2023 OWNER’S MANUAL 
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 404
To ensure that the boat is riding properly on the trailer supports, 
the trailer should be in a level position when hitched to the tow 
vehicle. With the trailer hooked up to the tow vehicle and the jack 
stowed, a quick way to measure parallelism is to measure the 
distance from the ground to the bottom of the frame at or between 
the tires, and measure from the ground to the bottom of the frame 
at the swing tongue. Ensure that the measurements are even. 
Failure to run the trailer parallel to the ground may prematurely 
activate the surge brakes. This can be corrected in a number 
of dierent ways. For example, air pressure adjustable shock 
absorbers may be installed on the tow vehicle, or you can switch 
from a weight-carrying to a weight-distributing hitch. Consult with 
the tow vehicle’s dealer or manufacturer.
 
 
If the total weight on the loaded trailer exceeds the load capacity 
of the hitch on the tow vehicle, the trailer may break free, which 
may result in serious injury or death and/or property damage. 
Never Attach The Trailer To Any Device Between The Trailer And 
The Tow Vehicle.
The photo shows an example of an improper device attached 
between a trailer and tow vehicle that may create a dangerous 
condition for towing a boat. Devices like the one shown in the 
photo may be built or marketed with the idea of improving stability 
in towing, but instead, devices of this nature may create a very 
unstable condition in which control of the trailer may be lost  
during towing. The MasterCraft trailer was designed and built to be 
attached directly to the tow vehicle, and the trailer should only be 
attached in that manner. This is especially critical in maintaining 
the proper weight balance, which is described in more detail in this 
section of the Owner’s Manual.
This photo shows an example of an 
improper device attached between the 
trailer and towing vehicle.
 
Trailer sway control devices that restrict 
the operation of the actuator MUST NOT 
be used. These devices can limit the 
effectiveness of the trailer brakes.
Safety Cables
The safety cables on a MasterCraft trailer provide added 
security so that the trailer will not become detached from the tow 
vehicle when underway. These cables conform to the Society of 
Automotive Engineers (SAE) J684 standard for trailer coupling 
and hitches automotive type. If it ever becomes necessary to 
replace these cables, ensure that the replacement cables meet 
the SAE J684 standard.