Trailering enables you to boat from new and distant destinations
and save money by not leaving your boat in the water at a marina, pier, or mooring.
Over 95% of US recreational boats
are trailerable.
Safety considerations start with ensuring the proper load-capacity tow vehicle
and trailer for your boat.
The coupler, hitch, and ball need to match in size.
Safety chains,
fasteners,
bearings,
lug nuts,
and other trailer hardware must be in good condition.
Your boat should be strapped down,
tires properly inflated,
and brakes and lights working.
if your tow vehicle doesn't have extended side mirrors,
consider adding a portable set, so you can observe your boat when driving and backing it up.
To attach your trailer to your tow vehicle, align the trailer hitch and ball.
Then lower the hitch down over the ball.
Close the latch and insert the safety pin.
Cross the safety chains and attach them to your tow vehicle.
If your trailer has brakes, attach the safety cable or wire to the vehicle.
Plug in the lights
and check to ensure they're working.
Tongue weight should be 10-15% of your load to prevent dangerous swaying while driving.
Your trailer should be ride-level to the ground.
Make wide right-hand turns to avoid clipping a curb or other obstacles.
Leave extra room behind vehicles in front of you, and expect increased braking distance.
If wind pushes your rig sideways, take your foot off the accelerator but do not brake --
and steer straight ahead.
Change lanes slowly ensuring you have plenty of clearance between the stern of your boat and other vehicles behind you.
Practice backing, turning, and maneuvering your trailer in an empty parking lot or other open area.
Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel
so the trailer will turn in the direction you move your hand.
Watch your boat's movement in your side mirrors.
Make small incremental corrections as you back up.
Avoid over steering.
When you arrive at the launch ramp, pull to the side to prepare for launch,
so others can continue using the ramp.
Remove tie-downs and add a line at least the length of your boat -- with fenders --
on the dock side to help maneuver your boat to the dock once it's off the trailer.
Load gear from your tow vehicle into the boat.
Put in the drain plug
and unplug the lights.
Align the tow vehicle and trailer.
Pull forward to get the trailer straight behind you.
Remember your hand placement at the bottom of the steering wheel and make minor adjustments as you back up.
If possible, recruit a spotter
and roll down your windows to hear the spotter.
Slowly back the boat down the ramp until the stern begins to float
and the engine out-drive is sufficiently submerged to pick-up cooling water.
Apply the parking brake,
and for large boats or heavy loads,
chock a wheel.
Unhitch the bow strap or cable and safety chain from the boat.
If possible, enlist a competent assistant to operate either your tow vehicle or boat at the launch ramp.
To get your boat off its trailer, start the engine, shift into reverse, and gently apply power.
If the boat doesn't move,
back the tow vehicle down the ramp a little further.
Don't remove the winch strap or cable and safety chain until you've backed the boat down into the water.
If a courtesy dock is available, move your boat there as soon as it's off the trailer,
so the ramp will be available for the next boater to launch.
To haul your boat out of the water, perform the launch operation in reverse.
Back your trailer until the bunks or rollers are far enough into the water to allow the boat easily to slide onto the trailer.
Carefully align your vessel with the trailer.
Slightly raise the drive-unit if necessary to avoid striking bottom.
Check that the steering wheel is centered
and slowly run the boat onto the rollers or bunks.
Then winch the boat the rest of the way onto the trailer.
On steep ramps, run the boat further up onto the trailer to avoid stressing the winch, post, and strap or cable.
Once your boat is on its trailer, shut down the engine
and tilt up the drive-unit.
Reconnect the bow strap and give a few turns on the winch to ensure it's tight.
Then reconnect the safety chain, and you're ready to pull the boat out of the water.
Don't stop on the ramp.
Good trailering etiquette dictates not blocking the launch facility for any length of time,
so pull up into the parking lot or to the side of the road before you begin preparing for the drive home.
Strap down your boat.
Unplug the drain and allow it to empty to prevent transporting aquatic invasive species away from the area,
and plug in your lights.
Just like a car or a boat, every part of your trailer needs regular maintenance.
Especially if you've been boating in salt water, thoroughly rinse your trailer as soon as possible after pulling it out,
with special attention to the brakes, wheels, lug nuts, lights, license plate, and inside the trailer frame.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for periodic greasing of wheel bearings.
Check them after long drives. If they're hot,
they need to be serviced or replaced.
Because trailers sit for long periods through extreme temperature changes,
check for proper tire inflation before each use.
It's good practice to have a spare tire
and tire changing tools readily accessible.
Follow the same guidelines for tread as for automotive tires.
Visually inspect the jack stand,
hitch,
brake fluid level,
the winch,
strap or cable,
and lights.
Combining frequent inspections and practice sessions
with periodic servicing by a qualified mechanic
will extend the life of your trailer,
help ensure your and other people's safety,
and allow you to expand your cruising horizons through trailering.