To confidently trailer your boat down the road with your new Venture Trailer, you may need to make some fitment adjustments. Luckily, Venture boat trailers are highly customizable and can fit to your boat with a few simple steps. Here's the breakdown.
Ensure Your Tow Vehicle Matches Your Trailer's Specifications
Verify that your vehicle's towing capacity, hitch capacity and drop, ball size, and electrical connector type are compatible with your new trailer.
Tip: If you're unsure, reach out to us to discuss your specific towing needs.
Mark Your Boat's Position for Accurate Weight Distribution
If your boat is already on a trailer and has good weight distribution, mark the hull with tape just above the center of the middle axle (for triple-axle trailers) or between the two axles (for tandem-axle trailers). Note where the bunks need to be positioned from the rear of the trailer.
Note: If your boat isn't on a trailer, try to find reference photos of your boat's model and year on a trailer, and use them to mark the approximate position as described above.
Adjust the Bow Stop/Winch Stand
Loosen the stainless steel bolts that secure the bow stop/winch stand to the tongue of the trailer. Before loosening, spray the bolt threads with WD-40 to make the process easier.
Use a 3/4” socket to reverse the bolts just enough to slide the bow stop/winch forward as much as possible.
Lower the Target Bunks
Adjust the target bunks to their lowest setting by loosening the bolts holding the brackets to the crossmember.
Tip: Don’t forget to use WD-40 on the nuts and bolts to avoid seizing.
Submerge the Trailer for Loading
Back the trailer into the water until the target bunks are nearly fully submerged.
Load the Boat onto the Trailer
Slowly drive the boat onto the trailer until it makes contact with the target bunks.
Release enough winch line to hook the boat to the winch and set the winch to the low gear setting.
Pull the Boat Out and Check Alignment
Pull the boat and trailer out of the water until you can access the stern of the boat.
Bring the boat to a flat surface and ensure the weight is distributed evenly across all axles.
Check Tongue Weight
To verify proper tongue weight, see if the hitch drops by 1.5" to 2.5" when the trailer is coupled. Block the tires and ensure the safety chains are attached to the tow vehicle. Disconnect the trailer coupler from the ball and measure how much the vehicle hitch rises when the trailer is removed.
Ideal Squat Distance: This distance should be around 2". Tongue weight should be approximately 10% of the total loaded trailer weight for smaller trailers and 6-7% for larger trailers.
Secure the Bow and Fasten the Winch Stand
Move the bow stop/winch stand so the bow roller touches the boat, positioning the bow eye just behind and under the roller. Tighten the bolts and attach the winch strap.
Tip: The back of the boat can extend slightly beyond the bunks but should align with the back edge of the bunks.
Attach Transom Straps and Safety Chains
Secure the boat's stern using transom straps rated for the lower of the boat or trailer weight. For example, if your boat weighs 5,000 lbs and the trailer 1,800 lbs, use straps rated at 1,800 lbs total (900 lbs each).
Attach the safety chain to the bow eye and, if needed, a vertical tie-down from the bow eye to the trailer tongue.
Adjust and Tighten the Target Bunks
Snug the target bunks up to the hull and tighten the bolts.
Note: Target bunks should carry minimal weight; their main role is to guide the boat to the bow stop. Ensure about 2/3 of the primary bunks contact the hull and avoid placing them on a chine or any delicate areas. Adjust bunks inward to raise the boat or outward to lower it.
Very Important!
Once the boat is secured to the boat trailer and you are ready to hit the road, make sure to remember to stop and retorque the lug nuts at the next 10 miles, then 15 miles, then 50 miles. Retorque at 110 lbs, if you have a torque wrench. If you do not have a torque wrench, you can use a 4 way lug wrench and tighten by hand. The lug nuts use a 13/16" socket and the most other fasteners use a 3/4" socket.
If you have any questions, let us know by calling us at 888-387-1963.
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