162 Chapter Four
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HITCHING SYSTEMS
The total weight of the trailer rig must not
exceed the load capacity of the trailer hitch.
• You will find the load capacity stamped
on the hitch. Hitch balls also have ratings.
The heavier your rig, the more critical the
quality of the hitching system.
Leave the selection of a hitching system for
your rig to a professional installer who will
know the right type for your equipment.
• Tongue weight on the hitch should be
approximately 5–7% of the weight of the rig
when the coupler is parallel to the ground.
• Too much weight on the hitch will lower
the rear of the tow vehicle, increase tire
wear, make your vehicle difficult to
steer, and reduce the effectiveness of the
brakes.
• Too little tongue weight and the trailer
will fishtail. In extreme cases, this may
cause your trailer to overturn.
You can adjust tongue weight by changing
any of the following:
• Placement of gear in the boat
• Location of the axle on the trailer frame
• Position of the boat on the trailer.
Highway weighing stations or moving company
truck scales are good places to weigh
your trailer rig.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Make a last-minute check to see that you
have all required equipment and needed
supplies. Use the Pre-Trip Checklist, Table
14-1, as a starting point for developing a
checklist that is specific to your own boat,
trailer, and tow vehicle. Always do a “walkaround”
before driving away.
TRAILER OPERATION
If you have never towed a trailer, practice
before venturing out on the highway. Get
an experienced trailer driver to go along.
• Driving with a trailer is not the same as
driving the vehicle alone.
• The combination is longer and needs
more space to turn. It is also heavier and
requires more time to stop.
Backing
Find an empty parking lot and practice
turning, parking, and backing. If possible,
practice with an empty trailer first.
• Mark out a target area and practice backing
your trailer into it.
• A helpful hint when backing is to place
your hand on the steering wheel at the
bottom (six o’clock position). It also
helps to get the trailer aligned straight
behind the tow vehicle before backing.
• When you want the trailer to go to the
right, move your hand to the right. When
Table 14-1. Pre-Trip Checklist
Spare trailer tire
Trailer jack
Proper-sized lug wrench
Wheel chocks
Road flares
Reflectors
Extra bulbs, fuses
Rear-view mirrors correctly positioned
Equipment inside the boat tied down and secure
Boat drained of all water; drain plug installed
Coupler fully seated on ball and locked
Safety chains installed correctly
Electrical harness connected between vehicle and trailer; vehicle
and trailer lights working
Boat securely attached to trailer
Tongue jack in full “up” position and locked
Outboard motors/stern drives in up position
Projections over the stern clearly marked with red flags or
lights
Masts, boat tops, antennas, and flags lowered and tied down,
or removed
Vehicle and trailer tires; correct air pressure
Wheel lug nuts tight on all wheels
Walk-through windshields locked open or closed.