It happens all the time. People get excited about their new boat and boat trailer combo and don’t think things through properly regarding keeping everything safe and in good order. We get it! You’re not going to find anyone more excited about boat trailers in Ontario than the team at LoadRite Canada!
But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the rules or disregard the instructions just because you’re excited. Here are some big mistakes people make, and how you can avoid them.
Putting It Away Wet
As we discussed in this article, putting a boat trailer away wet isn’t a good idea. You should always make sure it’s dry before you put the tarp over your boat or drive it into a storage shed, and while it usually gets dried by the wind on the way home it’s important to check to make sure everything is dry before you cover everything up.
If you didn’t click that article above, you missed the primary argument that people make: “I have an aluminum boat trailer, it doesn’t rust!” or “Galvanized boat trailers like mind don’t mind staying wet.” In truth, it’s just the frame of the boat trailer that’s made from those two metals, so you still have to make sure the extras on the boat trailer are dried off. Lights, winches, bunk pads, wiring, and wheels should all be dry before you put your boat trailer away…those aren’t made from rustproof metal!
Not Following Posted Speeds
If you’ve never driven a boat trailer around before, you might be surprised at how much it changes the driving experience. Not only does it make turning harder, but acceleration, drag, and wind gusts must also be taken into account.
All of those can be accommodated for with practice. But far too many people will think that they can push past the legal speed limit once they’ve become accustomed to driving with a boat trailer. Unfortunately, this leads to safety issues.
Not Following Weight Restrictions
Let’s say that someone buys a new boat trailer for their old boat. Not long after, they experience a windfall and are able to buy a new, bigger boat. But the windfall wasn’t so big that they can buy a new boat trailer, so they just use their old one.
This is a bad idea. The bigger boat is certainly heavier than their old one, and the boat trailer might not be able to accommodate it. While it’s okay to use a new boat on an older trailer, weight restrictions should never be ignored.
Not Following Instructions
As we mentioned above, people get excited when they get a new boat and boat trailer. That means they might not read the instructions for the trailer or ask us enough questions when they drive off with it attached to their truck or SUV.
There are quite a few rules that you should follow when you get your new boat trailer. Some of them involve the aspects of it that we’ve already mentioned: drying, driving, and following weight restrictions. Others involve basic maintenance, cleaning the trailer, and performing visual inspections. When should the tires be replaced? How is the axle grease applied? Just ask, we’ll tell you!
Not following instructions and regular maintenance practices could lead to a host of problems:
- Safety – Safety should always be your primary concern when it comes to your boat trailer. If you’re driving too fast for your particular trailer or boat weight, or if you haven’t taken proper care of the tires, you could cause a wreck.
- Legal – If you’re not driving your boat trailer properly or have neglected maintenance so much that it doesn’t meet legal road requirements, you could get pulled over.
- Financial – Just like anything else you own, if you don’t take care of your boat trailer you’ll have to replace it sooner. Following proper instructions will ensure your LoadRite Boat Trailer endures.
Ready To Play It Safe?
We’re ready to help you find the right boat trailer and make sure you know how to make the best use of it. Stop by our Monkland or Innisfil yards today!