Where is a boat under the most stress? In the water or on the road? Well it depends on how good your trailer design is. A boat is designed to be supported evenly in the water. If your trailer does not support the boat in the same way it will create stress and potentially damage. The hull should have its weight evenly distributed on a trailer long enough to support the whole length of the hull.
The rollers must be kept clean and should move easily. The contact pads should match the boats profile and be covered in a soft material. Tie-down straps should stop the boat from bouncing off the trailer. The eye on the bow should be secured firmly with either rope or strapping. There are regulations in regard to the relationship between the combined weight of boat, engine and stowed equipment.
The capability of the towing vehicle, these include:
- Transmission suitable for towing.
- Heavy duty brakes.
- An adequate load bearing tow bar.
- An engine powerful enough to tow the rig.
- Your car manual will specify its towing limitations.
- Make sure your tow bar and trailer coupler are parallel.
- Each tow vehicle has a maximum weight that it may pull by law. It is suggested that you do not pull more than 85% of the vehicle's limit.
Before you set off
Make sure the tow ball and cup are the same size and that the bolts are tight. Check that the cup is firmly fitting on the ball and the locking device is closed.Ensure that the boat is balanced fore and aft and level from side to side. If the weight is bearing down on the hitch it will affect the steering and the rear wheels.
If the weight is too heavy at the rear of the trailer it might fishtail from side to side, and reduce traction on the rear wheels of the tow vehicle. A safety cable or chain should be crisscrossed in an X pattern under the coupling device and attached to the frame of the towing vehicle. Make sure that the lighting cable is secure and not able to drag on the ground. Check your brakes. If your wheels have been immersed in water recently the bearings may need attention. The mirrors on your tow vehicle should give an unobscured view of the road. Tyres should be checked to ensure the correct inflation pressure. Make sure there is no rain water adding to the weight of the boat. Finally ensure that your vehicle registration plate is attached to the rear of the trailer and test to be sure that the brake and indicator lights are connected and working.
Towing technique
Allow extra time for braking, acceleration and passing other vehicles. When turning corners the towing vehicle must work to a much wider radius than usual. Practice reversing on a level open space. This can take some time and patience. Do not take to the road if you are not confident in reversing. When reversing the trailer will turn in the opposite direction of the car; take it slowly and try to avoid over steering.
