Towing A Boat This Summer? 3 Tips To Keep Your Safe On The Road
If you plan on pulling your boat down to the river or the lake this summer, you are going want to make sure that you understand how to tow your boat safely.
#1 Check All Tires
When towing a boat with your vehicle, it is vitally important that all of your tires are properly inflated. Make sure that the tires on your vehicle are set to the right level of pressure according to the manufacturer's recommendations for your vehicle before you tow your boat.
Also, be sure to check the tires on your trailer as well. This is just as important as checking the tires on your vehicle. You don't want the tires on your trailer to blow-out; that could cause you to lose control of your trailer and your vehicle. If you have not used your trailer since last year, there is a high probability that your tires are going to need to be inflated. Your trailer should list the manufacturer's recommendation for tire pressure for them as well.
Keep in mind that it is best to inflate your tires in the morning when the pressure reading is less likely to be affected by the rising temperatures outside.
#2 Check Visibility
When you tow your boat, ideally you should be able to see your trailer in your side and rear-view mirrors while you are towing. If you have limited visibility of your trailer based on the profile of both your vehicle, trailer, and boat, you may want to take steps to increase your visibility.
Installing mirror extenders to your vehicle is a great way to increase how far behind you that you can see with your side mirrors. This will help you more accurately check lanes when you need to switch lanes and allow you to back up with more ease. Mirror extenders can make the towing process safer for you and other drivers on the road.
#3 Verify The Brakes
Before getting on the road, you are going to want to verify that the brakes on your trailer still work correctly. Make sure that the wires are hooked-up correctly so that when you press on your brakes, the brake lights on your vehicle and your trailer both light up. Have someone stand behind you and let you know if the brake lights on both your vehicle and your trailer activate when you press on the brakes.
Also, make sure that the brake battery is fully charged. If the brake battery for the trailer dies while you are driving, your brakes will not activate properly. Make sure the wiring to the brake battery is intact and not frayed or damaged. Also, use a multi-meter to check and ensure your battery has enough charge; if you have not used the brake battery in a long time, the battery can become discharged over time.
Before you hit the road and then the water with your boat, make sure you check the tires and brakes on the vehicle and the trailer and take the appropriate steps to ensure that you have good visibility of your trailer as you drive.
