Get your boat to the water and back safe and sound with these trailering tips.

The first step in hauling your boat is to choose the right trailer. Your boat trailer should be long enough to fully support your boat and be able to handle the weight of your boat along with the boat motor, gas, and all equipment in the boat. In addition, the tow vehicle must be capable of towing the combined weight of trailer and boat.

As you load the boat, make sure the hull is evenly balanced between the bunks or rollers. Even weight distribution from front to back and from side to side helps prevent damage to the boat during trailering. Uneven weight distribution can damage your boat or affect the steering and responsiveness of the tow vehicle.

If you are using a trailerable boat cover, secure the tie downs evenly and tightly. Trailerable boat covers keep your boat dry, prevent equipment from flying out of your boat, and hide your boating equipment from prying eyes at rest stops and gas stations. You may also want to protect your boat’s engine with an outboard motor cover.

After loading the boat, secure the boat to the trailer with tie downs and fasten the bow to the trailer with a rope or chain in addition to the winch cable. Crisscross the safety chains underneath the coupler and hook them to the tow mount on your vehicle.

Follow the instructions in your boat trailer manual to safely hook up your trailer and secure the boat. Double-check the safety chains, trailer hitch lock, and trailer lights before towing.

As you trailer your boat, remember to factor in the extra distance needed to brake. Allow more time to accelerate, pass, slow down, and stop. You will also need to make wider turns and allow extra space for curbs and other roadside barriers.