Tongue Weight

All trailers tow best when they are level. This can be affected by where you store gear on board. Because most of the boat’s weight is over the axles, it will generally sit level without gear in the boat. When you’re loading gear, be sure to keep the boat level and secure gear so that it will not shift during driving.

safety chains

The trailer is equipped with safety chains that attach the tongue to the trailer hitch. You should cross the chains to form a cradle. If the coupler becomes loose from the hitchball, it will drop into the cradle and not drag on the pavement. Don’t forget to securely attach the breakaway trailer brake cable to the tow vehicle’s hitch. Hook it to the same steel loop on the receiver that the safety chains are hooked to.

DRIVING WITH A TRAILER

Keep in mind that you’re driving a vehicle that’s a lot longer and heavier that it was before. You’ll notice reduced acceleration, longer stopping distances, blind spots in your mirrors, and a much wider turning circle.

The wider turning circle becomes evident when rounding sharp corners. Your trailer will not turn in the same arc as the tow vehicle. You’ll need to make a much wider swing to avoid curbs, road signs etc.

Also be aware of the extra length required when changing lanes or passing. Watch your mirrors closely to make sure there’s enough room to move over, and always use your indicators.

BRAKING

Give yourself plenty of breaking room when towing, especially on downhill grades. Always remember to keep your distance. Look farther ahead than usual and anticipate your – and other driver’s – actions. When towing, your stopping distance will increase dramatically. Don’t tailgate. Also be aware that after retrieving a boat from the launch ramp the trailer brakes will be wet, temporarily reducing their effectiveness.

side mirrors

You’ll quickly learn that your main reward vision will be from the side mirrors. Be sure your mirrors are adjusted correctly before you begin trailering.

BACKING UP

Backing up a trailer can be challenging. The best advice is to plan ahead and limit the amount of backing up you will have to do. Try to leave yourself plenty of room, and if you have to turn while backing up, back to your left (driver’s side). This way you’ll be better able to see the trailer’s movements. Remember: The trailer will go in the opposite direction of the tow vehicle when backing up.

Place one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Watch your mirrors. Move slowly: If you want the trailer to move right, moving your steering hand to the right. If you want the trailer to move left, move your hand to the left.

An alternative method is to turn so that you can see through the rear window and watch what you’re doing. Try both methods and decide which is most comfortable for you.

Always back up slowly. The faster you go, the more difficult it becomes.

A good tip to remember when backing up: If the trailer heads in the wrong direction, stop, pull ahead and try again. This is much easier than trying to correct your mistake, which leads to a zigzag pattern that is difficult to correct.