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.
$299.99
Retail Price
$314.99
2 Year Warranty
Warranty
1 Year Warranty
Ramp N Clamp 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.
Material Comparison. Stainless Steel Vs Powder – Zinc Coated Steel.
The Ramp N Clamp is constructed of stainless steel — a material that costs 4–5x more than coated steel but lasts over 100 years, resists corrosion in salt and freshwater environments, and gets smoother with use and little or no maintenance needed. The Drotto latch uses powder-coated or zinc-coated steel, which performs similarly in year one but begins to rust and seize as the coating wears. Once rust sets in on coated steel, the moving parts become harder to operate over time and needs regular lubrication and maintenance.
Contact Surface Of The Boat (Protector)
Plastic
Boat Protection Comparison (Contact Surface)
The Ramp N Clamp uses Stoltz Polyurethane — the same premium material used by top trailer manufacturers — as its contact surface. Polyurethane is 10 times more durable than plastic, won’t crack in cold weather, and won’t flat-spot during storage. The Drotto latch uses a plastic contact surface that becomes brittle over time and can expose fasteners that may damage your hull.
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.
Shock Absorber Comparison
The Ramp N Clamp features two built-in shock absorbers. The clamp is engineered to travel past the polyurethane so your bow eye contacts the poly — not steel — on impact. A secondary absorber handles higher-speed entries. This patented design reduces stress on your bow eye and winch stand. On the Drotto latch, the boat drives directly into steel with no shock absorption.
Mounting Bracket Position
“Will it push the boat back after install”
0 – 1″ Back Mounting Position Displacement
Primary mounting hole may push the boat back approximately 3/4″ and have an increased height diference of 1/2″ compared to the roller. Hole Option 2 may not have any displacement back and an increased height difference of 1 1/2″ compared to a roller. NOTE: LGEN2 does have an approx. 2″ displacement back and 1 1/2 height.
2.25 – 3.25″ Back Mounting Position Displacement
2 mounting holes. Hole 1 may push the boat back approximately 2 1/4″ and have an increased height diference of 2″ compared to the roller. Hole Option 2 may push the boat back approximately 3 1/4″ and have an increased height difference of 2 1/2″ compared to a roller.
Mounting bracket position.
The Ramp N Clamp features a low-profile mounting bracket with three hole options, keeping displacement between 0–1″. This keeps your boat in nearly the same trailer position as your original roller — critical for weight balance and hull support. Welded winch stands especially benefit from this low-profile design. The Drotto latch has a larger bracket that can push the boat further back on the trailer and may cause weight distribution issues and in some cases may lift the boat off the trailer after install.
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
The Ramp N Clamp offers two handle styles — short and long — with the short handle coming with both an automatic AND manual release option, giving you flexibility to release before or after you enter the water. The long handle is lightweight aluminum, resists corrosion, and doesn’t bounce on the road. The Drotto latch offers one handle style: a zinc-coated steel long handle that mounts on either side. Drotto requires the removal of the handle every time you are traveling to eliminate the issue of releasing while driving. And commonly the boat must be floating in order to release the jaws.
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 Comparison
The Ramp N Clamp mounting bracket is stainless steel with a polyurethane pivot washer that prevents steel-on-steel scratching when the clamp pivots on steep ramps. This keeps your winch stand looking clean and ensures a smooth, consistent pivot angle. The Drotto bracket is powder or zinc-coated steel with no pivot protection, allowing metal-on-metal wear over time.
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
The Ramp N Clamp includes a patented stainless steel aluminum eye adaptor for boats with thick aluminum bow eyes. This adaptor slides over the eye without drilling and prevents permanent damage from steel-on-aluminum contact during loading and trailering. The Drotto latch has no adaptor — the steel jaw contacts the aluminum eye directly, causing wear over time.
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 loading and travel
When your trailer strap is tightened for road travel, the Ramp N Clamp is designed so your bow eye rests against the polyurethane — not the steel clamp. This protects your eye from scratching and wear mile after mile. On the Drotto latch, the bow eye contacts the steel jaw directly when strapped down.
Receiving Channel Width “Guide”
Approx. 5 1/2″
Receiving Channel with guide. Why is this important to you?
The Ramp N Clamp has an approximately 6 3/4″ wide receiving channel — the wider the channel, the more forgiving the latch is when lining up at the ramp, especially in wind or current. A wider guide means faster, easier loading every time. The Drotto receiving channel is smaller and has roughly a 5 1/2″ wide receiving channel.
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.