Transportation and Trailering
A very important, but often neglected, part
of our recreational boating experiences.
Those of us with smaller boats
might spend almost as much time
trailering them from place to place as
we spend on the water. We might
spend hours loading up and preparing the boat, but we sometimes fail to
spend the time to ensure that our
trailer is prepared and properly
hitched up to ensure a safe and
secure trip.
Here are some basic tips for regular inspection, maintenance, care in
hitching up and towing.
First, the trailer must be
strong and long enough to
accommodate the weight and
length of vessel that it is to
carry. Since there are various
types of hull shapes, the rollers
and/or bunks should be set up
to provide maximum support
and stability for the vessel. There
should be snug, even support
for the hull. This will help prevent warping and sway. All of
the trailer’s lights should be
working properly and you
should carry spare bulbs. The
license plate should be clearly
visible and the car’s mirrors should
be set up to ensure that you can see
past the trailer.
The combined weight of your boat
and its contents should not exceed
80% of the trailer’s carrying capacity.
Contents should be spread evenly and
properly secured. Place heavier items
closest to the floor. Make sure the
boat is properly secured to the trailer
with good tie downs and that there is
a line from the boat’s towing eye to
the trailer’s tongue or winch.
Transport Canada requires tie
downs and security chains from the
trailer to the vehicle. It is an excellent
idea to fully and securely cover the
boat. You will avoid wind damage
and lost items that might hit a following vehicle.
Trailer hitches come in a variety of
shapes and sizes. Make sure you have
the type that suits the towing vehicle
and that the receiver bar is at a height
that keeps the trailer as horizontal as
possible. Make sure you have the
correct ball size to match the trailer’s
hitch. Never use a ball that is too
small and remember to adjust the
clamp that secures the trailer to the
ball. Lock the clamp down after
securing it to the ball. Two safety
chains should be crossed under the
receiver and ball from the trailer to
the vehicle. This will allow the chains
to support the trailer hitch if it comes
off the ball.
Too much weight on the ball will
cause “tail dragging” of the towing
vehicle. Too little weight will cause
swaying. The rule of thumb is to have
10% of the trailer’s total weight up to
a maximum of 135 kgs (300 lbs.) on
the ball. For compact cars the gross
weight of trailer and boat should not
exceed 450kgs (1,000 lbs.) even if the
ball and hitch have a higher
capacity. If you are towing any
long distances, a transmission
cooler for your automatic transmission is a must and it is very
inexpensive insurance against
transmission overheating.
When it comes to overheating
don’t forget the trailer’s wheel
bearings. “Bearing Buddies”,
bearing chamber cap replace-
ments, are a very good idea.
They allow you to fill the bear-
ing through a grease nipple and
they have a spring loaded plate that
compresses the grease automatically if
it leaks out of the bearing chamber.
Your dealer can quickly and easily
check your bearings. Grease not only
lubricates the bearing but it keeps out
water; a bearing’s worst enemy.
Before starting out on the road
each season, practice backing up the
trailer so you will become familiar
again with how the trailer handles.
