Safe Trailering

[tomc]

[size 2]Trailering Safety

Boat trailerThe Trailer

Your trailer is an important part of your boating equipment. It should be the proper size and length to fit your boat. The rollers should be spaced to provide adequate support to the hull with some positioned under specific stress points, i.e. under engine mounts or fuel tanks, etc. Tie downs are needed to secure the boat on the trailer. Check the trailer’s data plate for load and tire information.

Tongue Weight

Only 5 to 7 percent of the total trailer weight should be on the hitch. Too little weight will cause the trailer to fishtail. Too much weight will impair steering.

Vehicle trailering boat

Brakes

Brakes are required if your trailer is rated for three thousand pounds or more. They must be on all axles. They can be either surge brakes or electric brakes.

Lights

Trailers must be equipped with signal lights, tail lights, brake lights and a license plate light. All must be in working order. Waterproof fixtures should be used and bulbs should be allowed to “cool down” before submersing underwater.

Safety Chains

Two chains strong enough to hold the total trailer weight should be securely attached to the trailer. The chains, when attached to the frame of the tow vehicle, should form an X below the . In the event that the hitch becomes undone, the chains will prevent the from digging into the pavement and flipping the trailer over.

Safety chains

Tires & Wheel Bearings

Tires should have good tread and be inflated to proper levels. The sidewalls should be inspected for “dry rot” and cracking. Carry a spare wheel, jack, lug nut wrench, and spare wheel bearings. The bearings should be packed with fresh grease at the beginning of every season. “Bearing Buddies” will allow you to keep the bearings greased more often.

Tow Vehicle

Check the hitch to be sure it is the proper class and ball size for the trailer. Too much weight on the hitch will cause the rear wheels of the tow vehicle to drag and may make steering more difficult. You may need certain additions such as a transmission line cooler, heavy-duty suspension and cooling system, flashers or mirrors.

Vehicle trailering boat

Towing

Due to the added length and boat weight you’ll find that vehicles handle differently when towing. It will take you longer to accelerate and to stop - you should leave a safer stopping distance. Corners will need to be taken a little wider. Practice backing up with a trailer. Remember, the trailer will turn in the opposite direction from the car. Avoid sudden stops and radical lane changes. Remember to secure all items which could blow out of the boat when trailering.

Launching & Retrieving Boat Launch Etiquette

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Prepare your boat for launch at the top of the top of the ramp.
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Remove tie-down straps - PUT IN THE DRAIN PLUG - disconnect the wiring harness to the trailer lights.
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Never leave vehicle unattended at the ramp. Set your packing brake and put vehicle in “park”.
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In retrieving your boat, make certain the boat is placed properly on the trailer. DO NOT POWER DRIVE THE BOAT ONTO THE TRAILER.
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Secure the winch strap onto the bow eye and pull the boat up steadily.

CHECK LIST
Lights Safety Chains
Tie Downs Tires, Spare, Jack
Lug Wrench Wheel Bearings
Roller Position Winch Operation
Trailer Registration License Plate
Drain Plug Brakes [/size]
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[Dennis1022]

[#005000][/#005000]Great information and prepare. I think everyone new ownership of a boat. Not everyone but some just don't think of towed and Launching and retrieving the boat![/i][/b]
[#005000][/#005000]My problem is still backing up, so I try not to go during the busiest time. This way I can take my time to backup the boat trailer.[/i][/b]
[#005000][/#005000]Oh yes! at the bottom of this thread you have (" When you Die, your wife will sell everything cheap") Your problem is solved, " Just leave them to me in your will, Problem solved. Now you can rest in peace! [/i][/b]
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[tomc]

backing up is tough,first thing is to stay calm,when you get worked up then you start rushing,thats when things go wrong.also hold the steering wheel at 6 oclock,with one hand.when turning,the direction of your hand is where the trailer will go
best thing is practice.if there is a large parking lot around you,go and prctice backing into a parking spot

sorry,lol,i dont plan on dieing to soon
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[Dennis1022]

[#005000]Thanks Tom, but I still have to use the mirrors and a camera for backing up! Since my operation on the spine, I can't look over my shoulder. I do under stand about the 6 o'clock rule. But you stated the biggest thing about people, they get upset and start to rush. This when it seems even I get and frustrated at myself. I even get embarrass thinking people looking at me, and just saying old as he is, he should be able to backup! But to me I get this way when I'm there and nobody around . All the sudden 5 trucks waiting to use the ramp! I will try to practice when my boat gets back from the shop! [/#005000]
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[Feydakin]

People are looking at you!!!

