Transportation of PVC boats on a trailer: rules and regulations, vehicle requirements, tips

• December 10, 2020
• Cars
• Elena Volkova

Almost many outdoor enthusiasts own an inflatable boat. This swimming device is the most important attribute for many hunters and fishermen.

The inflatable boat itself is a kind of swimming structure, thanks to which you can easily and simply move through the water, but only over short distances.

Currently on the market there are such swimming equipment as boats:

• Rowing.
• Motor.
• R.I.B.

What are PVC boats

Currently, such boats are the most popular boats. In order to decide how to transport a PVC boat on a trailer, you need to understand what this boat actually is.

Their advantages include the following:

• PVC boats are made exclusively from high quality materials, and therefore they are the most durable.
• Such boats themselves are very compact. Their size can vary from 3 to 4 meters.
• A PVC boat consists of several layers, that is, it is multi-layered, making it the most airtight. Due to these properties, the boat is reliably protected from salt water, and is also not affected by ultraviolet rays.
• PVC boats are the most resistant to aggressive environments.
• Such a boat does not rot at all, even over time. In addition, mold does not appear on it, and it does not wash off at all.
• Such boats weigh little. With a motor, they weigh about 60 kg, or even more.

In this regard, many hunters and fishermen prefer to use PVC boats rather than rubber ones.

PVC boats

The most popular boats today are PVC boats.

Such swimming equipment has many advantages over others:

1. They are the most durable.
2. They are very compact. The sizes of PVC boats for motors vary from 3.3 to 4.2 meters.
3. Thanks to the PVC layers, the boat becomes airtight, it is protected from any ultraviolet radiation, as well as from salt water.
4. This type of boat is most resistant to aggressive environments.
5. Such a boat is not at all susceptible to rotting or mold, and it is not washed at all.
6. She is relatively light in weight. The weight of a PVC boat with a motor is about 60 kg or less.

Therefore, many fishermen and hunters purchase PVC boats rather than rubber swimming devices.

What methods of transporting PVC boats exist?

Many outdoor enthusiasts wonder how PVC boats should be transported on a trailer? In order to understand this, it is recommended that you read the following information.

A rowing boat, for example, is very convenient to transport from place to place. That is, it is enough to roll it up, place it in a backpack and transport it. That is, no additional devices or means are required for its transportation. You just need to take it out of your backpack and pump it up using a pump.

Although this method is good, it is not suitable for all outdoor enthusiasts. Many fishermen and hunters prefer to transport a ready-made boat. This is convenient because it is easier to launch it into the water without performing any other manipulations.

To transport a watercraft from place to place, you can use several basic methods:

• Using a special boat motor.
• Transportation of a PVC boat on a flatbed trailer.
• Using special contact platforms.
• Using handmade designs.
• On the car itself, that is, on its roof.

Let's look at each of these methods in more detail.

How to properly attach a PVC boat to a trailer

Many drivers who are keen on fishing have to figure out how to properly attach a PVC boat to a trailer with their own hands.
A lot depends on what kind of boat it is, its weight, dimensions. After all, it is important to secure the water transport vehicle in such a way that the material of the hull and bottom is not damaged, so that the cylinders are not damaged, nothing hangs over the sides and does not cover the license plate of the trailer platform. And the fastening must be truly reliable, otherwise conditions for an increased risk of an emergency situation on the road are created.

Of course, it would be possible to fold the boat each time for transportation, and unfold it on the shore, inflate it, and bring it into an active state. But everyone knows how much time these prefabricated events take. How much more convenient is it to simply launch the craft directly into the water directly from a towed platform designed specifically for boats. Such trailers for water transport are manufactured by the Moscow MZSA plant and are always available in specialized stores. These models are equipped with the most convenient and reliable fastening system.

If you have a regular onboard platform, is it possible to figure out how to properly attach a PVC boat to a trailer in order to transport your watercraft to the reservoir without loss? Drivers who have extensive experience traveling with various water transport on trailer platforms give their advice to beginners.

