This document is an owner's operation manual for Skeeter Boat Trailers, providing comprehensive information on their use, maintenance, and safety. The trailers are NMMA® certified and NATM® compliant, ensuring adherence to established industry standards and federal safety regulations.
Function Description:
Skeeter Boat Trailers are designed to transport boats safely and efficiently. They are equipped with features that facilitate easy loading and launching of boats, as well as systems for safe towing on roads. The trailers are built to accommodate various boat sizes and weights, with specific attention to load distribution and braking performance.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Certification: NMMA® certified and NATM® compliant.
- Couplers: Equipped with XR-84 couplers, which are self-latching and designed for secure attachment to the hitch ball. Couplers are permanently marked with manufacturer's code, name/trademark, SAE® coupling designation, gross coupler rating, part number/style model, and proper ball diameter.
- Braking Systems: Offers various braking systems, including hydraulic surge disc brakes. Hydraulic surge disc brakes require a special actuator with a back-up solenoid wired into the tow vehicle's reverse lights to prevent locking up when backing.
- Lighting: Equipped with LED lights for energy efficiency and longer life. A wire color code is provided for trailer lights: White (Ground), Brown (Taillights, side Marker Lights), Yellow (Left Brake, Left Turn), Green (Right Brake, Right Turn), Blue (Back Up Solenoid, Reversing Light).
- Wheel Sizes: Available in 14", 15", and 18" sizes, all with a 5-hole, 4 1/2" bolt circle.
- Tires: Specific tire descriptions, PSI, and capacity are provided in a "Recommended Cold Tire Pressure Chart," including ST205/75R14C (50 PSI, 1,760 LBS; 65 PSI, 2,040 LBS), ST215/75R14C (50 PSI, 1,870 LBS), ST205/75R15D (65 PSI, 2,150 LBS), ST205/75R15E (80 PSI, 2,830 LBS), ST225/75R15D (65 PSI, 2,540 LBS), and P245/45R18 (51 PSI, 1,929 LBS).
- Hubs: Equipped with The Vault Hybrid Lubrication System™ or EUZ hubs.
- Finish: Features a "Tuff Coat Finish," which is a sprayed-on polyurea over a fully primed frame structure, designed to protect against rock chips.
- Tongue: Inline swing tongue is a UFP designed product with hidden bolts and hinge, featuring a cast steel plated-piece for opening without scratching paint, and includes a pin application and bolt.
- Safety Chains/Cables: Trailer safety chains are designed to be criss-crossed under the tongue and attached to the tow vehicle.
- Winch: Hand-operated or electric models available, adjustable for optimal performance.
- I-Tube: A unique extra extrusion in aluminum tubes to protect and hide wiring and brake lines in a non-corrosive environment.
- Underwater Launching Lights: Optional feature for most Skeeter trailers, with a sensor on the rear that activates lights when backing into water and turns them off when exiting.
Usage Features:
- Attaching Trailer: Instructions for raising the trailer with the tongue jack, backing the tow vehicle, lowering the coupler onto the hitch ball, and securing it with the supplied hitch pin. Emphasizes checking coupler and hitch ball size/rating, ensuring the coupler fully covers the ball, and securing the coupler lever.
- Towing: Advises on maintaining correct tire pressure, tightening lug nuts, securing safety chains (crossed under the tongue), ensuring all lights work, securing the boat, storing the tongue jack, and checking trailer brakes. Stresses the importance of proper load distribution, with the trailer parallel to the ground for tandem and triple torsion axle trailers, and correct tongue weight (5-10% of GVWR).
- On the Road: Recommends wearing safety restraints, observing speed limits, allowing at least 4 seconds following distance (5 seconds in bad weather), shifting to lower gears on hills to prevent lugging, and decreasing speed before going downhill. Warns against increasing speed or applying brakes during sway/fishtailing; instead, remove foot from accelerator and steer straight.
- Backing: Suggests keeping a hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and moving it in the direction the trailer needs to go.
- Launching & Loading: Detailed instructions for preparing the boat (removing tie-downs, tilting engine, drain plugs), backing the trailer into the water, unwinding the winch line, and securing the boat after loading. Notes that bunks generate more friction than rollers, requiring deeper backing into water.
- Jack Use: Instructions for positioning, raising, and lowering the tongue jack. For swing-up types, ensure the securing pin is firmly in place when stowed or supporting weight.
- Tire Changing: Recommends wearing gloves, blocking the trailer, and placing the jack under the axle where spring mounts (tubular steel) or under the axle tube near the tire (torsion axle), or under the main frame rail (aluminum I-Beam) if the jack doesn't fit under the axle.
Maintenance Features:
- General Maintenance: Recommends washing the trailer with soap and fresh water after each use to prevent rust and maintain appearance.
- Tire Maintenance: Check tire pressure (when cold) regularly (at least once a month), including the spare. Inspect for uneven wear, cracks, foreign objects, and trauma. Remove debris from tread. Ensure valve caps are present. Block up trailers during storage to take weight off tires.
- Wheel Maintenance: Check lug nuts/bolts for tightness before every trip and re-torque after 25-50 miles of use, then periodically. Clean and inspect stud threads and mounting surfaces. Do not lubricate lug bolts/nuts. Clean wheels regularly to prevent corrosion, especially from brake dust and saltwater. Apply non-abrasive cream wax to chrome steel wheels. Avoid harsh chemicals, steel wool, or steam cleaners on wheels.
- Bearing Maintenance: Check greased hub bearings annually or every 2000 miles. Listen for noise or roughness, indicating potential issues.
- Brake Maintenance: Inspect brake system regularly, adjust if necessary, and replace damaged/worn parts. Replace brake fluid with DOT3. Remove brake drums and inspect assembly after boating season. For hydraulic brakes, avoid shifting to lower gears on downhill runs to prevent continuous activation and overheating.
- Winch Maintenance: Keep clean, lubricate gears frequently, and apply heavy grease. Check winch line/strap/cable for fraying, cuts, or tears and replace if damaged.
- Light Maintenance: Inspect taillights twice a year for bare wires, cracked insulation, or corroded terminals. Ensure white ground wire is connected to the trailer frame. Apply dielectric grease to plug contacts and bulb bases.
- Wheel Alignment: Should be performed by a qualified technician to maximize tire life.
- Tire Repair: Punctured tires should be repaired with a plug and patch from the inside. Sidewall punctures should not be repaired.
- Fasteners: Owner's responsibility to ensure all self-locking, vibration-resistant nuts and bolts are tight before first use and on a regular basis.
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