Boat U.S. and John's Wrecker Service

Rose · 10-17-2009, 09:09 PM

Well, we got our first flat on the trailer while bringing our boat back from the lake for the season. We were traveling west on 393 when it blew, about an hour from home. We have unlimited trailering coverage with Boat U.S. and our experience with them was excellent. The tire was shredded, so the customer service rep, Laura, tried to find a replacement for us. When that didn't work, she contacted John's Wrecker Service in Concord, who sent out a flatbed to transport the boat back to our house, and she kept in touch with us while we were waiting for the wrecker.

The operator of the wrecker, John (not the owner), was incredibly conscientious when putting the boat/trailer onto the flatbed and tied that puppy down tight. He also stopped a couple of times along the way to make sure everything was still secure. And he was very positive and friendly the whole time. What could have been a horrendous ordeal turned into a positive experience because of the wonderful service we got.

Rose

rick35 · 10-17-2009, 09:39 PM

The first accessory I bought for my boat when it was new was a spare tire. I also bought one of those roll on jacks. Had to change a tire this year and it worked great. Fortunately I noticed that the tire was bad but good enough to get me to the lake. Launched and then changed the tire with the load off.

You didn't say but it sounds like you were able to maintain control ok. Must have been a scary time.

Rose · 10-17-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick35

The first accessory I bought for my boat when it was new was a spare tire. I also bought one of those roll on jacks. Had to change a tire this year and it worked great. Fortunately I noticed that the tire was bad but good enough to get me to the lake. Launched and then changed the tire with the load off.

You didn't say but it sounds like you were able to maintain control ok. Must have been a scary time.

You're absolutely right. We were kicking ourselves for not having a spare. There are two things on top of the to-do list...get the tire replaced and get a spare.

Luckily, my husband had no problem controlling it when the tire went, and he was easily able to get it into the breakdown lane. He used to drive tractor trailers for a living, so I didn't find it scary at all because I know he is very experienced dragging things. Not sure how he felt about it. But he's a Navy vet who used to jump out of perfectly good helicopters at ten feet/ten knots as a search and rescue swimmer, so he's not easily phased. His confidence was the first thing I noticed about him when we first met...I'm a lucky woman. Oh, jeez, I've gone and gotten all mushy!

JPC · 10-18-2009, 07:27 AM

I was heading back from Fay's Boat Yard yesterday. On 393, around 6, I saw a flatbead truck hoisting a boat and trailer. Must have been you. Glad to hear everything is OK.

VtSteve · 10-18-2009, 07:47 AM

That would have made for an interesting picture.

How exactly do they get a boat and trailer on the flatbed?

chipj29 · 10-19-2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtSteve

That would have made for an interesting picture.

How exactly do they get a boat and trailer on the flatbed?

Most flatbed tow trucks can ramp down, and have a winch to pulll the disabled vehicle onto the bed.

SAMIAM · 10-19-2009, 08:10 AM

You ARE lucky,Rose.He sounds like quite a guy..............also,on the way to Boston last week,I saw a pontoon boat sitting on the grass on 293.

Rose · 10-19-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

Most flatbed tow trucks can ramp down, and have a winch to pulll the disabled vehicle onto the bed.

That's exactly how it happened...very, very slowly.

Cobalt 25 · 10-19-2009, 09:59 PM

This reminds me of one of the most painful things I've witnessed- watching our beloved 25' Cobalt being winched up onto a flatbed truck WITHOUT the trailer underneath. The boat came off the trailer at speed on I95 in South Carolina. Nobody injured, interesting experience. Boat/US insurance company was fantastic, paid big bucks to have the vessel repaired. They also paid to fix shoddy repair work that they had already paid for.

The grinding noise as it was being winched up was awful.

Peter

VtSteve · 10-20-2009, 01:09 PM

I guess that answers my question. They must have just dragged it up the ramp with the bow down. I doubt the jack stand could withstand that amount of pressure.