• Large PVC boats can be secured to a trailer using metal or plastic racks.
• The transom with the motor is fixed on the beam of the trailer platform.
• It is useful to place a special support under the engine foot.
• The bow of the boat is fixed directly above the drawbar of the car trailer.
• When choosing the most careful method of securing the boat, the free position of the cylinders, hanging without belts or supports, is allowed.

Also a frequent topic of discussion on specialized forums is the question of how best to transport a boat - with or without a motor. Should I remove and install the engine every time or should I still transport water transport together in the engine?

For example, the boat has a mass of about 70 kg, and a four-stroke engine weighing 52 kg was purchased for it. Usually a healthy man can lift such a motor from the trunk and install it himself. However, doing this every time does not bring any pleasure. Therefore, an MZSA trailer was purchased to transport the boat. What nuances should be taken into account in this case?

There are different options. Some boaters prefer to remove the heavy four-stroke engine and store it in a trunk separate from the boat's hull, or use a two-stroke engine, which weighs significantly less.

However, if you make a convenient folding support for the engine, then it is quite possible to leave it on the transom of the boat. Auto mechanics also advise attaching the motor to a stationary part of the trailer; with this mounting method, the transom is subject to less dynamic loads while driving.

Using a trailer with sides

Today this method of transportation is the most common. However, this method of transportation is not the most optimal option. Its disadvantages include the following:

• This trailer has folding sides. Their main problem is the presence of sharp corners.
• The trailer has bolt heads sticking out. This is also not good, since protruding bolt heads can damage the bottom of the boat or the cylinders.

Therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, you need to try to improve the trailer for transporting a PVC boat with your own hands. You can even purchase a special bedding for these purposes. It can be used to cover sharp corners. If you make such small modifications, you can safely transport a PVC boat in such a trailer.

To ensure that the boat holds tightly during transportation and does not fray, it is recommended to prepare the slings in advance. It is thanks to them that you can secure your watercraft very well and thereby make the transportation process more reliable.

As for the boat, it is best to transport it either with the keel up or, conversely, down. As for the motor, it is better to transport it separately.

But the trailer itself should in no case be smaller than the boat (more is possible).

Using a Boat Trailer

You can also transport a PVC boat on a regular trailer. The winch and light alarm are the most important components of this trailer. It is best to transport an inflatable boat on this vehicle with the keel down. The motor should be transported separately from the boat, either in the car itself or directly in the craft itself. In situations where the motor cannot be removed, you must try to secure it as tightly as possible with belts so that it does not fall off during transportation. Therefore, in this case, it is best for it to be in a lowered position. The boat also needs to be securely secured to the trailer.

Moving a boat on the roof of a car

It is very important, before transporting a PVC boat, to familiarize yourself with all the methods of transporting PVC boats on a trailer.

Moving a boat on the roof of a car is used when there are no other options for transporting the boat. In order to properly transport a boat in this way and not violate the rules of transportation, you must have a special trunk, in addition to this, also crossbars.

With this method of transportation, it is best to place the watercraft upside down. The best way to secure it is with straps.

The main disadvantage of this method of transportation is that if the boat is not secured correctly, then either the boat itself or the car may be damaged. Each driver chooses which transportation method to choose according to his or her capabilities.

