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SportsBoat_F4A14.book Page 107 Monday, May 17, 2021 1:01 PM

Trailering

Trailering the boat Use safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer so the trailer will not detach
WARNING
completely from the towing vehicle if it acci-
Avoid accident and injury from improper dentally comes loose from the hitch ball.
trailering: Crisscross the chains under the trailer tongue
 The trailer must be matched for the so the tongue will not hit the road surface if it
boat’s weight and hull. falls loose. Rig the chains as tightly as possi-
 The towing vehicle must have the ca- ble while allowing just enough slack to permit
pacity of pulling the load. Pulling a load tight turns.
that exceeds the towing capacity may Be sure the tongue weight (vertical weight on
cause loss of control. the hitch point) is correct. Generally, 5% to
 Be sure the boat is secured to the trailer 10% of the combined weight of the boat and
and the trailer is properly hitched to the trailer should be on the tongue. Too much or
towing vehicle before towing. too little weight can cause difficult steering or
 Read the manuals supplied with the trailer swaying.
trailer by the manufacturer.
Trailering checklist
A trailer is provided as standard equipment
 Check your state laws to be sure your trail-
with your boat. If you need to obtain another
er meets all regulations, such as proper li-
trailer, choose one that is manufactured to
censing, brake, axle load, and safety chain
carry a boat of the size and weight of your
requirements.
boat. Check the certification label on the left
 Check the trailer for any loose fasteners or
forward side of the trailer. This label is re-
damaged parts.
quired to show the Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
 Check the tires for proper inflation.
ing (GVWR), which is the load carrying
 Check the wheel bearings and wheel lug
capacity of the trailer plus the trailer’s weight.
nuts before each trip.
Be sure that the total weight of your boat, any
 Check the tail, brake, and turn signal lights
cargo, and the trailer weight itself does not
for proper operation.
exceed the GVWR.
Hitch
The trailer hitch ball must match the size of
the socket on the trailer hitch coupler. Hitch-
es are divided into classes that specify the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) and the maxi-
mum tongue weight. Always use a hitch rated
for the same or higher class. Use a bolted-on
or welded-on hitch; clamp-on bumper hitch-
es are not recommended. Be sure the trailer
hitch’s release handle is latched with the lock
pin installed before towing.

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