step on that to my rear bumper then get in the boat, do they make a step like that or do any of you have any other solutions?

[CatFan]

Tie a long rope from the bow eye to the front of the trailer. Back in and stop firmly and the boat will unload itself. Then either pull the boat to a courtesy dock or pull it into the ramp if you have a keel protector.

If you want to drive it off, there are steps made that mount on the front of the the trailer to let you climb in. I still climb off the tongue into the boat, but I have a surgically repaired knee that is making that harder these days.

[n4gls]

Here is what I did. I mounted it on the tongue of the trailer instead of where it is shown in the picture. Inexpensive and works well.

http://www.amazon.com/HitchMat...r=8-2

[Triton_JayCope]

I completely understand what you guys are saying about the rope and step on trailer however the ramps that i use the rear tire is about half way down in the water to get the boat off the trailer and you couldnt step far enough to get to a step mounted on the tong of the trailer

[haveme1]

Maybe not go in farther than you can get to tongue and then use the motor to get the boat off the trailer. I see ppl do it here.

[LM Bass Angler]

Let out enough of you bow strap so the boat will come off of the trailer easily(6-8'). Back the boat into the water until it floats off the trailer, then with the boat floating pull your truck up the ramp enough to get on the trailer without getting your feet wet. Then you can walk down the trailer, unhook the bow eye and finish unloading your boat. Tie your boat to the dock or put it on the bank and then pull your truck out and park.

[jimfc3]

I do almost as the guy above mentioned.. First I have my tail gate down and cap open, I loosen straps 8 turns, back in water to get the bunks soaked then pull up to sweet spot, I jump on truck tire then on tail gate then onto trailer tounge then onto frame and fold away trailer jack then into boat, unhook bow then back off.

[Tom I]

I just get my feet wet. In the warmer months it isn't a big deal, in the cooler months I just put on a pair of knee high rubber boots.

[3dees]

I have been launching boats myself for many years. not a big deal. I back to the water, unhook the winch, clip on a long rope and clip the other to the front of the trailer. back in until boat floats off, pull the truck up and do whatever with the boat. of then again most of the ramps have docks. loading onto the trailer with no dock could be more of a pain.

[Triton_JayCope]

Okay guys thanks for the tips ill see what works best

[ClaySlayer]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by LM Bass Angler &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

Let out enough of you bow strap so the boat will come off of the trailer easily(6-8'). Back the boat into the water until it floats off the trailer, then with the boat floating pull your truck up the ramp enough to get on the trailer without getting your feet wet. Then you can walk down the trailer, unhook the bow eye and finish unloading your boat. Tie your boat to the dock or put it on the bank and then pull your truck out and park. </td></tr></table>

^^^This^^^