Basic Boating Information

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TRAILERS AND TRAILERING

For many boaters, having a trailer-able boat means being able to vary your boating experience by traveling to other water areas, You aren't locked into yearlong slip rental agreements or paying storage fees. For thousands of boaters, the trailer-able boat is the right choice.

Match the boat to the vehicle

• Make sure your vehicle has a rated towing capacity equal to, or greater than, the boat and its trailer.
• Contact the manufacturer or reference professional boat guides.
• Boat dealers have an automotive industry guide that states the rated towing capacity for most vehicles.
• Most vehicles can tow greater weights if coolers are installed for the engine, transmission and power steering.

Hitches and lights

• Install a towing bar and hitch ball with a rating that exceeds the weight of the boat.
• After market vehicle tow bars and light kits are available and easily installed.
• Ensure the trailer receiver is the same size as the hitch ball (i.e., 1 7/8", 2", etc).

Connecting the Vehicle to the Trailer

• Align the trailer hitch ball on the vehicle with the hitch receiver of the trailer.
• Raise the locking lever on the trailer receiver (most have a locking pin that needs to removed before opening the locking lever) and slowly lower the receiver onto the hitch ball.
• Seat the ball firmly into the hitch receiver. Close the locking lever and replace the locking pin.
• For added security, use a strong lock, in place of the locking pin, to secure the lever in place.
• Attach safety chains in a criss-cross ("X") pattern. The chains will hold the hitch receiver if the ball should fail.
• Connect the lights and brake cable (if available) and test both.

Towing

• Inspect the trailer’s wheel bearings often.
• Check the tire pressure. If equipped with brakes, have them serviced regularly.
• Ensure the winch cable, safety hook and all tie-downs are securely fastened before moving the trailer.
• Attach additional tie-down straps and inspect the interior of the boat for any loose objects that may fly out if not properly stored. Lower and secure the canopy top.
• Start off slowly and note the added weight of the trailer will make vehicle starts and stops an entirely new experience. It may take 2 to 3 times the braking distance to stop your vehicle with a trailer as it does without one. Pulling into traffic will be slow and cumbersome. Use mirrors often.
• Avoid unnecessary lane changes.
• Right-hand turns require a wide sweeping turn to avoid cutting the corner too sharply and impacting the curb or fixed objects.

Backing

One method for backing that seems to work well is using the side-view mirrors and having a spotter. By using the mirrors, it is fairly easy to determine the angle of the trailer in relation to the towing vehicle. Determining large turning angles can be accomplished but takes practice. A tip is to place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel when backing. The direction your hand turns will be the same as the trailer.