| The Fourth of July is a fun summer holiday | | | | a boat owner and driver that you know how to |
| weekend. You will find a lot of friends and family | | | | operate a towing trailer and the rules and |
| on the lakes near central Texas this weekend and | | | | regulations for doing so in your state. Make sure |
| throughout the summer. Lake Travis is a popular | | | | that the vehicle you are towing with can handle |
| weekend destination and is crowded with boats | | | | the weight of the trailer and boat in tow. Here is a |
| and jet skis over the holiday weekend. The roads | | | | checklist you can follow when attaching the trailer |
| also become very busy with drivers taking off | | | | and loading up your boat: |
| for a fun weekend out of town. The roads can | | | | Is the hitch and hitch ball (coupler) properly fitted |
| often be seen with trucks or SUV's towing a | | | | and the right size? |
| boat, four wheelers, and jet skis behind them. | | | | Are the coupler and all safety chains attached to |
| Here are some safety tips to remember this | | | | the hitch securely? |
| weekend if you are towing your boat to the lake | | | | Are all attachments tightened? |
| with your truck. | | | | Is the boat tied down to the trailer? |
| First and foremost, you have to adjust the way | | | | Are the wheel lug nuts and bearings tightened and |
| you drive your vehicle when you are towing | | | | adjusted? |
| something such as a boat or an RV. Extra caution | | | | Are you in proper weight capacity for the trailer |
| will be needed on the road and drivers around you | | | | and towing vehicle? |
| should also be more cautious on busy holiday | | | | Are the trailer tires inflated? |
| weekends with a lot of towing trucks on the | | | | Do all trailer lights work properly? |
| road. The weight of your moving truck will be | | | | Do the brakes work? (You may need to purchase |
| much different with a boat in tow. You will have | | | | a trailer with its own brakes) |
| to use extreme caution when pulling out, braking, | | | | Once you have checked off on the requirements |
| accelerating, and changing lanes. You will need | | | | and safety measures, you are ready to get on |
| more room to come to a complete stop and you | | | | the road with your truck and boat in tow. Use |
| should drive slower than normal. | | | | extreme precautions and never drive too fast, |
| Before you start driving, you should check to see | | | | aggressive, or recklessly. Have a fun and happy |
| that your boat trailer is a safe and properly | | | | summer! |
| attached to your truck or SUV. It is important as | | | | |