Whether you've just bought your first boat, or you are looking for ways to make it easier to transport your boat to and from the lake, there are a couple of things that you need to know. Boat trailering looks very easy, but there are actually quite a few things that can go wrong. By keeping these tips in mind, you'll be able to easily trailer your boat anywhere you want to go.
1. Trailer maintenance is key.
This is a problem area for many boaters. You get so focused on maintaining your boat you completely forget about the trailer it goes on. Flat tires are all too common and can cause dangerous problems on the road. Loose or rusty bolts are accidents waiting to happen, and faulty wires can be the cause of some serious issues. You'll need to keep your trailer well maintained and clean in order to ensure that it's ready to carry your boat.
2. Do a pre-flight checklist.
Before you pull out of your driveway, you'll need to check the tires to see if they are flat, and if they are a bit low, add the recommended amount of air. We recommend keeping a few spares on hand, since these tires can be hard to locate at a moment's notice. Check for any loose bolts, look for rust and make sure that the wires are connected to your car or truck correctly and that they are in good shape.
3. Err on the side of towing caution.
Your vehicle has a set amount of weight that you can tow. Just because you get away with towing a little bit more once or twice doesn't mean that it is a smart thing to do. Remember, you'll need to add up the weight of the boat and the trailer together to see if your vehicle can handle it. If it's too close, err on the side of caution and use a different vehicle. Keep these factors in mind when purchasing a new vehicle to ensure that it can handle the load.
4. Drive slowly.
When you're pulling a trailer, you just shouldn't drive much about 50 mph. It's annoying, and it takes longer to get there, but the bottom line is - it's safer. Never exceed speeds of 60 mph when pulling a trailer, you're just asking for an accident. It doesn't matter how powerful or fast your towing vehicle is, it's simply smarter to stay safe.
5. Learn to back up.
Backing up with a loaded trailer is difficult at first and you're going to need some practice. Don't make the mistake of thinking you can get away with trailering the first few times without knowing exactly how to maneuver that trailer in many different ways. Head out to a big parking lot that's empty and practice turning, backing and repositioning your trailer. This is time well spent and can prevent accidents in the future.
If you're having trouble handling your trailer, you may need to consider downsizing, or storing your boat at your favorite lake to make it easier.
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Originally posted 2009-02-18 05:49:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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