Safe Trailering: Don't Be a 'Boat Ramp Story.' Follow These How-To Videos

It can be interesting any summer weekend at the local boat ramp.

Many of us have witnessed “boat ramp stories," those what-were-you-thinking? mishaps that bring chuckles from those waiting in line to launch (who also are hoping not to mess up when it's their turn).

For some boaters this summer, it’ll be the first time they will have trailered a boat or camper. For others, it may have been a year last launch, and perhaps some rustiness has settled in.

No worries. If you have the time to watch Game & Fish's new videos series, "B&W Hitches: Tow Ready in 2," it'll be well worth your time.

In the series, Dr. Todd Kuhn takes you through everything tow-related, from hitches to vehicle-trailer alignment, to what towing load means.

Follow Kuhn's advice to avoid being a "boat ramp story."

How to Choose the Right Size Hitch Ball and Mount for Towing

To tow a trailer safely, you must select and use the right equipment. This equipment includes the trailer ball and mount. In this episode of "B&W Hitches: Tow Ready in 2" Dr. Todd Kuhn addresses the importance of selecting the correct size trailer hitch ball and mount for your tow vehicle.

Trailer Hitch Height: The Importance of Level Towing

To tow a trailer safely, you must do so with a level trailer and tow vehicle. Incorrect trailering heights and angles can negatively affect how your rig pulls. In this episode of “B&W Hitches Tow Ready in 2,” Dr. Todd Kuhn addresses the importance of level towing and how-to achieve it with hitch height.

Trailer and Hitch Connection: Simple Process, Critical Towing Step

Making a safe connection to your trailer is critical to safe towing. While not a complicated process, there are several important steps that must not be overlooked. In this episode of "B&W Hitches: Tow Ready in 2," Dr. Todd Kuhn addresses the importance of making the safe trailering connection and the steps involved to getting it right.

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Towing Load Capacities: Not to Be Overlooked

Few things are more critical to the safe-trailering quotient than towing capacities. If any component in the towing equation is exceeded, tragedy can strike out on the road. In this episode of "B&W Hitches: Tow Ready in 2," Dr. Todd Kuhn addresses the importance of getting trailering and towing capacities correct and how-to do so.

How to Prepare Your Boat for Towing: Checklist

Preparing a boat for towing is a straight-forward process. Doing so correctly means attention to details in this checklist. In this episode of "B&W Hitches: Tow Ready in 2," Dr. Todd Kuhn addresses the steps needed to safely prepare your vehicle and boat for safe trailering.

How to Connect Trailer Safety Chains the Correct Way

While seemingly inconspicuous to many, safety chains are critical to safe towing. One of the most overlooked and misapplied trailering components, safety chains must be connected correctly to avoid over-the-road tragedies. In this episode of "B&W Hitches: Tow Ready in 2," Dr. Todd Kuhn addresses the importance and application of safety chains, and demonstrates the correct way to install them prior to towing.