This page covers what's specific to Lund boats. For the full walkthrough of all four solo loading methods, power loading, and ramp etiquette, see our main guide: how to load a boat on a trailer by yourself.
1. Which Lund boats this covers
| Lund line | Hull | This guide applies? | Automatic latch? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum deep V fishing boats (Pro-V, Pro Guide, Fisherman, Explorer, Angler) | Aluminum, deep V | Yes | Yes. Model LGEN2 |
| Aluminum fish-and-ski and multi-species (Tyee, Impact XS, Crossover XS, Alaskan, Rebel XL, Fury) | Aluminum, deep V | Yes | Yes. Model LGEN2 |
| GL fiberglass boats (Pro-V GL, Tyee GL, Impact GL) | Fiberglass, deep V | Yes | Yes. Sport Model |
| WC and SSV utility boats | Aluminum, small utility | Depth and wind sections, yes | Check the compatibility checker |
| Jon Boat and Mod Jon Boat | Aluminum, flat bottom | Depth and wind sections, yes | Check the compatibility checker |
2. Why a Lund loads differently
Lund builds big-water boats. Three things about them change how you load alone.
- They're big and tall. A Lund 1875 Pro-V is 18 ft 11 in long with a 100 in beam and weighs 1,839 lb dry. It tows at about 3,259 lb with the trailer. A 202 Pro-V GL fiberglass boat weighs 2,700 lb dry. High sides and a tall bow give wind a lot to push against at the ramp, and a heavier boat takes longer to stop once it starts drifting.
- They sit on bunk or roller trailers. Many Lunds ride on ShoreLand'r trailers, which come in both styles. Bunk trailers are float-on, float-off. Roller trailers let you drive on in shallower water. The trailer type changes your depth, your technique, and which latch handle fits best.
- Aluminum and fiberglass Lunds use different bow eye hardware. Aluminum Lunds have a U-bolt bow eye with a rectangular mounting block at its base. GL fiberglass Lunds have a standard U-bolt bow eye with no mounting block. That decides which automatic latch fits (see section 5).
3. Trailer depth for a Lund: bunks vs rollers
Bunk trailer
Use the standard target: about 1.5 to 3 feet of bunk showing above the water. A heavier GL fiberglass Lund sits deeper in the water than an aluminum one, so it may need the trailer slightly deeper to float onto the bunks.
- If the boat won't float onto the back of the bunks, back in a few more inches.
- If it floats crooked or drifts off the bunks sideways, you're too deep.
Roller trailer
Roller trailers need less water. Back in only until the hull can reach the rear rollers and drive on. The rollers carry the boat up to the winch post with little throttle. The catch is that rollers work in both directions: until the bow is secured, a Lund on a roller trailer can roll back into the water, especially on a steep ramp.
4. Loading a Lund solo, step by step
- Prep in the staging lane. Pull the winch strap out a few feet and lay the hook where you can reach it from the bow or the trailer tongue.
- Tie the boat off at the courtesy dock with a bow line and a stern line. A tall Lund will swing hard on a single line in a crosswind.
- Back the trailer to your tape mark and set the truck's parking brake.
- Read the wind before you untie. Plan to approach heading into the wind or current, whichever is stronger.
- Line up straight from well back. A long deep V hull tracks well once it's straight, so commit early rather than correcting late.
- Idle on. On bunks, let them carry the bow up to the winch post. On rollers, the boat will roll up easily, so use even less throttle. If you need real throttle on either, the trailer is too deep.
- Hold it and secure the bow right away. Stay in gear at idle, then shut down and hook the strap and safety chain. On a roller trailer, don't leave the helm until something is holding the bow.
- Winch it snug, pull out, and strap down clear of the ramp.
