Drotto Boat Latch compared to the Ramp N Clamp on Boat2Trailer. Below is a side by side comparison of the 2 latching systems. The Boat2Trailer Latch by Ramp N Clamp on the left and the Drotto Boat Latch on the right.
$289.99
Retail Price
$314.99
2 Year Warranty
Warranty
1 Year Warranty
Patent Filed in 2013
Who Was First?
Patent Filed in 2014
Constructed Material
Stainless Steel
*Cost – Typically 4 – 5 times the cost of a coated steel material.
*Durability – More durable than powder coated or zinc coated steel
*Environmental – Lasts over 100 years
*Rust and corrosion – More resistant than both powder coated or zinc plated steel
Steel W Black Powder Or Zinc Coating
*Cost – Less expensive than stainless steel.
*Durability – Less durable than stainless steel.
*Environmental – Lasts 15 – 20 years,
*Rust and corrosion – Less resistant than stainless steel.
Constructed material Stainless Steel. Why is this important to you?
During the first year of operation stainless steel and zinc coated steel perform similarly. However, as rust and corrosion sets in on the powder coated and zinc coated steel the mechanism and moving parts start to rust together and get harder to use. Stainless steel on the other hand gets smoother with long-term use.
Contact Surface Of The Boat (Protector)
Plastic
Contact surface of the boat. Why is this important to you?
Polyurethane has 10 times more durability than plastic. During the first year they perform similarly but thin plastic eventually becomes brittle and stops having protective characteristics. Exposed fasteners in the plastic can also come loose and damage your boat.
Stoltz polyurethane is simply the best bow stop material on the market. That’s why most premium trailer manufacturers use this material. Our protective cover is over an inch thick and is an absolute must have for any FIBERGLASS BOAT HULLS!
Built In Shock Absorber
2 Shock Absorbers
The Design of the clamp allows the stainless steel clamp to travel past the polyurethane. This creates a shock absorbing impact point that the eye of the boat impacts the polyurethane (just like a roller) not steel. The clamp also has a secondary polyurethane impact zone on the back side of the clamp for that (coming in a little too hot) scenario.
No Shock Absorbers
The eye on the boat comes directly into contact with the steel clamp. No shock absorbing points. Direct steel on steel impact.
Built-in shock absorber. Why is this important to you?
The boat and trailer manufacturers’ engineering departments demanded this, and you should too! This “shock absorber” reduces damage and wear and tear on your boat’s bow eye and your trailer’s winch stand. It is a patented feature and a softer entry that only the Boat2trailer latch delivers! On the Drotto latch the boat drives into steel.
Mounting Bracket Position
“Will it push the boat back after install”
0 – 1″ Mounting Position Displacement
3 mounting holes. Hole 1 may push the boat back approximately 1/2″ compared to the roller. Hole Option 2 may not have any displacement compared to a roller. Hole Option 3 may push the boat back approximately 1″ compared to a roller. (** In 2024 we have added an additional 3rd mounting hole to our design to try and eliminate displacement completely)
2.5 – 4″ Back Mounting Position Displacement
2 mounting holes. Hole 1 may push the boat back approximately 2 1/2″ compared to the roller. Hole Option 2 may push the boat back approximately 4″ compared to a roller.
Mounting bracket position. Why is this important to you?
The boat and trailer manufacturers’ engineers demanded that a latch keep the boat as close as possible to its original trailer position as with a roller. This is very important for trailer weight and bottom support for the stern of the boat. The engineers demanded a low profile mounting bracket and you should too!!
Release Handle
2 Handle Options
Short Handle
*Mounts in front
*Comes With Both Manual AND Automatic Release Handles
*Stainless Steel Handles
*Rubber Grip
Long Handle
*Must Have Pressure Away From Clamp To Release
*Mounts Front Right
*Aluminum 2 Piece Handle
*Rubber Grip
1 Handle
Long Handle
*Must Have Pressure Away From Clamp To Release
*Mounts on Either Side
*2 Piece Zinc Coated Steel Handle
Release handle. Why is this important to you?
Launch your boat the way you want! With all of the Ramp N Clamp handle options you can undo everything before backing the boat in the water, or launch from inside the boat with the long handle or attach a rope if you desire. Our lightweight aluminum long handle does not bounce from road bumps like a heavy steel handle does and it does not need to be removed for travel. The aluminum handle is also much more corrosion resistant.
