Nautique Boat Towing Safety Tips

Top Towing Safety Tips For Nautique Boat Owners

The Right Tow Vehicle

Any time you are towing a boat it will impact how the vehicle will drive. The performance and efficiency of the vehicle will be impacted the greater the size of the boat. We highly recommended knowing the overall weight of your boat and your trailer, so you understand what your vehicle is capable of handling and do not run into any safety issues so you can focus on having a great day on the water. Check the "Tow Rating" your vehicle manufacturer provides as the maximum towable weight and take into consideration the trailer. If you check the VIN tag located on the front inside of the trailer frame for the GVWR this gives you the tow rating which should never be exceeded by your vehicle. It is also very important to read your tow vehicle owner's manual so you can double check the capable tow rating of your vehicle.

Hitching

The market offers many options to choose from for properly hitching your trailer to your vehicle. It is important to be aware of the requirements of the coupler on your trailer in addition to the equipment available you can install on your tow vehicle. These are extremely important to assure a safe and smooth towing experience. After reviewing your trailer Owners guide to check the requirements of your coupler, you can then select the proper hitch, receiver, and ball for your tow vehicle. Please keep in mind that not only must you select the correct size for the coupler and your vehicle, but the capacity of the hitch, receiver, and ball must also meet or exceed the GVWR of your trailer. Once you have the correct equipment familiarize yourself with seating the coupler all the way on the ball and ensuring the coupler is securely latched.

Trailer Components

To tow safely, it is important to understand all the aspects that make up your trailer. Checking often to make sure your brakes function property, your tires are full and correctly inflated, wheel lug nuts are torqued, emergency breakaway cables and your lights are working and in proper order. Every time you tow something, these safety points should be checked, even if some of them only require periodic attention.

Boat Securement

Making sure your boat is secure is crucial to avoiding stress or sway via improper weight distribution on the trailer and tow vehicle. The improper weighting of your towable property can be dangerous for you as well as others on the road around you. Double check that your boat is securely on the trailer with the bow eye firmly against the roller and the winch strap tight. Frequent checks of your winch are important during the first few trips of a new winch setup. If your trailer is equipped with any other safety devices such as a bow safety strap or rear ratchet tie downs please make sure those are attached and tight prior to taking to the roads.

Cargo

A properly loaded trailer is easier to control. Most Boatmate Trailers are designed taking into account various boat options, variations in fuel, and a modest amount of typical gear. Please be aware the effect of adding any sort of ballast to the boat while on the trailer or adding an excessive amount of cargo may cause you to exceed the GVWR of your trailer or cause weight redistribution that could cause adverse effects to tow. Once loaded properly and secure the tongue weight of your trailer should be 5-10% of the total weight of your boat and trailer to ensure safe towing characteristics from the trailer. For adjustable trailers or pontoon trailers please ensure that your trailer is properly adjusted and tongue weight has been verified prior to towing.

Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH)

There are many vehicles being sold today that claim larger towing capacities but require additional accessories to properly achieve that capacity. Many of these vehicles require a WDH to achieve these higher capacities. This does not mean they cannot be used, but there are several factors across our product line that make them difficult to manage. If your vehicle does require a WDH to manage the GVWR of your trailer then please contact a professional regarding the installation and setup of these systems.

Trailer Maintenance

Routine maintenance of your trailer is extremely important to maintaining its safety, effectiveness, and longevity. Before towing, make sure your trailer and its components are in safe working order. Worn or broken trailer parts can cause a loss of control which may result in injury. You must inspect, maintain, and service your trailer regularly to ensure safe and reliable operation.