Attaching a trailer

Getting your pride and joy from the driveway to the boat ramp safely doesn’t just happen. There needs to be a process involved and if it is regimented and done properly you will never have an issue enroute to the water’s edge.

One of the main aims here is to keep the trailer attached to the towing vehicle.

Should it become unattached due to a careless hitching operation or a breakage in one of the main components, the back-up will be the safety chains provided they have been set up correctly.

Typically boat trailers will have two chains, one welded to each side of the draw bar. These are cut to length at the factory with no particular vehicle style in mind so firstly one should go through the process of matching the trailer chains to the towing vehicle.

1. Place the hitch onto the tow ball and ensure it is latched down. Use a pin or a padlock to secure the release lever to prevent it accidentally opening.

2. If your trailer has two safety chains, take the right hand chain and secure it to the tow bar on the left hand side. Then take the left and secure it on the right. In other words, cross them over.

3. If the hitch is released and lowered to the ground the draw bar should sit in the cradle of the two crossed chains. If it contacts the road, the chains are too long and should be shortened or at least a link closer to the draw bar used.

4. Ensure the lighting plug from the trailer is not over stretched when the draw bar is sitting in the chain cradle or damage to the plug connectors will occur.

Much of the rattling heard inside of the tow vehicle is due to the gap between the hitch socket and the tow ball and while it is rattling it is wearing out prematurely. Some hitches have a tension adjusting screw and locknut on their crown while others do not.

Best advice is to smear a good amount of wheel-bearing grease on the ball before installing the hitch and then adjust with screw driver and shifter. Carry the screw driver and shifter with the tow vehicle as when tightly adjusted the hitch often won’t release without that tension being reduced.

If not using an ‘approved’ hitch lock, close the hitch and its release lever then install a padlock through the hasp that protrudes through the lever.

Correct use of chains is a vital part of trailer boat safety.