the towing vehicle. Brakes are either drum or disc type. They work the
same way as the brakes on a standard passenger vehicle, but the
method of applying the brakes is different. Your Robalo or trailer
dealer can explain how the brakes on your trailer work.
Make sure your boat is secure before towing it.
• Close all windows, hatches, and doors.
• Store equipment to keep it from shifting or falling.
• Remove and store convertible top if your boat is so equipped.
• Use a second safety chain to secure your boat’s bow to the
trailer tongue. Tie down the stern to the trailer.
Towing a boat requires extra caution by the vehicle’s driver. Allow
extra distance between vehicles. Obey speed limits. Some states
have lower speed limits for vehicles with trailers. If you are traveling
slower than other traffic, pull over when it is safe to do so and allow
traffic to pass. As with all other aspects of owning and operating
your boat, use common sense and good judgment.
If you do not have experience backing a trailer, practice before you
get into a confined public or private launch site. Take your trailer to
an open area and get accustomed to using it. If possible, take
someone with you who knows how to back a trailer.
Steering a trailer while backing it up works the opposite of steering a
car. If the trailer needs to go to the right, turn the steering wheel to
the left and vice versa. Inexperienced backers tend to turn the
wheel too far. Do not oversteer. Turn the wheel gradually until you
get the feel of safe backing.
LAUNCHING AND LOADING
The handling of your boat and trailer at the ramp requires practice,
skill and patience. With care and attention to the following tips, you
can launch and relaunch your boat with relative ease.
Important: Typically a beam of 8 feet 6 inches allows you to
tow without a special permit in most places. These boats are
considered "trailerable" for this reason. Other boats have wider
beams and are still “trailerable”, but, in most cases you need a
permit to do so. Check with your state on permit requirements
before towing.
Roller Trailers – Launching
Here are some tips to remember when you are putting your Robalo
boat in the water while using a roller trailer:
Important: Before launching your boat, make sure the transom
drain plug is installed. If it is not installed, the bilge could fill
water quickly.
1. Always prepare the boat for launching before you get to the
ramp.
• Stop in a launching prep area near the ramp that doesn’t
block traffic and remove your tie-downs, tilt up your engine
or drive unit, replace your transom drain plugs, etc.
• Do not disconnect the wiring harness, winch cable or boat
bow safety chain until you are by the water, ready to launch.
Winch and trailer unit should be locked.
• You do not need to disconnect the electric trailer brakes
before launching the boat. If you disconnect the electric
trailer brakes, the trailer brakes will not work.
5-2
WARNING: Improper towing can result in an accident causing
personal injury and equipment damage. Become familiar with
towing instructions in owner’s manuals and with warnings sup-
plied with your trailer and towing vehicle.
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