Sponsored Blog Post

Before leaving on that epic trailer-boating adventure you've been planning all winter, take the time to inspect your boat trailer. Towing your boat is a great way to enjoy your summer vacation and explore new waters. Having the proper trailer, and keeping it in top shape, will help ensure that you and your boat reach your destination and return safely.

You can bet that some part of the boat trailer requires maintenance, especially one used in saltwater. Before your vacation, take these 6 steps suggested by Yamaha to make sure your trailer is ready to roll:

1. Inspect the tires. Make sure they are properly inflated. If the tires are five or more years old, replace them, no matter how the tread or sidewalls appear, as trailer tires rot from the inside. And don’t forget the spare tires.

2. Wheels and Seals are next. Trailer wheel bearing and seals are trouble-prone, so have these completely serviced, packed with fresh lube, and capped with a bearing protector before a long trip.

3. Put on the brakes. Malfunctioning trailer brakes can also be problematic. Having the trailer brakes and surge-brake actuator inspected and serviced before a long trip is always a good idea.

4. Light it up. Trailer lights are a constant source of maintenance. Make sure your trailer running, brake, clearance, and turn signal lights are operating correctly, regardless of whether you plan to drive at night or not.

5. Jacks, no jumping needed. In addition, look at your vehicle's factory jack to ensure it will work for the boat trailer, too. If it won't fit under or sufficiently raise the trailer in case of a flat, you'll need a separate jack. Make sure you have a lug wrench that will fit the lug nuts on the trailer wheels in case you need to fix a flat.

6. Check out the rest of the trailer. Inspect and, if necessary, adjust the trailer coupler, trailer safety chains, trailer-lights plug, bow-winch strap, bow safety chain, and transom straps. Stop every few hours on a long haul to re-check these items.

Yamaha is one of the largest manufacturers of trailer boats in the United States, and all Yamaha 19-foot to 25-foot boats come standard with a premium trailer, numbering in the thousands each year.

If you own a Yamaha boat and have questions about your boat trailer, there are hundreds of Yamaha Boat dealerships across the United States to assist you when you are away from home. Find one near you at https://www.yamahaboats.com/.

As a sponsor of the Sea Tow Foundation, Yamaha Boats has been invited to share this content with our boating safety audience. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities for your business, please contact info@boatingsafety.com.