How to Hook Up a Boat Trailer
Whether its a boat or a simple landscaping trailer, it will not make it to its destination if it is not connected to the tow vehicle properly. Since 1975, there have been more than 1 million traffic accidents in the United States caused by improperly attached trailers, according to information compiled from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Within those 1 million-plus crashes, more than 14,000 people have been killed and almost 500,000 injured. The numbers are staggering and illustrate the need to properly hook up your trailer.
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Instructions
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1
Raise the trailer tongue so it is higher than the tow ball on the tow vehicle. This is necessary to make sure the vehicle can get under the tongue to connect to the trailer.
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2
Position your helper next to the tongue of the trailer facing the rear of the tow vehicle. This person will guide the tow vehicle into position for attachment.
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3
Back the two vehicle to the trailer, positioning the ball of the tow vehicle directly under the hitch attachment on the tongue of the trailer. This could take several attempts to complete properly.
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4
Open the latch on the trailer hitch. Each trailer is different: some are a basic lift type switch while others are a more complex spring-loaded slide mechanism.
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5
Lower the trailer onto the tow vehicle ball using the trailer jack. Make sure the hitch lock remains open. Continue to lower the trailer until the ball is fully inside the trailer hitch and the jack leg is off the ground. Fully raise the trailer jack.
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6
Close the hitch lock on the trailer.
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7
Connect the safety chains on the trailer tongue to the tow bar of the tow vehicle. There are chain connections next to the hitch mount of most towing bars. If there is no visible place to connect the chains, locate the nearest frame rail to the hitch and clip the chains there. These chains must be connected. They keep the trailer connected to the vehicle in case the hitch comes off the ball.
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8
Attach the trailer wire plug to the plug on the tow vehicle. Most boat trailers have electric brakes, and the tow plug must be connected for the brakes to operate properly.
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9
Recheck all of the connections.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the trailer is not too heavy for the tow vehicle.
Towing capacities ca be found in the owner's manual for most vehicles.
Make sure all connections are complete and lights are working prior to leaving the starting point.
Check connections every 50 miles to ensure they are still connected.
