I decided to take the day off work today and go fishing. First stop I hung up my shakes head and trying to pop it loose I broke my rod.
Then I looked down and notice the rubber plug coming from my Ultrex was popped out and knew that I would have to take the casing off to replace it back in the slot when I got home.
Then when I loaded up my boat on the trailer I started to get out of my boat. I have a 2020 Nitro Z20 with the step out front and I stepped off the boat onto the step and the complete step broke off and there I go flipping over and landing on my left knee, elbow and back onto the ramp concrete.
Let me tell you that hurt!
All in all I feel lucky I wasn’t hurt anymore than a sore knee, elbow and back. No broken bones or cuts. After clearing the cobwebs from my head I looked and wondered how did I ever miss my back bumper of my truck. Thinking later after I got home and fixed the Wiring plug on my Ultrex I am glad I did not land on my head or neck into the concrete and maybe breaking my neck.
The weld on the step was poor at best, it wasn’t even welded all the way, just spot welded in 4 spots. Of course the warranty on the trailer is only for 1 year and I’ve had it 15 months. But I will weld it back but all the way around and with supports to make sure that NEVER happens again.
My wife wants to send Nitro a letter and pictures of it to show their poor workmanship. She says if I am still sore and stove up tomorrow she wants me to go get x-rays and get checked out.
I guess the worst spot is my elbow and falling a good 4’ onto concrete will do that to you.
But it was a close call today, I’ll be a little skittish every time I will put my foot on it when climbing off the boat. I don’t need a repeat of that again.

Ouch. That could have been much worse.

Sounds like a rough day for sure . Look on the bright side --- could have been much worse . I just started getting back on the water today . 6 weeks ago I had an " accident " removing the oven door for my wife . Not paying any attention and fearful of breaking something on this oversized , over priced Viking oven ( mainly the glass section ) . As I start pulling the door off , had my right hand to close to the spring loaded latch and when it cut loose , it snapped back and totally crushed the back of my thumb , trip to the emergency , 5 stiches , broken knuckle , and eventually $1250 out of pocket . On the bright side , it didn't severe the tendon so I have most of the function in my thumb ---lesson learned and a silver lining .

Wow. Challenging day. BTW, I'd be like your wife on the plan to notify Nitro, but sadly, I seriously doubt that Johnny Morris will give a chit; he's got most of the market locked up, and there are limited other places a customer can go. Even if you never buy another of his many brand boats, there is an endless supply of first-time owners.

“Some days you’re the windshield/some days you’re the bug”

Ouch, things like this make me cringe. Just think about getting your arm or leg between two cross bars and snapping the bone...

You need to make them aware as well as your dealer. If it was only tacked that’s clear negligence and next time it could get someone killed.

I'd let WMR know anyhow. Warranty or not thats just a piss poor crafted trailer step. They need to be made aware.

You said you went fishing... Did you catch any?

Glad you're still in one piece... A little ice on that elbow may help... Dan

Wow! I just put bought one from BassPro and installed on my Nitro trailer… I need to run out and see how it is welded now.

You should DEFINITELY inform Nitro… I disagree Johnny Morris would not want to know about such a very serious safety issue from one of his vendors who make this part.

This morning my elbow and shoulder is sore. I can really feel that fall today. My wife is livid!!
Of course Nitro customer service is closed today and they do not even have an E-mail to send anything to them, just a phone number.
I looked at the tack weld....they only did it on the side not the top and bottom on the plate/bracket. I can see where it had already broke and the fresh break from yesterday because of the rust and shiny part. So this was an accident that WAS going to happen.

Dan, I caught around 6 or 7, but nothing bigger than 2 lbs.
1oldbassguy, ouch! It seems as get get older we find ourselves getting hurt, like we seem to find accidents.

I was definitely the bug!

To add my thoughts here....
First off everything that broke yesterday wasn’t a Nitro boat item.
Daiwa Rod
Minn Kota trolling motor
The step? Yea maybe Nitro but not the boat. Plus I will agree the trailers they have from my experience is the worse trailers I’ve ever had. This is my 2nd Nitro and the boats have been solid and have never had an issue with them.

Yeah dude you were snake bit, big time. Sorry to hear about all that.

I would discuss your trailer with an attorney, warranty coverage is one thing, structural failure is another.
You will be sore for several days, it might get progressively worse.