Owner`s manual
A correctly selected trailer supports your boat properly,
makes towing safer, and makes loading and unloading easier.
Proper trailer selection and setup are very important.
Improper trailering is one of the major causes of damage to
the tubes. Your pontoon must be well supported to prevent
any damage during trailering. The pontoon’s weight should
be supported the entire length of the tubes with a bunk
trailer or the entire deck length with a mechanical folding
trailer. Pontoon boats with outboard engines should have an
engine support bar that extends from the lower unit to the
trailer frame when trailering. Premier Marine will not be held
liable for any damages caused by improper trailer setup or
operation.
TRAILER
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Your trailer should be able to accommodate the weight of the
boat, engine, full fuel tank and any other equipment normally
carried. Check the certication label on the frame of the
trailer for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The total
weight of the boat, engine, fuel, gear and trailer should not
exceed the GVWR.
Remember that the published weight is the dry approximate
weight of your boat. Dry weight does not include the weights
of outboard motors, batteries, gasoline, any optional items,
gear or trailers. The weight of these items must be added to
the dry weight to determine the proper trailer GVWR needed.
Weight Distribution
If your towing vehicle is equipped with a weight distribu-
tion hitch, it must be capable of handling the GVWR. The
weight on the trailer should be evenly distributed and can be
checked by determining the tongue weight.
Tongue weight is a percentage of the total weight of the
loaded trailer on its tongue. Ideal tongue weight is not less
than ve percent (5%) and not more than ten percent (10%)
of the GVWR. For example, if the weight of the loaded trailer
is 3,000 pounds (1361 kg), the weight on the tongue should
be more than 150 pounds (68 kg), but less than 300 pounds
(136 kg). Excessive tongue weight causes the front end of the
towing vehicle to sway. Insufficient tongue weight causes the
trailer to sway or fishtail.
The total weight of the trailer, boat and gear must not exceed the GVWR
of the trailer. Overloading can cause accidents.
4.1
To avoid personal injury and property damage, be sure to
balance the load when trailering. If too much weight rests on
the hitch, the front end of the vehicle will sway or oversteer.
Insufficient weight on the trailer causes the trailer to fishtail.
In either case, the vehicle will be hard to handle and could
become uncontrollable at high speeds.
State regulations usually require that trailers above a speci-
fied weight rating be equipped with brakes. Requirements
vary; check with your dealer for additional information.
HITCH
Hitches are divided into classes that specify the gross trailer
weight (GTW) and maximum tongue weight for each class.
Always use a hitch with the same class number as the trailer.
Most boat trailers connect to a ball hitch that is bolted or
welded to the towing vehicle. Special heavy-duty equalizing
hitches are necessary for trailer tongue weights of 350 lbs.
(158 kg) or greater.
The trailer hitch coupler must match the size of the hitch ball.
The correct ball diameter is marked on the trailer coupler.
SAFETY CHAINS
Safety chains on the trailer provide added insurance that it
will not become completely detached from the towing ve-
hicle while underway. Crisscross the chains under the trailer
tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the road if the
trailer separates from the hitch ball (Figure 4-1). The safety
chain should be of the “Proof Coil” type and must have a
minimum breaking strength equal to the upper limit of the
GVWR. Some states require chains to be locked so hooks
can’t shake, bounce or vibrate off the bracket.
The total weight of your loaded trailer must not exceed the capacity
marker on the hitch of your tow vehicle. Overloading can cause hitch
failure, leading to injury-causing accidents.
4 TRAILERING