They might even wear down faster than you think. Towing countless highway miles or (if you're like many anglers I know) trekking through rugged back country roads can take its toll. It all starts with basic common maintenance and becoming very familiar with your rig.Īs a boat trailer maintenance checklist can be quite extensive, here are a few starting points to ensure safe travels on the road. The point is, a lot of care needs to be taken when towing a boat. He was an experienced boater with many miles of boat trailering to his credit. Needless to say, his trip was over before it began.
You don't want to know what the hitch looked like afterward.
Loading a wood runabout onto bunk trailer driver#
What happened was the driver hit the edge of the concrete barrier with the right trailer fender, and the impact forced part of the boat off the trailer at a steep downward angle. Everything seemed fine until I heard a loud bang, which was followed by a disheartening thud. Pulling out of the parking lot, he underestimated a narrow roadway between a building and concrete barrier. In one instance, a fellow boater was heading out on a trip towing a 30-foot runabout. I've seen more than a few trailer maintenance issues over the years (and a handful of unfortunate accidents) that all could have been prevented with just a little care and basic trailering knowledge. It may take some time and effort, but it's a necessary safeguard to ensure that your trailer is in top form and to ensure that you and your boat get to your destination in one piece. Most important, however, is boat trailer maintenance (especially if you're traveling and visiting new destinations all the time). Having the right trailer is an important factor in that lifestyle. Exploring new destinations with a boat in tow is all part of the boating lifestyle.