Trailering with electronics
mskyhntr
Posted 5/28/2007 6:18 AM (#258256)
Subject: Trailering with electronics




Posts: 814


For the guys with larger units like 110's 111's etc mounted with ram mounts are you guys taking them off every time you pull the boat out? If you are leaving them on are they staying in place? Do you trailer with the plastic faceplate on? How do you keep the screen protected? Just thinking of leaving mine on....just want to hear what you guys think and do? At this point I take mine off every time I come off the water.
mikie
Posted 5/28/2007 7:50 AM (#258266 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: Re: Trailering with electronics





Location: Athens, Ohio
I don't have a large unit, but i take it off and store it in a foam sided cooler bag in the tow vehicle. Directions (what a concept!) with mine said to avoid excessive heat like can occur under a boat cover. If that helps, m
sworrall
Posted 5/28/2007 8:43 AM (#258274 - in reply to #258266)
Subject: Re: Trailering with electronics





Posts: 32890


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
And, the plastic cover is designed for protecting the screen but should be removed when the boat is being towed at high speed.
Guest
Posted 5/28/2007 8:45 AM (#258276 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: RE: Trailering with electronics


i saw a guy on the interstate yesterday that had all his plasic covers on his units and looked to have a bungee cord wrapped around each one to keep in place
Dan Urbas
Posted 5/28/2007 8:56 AM (#258277 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: RE: Trailering with electronics




Posts: 66


Location: Minnesota
I have a 111 ram mount on the console of a Tuffy 1760 C and leave it on all the time. It never needs tightened. I also leave the white cover on when traveling, no problems at all.

It does say to remove the white cover when traveling but mine has never blown off.

Keep castin'
Dacron + Dip
Posted 5/28/2007 9:10 AM (#258278 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: RE: Trailering with electronics


I blew the white cover off my x-15mt the first time I trailered with it, ramp is a mile away. Mine is also on a RAM mount, on the side of the console in the main aisle. A good rubber band is cheap insurance. In the winter I use a toque pulled down over the unit when we're moored and to protect it when I take it off and bring it in the house in cold weather at the end of a trip. I have noticed more tiny scratches since I lost the white cover put the toque does a good job. The guys in Ontario for Lowrance that I've dealt with have been excellent, I bet if you asked they'd send you a new white cover. My big graph stays on the boat from April until about the end of October, when it starts getting colder for good I take it in every night and after every trip's done.
Muskydr
Posted 5/28/2007 9:12 AM (#258279 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: Re: Trailering with electronics




Posts: 686


Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin
This is a thought to consider while leaving those big units on the boat while traveling. If it happens to be one of those rainy days and you're ripping down the road at 70mph the seals on those units may have an issue after this continual issue. People who fish big water with the constant pounding the units take should especially take note, my two cents worth!!
bn
Posted 5/28/2007 9:14 AM (#258280 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: RE: Trailering with electronics


i have also seen people using those clear plastic food saver things that have the elastic band, they slip them over the units .....
reelman
Posted 5/28/2007 11:13 AM (#258304 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: Re: Trailering with electronics




Posts: 1270


I trailer with my white cover on my 113. I put a bungee around it but I don't think it's neccessary since it's behind a windshield and I have already forgotten to put the bungee when I drove 50 miles one time.
lambeau
Posted 5/28/2007 1:42 PM (#258315 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: Re: Trailering with electronics


i take mine off the bow of the boat, put the covers on, and put them in a storage compartment. with the RAM mounts it only takes about 10 seconds each to do so and it's an easy enough bit of "insurance". i doubt anything bad would happen to them while driving, but why risk any preventable damage? this way i also worry less about them if i happen to stop for food or gas on the way to/from the lake.

i leave my console one mounted with the cover on since it's behind the windshield.
C_Nelson
Posted 5/28/2007 2:00 PM (#258318 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: RE: Trailering with electronics





Posts: 578


Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI
When you invest several hundred to a couple thousand dollars on electronics, what is an extra couple of minutes to take them off before you leave and put them on when you get there? I have a little over a grand in electronics and they come off the boat unless I am fishing near the house. Electronics take enough abuse on the water, why put them through more abuse when it can be avoided?

I keep mine in a larger Lakewood reel case. Both units fit in perfectly, are protected by thick foam (top and bottom) and stay in the hard case. The white plastic covers stay on them even when in the case. I am doing whatever I can to avoid future problems.

Chuck
reelman
Posted 5/28/2007 3:02 PM (#258326 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: Re: Trailering with electronics




Posts: 1270


PErsonally I would think more damage could happen from taking them on and off and risking dropping them, scratching the screens, etc. than by leaving them on the boat but to each there own.

lambeau
Posted 5/28/2007 8:29 PM (#258371 - in reply to #258326)
Subject: Re: Trailering with electronics


Personally I would think more damage could happen from taking them on and off and risking dropping them, scratching the screens, etc. than by leaving them on the boat but to each there own.

i put the covers over the screen, unplug the cords, and then unscrew the RAM mounts as they're designed to easily do. then i lay them in a compartment on top of my raingear and lifejackets.
they're protected from getting scratched and from getting dropped/banged around, as well as being safe (or at least safer) from theft inside a locked compartment.
the "ounce of prevention" approach works for me.
jaym
Posted 5/29/2007 7:40 PM (#258560 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: RE: Trailering with electronics


I always take the ram mount off with the unit, put it in the cab of truck and wrap it in a coat or towel. If people don't see it, usually won't steal it, during quick stop. Also if by chance you were in a fender bender, would think it would probably fare better in the truck, than in the boat.
Jeremy K
Posted 5/30/2007 8:39 PM (#258742 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: RE: Trailering with electronics


I trailer with my 111 hooked up if I fish locally, but if I drive up north I pull it off. I had a cover made for it with a vinyl material and a nylon bottom with a drawstring. Fits like a glove, and protects it from damage. I'll try to post a picture soon, it's really a nice system. Also keeps the bugs off when driving.
Reef Hawg
Posted 6/2/2007 7:24 AM (#259056 - in reply to #258256)
Subject: RE: Trailering with electronics


I also take mine off each time, but might start leaving them on as I change lakes often, and it is a pain to plug and unplug two lowrance units multiple times per day. Seems unneccessary stress on the cable ends, which are starting to corrode now. I was told to use a vacuum cleaner belt to hold the cover on my 111.