Image: iStockphoto/Tim McCaig
About This Quiz
Towing a boat requires taking safety precautions. Many different factors can lead to trouble if you haven't prepared your boat tow properly. Do you know what to check first? Test your knowledge and learn now!
The best way to avoid a flat tire on a boat trailer is to:
Avoid bumpy roads
Check the tire pressure before you leave
Since a flat tire can lead to a fire, nothing beats actually hunkering down and manually checking the pressure of each tire with a pressure gauge to verify their soundness. This should be done before every trip. How Boat Towing Safety Works
Change your tires every 6 months
None of the above
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A flat tire on a boat trailer can lead to:
Trailer damage
Vehicle damage
A fire
Since a flat tire can lead to a fire, nothing beats actually hunkering down and manually checking the pressure of each tire with a pressure gauge to verify their soundness. This should be done before every trip. How Boat Towing Safety Works
None of the above
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When checking the electrical system of a boat trailer, it is important to look out for:
Corrosion
One place to start is the electrical system. Have someone stand behind the boat trailer and verify that all the signals are working. Brake lights, blinkers, running lights and brakes should all be checked -- along with the connector between the tow vehicle and the trailer where the wiring passes. Corrosion can be a problem, and the wiring can chafe and short-circuit if not routed in properly. How Boat Towing Safety Works
Dirt and/or gravel
Moisture
None of the above
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Before towing a boat, it is important to make sure the boat trailer has functional:
Brake lights
Blinkers
Running lights
All of the above
Brake lights, blinkers, running lights and brakes should all be checked -- along with the connector between the tow vehicle and the trailer where the wiring passes. Corrosion can be a problem, and the wiring can chafe and short-circuit if not routed in properly. How Boat Towing Safety Works
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Before towing a boat, having your hitch system checked by a professional:
Isn't necessary
Is highly recommended
Don't underestimate the importance of having your hitch system checked out by a professional. He or she might recommend additional equipment like a weight distribution system or a sway control device, and he or she can tell you how much of a load the system can handle and make sure it's in good working order. How Boat Towing Safety Works
It's extremely expensive
None of the above
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Before towing a boat, you should check your wheel bearings, brakes and tires for:
Wear and tear
On the towing vehicle, the brakes, tires and wheel bearings should all be checked for wear and tear and operational soundness. How Boat Towing Safety Works
Moisture
Dirt and/or gravel
None of the above
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What components should you check on your towing vehicle before you attempt to tow a boat?
Engine
Cooling system
Brakes
All of the above
There are a number of components of the tow vehicle that'll be under considerably increased strain while you're towing, and this needs to be taken into account. Make sure the tow vehicle's engine, cooling system, brakes, suspension, tires, transmission and other components are all up to the job. How Boat Towing Safety Works
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What do you do once you know the dry weight of the boat you want to tow?
Add several hundred pounds to that number to account for additional gear
Determine whether the tow vehicle can handle the weight of the boat by getting the dry weight of the boat from the owner's manual. Then, slap on another several hundred pounds for all the fuel and gear you'll probably be hauling along, too. How Boat Towing Safety Works
Nothing. That number is absolute
Divide it by your vehicles towing capacity
None of the above.
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What is the easiest was to figure out the dry weight of the boat you want to tow?
Putting it on the scale
Checking the boat manual
Determine whether the tow vehicle can handle the weight of the boat by getting the dry weight of the boat from the owner's manual. How Boat Towing Safety Works
Calling your local marina
None of the above
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What is the primary thing you need to consider before towing a boat with your vehicle?
Your vehicle's total towing capacity
One primary consideration is the tow vehicle's total towing capacity. How Boat Towing Safety Works
Your vehicle's payload
Your vehicle's blind-spots
None of the above
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You Got:
/10
iStockphoto/Tim McCaig
