TRAILER TIPS Information and advice

Getting your watercraft to the lake or river safely is just as important as being safe once you are on the water. The local Coast Guard Auxiliary offers these tips for trailer safety:
Lunching the boat without the drain plug installed is a common fault. Backing trailer and car too far down the ramp, requiring a rescue tow, is a close second.
These accidents are minor compared with what can happen on the highway.
Make certain your boat is properly secured on the trailer and all lines and tie-downs should be inspected. The winch line or strap should be checked for tightness and the lock positively engaged. Make certain that the trailer safety chains are criss-crossed and that the lights are working.
The boat should be properly balanced on the trailer, with most weight over the wheels, and a slight balance toward the tow vehicle, with 10 per cent of the total weight on the trailer hitch. A weaving trailer usually indicates the boat is not balanced.
Lubricates all moving parts on the trailer; wheel bearings can be a real problem. The Coast Guard Auxiliary recommends that bearing buddies be installed if you don't already have them.
Other precautions to keep in mind:
Make certain fuel tanks are tightly closed and secured. On long trips it is better to transport the tanks empty when possible and fill them on arrival.
Outboard motors should be raised, locked and supported in transit. Bumps and chuckholes could cause damage and possibly dislodge the engine from the transom.
Before any trip, check tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer to prevent a blowout or excessive tread wear. Take a spare on trips, and make sure to check the pressure.
Canvas tops are less likely to be torn or damaged if lowered and secured. The same applies to antennas.
An excellent precaution is to periodically pull off the road and make an inspection, seeing that everything is riding correctly and checking wheel hubs for signs of overheating. And don't forget to check your lights, including directional and brake lights, so urgent in fast-moving traffic.
Remember we want to launch on the water, not on the highway.