440 likes | 710 Views
Chapter 3. Trailering Your Boat. Lesson 3 Trailering Your Boat. Lesson Objectives. Essential safety Selecting a trailer Safety equipment Care and maintenance Legal requirements Prepare for traveling Storage Preventing theft Float plan. Legal Considerations. Width Brakes
E N D
Chapter 3 Trailering Your Boat Lesson 3 Trailering Your Boat Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Lesson Objectives • Essential safety • Selecting a trailer • Safety equipment • Care and maintenance • Legal requirements • Prepare for traveling • Storage • Preventing theft • Float plan Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Legal Considerations • Width • Brakes • Safety chains • Lights • Mirrors • Licenses Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Legal ConsiderationsWidth • Most State Roads – limit is 8 feet • Interstate Roads – limit is 8.5 feet • Greater widths • Permits • Special requirements • Designated access roads Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Legal ConsiderationsBrakes • Requirements • Varies by state • American Boat & Yacht Council Recommendation: Breaks if Greater Than 1500# GTW • Types • Electric • Air • Surge • Emergency brake cable or chain shorter than safety chains • May need lock out to back up Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Legal ConsiderationsSafety Chains • Required • Cross chains under hitch to form cradle • Length • Permit free turning • Not too long that they drag • Attach points • S-hooks (may require added hardware to ensure stays hooked) • Shackle • Snap hooks Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Legal ConsiderationsLights • Check state requirements • May need • Stop lights • Parking lights • Turn signals • License plate light • Side lights Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Legal ConsiderationsMirrors & Licenses • Mirrors • If rear view is obscured, your state may require side mirrors • Licenses • Check state requirements Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Practical Considerations • What to consider when buying Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Practical Considerations • size & type of boat • towing vehicle • use in fresh or salt water • type of launch ramp Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Practical Considerations • Selecting your trailer • Flat bottom • Deep V • Displacement • Sailboat Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Practical Considerations • Size • Load Weight > 4000 lbs requires multi-axle Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Practical Considerations • Selecting your trailer • Skid trailers • Roller supporting Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Practical Considerations • Trailer selection • Influencing your choice • Boats • Situations Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Care of Your Trailer • What maintenance problems have you encountered? • Leaking axle seals • Jack for trailer • Carry tools, grease, parts • Rust • Loose bolts & nuts Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Care of Your Trailer • Wheel Bearings • Cool before launch • Lights • Disconnect before launch • Tires • Keep proper pressure Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Care of Your Trailer Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Other Considerations • What else when trailering? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Other Considerations • Fire Extinguishers • Winches • Electric • Manual • Tie-downs • Transom tie-downs • Gunwale tie-down • Bow tie-down • Support for outboard engine Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Towing Vehicle • What to consider when buying Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Towing Vehicle • Front wheel drive is not recommended • Loss of steering and traction on drive wheels • GVWR of Trailer & Boat should not exceed vehicle weight • Transmission cooler • Large capacity brakes & suspension Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Hitches Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Hitches • Bumper hitches • Weight carrying hitches • Weight distribution hitches • May interfere with surge brakes • Trailer ball and coupler Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Hitches • Coupler and ball sizes • 1 7/8” • 2” • 2 5/16” • Ball must equal coupler size • Size determined by GVWR • Padlock prevents theft and ensures coupler stays on ball Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Balancing the Load • 5 -10% of weight on tongue • To shift weight • Shift contents of boat • Shift boat back and forth Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Handling Your Trailer • Practice in open area • Drive to outside of turn (swing wide) • Remain sensitive to unusual sounds • Frequent stops to check trailer • Practice backing • One hand at bottom of steering wheel • Post someone to look out • Work out hand signals Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Pre-departure Checklist • What do you include on checklist? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Pre-departure Checklist • Wheel Bearings • Tire Pressure • Tie-downs and boat position on trailer • Trailer & Boat loaded/balanced properly • Motor/stern drive unit in “up” position • Brake and lighting system working • Safety chains • Ball & socket secured Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Preparing to Launch • Things to remember when launching Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Launching • Before backing down ramp • Disconnect lights & tie down straps • Trailer bearings cooled • Loosen or disconnect winch • Drain plug in • Sailboats: check for overhead power lines & step mast • Out drive up - motor off • No one in boat • Lines to dock • Backing down • Make sure way is clear Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Launching • Launch position • Apply parking brake and wheel chocks • Remove winch line • Launch Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Retrieving • What should you do? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Retrieving • Raise outboard or outdrive • Sailboats raise daggerboard or centerboard • Back trailer into water and drive or pull boat onto • Connect winch cable/strap and pull to proper place • Be certain boat is centered on trailer • Drive up ramp slowly to parking/holding area • Remove drain plug, dock lines & fenders • Attach all tie-downs • Secure motor/stern drive unit • Remove items not safe in boat during travel • Connect lights and check functioning Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Storing Your Boat/Trailer • Remove valuable equipment • Jack up trailer • Cinder blocks under axles • Remove wheels • Raise tongue so there is drainage • Winterize motor • If outdoors, cover boat allowing air circulation Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Theft Prevention • Has anyone had theft problems with a trailered boat? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Theft Prevention • What are some precautions to take? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Theft Prevention • At launch site • Lock up valuables • Park in well lit site • Use trailer hitch lock Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Theft Prevention • What are some precautions at home or on the dock? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) • Any exotic species in this area? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) • What are some steps to stop this spread of ANS? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) • approved bottom paint • exterior cleaning/boat and trailer • mix chlorine bleach in washing mixture • eliminate trapped water incl. engine cooling • empty bait container and bilges on shore • remove local material from boat/trailer • remove all mud, flora, fauna from equipment • don’t use bait from one body of water in another Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.
Float Plan • Why should you file a float plan? Copyright 2007 - Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.