RX951
New Member
NEVER CARRY GASOLINE TANKS IN THE TRUNK OF THE TOW VEHICLE.
Preparing to tow safely
Road Handling
The weight that you are trailing will make your towing vehicle less responsive in many respects. Speeding up, slowing down and all maneuvers will require more time to accomplish. Leave more room between you and a vehicle in front of you to make sure you can stop should they brake suddenly.
Make sure your side view mirrors are large enough to provide an unobstructed rear view on both sides of the vehicle.
Remember that the turning radius is much greater. Curbs and barriers must be given a wide berth when turning corners. Backing a trailer can be somewhat tricky but with practice you should be able to accomplish the task in a minimum amount of time. The trailer will turn in the opposite direction of the car; take it slowly and try to avoid oversteering. Prior to operating on the open road, practice turning, backing up, etc. on a level, empty parking lot.
Launching
1. Do initial launch preparations away from the ramp so as not to impede launching for others.
2. Raise the outdrive or motor, remove the support bracket and install the drain plug.
3. Disconnect the trailer wiring. Remove tie down straps and again check the drain plug.
4. Make any equipment adjustments necessary and check the drain plug.
5. Connect the fuel tank, check fluid levels and check the drain plug.
6. Drive to the ramp and back the boat and trailer down the ramp, keeping the tow vehicle's wheels out of the water.
7. Set the emergency brake, shift into Park, and block the wheels.
8. Someone should get aboard the boat, turn on the blower, lower the motor, look for water entering the boat, sniff the bilge and start the motor.
9. Make sure you have attached a bow line to the boat, then release the winch and disconnect the winch line.
10. You should be able to launch the boat with a slight shove or by backing the boat off the trailer under power.
11. Return the towing vehicle to the parking lot as soon as the boat is launched so the next person in line may proceed.
12. Move the boat to an area away from the ramp to load additional equipment and passengers.
Retrieval
The steps for retrieving the boat are essentially the reverse of launching and you should keep in mind being courteous of others launching and retrieving.
1. Unload the boat away from the ramp if possible.
2. Back the trailer into the water, again keeping the tires of the tow vehicle at waters edge, not in the water.
3. Maneuver the boat carefully onto the submerged trailer, attach a bow line and shut off the engine prior to raising it.
4. Winch the boat onto the trailer and secure it.
5. Drive the trailer and boat out of the ramp for cleanup, reloading, securing equipment and safety check.
6. Remove the drain plug to allow water to drain from the bilge.
Preparing to tow safely
- Drain accumulated water from the boat's bilge.
- Lower the tongue socket onto the ball on the trailer hitch and lock together securely.
- Connect trailer lights to towing vehicle and check turn signals, brake lights and backup lights.
- Attach safety chains from trailer to tow vehicle securely in a criss-cross fashion.
- Check tie-down straps and winch and cable.
- Make sure wheel bearings run free and are properly lubricated.
- Check tire pressure, lug nuts and test brakes.
- Make sure to stow drain plug in the boat so any remaining water can drain and it is there when you get to the ramp.
- Don’t forget the keys to the boat.
Road Handling
The weight that you are trailing will make your towing vehicle less responsive in many respects. Speeding up, slowing down and all maneuvers will require more time to accomplish. Leave more room between you and a vehicle in front of you to make sure you can stop should they brake suddenly.
Make sure your side view mirrors are large enough to provide an unobstructed rear view on both sides of the vehicle.
Remember that the turning radius is much greater. Curbs and barriers must be given a wide berth when turning corners. Backing a trailer can be somewhat tricky but with practice you should be able to accomplish the task in a minimum amount of time. The trailer will turn in the opposite direction of the car; take it slowly and try to avoid oversteering. Prior to operating on the open road, practice turning, backing up, etc. on a level, empty parking lot.
Launching
1. Do initial launch preparations away from the ramp so as not to impede launching for others.
2. Raise the outdrive or motor, remove the support bracket and install the drain plug.
3. Disconnect the trailer wiring. Remove tie down straps and again check the drain plug.
4. Make any equipment adjustments necessary and check the drain plug.
5. Connect the fuel tank, check fluid levels and check the drain plug.
6. Drive to the ramp and back the boat and trailer down the ramp, keeping the tow vehicle's wheels out of the water.
7. Set the emergency brake, shift into Park, and block the wheels.
8. Someone should get aboard the boat, turn on the blower, lower the motor, look for water entering the boat, sniff the bilge and start the motor.
9. Make sure you have attached a bow line to the boat, then release the winch and disconnect the winch line.
10. You should be able to launch the boat with a slight shove or by backing the boat off the trailer under power.
11. Return the towing vehicle to the parking lot as soon as the boat is launched so the next person in line may proceed.
12. Move the boat to an area away from the ramp to load additional equipment and passengers.
Retrieval
The steps for retrieving the boat are essentially the reverse of launching and you should keep in mind being courteous of others launching and retrieving.
1. Unload the boat away from the ramp if possible.
2. Back the trailer into the water, again keeping the tires of the tow vehicle at waters edge, not in the water.
3. Maneuver the boat carefully onto the submerged trailer, attach a bow line and shut off the engine prior to raising it.
4. Winch the boat onto the trailer and secure it.
5. Drive the trailer and boat out of the ramp for cleanup, reloading, securing equipment and safety check.
6. Remove the drain plug to allow water to drain from the bilge.
