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Boat trailers and trailer tires |
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Convenience is the prime prize you get when you have a good boat trailer and boat trailer tires. With a trailer, you can take your boat practically anywhere even in places where your boat cannot go either because of time, distance, or weather. Such offer of convenience also opens up new boating adventures for you.
With the right trailer for your boat, you can more easily make your way as you go around the challenges on a boating highway: stoplights, potholes, slick spots, and crazy vacation traffic. Aside from the convenience, your trailer will save you a lot of money of slip fees, bottom paint and blister repairs.
Choosing your trailer
When you buy a new boat, don't just let your dealer choose the trailer for your. If you are not so lucky, your dealer might just dump on you some slow-moving inventory and this may not be best-suited to your needs.
In Discover Boating, you will find some useful boat trailering tips to make your towing experiences safe and fun.
Since boats usually spend a lot of time on a trailer, it is to your best interest not to skimp on the trailer. The right trailer will get you and your boat anywhere you want to go safely and easily. When on a trailer, your boat should be supported across the hull, with the weight of the hull, engine and equipment evenly distributed.
The trailer should be able to carry the combined weight of the boat, motor, and equipment. If you tend to carry extra load with you when you travel, you may opt for a trailer that is one size bigger than what your boat requires. However, anything bigger may not be able to properly support your boat and it be awkward to tow the trailer.
Note that trailer ratings give you the maximum capacity of the trailer. If you want to be sure and safe, don't exceed the limits of your trailer.
Trailer maintenance
Inspect your trailer at the start of each boating season. Don’t forget its annual inspection and routine maintenance, too.
Do a safety checklist before each trip. Check if all nuts and bolts are tight. The tow ball and coupler should be the same size. Look into the hitch and safety chains. Make sure that tires are properly inflated to avoid steering problems. Secure the bow and beam of your boat.
Trailer load position is very important. Distribute the weight as evenly as possible, front to rear and side to side, keeping 55-60 percent in the front half. Make sure that trailer's wheel bearings are airtight and packed with fresh grease. Check lights, brakes, shocks and springs on both the trailer and tow vehicle.
When towing a trailer, remember to slow down so you will have more time to react and reduce the strain on the car and trailer. Swing wider at corners so your trailer doesn’t hit the curb.
Boat trailer tires
Taking good care of your boat trailers tires will bring you much benefit and convenience. Tire neglect is in fact of the most frequent causes of trailer failure. Routine checks on the treads whenever the trailer should not be neglected. Note, though, that trailer tires may need to be replaced long before the treads wear out. Check for spider-web cracks on the sidewall as these indicate that the tire is no longer good to carry heavy loads.
Tires should also be inflated adequately according to the recommended pressure stamped on the sidewalls. When the trailer is not in use for long periods, it is best to remove the trailer tires and store them in the garage.
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