Towing & Trailering
Which type of boat is right for me?
 Trailering
can add new dimensions to the sense of freedom
that comes with boating—and that's one
of the reason's it is so popular. With a
trailerable boat you're free to boat just
about anywhere—lakes, rivers, bays or
inlets. Trailering is great way to explore
different waterways in your state or region.
Using a boat trailer is also the most affordable
way to store a boat. Our boating safety
tips can help you learn all about towing
and boat trailer maintenance.
Look for Certified Trailers
The National Marine Manufacturers Association
has developed a trailer certification program
to help boat trailer manufacturers comply
with established industry standards and
federal safety regulations, and to help
inform the public of such compliance when
purchasing trailers. Trailers are certified
in the areas of identification plates, capacity
ratings, couplings, safety chains, lighting,
winches, brakes, registration procedures,
and conspicuity systems.
Inspectors visit the manufacturer and physically
inspect each boat trailer model for compliance
to all certification standards.
A manufacturer participating in this program
must certify all models as fitted with all
factory supplied equipment on a model year
basis.
Getting Started
If you've never trailered a boat, there
are several things you need to consider.
First is the towing capacity of your car,
truck or SUV. You can find this information
in your vehicle's owner's manual. Generally,
small family sedans are not suitable for
towing, although a small, aluminum fishing
boat may not present a problem, provided
you have appropriate towing equipment installed
on the car. Most standard pick-up trucks
and SUVs can trailer boats up to 25 feet,
but again, consult your vehicle owner's
manual for limitations.
Weighing In
Your boat's owner's manual will list the
"dry weight" of your boat. That's the weight
of the boat, less fuel and gear. Make sure
when you're assessing your vehicle's towing
capacity; you add several hundred pounds
to the dry weight of the boat to account
for those extras.
Muscle Power
As the weight, length and width (beam)
of a given boat increase, so does the muscle
power needed to launch and retrieve it.
A small boat may be easy for one person
to handle at the ramp, but larger boats,
generally those more than 25 feet, may require
additional hands. Don't be afraid to ask
for help at the ramp if you need it. Trailer
boaters are always happy to help.
Consult Your State Laws
Towing laws vary somewhat from state to
state and often are based on weight and
beam.
Boat Trailer Maintenance
Trailer hubs and lights get dunked twice
every time you go boating. You need to pamper
them as you would your boat- this is an
essential element of boat trailer maintenance.
Do an occasional inspection by popping off
the cap with a screwdriver. If the bearings
are dry, add grease. It's simple. Conduct
routine maintenance by having a friend or
family member occasionally stand behind
your trailer and make sure the brake lights,
taillights and turn signals are in good
working order. As with your boat, a thorough
freshwater wash down of your trailer after
each use will extend the life of your hubs
and lights. It's also a great boat maintenance
idea to invest in a spare wheel, just in
case. |
