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Preparing For Your Trailer Transaction

Updated: Mar 11


Our goal is to make the trailer buying process as easy as possible. To accomplish that, there will be some homework.


1. Make Sure Your Vehicle Can Handle the Load


First and foremost, your towing vehicle needs to be equipped to handle the trailer's weight. Knowing the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is key. Here’s a simple breakdown to help


  • Compact Trucks: Can typically tow around 5,000 lbs.

  • Midsize Trucks: Capable of towing between 7,000 and 8,000 lbs.

  • Full-Size Trucks: Can tow up to around 13,000 lbs.

  • 3/4 Ton Trucks: Able to tow up to 20,000 lbs.


You can usually find your vehicle’s GVWR in the owner's manual or on the driver's side door frame. It’s crucial to check this rating before purchasing a boat trailer to avoid towing with an undersized vehicle.


If your boat trailer is 1,000 lbs and the fully loaded weight of your boat is 6,000 lbs, the amount that your tow vehicle can tow should be 7,000 lbs.



2. Have the Correct Ball Size


Not all tow balls are the same, and you need to make sure your ball size matches your trailer's weight capacity.

  • Trailers under 7,000 lbs: Use a 2" tow ball.

  • Trailers over 7,000 lbs: Use a 2 5/16" tow ball.


Having the wrong ball size can result in serious towing hazards, so be sure to check this before arriving.



3. Set the Right Ball Height


Proper ball height is essential to ensure your trailer rides flat behind your towing vehicle.


Here’s a guide:

  • under 1200 lbs - The top of the ball should be about 22-24" above the ground.

  • between 1200 lbs and 6,500 lbs: The top of the ball height should be 26"-28" above the ground.

  • between 6,500 lbs and 12,000 lbs: The top of the ball height should be closer to 28"-32".

  • over 15,000 lbs: The ideal height falls between 32"- 34".


Remember, when the hitch is first attached, the tow ball will sink by about 2 inches. Adding the boat will cause another 1.5 inches of drop. A level trailer is safer and easier to tow, so getting this measurement right is the objective.


If the trailer is hitched up too high, the center of mass will shift more to the back which can lead to bouncy boats and trailer sway.


If the trailer is hitched too low, the braking system could prematurely engage and will put more pressure on the front axle, possibly wearing the bearings quickly. Low tongue hitch can also cause a loss of camber to the front axle.



4. Electrical Connection


Most tow vehicles will have both a 7 pin blade receptacle and a 4 pin receptacle. For that reason, we install complimentary 7 pin adapters to each trailer.


You will want to verify that your tow vehicle's lights and the 7 pin receptacle works.


Need a 7 pin tester? Get this from Amazon.



5. Retorque Your Lug Nuts


Trailer wheels are different than normal vehicle tires. For it's maiden voyage and when wheels are taken off and put back on for service, the trailer wheels will need to be retightened. Here’s what you should do:


  • After 10 miles, use a 13/16" lug wrench to retorque the lug nuts to 110 psf.

  • Check them again at 25 miles.

  • And finally, check once more at 50 miles.


If we are delivering the trailer for you, we will take care of as many of those retorques as we can before we deliver it to you. If you are over 50 miles away, you won't need to worry about it.


Don't have a torque wrench handy? Buy this one from Amazon.



6. Be Prepared for Payment


We accept the following payment options and any associated fees:


  • ACH Payment: No additional fees

  • Cashier's Check or Personal Check: No additional fees.

  • Credit or Debit Card: A 3% surcharge will apply.

  • Financing is Available: Please call us about your options.


Why do we charge 3%? Because we get charged the same 3% to process that transaction and 3% of the total is a lot of profit that simply, we can't justify. Please let us know your preferred payment method ahead of time.



7. Licensing Your Trailer


To apply for your trailer’s license plate, we will need a few key documents:

  • A photo of your Washington Driver's License.

  • You will also need to pay Tacoma sales tax if you're picking up from our Pierce County location.


For out-of-state buyers, please provide a recent utility bill from the same address and be prepared to sign some additional paperwork. We will install a 3 day DOL permit for you to drive back to your home state.



8. Delivery Options


If you can’t make it to our dealership, we offer delivery services for your convenience:

  • Within 3 hours of the dealership: We charge $3 per mile to deliver it directly to your location. No assistance with fitting or transferring.

  • Further distances: We can arrange for an outside shipper to deliver the trailer. You pay the shipper directly.

  • Shipping to Alaska or Hawaii: We do not charge to get your trailer to AML or any other local barge company. We will provide you the dimensions of the trailer. You’ll need to set up shipping and provide us the bill of lading.


If you get ahead of these simple tasks, the day will go much sooner.




 
 
 
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