Towing Tips

(reprinted from "Boat U.S. How To Tech Guides")

Lights and Electrical

• The two most common ways to blow out a bulb are by immersing a hot bulb in cold water or by letting corrosion cause a short. Unlike hubs, some trailer lights can be removed before launching. Don't let the connector plug to the car touch the water.

• Use only stranded wire, which is more flexible and chafe resistant. Secure exposed wire every 18" to prevent chafing. Inspect the entire system twice a year for bare or chafed wire, and give all of the contacts a protective dab of grease. Don't forget the spare bulbs and fuses.

• Trailers over 80" wide manufactured after December 1, 1991 are required to have stop lamps and turn signal lamps with a minimum luminous lens area of 11.625". All "Over 80" lights we carry meet this federal regulation.

• When trailer lights begin to fail, consider total system replacement. Just cut wires at the rear end of the trailer and use old wires to pull new system wires through trailer frame. Simply hook up new light kit, and you have a brand new system.

• BoatUS offers waterproof and non-submersible lights. You get what you pay for - waterproof lights, although a little more expensive, are virtually trouble-free. Non-submersible are fine for trailers where lights are mounted above the waterline and usually do not go under water. Other than brand name or light shape and luminous lens area, the only rule is that light replacement must meet over/under 80" laws - you could replace square style with rectangular if you wish since most bolt patterns are universal.

• Consider adding a heavy-duty flasher to your tow vehicle to help avoid the strain on turn signals (usually turn signals will slow down to a crawl after a tow vehicle has been hooked up.)

• Spare bulbs should always be carried for both towing safety and to avoid the day-ruining ticket you may get for towing without proper lighting.

• T-connectors make tow vehicle wiring a snap. The conventional method of probing electrical wires with a test light, then stripping and splicing wires is both time consuming and frustrating. With the T-Connect (and other similar systems) you simply unplug at the tow vehicle factory light plug and insert the T-style connector—wiring is complete.

Security and Locks

• BoatUS carries a wide variety of locks and security plates for your trailer. Nothing is totally theft-proof, and many thefts occur when the thief simply removes the coupler latch bolt and tows the trailer away without a latch attached.

• If you are putting your boat away for any length of time, you may want to consider removing one or all of the wheels from your trailer - this will make it very hard to steal and also extend the life of your trailer tire since it will not be exposed to the elements.

Motor Supports

• To protect your transom and outboard from the rigors and stress of road travel, consider a motor support. Adjustable struts hold your engine's lower unit in position, while built-in shock-absorbers prevent damage.

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