Recreational boating is a great way to experience the exhilaration of water sports and nature. You can fish, sail, water ski or explore a hidden cove with your family and friends. Unless your boat is in a mooring or a slip, you must hitch your rig to enjoy your favorite water activities.
Select a trailer hitch that matches your boat’s characteristics. One important consideration is trailer supports. Roller supports makes it easier to launch and load your boat, but they can damage certain fiberglass, aluminum hull and competition racing boats. Covered or padded bunk supports are less problematic.
The vast majority of boat trailer hitches connect to ball hitches that are welded or bolted to your towing vehicle. Clamp-on style bumper hitches aren’t recommended for continual towing or heavy loads. The weight that a loaded trailer exerts on the towing vehicle’s hitch is the tongue weight. Use a heavy-duty equalizing hitch if your trailer’s tongue weight exceeds 250 pounds. The surge brakes on these specialized hitches will lock up if you fail to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Ensure that the size of your trailer hitch and the ball hitch match. Avoid using ball hitches that are too small.
A frequently overlooked area is tires. Your tires must support the combined weight of your boat and trailer. Ensure that your tires can handle your load and are properly inflated. Some boaters use smaller tires, because they make it easier to launch their rigs. The stress of more frequent revolutions and the weight causes smaller tires to overheat, shed tread and wear out quicker than larger tires. Bigger tires cushion your boat against potholes and give your boat a smoother ride. More is not better when it comes to trailer capacity. Avoid using trailers that exceed your boat’s requirements, because the stiff springs will jar and damage your boat’s hull.
You must take extra precautions when towing heavy rigs. A loaded boat can obstruct your rear view and create blind spots. Most jurisdictions require rear-view mirrors on both sides of your towing vehicle. Accelerating, passing and stopping will require more time. Longer rigs also need wider clearance for curbs and other obstructions. Find a large open area to practice braking and turning your trailer and boat. You can set up markers to determine your braking time and turning radius.
Proper boat hitching techniques ensures the safety of your life and property.
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