Chapter 9 Safe Operation
3 6
EdgeWater 200CC / DC
9.8 Trailering Your Boat
Note: If you have doubts or questions about your tow vehicle or towing, contact
your dealer.
Before going on the highway, make sure your tow vehicle and trailer meet the
local regulations for trailers and towing in your state.
Before leaving the driveway make sure the lights on the trailer are operating prop-
erly. If necessary, get a second person to make sure of the operation.
At least once a season, check and repair/replace the trailer wheel bearings.
The trailer should be adequately sized for your boat. Allow about 10% above the maximum boat weight
for trailer capacity.
Make sure your vehicle is properly equipped to handle the load. This includes
engine, hitch, frame, brakes, transmission cooler, and vehicle capacity.
Securely attached the boat trailer to the vehicle hitch, hook the safety chains
and and cross them under the hitch and check the lights to ensure they are
hooked up and working.
If you are new to trailering your boat, it is best to practice before actually getting
in a situation where you are not sure of your ability. If possible use a trailer
without a boat to practice with as you can see the trailer’s movement without
the boat. Also, your vision will not be impaired by the boat’s presence.
When going forward, remember that your trailer turns inside the tow vehicle, therefore the tow vehicle
must start the turn slightly later than without the trailer. This allow the trailer to turn inside the tow
vehicle radius without leaving the roadway.
When backing, remember, the bottom of the steering wheel will move in the direction the trailer will
ultimately go. Backing consists of two parts, breaking the trailer by turning the vehicle’s backward
motion in the opposite direction from the ultimate trailer direction, then following the trailer toward the
correct direction with the tow vehicle. It is prudent to go to a large paved area with little traffic to
practice these maneuvers before attempting them on the boat ramp.
Remember to check to see if the tow ball is the same size as the trailer coupler. Never use a
different size.
Trailer
Tow
vehicle
Bottom View of
Crossed Trailer
Chains
