When the boat is on its trailer, don't load up the cockpit with gear and people unless the rear of the trailer is blocked up. The weight could cause the trailer and boat to tip backwards.

Make sure the outboard motor and rudders are secured in the up position for trailering.

SECURING THE BOAT TO THE TRAILER:

Secure the trailer winch line to the nose of the boat as shown below.

Photo 16 Trailer winch line

While keeping tension on the line, winch the nose of the boat snugly into the rubber bow support. Make sure these connections are good. If the line comes loose, the boat could slide off the trailer and end up on the street, or worse.

As an extra security measure, tie a line to one of the trailer side rails near the rear end of the trailer. Pass the line across the boat. Pull it tight, and tie it to the other trailer rail.

PREPARING THE TRAILER:

LUG NUTS:

It is the owners responsibility to check the lug nuts that secure the wheels to the axle before using the trailer. The wheels may have been removed in order to ship the boat to you or your dealer, and it is important for you to check to see that the lug nuts have been properly tightened. If they are loose, you may lose a wheel, with serious consequences. They should be TIGHT. The proper setting, using a torque wrench, is 90 to 95 foot pounds. Don't move the trailer one foot before checking these nuts.

TIRE REGISTRATION:

It is a federal law that the first licensed purchaser of any vehicle with tires register the tires with the vehicle manufacturer. This is done by completing the Tire Registration data on your warranty card and returning it to MacGregor. Your name, address, tire serial numbers, trailer serial number and date of purchase must appear on this card.

TIRE PRESSURE:

Before using the trailer, check the tire pressure. The recommended pressure can be found on the sidewall of the tire near the tire size. Always check the tire pressure when the tires are cold. Under inflation can cause excessive sway at certain speeds and could cause loss of vehicle control. Over inflation could cause a tire to blow out, which also is very dangerous. Check tire pressure at frequent, regular intervals.

HITCHING UP:

Place the trailer coupler over the ball on your car, and make sure the snap latch is all the way down and locked. Try to lift the trailer off the ball to make sure the hitch is securely fastened to the ball. Insert a 1/4 x 1 1/2" bolt and lock nut thru the locking hole in the tongue to make sure the trailer doesn't jump off. Tongue weight should be between 15O and 200.

The ball should be 2" in diameter. You are responsible for making sure that the trailer hitch ball is secured properly to your car. Get some qualified help in mounting the hitch to the solid structure of your vehicle.

SAFETY CHAIN:

Secure the safety chain to a solid bumper brace or through the hole normally provided in your hitch. Leave enough slack so that the trailer and car may turn without putting tension on the chain. Secure the end of the chain to itself with the locking device mounted on the end of the chain. This must be a solid connection.

TOTAL WEIGHT:

The weight of the boat, trailer and all other items cannot exceed 2250 pounds. The empty boat weighs 1250 pounds. The trailer weighs 380 pounds. All other gear cannot exceed 620 pounds.