TOWING YOUR BOAT
Your boat trailer is an important part of your boating equipment. All
too often a trailer does not receive the attention that it demands and deserves.
After selection the appropriate trailer for your boat and towing vehicle,
proper maintenance and continual care when hitching and towing are necessary.
If care and maintenance are neglected, you may be endangering the safety
of your boat, your car, your family, yourself and others.
- Choose the right trailer for your boat. More damage can be done to
a boat by the stresses of road travel than by normal water operation. The
trailer should be designed to carry the total weight of the hull, engine,
equipment, and extra gear normally carried.
- The coupling hitch on the trailer should have a lot or similar device
to prevent it from vibrating loose. Periodically lubricate the hitch for
longer wear and quieter turns. The trailer should have a least one, preferably
two, safety chains strong enough to control the trailer if the hitch should
come loose of break. The chains should be securely attached to the towing
vehicle at a place separate from the ball and bracket. They should be long
enough to allow turning but not long enough to drag on the ground.
- Extra caution is necessary when towing any trailer. The heavier the
rig, the more time it takes to accelerate, pass and stop. Most boats on
trailers obstruct the rear view of the driver. When this happens, a rear
view mirror on each side of the towing vehicle is required by law.
- Make sure your vehicle is capable of towing the trailer. Be sure the
engine, transmission, cooling system and brakes can withstand the strain
that towing will put on them.
- Out of courtesy to others, and to prevent rushing, prepare your boat
for launching away from the ramp.
- If you must leave your vehicle on the ramp, set the parking brake,
block the wheels, and set the transmission in "park."
- Never allow anyone to stand in line with the winch cable when it's
in operation or has a strain on it.