Dear Valued Customer, Buyer Selection Tools (Reprinted courtesy of Trailer Boats Magazine) You can never be too safe when trailering. Below is a list of steps and important items you need to address every time you head out to the lake. Pre-Towing Check cold tire pressures on the tow vehicle and trailer. Turn off all propane (or other fuel sources) and all electric lights and accessories. Make sure you are towing the trailer in a level position. Ensure that the lug nuts on the tow vehicle and trailer are tightened to the correct torque and setting. To find the correct torque refer to your owner’ s manual and use a torque wrench. Make sure all of your US Coast Guard safety equipment is up to date and stored on the boat. These items should include U.S Coast Guard approved PFDs (life jackets) for all riders who will be on the boat, one throwable device, fire extinguisher, whistle or horn, distress signals (flags and flairs), and whatever else your state and the Coast Guard requires in your area. Secure all outdrives in the full “ up” position and secured. If you use a boat cover when towing make sure it is properly secured. Secure the coupler. As insurance, insert a nut and bolt or other locking device into the hole in the coupler so it won’ t accidentally pop open. Make sure the trailer jack is raised and locked in place. Jacks that are dragged on the road are potentially dangerous, and can also damage the jack, trailer or tow vehicle. Be sure the coupler is secured. As insurance, insert a nut and bolt or other locking device into the hole in the coupler so it won’ t accidentally pop open, possibly allowing the trailer to become disconnected from the hitchball. Check to see that the trailer wiring is properly hooked up and working. Have a partner stand behind your trailer and tow vehicle to double-check that all your lights are functioning correctly. Be sure the safety chains and emergency brake cable are in place and properly secured so they won’ t fall off. Check that the boat hull is snug with the bow-stop and secured with a chain or tiedown. Do the same with the rear tiedowns. All equipment inside the boat or camping trailer should be properly secured. Be sure the safety chains and emergency brake cable are in place and properly secured so they won’ t fall off. With the trailer hooked up and ready to tow, make sure all mirrors are properly adjusted. Boat Pre-Launch (in parking area) Remove tiedowns. Remove engine support. Disconnect trailer wiring from tow vehicle. Load and stow gear to be carried on the boat. Check boat systems, engine, blower, bilge, pumps, lights. If your boat has one, turn on the engine compartment blower. Make ready docklines, fenders and boat hook. Don’ t forget to install the drain plug! Boat Launch (on ramp) Back down the ramp far enough to allow engine cooling water to be picked up. Set the emergency brake, put the vehicle in park, and block the rear wheels. With a manual transmission, put the vehicle in first gear, turn the engine off, set the emergency brake and block the rear wheels. Do the same when retrieving the boat. Lower the engine or outdrive. Start the engine and let it warm up. Disconnect winch hook from bow eye. Proceed to launch. Boat Retrieval Do not submerge the trailer too deep. Most boats load more readily if the boat’ s bottom can center itself on the trailer bunks or rollers when the boat is about one-third to half the distance forward on the trailer. Approach the trailer slowly, calculating wind and current direction and strength. Make sure the boat’ s bow is centered before winching or powering the boat completely on the trailer. Always check local regulations that may prohibit power loading. Raise the engine or outdrive before winching the boat onto the trailer or driving up the ramp. Clear the ramp area as soon as the bow is resting on the bow stop, the winch hook is secured, and the engine or drive is raised. Finish tying down the stern and secure your rig for the road - away from the ramp if possible. Remove the drain plug. Wash the trailer and boat, and flush the engine with fresh water as soon as possible. #Trailering