Mounting Bracket
Stainless Steel Bracket With A Poly Pivot Washer
The Ramp N Clamp has a stainless steel mounting bracket with a polyurethane washer. This washer prevents steel on steel scratching or wear when the device pivots. This also allows for a smooth rotation when pivoting.
Powder Coated or Zinc Coated Steel Mounting Bracket
The mounting bracket is a powder coated or zinc coated steel. There is no protection between the steel mounting bracket and the steel bracket on the trailer. Over time this steel on steel pivoting can wear on the powder coating or zinc coatings exposing the corrosive steel below the coatings to the elements.
Mounting bracket plastic pivot washer. Why is this important to you?
This was demanded by boat trailer engineers, and you should demand it also! This mounting washer prevents scraping and scratching on your trailer just like a roller. It also allows for smooth, consistent pivot to match the angle of your boat on the ramp.
Steel Eye Adaptor For Aluminum Eye
Stainless Steel Adaptor For Aluminum Eyes
The Model T is only for boats with an aluminum eye. It comes with a stainless steel adaptor. This adaptor will PROTECT YOUR ALUMINUM EYE and prevent steel on aluminum wear of the eye on your boat.
No Protector – Direct Steel on Aluminum
The aluminum eye of the boat is in direct contact with the steel jaw. This causes a steel on aluminum contact point when loading and traveling.
Stainless steel eye adapter for aluminum eye. Why is this important to you?
Understand that any steel latch will permanently damage and aluminum eye!! The steel latch will chew on the softer aluminum as the boat is being trailered down the road with vibration. We refused to sell a product that would permanently damage your boat, unlike other latch manufacturers. We developed and patented our bolt on adapter to protect your investment and offer adaptability for many aluminum bow eyes on the market.
Boat Eye Contact Point
Contacts The Polyurethane Protector
The Ramp N Clamp is designed to have the eye of the boat contacting the polyurethane when the strap is tightened for travel. This helps prevent steel on steel wear when traveling down the road.
Contacts The Steel Jaw
The eye of the boat is in direct contact with the steel jaw. When you tighten the strap for travel, the eye of the boat snugs against the steel jaw. This causes a steel on steel contact point when traveling.
Boat eye contact point during travel. Why is this important to you?
The boat manufacturers demanded that we have polyurethane cushioning on the front and sides for the stainless steel bow eye installed in your boats. This helps prevent your stainless steel eye from being scratched while trailering.
Receiving Channel Width “Guide”
Approx. 5 1/2″
Receiving Channel with guide. Why is this important to you?
This one is simple, the wider the better!
Since the transition we have been asked
Drotto Boat Latch and Boat2Trailer, What is The Difference?
The differences between the Drotto Boat Latch and Boat2Trailer are listed on this page. The Boat2Trailer company has extensive knowledge of both products since it did provide the Drotto boat latch brand to it’s customers up until 2022. Since then Boat2Trailer decided to go in a new direction. Boat2Trailer now has the rights to, manufactures and offers the Ramp N Clamp automatic boat latch system. After a number of inquiries to compare the 2, we have come up with this chart to provide as much information possible to the best of our knowledge.
Drotto Boat Latch and Ramp N Clamp, What is The Difference?
The differences between the Drotto Boat Latch and Ramp N Clamp are one by one listed on this page. The Ramp N Clamp design is very different from the Drotto Boat Latch Design. From the constructed material to the design of the clamping device. We have laid out the differences between the Drotto Boat Latch and the Ramp N Clamp for you to evaluate on your own.
Drotto Boat Latch Vs Ramp N Clamp Comparison
A comparison of the Drotto Boat Latch and Ramp N Clamp. The comparison of the two boat loading systems is highlighted above. We have listed the differences one by one for a person to get a side by side breakdown and comparison.
Overview
Since 2015, We at Boat2Trailer have been the largest direct retailer of automatic boat latch‘s. Up until 2022 we at Boat2Trailer offered the Drotto Boat Latch system as our primary latching system. After extensive research and meetings, In December of 2022 we decided the best decision for the future of our company was to go in a new direction. That new direction was to now offer the Ramp N Clamp automatic boat latch. Our customers deserve the best customer service and product we can provide. By offering the Ramp N Clamp, we now manufacture the product ourselves, have full control over production and also the ability to directly implement design improvements if ever needed.
This Drotto Boat Latch Vs Boat2Trailer comparison information provided is true to the best of our knowledge as of 10-1-23.
Disclaimer: Drotto is a registered trademark of Drotto Products LLC and we are not associated.