5. Aluminum or fiberglass Lund: which bow eye?
| What you see | Which Lunds | Automatic latch that fits |
|---|---|---|
| U-bolt bow eye with a rectangular mounting block at its base | Aluminum Lunds (Pro-V, Tyee, Impact XS, Alaskan and others) | Model LGEN2. Its polyurethane has a gap built in for the mounting block to pass through, for a snug fit. |
| Standard U-bolt bow eye with no mounting block | GL fiberglass Lunds (Pro-V GL, Tyee GL, Impact GL) | Sport Model |
A snug fit on the mounting block or eye means less wear on your boat and your bow eye. On aluminum Lunds, we recommend smoothing any sharp edges on the mounting block before you start using a latch. Not sure which you have? Our compatibility checker walks you through it.
6. Using an automatic bow latch on a Lund
Automatic bow latch: the Ramp N Clamp
An automatic bow latch replaces the bow roller on your Lund trailer's winch post with a spring-loaded clamp. When the boat comes up the bunks or rollers, the bow eye enters the clamp and it closes on its own. That closes the gap where a big Lund is most likely to go wrong: a crosswind pushing it off the bunks, or a roller trailer letting it roll back, before you've hooked the strap.
Full disclosure: we make it. The Ramp N Clamp has been patented and on the market since 2012, and we've built it from marine-grade stainless steel in Tea, South Dakota since 2022. It costs $299.99 and takes about five minutes to install.
- Aluminum Lunds: Model LGEN2.
- GL fiberglass Lunds: Sport Model.
Which handle for your Lund trailer
| Handle | Best for | How it resets |
|---|---|---|
| Long handle (aluminum) | Roller trailers | Automatic. Can take a rope so you can release from the boat. |
| Automatic short handle (stainless) | Bunk trailers | Automatic. Low profile. |
| Manual short handle (stainless) | Bunk trailers | Manual. Lets you release the clamp before the boat is floating. |
Launching your Lund with the clamp
- Back down the ramp and stop at the water's edge, before the trailer goes in.
- With the trailer still on dry ground, unhook the winch strap and safety chain from the bow eye. The clamp keeps holding the boat.
- Back the trailer in just deep enough for the boat to float.
- Pull the handle. The bow eye releases and the boat floats off. The automatic handle resets the clamp to the loading position for next time.
You'll still hook the winch strap and safety chain before you drive on the road. The latch is for loading, not towing. Details and pricing are on our Lund automatic boat latch page.
7. When a latch is the wrong answer for your Lund
- Your Lund Jon Boat or Mod Jon Boat isn't on the compatible list. The clamp works on some of them but not all. Run your model through the compatibility checker before you buy.
- The boat already loads crooked. Get the bunks or rollers adjusted to the hull first. A latch won't straighten a boat. It holds it where it lands.
- Your boat is over about 6,500 lb. That's beyond what the clamp is built for. Check your boat's weight on its spec sheet.
- You launch twice a year. With a depth mark and the steps above, the free methods in the main guide work fine for occasional use.
8. Lund troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause on a Lund | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Boat blows sideways off the bunks | Tall hull in a crosswind, or trailer too deep | Back in less. Approach into the wind and aim for the upwind bunk. |
| Boat rolls back after reaching the winch post | Roller trailer with nothing holding the bow | Stay in gear at idle until the strap is hooked, or fit an automatic latch with the long handle. |
| GL fiberglass Lund won't float onto the bunks | Trailer too shallow for a heavier hull | Back in a few inches more, toward the 1.5 ft end of the range. |
| Bow stops short of the winch post | Trailer too shallow, or dry bunk carpet | Back in a little more. Wet or replace worn carpet. |
| Bow eye mounting block rubs the latch or roller | Aluminum Lund mounting block with sharp edges, or wrong latch model | Smooth the block's edges. Aluminum Lunds need the Model LGEN2, which has a gap for the mounting block. |
Video transcript
0:00 Introduction to the Boat2Trailer automatic bow latch
We're going to show you just how easily you can launch and load your Lund boat with the Ramp N Clamp automatic boat latch from Boat2Trailer.