In spite of being a shareholder, I was unaware until recently that Berkshire Hathaway owned Boat US.

Sunset Bob · 10-26-2009, 08:37 PM

I had the same unfortunate experience with a blown tire on the Spaulding turnpike.I didn't even know I had a flat tire until a nice lady pulled up next to me and started pointing.No noise no vibration no trailer sway.Got to love those tandem axle trailers.http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...hp?photo=15689
More pics in photo-post

10-17-2009, 09:09 PM	#1
Rose Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 498 Thanks: 62 Thanked 71 Times in 32 Posts	Boat U.S. and John's Wrecker Service Well, we got our first flat on the trailer while bringing our boat back from the lake for the season. We were traveling west on 393 when it blew, about an hour from home. We have unlimited trailering coverage with Boat U.S. and our experience with them was excellent. The tire was shredded, so the customer service rep, Laura, tried to find a replacement for us. When that didn't work, she contacted John's Wrecker Service in Concord, who sent out a flatbed to transport the boat back to our house, and she kept in touch with us while we were waiting for the wrecker. The operator of the wrecker, John (not the owner), was incredibly conscientious when putting the boat/trailer onto the flatbed and tied that puppy down tight. He also stopped a couple of times along the way to make sure everything was still secure. And he was very positive and friendly the whole time. What could have been a horrendous ordeal turned into a positive experience because of the wonderful service we got. Rose

10-17-2009, 09:39 PM	#2
rick35 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bear Island/Merrimack Posts: 710 Thanks: 56 Thanked 170 Times in 104 Posts	Get a spare The first accessory I bought for my boat when it was new was a spare tire. I also bought one of those roll on jacks. Had to change a tire this year and it worked great. Fortunately I noticed that the tire was bad but good enough to get me to the lake. Launched and then changed the tire with the load off. You didn't say but it sounds like you were able to maintain control ok. Must have been a scary time.

10-18-2009, 07:27 AM	#4
JPC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Milford, NH Posts: 159 Thanks: 42 Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts	Saw you I was heading back from Fay's Boat Yard yesterday. On 393, around 6, I saw a flatbead truck hoisting a boat and trailer. Must have been you. Glad to hear everything is OK.

10-26-2009, 08:37 PM	#11
Sunset Bob Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,701 Thanks: 115 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	This is how they do it I had the same unfortunate experience with a blown tire on the Spaulding turnpike.I didn't even know I had a flat tire until a nice lady pulled up next to me and started pointing.No noise no vibration no trailer sway.Got to love those tandem axle trailers.http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...hp?photo=15689 More pics in photo-post

10-18-2009, 07:47 AM	#5
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	That would have made for an interesting picture. How exactly do they get a boat and trailer on the flatbed?

10-19-2009, 08:10 AM	#7
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,836 Thanks: 326 Thanked 1,626 Times in 562 Posts	You ARE lucky,Rose.He sounds like quite a guy..............also,on the way to Boston last week,I saw a pontoon boat sitting on the grass on 293.

The Following User Says Thank You to SAMIAM For This Useful Post:
Rose (10-19-2009)

10-19-2009, 09:59 PM	#9
Cobalt 25 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 213 Thanks: 219 Thanked 36 Times in 20 Posts	This reminds me of one of the most painful things I've witnessed- watching our beloved 25' Cobalt being winched up onto a flatbed truck WITHOUT the trailer underneath. The boat came off the trailer at speed on I95 in South Carolina. Nobody injured, interesting experience. Boat/US insurance company was fantastic, paid big bucks to have the vessel repaired. They also paid to fix shoddy repair work that they had already paid for. The grinding noise as it was being winched up was awful. Peter

10-20-2009, 01:09 PM	#10
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	I guess that answers my question. They must have just dragged it up the ramp with the bow down. I doubt the jack stand could withstand that amount of pressure. In spite of being a shareholder, I was unaware until recently that Berkshire Hathaway owned Boat US.