Boat Trailering Tips To Stay Safe On The Road!

Boat Trailering Tips

When loading your boat and trailer, most trailer manufacturers recommend loading your boat with five to seven percent more weight ahead of the trailer axle. This prevents fishtailing and gives you good control on the road. If you are planning a long trip with sporting gear and camping equipment loaded inside your boat, watch the weight distribution. Weigh big items as they are loaded and make sure you do not exceed the trailer manufacturer's maximum weight limit. Your trailer is designed to haul your boat and motor with the correct load in front of the axle. Any additional weight inside the boat should maintain this distribution. Use the boat trailering checks below to ensure a safe and pleasurable trip.

Pre-departure Trailer Checks

According to the US Coast Guard, there are several safety checks that should be done prior to trailering a boat. Performing the following checks before your next and every trip will ensure your safety on the road and at the launch ramp:

1. Make a complete check of the trailer and towing vehicle.
2. Inspect the tires for tread wear, inflation and overall condition.
3. Examine the hitch and associated safety devices and check the brakes on both vehicles.
4. Check the radiator coolant, the fluid level in the transmission and the engine oil level of the towing vehicle.
5. Check the tightness of the wheel lugs; repeat this check periodically during your trip.
6. Equip the towing vehicle with large rearview mirrors on both sides.
7. Check the inside rearview mirror--the boat and load should be low enough so that it does not obstruct the driver's view.
8. Check the shocks and springs on both vehicles.
9. Be sure to load tools, emergency equipment and foul-weather gear in a readily accessible location in the towing vehicle.
10. Check the load on the trailer--it should be loaded correctly from front to rear and from side to side for best balance.
11. Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle and check the trailer lights.
12. Check the trailer's wheel bearings and inspect all tie-down straps.

Choosing The Right Trailer

Many trailer manufacturers recommend that you purchase a trailer one size bigger than your present boat requires. This will accommodate the occasional extra-heavy load you may pack in. If you get a trailer larger than that, your boat may not be properly supported and the trailer will be awkward to tow, bouncing around because the boat is not heavy enough to hold it on the road. Remember that regardless of size, the trailer must enable you to back down to the water and launch your boat efficiently without getting the trailer-wheel hubs in the water.

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