My dad has a cabin that sits right across from the boat launch.. Its fun to watch the morning crowd gather for breakfast there and start counting how many times someone has to pull forward to get down the launch..They can be brutal..

But its even more fun when the wife who is outside giving directions gets fed up and pulls the man out of the truck and backs the boat herself.. I've seen it often enough that we have thought about making buttons for the men.. Mean, you bet.. But awesome for a way to relax and get a laugh..

I can't back by looking backwards.. I only use mirrors and a wife for emergencies.. But we also pull horse trailers all summer so there is always a trailer of some sort hooked to the back of the truck..

The only time I have any real issues is when we are putting my dad's 24' pontoon in the water.. His long boat, plus my long F350 king cab, plus the very narrow, turning, boat launch at the cabin usually mean I can count on one forward move while backing up the boat.. All I know for sure is that whoever laid out that launch is sick and twisted..
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[Dennis1022]

[#005000]Thanks ! Now I'm really more paranoid then I was before! [/#005000]
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[olefisherman]

old truckers tip ,,place one hand on bottom of steering wheel push in the direction you want the trailer to go . find big! parking lot to practice in.[]
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[Dennis1022]

Thanks all of you fellow fishing persons. I have practice more, but still have to much over correction by turning the wheel to fast. I know I need to slow my turning and just turn the wheel with little effort and the trailer will turn. But I'm still not going to fish at busy times. I'll wait for a brake in the launching ramp!
As for the driving to my destinations, I am very capable of making corners and changing lanes etc; But the thing new fishing persons or just boaters need to learn is backing up to the lake launch ramp. I'm not the only person that is having problems I have seen others myself.
Thank You!l
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[Feydakin]

If you have some space somewhere set up some cones and practice backing through them.. Set them up so you have to curve and turn.. Then get out and rearrange them and do it again..

We used to live at the end of a long dirt road with about 20 houses on it.. The driving test for our kids was to drive to the end of the road and make them back all the way home, going backwards in to every driveway along the way.. About 3/4 mile.. By the time they get home they are pretty good at it..
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[Dennis1022]

Thank's Steve!
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[fishingcanada]

thanks for the tip,it,s true that when you are pulling a trailer, one thing is undisputed. Trailer towing is a special situation which places demands on your driving skills, and on your tow vehicle. Here are a few basic tips that you should know in order to transport your boat and trailer safely, comfortably and without abusing the towing vehicle.
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[flygoddess]

The length will make a big difference also. I have launched my share of boats and the longer the the easier.
Also, new lights may be different, but we found it good practice to just unplug the tail lights when launching. We kept blowing lights specially because they go on in the brake mode.
Made it a practice (like making sure the drain plug was in before launch) to Unplug when launching and plug in after boat was tied down to go home.

I also still see allot of boats on the road that are not secured on the back of the trailer...that is scary.
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[Dennis1022]

[#005000]Thank you all for everything on this information. Since the time I had posted this and now. I had launched my boat over a 30 to 40 times now. I did what everyone suggested and practiced. I still don't go during the rush time at certain lakes. Because I fish alone and I have run into plenty of rude boaters. As you see I didn't say fishermen some was but not much to speak of . I had a teenager said someone stolen his propeller off his boat that he leaves at the lake. He helped me launch my boat so I let him fish with me for couple hours until I was ready to leave. He even helped me load the boat n the trailer. Not all teens are bad they just need guided.[/#005000]
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