Tow Your Boat to the Marina Safely

A Guide to Boat Trailering Safety

Towing your boat to and from the marina requires a little preparation to ensure a safe trip. Here's a look at legal, safety and maintenance concerns regarding boat trailering.

Boaters often travel great distances to reach the water using boat trailers. Preparation, like so many things related with boating, is essential. Trailering a boat involves an interest in meeting legal requirements on the highway, consideration for safety concerns, and assuring proper maintenance of truck and trailer.

Legal Requirements for Boat Trailering

Most legal issues surrounding boat trailers are related to ensuring safety. You should have a current registration for your boat trailer. It's amazing to see how many boat trailers in our coastal communities don't have plates. The registration fee for a boat trailer will cost much less than a citation. Your trailer should have working lights. Like registrations, it is remarkable how many trailers don't have working lights. Maintenance of trailer lights is difficult because of their contact with the water. Many boats are over 8.5 feet wide and may require a special permit from your Department of Transportation.

Safety Considerations when Towing Your Boat

There are many safety issues related to towing trailers. This article lists some helpful hints and there many other out there. You need to be able to stop within a reasonable distance. Heavy boats will require the boat trailer to be equipped with electric or hydraulic brakes. The ability to stop a loaded boat trailer depends greatly on the size of the tow vehicle. Ensure the tow vehicle is adequately sized and has sufficient power to tow the boat. Read the owner's manual. Make sure gross vehicle weight ratings, trailer tongue weight and trailer capacity limits are not exceeded.

The tow vehicle hitch and trailer coupler need to be adequately sized for the boat being towed. The hitch needs to be welded or bolted solidly to the tow vehicle frame. Be sure that the ball hitch matches the trailer coupler. Using an undersized ball will lead to some interesting boat launches. Use a safety chain that is rated for the weight of the trailer. Cross the chains under the tongue of the trailer. Make sure the chains are long enough to allow turning of the combined truck and trailer.

Some final safety considerations include securing the bow and stern of the boat to the trailer, checking that the antennas are lowered and gear stowed, and ensuring the outboard motor or outdrive is raised. The safe towing speed of a boat trailer may be lower than the posted limits. Practice backing your trailer before going to a crowded launch ramp.

Maintenance of Your Tow Vehicle

Good maintenance of your tow vehicle and trailer will help smooth out potential rough spots during your travels. Inspect your boat trailer before each use and tire pressure periodically during longer trips. This includes checking tire pressure, lubricating wheel bearings often, and checking tightness of wheel lug nuts.

Be sure to wash the trailer down with fresh water after using it in salt water. Consider installing a flushing system on your trailer. Other equipment that should be carried includes an inflated spare tire, tire pressure gauge, grease gun, flares, jack and lug wrench.