The Saltwater Magazine for Gulf Coast Fishing!
FISHING FORECASTS | FISHING CALENDARS | ARTICLES | SUBSCRIBE
Search Gulf Coast Fisherman's
Web Site
Past articles, specific
places or fish, etc.
Ten Tips for Safe Trailering
By Mike Baron
U.S. Coast Guard, Boating Safety
Division
Whether you consider yourself a novice or an old pro, trailering your boat can be tricky business. The primary step in ensuring safe trailering is to have the right equipment. Not all hitches, towing vehicles, or trailers are able to handle all boats, so giving careful thought to the whole towing package and how it works together can be critical to getting that recreational investment of yours safely to the marina.
Towing, to many, is an art form; to others it seems wrought with overwhelming challenges. Don't wait for an accident or an anxious moment at the launch ramp. Look for information and equipment to make those highway miles safer and easier for everyone. Here are 10 tips to get you started:
1. Match the trailer to the boat. The trailer must be able to handle the length and weight of the vessel. Trailer length is especially important on outboard boats as the full weight of the engine rests on the transom. A short trailer on an outboard can distort the hull and affect the boat's maneuverability. Also the trailer's tire rating needs to be appropriate to the size of the boat being towed to optimize stability. For heavier boats and longer trips, a tandem trailer will better distribute the load for a safer and more stable ride. You can also increase stability and braking performance with surge brakes, which are activated by the force of the trailer pushing against the trailer ball as you apply the brakes of your towing vehicle. A little extra stopping power is always a plus.
2. Match the tow vehicle to the trailer and load. Overloading can create serious driving hazards and even vehicle failure. If you're unsure about how much your vehicle can handle, learn the different weights - dry weight, payload, tongue weight, and maximum trailer weight rating - and how they affect your pull. Review the rating of the hitch and the vehicle towing specifications listed in the owner's manual. Check the wheelbase and vehicle weight. The greater the wheelbase - the distance between the front and rear wheels - the better and more stable the ride. The heavier the towing vehicle, the more likely you are to stop straighter, faster, and with more control. Also be sure that the side view mirrors are large enough to give you an unobstructed rear view on both sides of the vehicle.
3. Opt for a strong hitch. The hitch is an important component of the trailering ensemble, so avoid a hitch that merely attaches to the bumper and opt instead for one that bolts to the vehicle frame. Hitches are rated as Class I, II, III, and IV. Class IV has the greatest towing capacity, but Class III should be sufficient for all but the very largest boats that can be transported by trailer.
4. Make good trailer maintenance a habit. Keep your trailer in good repair and plan ahead for any problems you may encounter en route to the marina. Carry an emergency repair kit, including a hammer, wrenches, spare fuses, metal file, chisel, grease and grease packing gun, an extra wheel bearing kit and bearing seating utensil, possibly a hand-held torch, and a trailer jack that can lift the weight of the boat and trailer in the event of a breakdown.
5. Do a careful trailer check. Before you take the boat out on the road, always check the frame, bearings, lights, tires, and tire pressure. Obvious problems will be easier to repair in your driveway than out on the road.
6. Make sure the load is balanced, side-to-side and front to back. A boat needs to be supported structurally as evenly across the hull as possible, taking into account the added weight of the engine, fuel, and equipment. If you've stowed gear inside the boat, make sure you've distributed the weight evenly as well. Also consider the forward weight on the trailer tongue where it attaches to the towing vehicle. If the tongue is sitting too low the rear wheels of the towing vehicle could lose traction or the trailer may fishtail at high speeds; too high and it will drag down the rear of the towing vehicle, making steering more difficult.
7. Secure the boat on the trailer. It's surprising how often this is overlooked. If the trailer bounces over a large bump or pothole, an unsecured boat can shift quickly and dangerously, resulting in serious hull damage or, worse, a boat ending up in the middle of the highway. Tie down straps that permanently affix to the trailer are quick and easy to put on.
8. Keep the boat motor off the pavement. Some motors can be left in the vertical position in transit, but many large motors need to be tilted up so that the skeg doesn't drag on the highway. If you need to tilt up the motor, avoid too much stress on the transom with a support bar that fits on the last roller of the trailer. A motor support bar puts the load on the trailer and relieves any stress on the transom.
9. Attach safety chains. The safety chains on the towing mechanism should be crisscrossed under the coupler and attached to the tow vehicle's frame. When attaching the chain to the vehicles frame make sure that the open end of the hook goes up and through the hole, not just down through it, to prevent the hook from simply bouncing out. Also, attaching the chain with a shackle will provide additional safety, making it less likely that the coupler will drag on the road and more likely that the trailer will continue in a straight line if the trailer coupler fails. Keep in mind the length of a chain, if it's too short it will bind in the middle of a turn or as you make your way down the launch ramp.
10. Practice safe handling. Before taking the loaded trailer
out on the road, find an vacant area of a level parking lot and practice
accelerating, turning, stopping, and backing up._ Every trailer handles
differently, and yours will respond differently from day to day as a result
of weather, temperature, load, and other factors. Taking a few minutes before
you start is a minor inconvenience, but it can help you avoid a major accident
on the road.