Regular maintenance is the key to years of trouble-free operation.

Before each trip, you should always check the following:

	• inspect all lights to insure they are functioning properly
	• check your tire pressure and visually inspect all tires for wear
	• inspect the coupler or actuator for damage
	• if your trailer has brakes, be sure to test them before you get out on the road.
	• check condition and tightness of bolts and fasteners.

When your boat is off the trailer, be sure to do the following:

• Inspect the bunks or rollers to ensure they are in good condition and working properly.

• Inspect the winch strap and safety chains to make sure they are in good condition and not showing signs of wear.

After each trip:

	• It is always a good idea to rinse your trailer thoroughly with fresh water.
	• This is also a good time to inspect the trailer frame for scratches in the paint finish that may need to be touched up.

Finally, it is very important to inspect the wheel bearings at least once a year. For more information about trailer maintenance, refer to your ShoreLand'r Owner's Guide or request a FREE copy of our Trouble-free Trailering DVD. If you have any questions, just contact ShoreLand'r Customer Service.

When properly adjusted, both styles offer safe support for your boat. The difference is mainly about ease-of-use at the ramp.

A properly adjusted roller trailer offers very easy drive-on drive-off launching and loading. Many people choose this style for use at shallow ramps, so they will not need to back into the water as far.

Bunk trailers are less expensive and designed for float-on and float-off launching and loading. Generally, this is preferred by people who don't mind backing their trailer farther into the water.

ShoreLand'r also offers "Roller-Bunk" (RB) combination models that give you the best of both systems. Your dealer can help you choose the support style that will work best for you.

Load guides are an optional accessory that make it easier to center the boat on the trailer during loading. They are particularly helpful if you do a lot of launching or loading in windy conditions or river currents. Your dealer can help you decide if load guides are right for you.

Most states require brakes on trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 3,000 pounds or more, there isn’t much consistency or a national standard across the United States. For more information about <brake safety or laws in your state contact your local Department of Transportation office, or visit www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm for links to individual state DOT offices.

Here is some more info about our most popular accessories:

• Tongue Jack - attaches to the trailer tongue, making it much easier to move the trailer around when it is not attached to the tow vehicle.

• Spare Tire – a necessity for anyone who trailers a boat.

• Spare Tire Bracket - allows you to carry the spare on the trailer frame, freeing-up space in your tow vehicle.

• Load Guides - available in a variety of styles for easier centering during loading.

• Transom Saver - supports the engine, taking some of the weight and pressure off the boats transom.

• Swing Tongue - a hinged tongue that swings out of the way, allowing storage in smaller garages

Your dealer can demonstrate any of these accessories and help you decide which ones would benefit you the most.

Your dealer can tell you how much your boat and trailer package weigh. Then, simply refer to your tow vehicle owner's guide for information about it's towing capabilities. Many vehicles are available with special towing packages that add equipment and features to handle the extra load. Before towing your trailer check to ensure that the hitch ball on your tow vehicle is the same size as the coupler hitch on your new trailer.

ShoreLand'r trailers stack-up very favorably against the competition, especially with regard to quality of construction and warranty. It would be difficult to find a stronger frame on any trailer. Welded tubular steel provides more strength and less flex. This frame, combined with a highly-advanced bunk or roller support system, gives your boat maximum support and protection.

Higher quality running gear also makes a big difference. ShoreLand'r axles are not purchased from another company - they are manufactured in-house to very exacting standards. Robot welded spindles, cast iron machined hubs, double lipped seals, stainless steel sleeves and stainless steel bearing protectors. Wheels are factory balanced and the axles are fully adjustable to achieve proper tongue weight. All of this adds up to keep your trailer rolling smoothly, even with the heaviest loads. Beyond that there are also a number of smaller features, such as plug-in electrical system harnesses for easy troubleshooting.

Compare these features head-to-head with the competition and it's easy to see why ShoreLand'r trailers are so popular.

For more information on ShoreLand'r trailer benefits see the Why ShoreLand’r section.

Your tow vehicle will consume more gas pulling any load. A smoother rolling, lower profile trailer will minimize drag and fuel consumption. Your dealer may also offer accessories such as boat covers that reduce wind resistance even further. Check out our article on fuel-saving tips that will help you squeeze the most out of each gallon of gas.

Painted steel trailers look great, but they are recommended only for fresh water use only. If you are planning any salt water use, galvanized or aluminum trailers are recommended.

Corrosive salt-water environments are very hard on a trailer, so most boaters in these areas choose either a galvanized or an aluminum trailer.

A galvanized trailer is basically the same steel-tube construction as our painted trailers, but the frame and component parts are hot-dipped galvanized. Galvanizing is a zinc coating process that makes steel more corrosion-resistant. It is not a permanent solution to the corrosion of steel, but it does slow down the corrosion process. The zinc coating simply serves as a sacrifice, but it will eventually deteriorate. This deterioration is accelerated by exposure to salt-water, high temperature, and high humidity. Fresh-water rinsing will prolong the life of a trailer but it will not entirely stop the corrosion process.

Aluminum trailers have an aluminum frame which is lighter, resulting in better gas mileage. Like steel, aluminum will also degrade over time, but it remains more visually appealing because the corrosion appears as white dust, rather than rust. Aluminum has more flex than steel, so ShoreLand'r aluminum trailers feature galvanized steel parts in key areas to maximize the frame strength.

Your authorized ShoreLand’r dealer can help you decide which type of trailer would be best for you.