Unloading off the front of a V neck trailer

[mpcrusse]

Newbie here! We have only rented in the past. This year, we bought two machines and a V neck trailer that you drive up the back and unload off the front. Any tips on how you unload off the front? Seems like a very steep drop off. Oh yeah, hubby says the truck seems awfully close to the ramps when the ramps are down to offload.

 

[XXL]

You can turn the truck sharply and kind of "jacknife" the trailer, that will give you more clearance to unload, turn the truck the other way or just drag the other sled around and unload it off the same ramp. As for the steepness of the ramp you could just pull them off and see how it goes, as you get more experience you probably will just yell "Geronimo" and ride them off.

 

[bholmlate]

Experiment a little and find out what works for you. I know people who do it opposite and drive in from the front and drive off the back. In tight parking areas sometimes it makes it easier to drive them out the back. Watch your head either way. sometimes you get focused on what your trying to miss with the sled and nail your head or helmet on the top of the opening.

 

[line8]

I remember this same thing not too long ago. I still will mostly pull it off as opposed to riding off. Regardless I make sure it comes off straight and not 1 ski lower than the other. Just pull the rear of the sled toward the center of the trailer, then, get in front and give the ski a pull until it stops(don't let it run over you), after it stops because the skis hit the flat ground, jump on the sled and give it gas and ride it the rest of the way off.

 

[WyoUltra]

I find it easiest to drive the sled right to where it starts to fall down the ramp, then with gravity as your friend and just pull from the bumber and ski tip and gently let it glide down while you pull a little. When the ski tips touch the ground, you can either continue pulling or just get up and ride it off. I also usually just drag the other sled over and repeat.

I have heard of people riding the sleds on from the front in an enclosed trailer, however I don't think I would try this on an open 2 place trailer, the first sled would probably work alright. However riding a second one on from the front doesn't seem like there would be room to do so, unless the ramp is really shallow.

If you're concerned about how close the trailer is to the truck, like stated above, partially "jackknife" the truck (however this could be a pain in cramped quarters.) You could also shop around for an extended, or longer hitch to allow more space between the truck and trailer.

 

[MORSNO]

It might depend on how your ramps are designed, but I just drive off slowly and have never had an issue with hitting the truck or the sled not going where I want it (Aluma 16' open trailer).

 

[hornson3]

Main thing is to go slow and be careful. You didn't say what type of sleds to bought, but if they have reverse I would just back them off the trailer.

 

[TCar]

We have an enclosed clam shell type trailer that opens from the front or back, we used to ride them in the back and out the front which meant if you did not want to change the position of the out ramp, you drug the nose of the 2nd sled over to unload. Then the light bulb went off !!! They have reverse now. Why are we dragging sleds around?? Drive them in the back. Back them out the back. Easy peasy !

 

[97exc]

I have a trailer very similar to MORSNO's picture, although its a Triton. I have always been able to ride off the front on either side without hitting the truck. It looks close and you do have to pay attention to how the skis come off (especially on uneven ground) but I let the sled do all the work. If absolutely necessary, you could edge the sled down until the skis are touching ground, then pull from the front or swing the back over to give you a better angle to drive off at.