0:09 How to launch a Lund boat with the Boat2Trailer clamp
To launch, start by backing your Lund down the ramp and stopping near the water's edge, just before the trailer enters the water. With the trailer still on dry ground, you can undo the winch strap and safety chain from the bow eye. Now, back the trailer into the water just deep enough so the boat is floating. Once the boat enters the water and pressure is created away from the clamp, you can pull the handle so the bow eye releases and the boat can float off the trailer freely. The automatic handle resets the clamp to the loading position automatically after each use.
0:41 How to load a Lund boat with the Boat2Trailer clamp
When you're ready to load your Lund, park your trailer in the water at a depth that allows the rollers or bunks to contact and center the boat. The correct depth for roller trailers is just deep enough so the hull can reach the rear rollers. And the correct depth for bunk trailers will typically leave 1½ to 3 feet of bunks out of the water. Drive the boat forward onto the trailer. The rollers or bunks will center the hull and raise the bow to a position where the bow eye can enter the polyurethane channel before locking with a click. That click is your confirmation the clamp is latched and the boat is secured to the trailer. When you load a Lund boat onto a roller trailer without a clamp, the boat is free to roll backwards until it is secured using the winch. The clamp locks around the bow eye and holds the boat in place the moment it latches. With the boat now secured to the trailer using the clamp, pull forward out of the water just enough to access the winch. Attach the winch strap and safety chain to the bow eye. Now your Lund is fully secured for travel.
1:43 How to install the Boat2Trailer clamp and eye protector
Installing the Ramp N Clamp on your Lund trailer is very simple and only takes a few minutes. This installation covers the LGEN2 Ramp N Clamp, designed for a U-bolt bow eye with a rectangular mounting block at the base. Fiberglass Lund boats with a standard U-bolt bow eye and no mounting block will require the Sport model Ramp N Clamp. If you have an adjustable winch stand, you can move it forward for the install or place the boat into the water before installing. Now remove the roller from your winch stand. Line up the Ramp N Clamp within the roller bracket. If there's a gap between the clamp and your roller bracket, you can use the included washers or spacers to fill it in. Insert the bolt with a single washer on each side. Tighten down the nut, making sure the clamp is able to pivot but holds its own weight when standing freely. If you adjusted your winch stand, you may now move it back to lock the bow eye. Resecure the winch stand, and your Ramp N Clamp is ready to go.
Frequently asked questions
How do I load a Lund boat on a trailer by myself?
On a bunk trailer, back in until about 1.5 to 3 feet of bunk is above the water. On a roller trailer, back in less. Idle straight on into the wind, let the trailer carry the bow to the winch post, and secure the bow right away. A tall deep V Lund catches wind, and on rollers it can roll back if nothing holds it.
How deep should my Lund trailer be in the water?
On a bunk trailer, about 1.5 to 3 feet of bunk should stay above the waterline. Heavier GL fiberglass Lunds may need the trailer slightly deeper. Roller trailers need less water than bunk trailers.
Is a bunk or roller trailer better for loading a Lund alone?
Both work. A roller trailer needs less water and less throttle, but the boat can roll back until the bow is secured. A bunk trailer holds the boat better but needs more precise depth. With an automatic bow latch, the long handle suits roller trailers and the short handles suit bunk trailers.
What automatic boat latch fits a Lund?
Aluminum Lunds have a U-bolt bow eye with a rectangular mounting block at its base, which takes the Ramp N Clamp Model LGEN2. Its polyurethane has a gap for the mounting block. GL fiberglass Lunds have a standard U-bolt bow eye with no mounting block, which takes the Sport Model.
Does an automatic boat latch work on a Lund jon boat?
On some of them. The Ramp N Clamp works on some Lund Jon Boat and Mod Jon Boat models but not all, so check the Boat2Trailer compatibility checker for yours. Lund's deep V aluminum and GL fiberglass boats do work with it.
