Trailering Tips
To get the most enjoyment out of boating, you have to get the most out of your boat trailer. That's why we've put together this list of tips to make trailering your boat safer and easier.
On the Road
Before every trip with your trailer, be sure to check:
Once you get out on the road:
| • Tires are properly inflated - Inflate to the PSI recommended on the side of the tire. Under-inflated tires cause more blow-outs on the road than anything else. Also remember when buying spares or replacement tires, to check that the tow rating is the same as the originals. Click here for more information about tire wear. | |
| • Coupler is latched and secured with a lock or bolt and nut. | |
| • Safety chains are securely attached - Always cross the safety chains under the tongue. This prevents the tongue from dropping to the road if the coupler or ball hitch attachment should fail. | |
| • All lights are working properly - It only takes a minute to ensure that running lights, stop lights and turn signals are working. properly. We use LED lights on most of our trailers to help ensure reliability. | |
| • Lug nuts are tightened according to manufacturer specifications. | |
| • Boat is secured to the trailer - Make sure the bow eye safety chain/cable is secure and use a transom tie down or gunwale tie down to hold the boat firmly on the trailer. You might also want to tie a line from your bow eye back to a cross member of the trailer frame. This would help prevent the boat from sliding forward in the event of a sudden stop. |
Once you get out on the road:
| • Avoid sudden stops and maneuvers - Remember that your tow vehicle not only has to slow itself, but also several thousand pounds of boat and trailer. Leave plenty of room ahead, behind and beside you when on the road. | |
| • Don't make sharp turns around obsticles or take corners too tightly - Running over curbs or cutting corners can damage the sidewalls of your tires and damage your axle(s) as well as your boat. |
