Boat Trailer Anatomy and Safety

Know the basics of boat trailer anatomy

The most important items to know on your boat trailer include:

• The tongue, receiver hitch, and latch. The tongue is the very front piece of the trailer, which houses the receiver hitch, the mount shaped like an upside-down cup into which the ball hitch on your tow vehicle fits. The latch is the lever which locks the ball hitch into the receiver once it’s in position.
• Safety chains. These are the chains at the front of the trailer, which should be hitched to the eyes on your tow hitch every time you haul the boat.
• Tires, wheels, and bearings. The tires and wheels are just like those found on your other vehicles, but the bearings they spin on can take a beating (especially if you go boating in saltwater) since they’re submerged from time to time. They need regular inspection and maintenance.
• Frame. The trailer frame is the main structure of the trailer.
• Axel(s). Depending on how heavy your boat is, the trailer may have one, two, or even three axels.
• Lights. Trailer lights are necessary not only for safety, but also to make sure your trailer is legal on the roadways. Like bearings, however, since the lights get dunked on a regular basis they’re subject to a lot of wear and tear. They should get a visual inspection before each trip to be sure all are functioning properly.

Lowe’s top 5 tips for boat trailer safety

If you have a Lowe fishing boat, there’s a good chance you’ll be travelling to hotspots in many different lakes, rivers, and bays, so your boat trailer will spend a lot of time on the road. That means trailering safety is paramount. We’d always recommend investing some time in your trailering education; many safe boating courses include segments on trailering, and you can find a wealth of information out there on the topic. Be sure to remember these critical boat trailering safety tips:

1. Always cross the safety chains. In the unlikely event the hitch and trailer become separated, the crossed chains will support the tongue and keep it from digging into the asphalt.

2. Allow extra braking distance to account for your load.

3. Take turns wider than usual to avoid clipping the curbs.

4. Never tow a trailer that’s swaying, which can lead to an accident. When you detect any sway pull over and adjust the load. Sway is usually the result of improper tongue weight, which should be 10- to 15-percent of the overall load. Shifting weight forward or aft can often eliminate swaying.

5. Watch your mirrors for cars that are rapidly overtaking you. Other drivers sometimes aggressively speed up and change lanes to pass a trailer boat, so being aware of other drivers is more important than ever — especially when changing lanes or making turns.

Okay: are you ready to hit the road and enjoy some on-the-water adventures in new, distant locations? Learn that trailer anatomy, study up on towing procedures, and commit these safety tips to memory, and that adventure is sure to be a good one.