How to load a boat onto a trailer and secure it

1. It is necessary to loosen the clamps that attach the drawbar to the frame of the passenger trailer, then the drawbar is freed from the additional third clamp.
2. Raise the trailer body upward and secure it in this position with a stand.
3. Raise the engine so that it does not rest on the ground when pulling the boat.
4. Raise the boat to half the length of the carpeted runners.
5. Attach a manual or electric winch to the drawbar. Attach a stretched sling to the transom of the boat.
6. Using a winch, lift the boat onto the supports, making sure that they are under the central axis of the cylinders.
7. Remove the stand and carefully lower the trailer frame with the boat loaded onto it onto the drawbar of the structure.
8. Tighten all the clamps, thus achieving rigid fixation of the towed vehicle.
9. Carefully lower the engine.
10. Secure the bow of the boat to the trailer tongue using a spacer and tie.
11. Position the transom on the frame of the trailer platform.
12. Attach the PVC boat to the trailer frame through the balloons using zip ties.
13. To prevent the boat from sliding towards the engine during braking, attach another tie between the bow eye and the drawbar.
14. Lower the engine, then secure it with zip ties to the transom eyes.
15. Attach the engine leg to the frame of the towed platform with a tie.
16. To protect the boat and engine from wind and precipitation, use an awning.

Thus, we have roughly figured out the question of how to attach a PVC boat to a trailer. Of course, different trailer models may have their own characteristics, but in general, the approximate algorithm of actions is clear.

And again, let us remind you that the best option for transporting boats, whether made of PVC or rubber, as well as watercraft with a hard bottom, are trailers specifically designed for this purpose. In such models, the loading and fastening mechanism is optimally thought out. In addition, all fasteners are manufactured at the factory, which guarantees their reliability and safety.

Transport using transom wheels

Transom wheels are additional devices that, like trailers, are directly involved in the transportation of a watercraft. In order to use this method, you need to attach the wheels to the transom (this is best done from the outside). With the help of such devices, moving the watercraft from place to place is easy and simple.

Transom wheels can be divided into several main types:

• Wheels with stiletto heels.
• Tilt and turn wheels.

And if we classify them by purpose, then they are:

• Removable.
• Twin.

These wheels have several advantages. These include the following:

• Such a boat has new possibilities.
• The wheels themselves are very compact.
• During operation, they are an additional convenient device.
• When transporting a watercraft, you can significantly save time.
• Thanks to the wheels, the mobility of the boat increases.
• These wheels are very easy to install.

Despite the advantages, they have one huge drawback - high cost. Therefore, many outdoor enthusiasts prefer to make such wheels themselves.

Trolley and trailer

Both the cart and the trailer perform exactly the same functions as the transom wheels. Thanks to them, you can easily and simply transport a PVC boat from one place to another.

The advantages of using a trolley include the following:

• The cart itself is compact and very versatile.
• It doesn't require much space to place it.
• Thanks to the trolley, you can transport absolutely any vehicle.

Car requirements, tips

There are several different ways to transport PVC boats. And each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Each owner of PVC boats chooses the appropriate transportation method for himself.

Many experienced experts advise outdoor enthusiasts to transport their watercraft in any convenient way, with the exception of two - in the trunk and on the roof of the car.

A rack is not a suitable way to transport PVC boats. It is suitable only for folding versions of inflatable boats, which can be easily and quickly pumped up and deflated.

Transporting a watercraft directly on the roof of a vehicle is also not a suitable transportation option. In this case, the length of the boat should not be more than 2.5 meters. To prevent the load from moving or falling, it is necessary to observe a certain speed limit - 50 km/h. In addition, the swimming device must be tightly fixed in several places, namely tied. It is best to do this along the stern and bow.

What to consider when choosing

The trailer package may include an awning, but its presence is not required. When choosing, you should consider the following recommendations:

1. Consider how much load the trailer can support. Each of them is designed for its own dimensions.
2. Additional components. The presence of a cradle, keel rollers and rollers allows you to transport cargo safely. If they are absent, you will need to periodically stop and check the securing of the load.
3. The ground clearance must be no less than that of a car. It is preferable to have a folding stand, which ensures the stability of the structure.
4. Integrity of light signals. Signals may be damaged during transportation, so check their functionality.
5. Spring suspension. Regardless of whether a wheeled or lever beam is used, it is advisable to choose a spring suspension. An alternative is a dependent spring design.
6. Take a good look at all moving parts and their connections.
7. It is convenient to use models with a long cradle covered with soft fabrics.

Everyone chooses the model and company themselves, depending on the preferences and dimensions of the boat.