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Trailer Adjustment

If your trailer comes with your boat’s brand on the side of it – for instance, Lund, SeaRay, Crestliner, Legend, Bryant, Larson, etc. – then chances are that the trailer came to your dealer set up for the boat that’s on it. However, if your trailer is proudly branded ‘ShoreLand’r’, the dealer received a quality trailer that is fully adjustable for many different brands and styles of boats. In this case, the dealer followed the four-step procedure to make sure your boat trailers, loads, and unloads perfect every time. If you believe your fit needs tweaking, give this procedure a once-over and connect with a qualified ShoreLand’r dealer for appropriate adjustments.

Unique Functional Products Disc Brakes and Actuator Systems

In most states, brakes are required on trailers with a GVWR of 3000 lb. For this reason, ShoreLand’r automatically includes brakes on these trailers and larger. Please check your state’s trailer brake laws to make sure you’ve purchased a trailer with the legal braking configuration for your state. ShoreLand’r partners with Unique Functional Products (UFP) to offer a quality braking system to safely trailer in a variety of traffic situations. Operating a trailer with disc brakes is relatively simple.

To properly operate this system the tow vehicle MUST be equipped with a matching 5-prong trunk harness to power the solenoid.

The disc brake actuator has a lockout solenoid that is activated by the tow vehicle’s back-up lights. When the vehicle is put in reverse the solenoid redirects the brake fluid back into the actuator reservoir rather than applying pressure to the brakes. Then, when the tow vehicle is put into park, neutral or a forward gear the solenoid returns to its original position allowing the brakes to function normally during travel.

Tire Wear, Inflation, and Contacting the Tire Company

Tire Wear is your trailer’s way of telling you a component has been knocked out of place by rough roads, pot holes, curb checks or other means. most cases, the symptom is side wear which is indicative of an axle knocked out of alignment. If the axle is a tube, then it may be realigned at a shop qualified to complete an alignment; however, in extreme incidents, or when the axle is channeled – the axle will need to be replaced. If this is the case, please contact a parts-selling dealer with your trailer’s VIN handy.

Tire wear should be checked frequently because once a wear pattern becomes firmly established it is difficult to stop, even if the underlying cause is corrected.

Tire inflation pressure is one of the most important factors in tire life. Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer for the load. Please check the side wall of you tire for the correct PSI ratings. Pressure should always be checked cold before operation. Check inflation pressure weekly during use to insure maximum tire life and monitor tread wear. If you have any questions, about your tires, performance, appearance, etc., please contact the tire manufacturer at the contact information stated on the sidewall.

Tire Wear Guide

The following Tire Wear Guide will help you identify the causes and solutions of most common tire wear patterns. Visit recstuff.com for more troubleshooting.

Wear Pattern Cause Solution
Center Tire Wear Center Wear Over Inflation Adjust pressure to particular load per tire catalog
Edge Tire Wear Edge Wear Under Inflation Adjust pressure to particular load per tire catalog
Side Tire Wear Side Wear Loss of camber or overloading Make sure load doesn't exceed axle rating. Correction is 3/4 - 1 degree positive camber (top of wheel rim 3/16" further out than bottom.
Toe Tire Wear Toe Wear Incorrect toe-in Correct toe-in is 0 - 1/2 degree.
Cupping Tire Wear Cupping Out-of-balance Check bearing adjustment and balance tires.
Flat Spots Tire Wear Flat Spots Wheel lockup & tire skidding Avoid sudden stops when possible and adjust brakes.

Alternatives to the 5-Prong Harness

As stated above, the best way to operate the solenoid is with a 5-prong wire harness on the tow vehicle that matches the wire harness plug of the trailer. This allows the solenoid to be plugged in at the same time the trailer lights are connected for towing. If a 5-prong harness is not available there are a number of short-term fixes that will allow you to use the trailer prior to installing the 5-prong plug for permanent use.

  • UFP actuators are shipped with a lockout key attached to the side of the actuator on a short cable. The round end of the key is simply inserted in the slot on the side of the actuator. When the key is in the slot the trailer can be backed without the brakes engaging. When the trailer is moved forward the key will fall out of the slot. The key fits very loosely to insure that it will not remain in the slot after backing. Leaving the lockout key in the slot would disable the brake system during normal use, which could result in a serious accident.
  • A separate wire and plug can be wired into the tow vehicle back-up lights that can be plugged into the fifth wire of the trailer harness. The solenoid will work as described above, however this new wire will have to be plugged into the trailer harness separately.
  • If the tow vehicle is equipped with a 4-prong plug, the trailer can still be moved using the solenoid to lock out the brakes. Though not ideal, this is acceptable for backing trailers in either a storage yard or a shop environment where the tow vehicle is not the normal vehicle that will be used with the trailer.
  • Before backing, simply unplug the trailer’s 5-prong harness from the tow vehicles 4-prong trunk harness. Turn the harness 90 degrees and plug the blue wire on the 5-prong harness into the brown wire on the 4-prong harness. To activate the solenoid, turn on the tow vehicle’s lights. The power for operating the running lights will operate the solenoid disengaging the brakes so the trailer can be backed up.

Loading and unloading your boat should be the least of your worries on fun day at the lake. The steepness and quality of the ramp will play a large part in how difficult this small task will be; fortunately, ShoreLand’r’s low-profile also plays a large role in the success of this task. Here are some general tips for success at that ramp:

  • Be certain that the boat is riding level in the water. Re-distribute weight if necessary.
  • When driving the boat onto the trailer, hesitate for a moment when the bow contacts the rear rollers or rear of the bunks to allow the bow to center. Then apply power smoothly.
  • Do not submerge rollers or rear of bunks too deeply in the water when loading. The water should be even with the step on the taillight (rear rollers right at water level). If the boat is floating over the rear rollers, reduce the water depth so that the rollers contact the hull. [Note: if the boat slams down when coming over center you may need to back in the water a little deeper]
  • Check the rear cross member pivot to be sure that it moves freely.
  • Rollers and bunks should be adjusted so that they are not resting directly on the lift strakes (should be on one side or the other).
Tips from ShoreLand'r
ShoreLand'r Trailering Tips

To get the most out of boating you have to get the most out of your trailer. That's why we've put together this list of tips to make life easier.

Free Boat U.S. Membership
Free Boat U.S. Membership

To protect you in the unlikely event of a breakdown, all ShoreLand’r trailers come with a FREE 90-day BoatU.S. Membership. It features over 26 benefits, including Trailer Assist and Tow and on-the-water towing services.

Limited Warranty
Five year plus limited warranty

For added peace of mind, our 5-year Plus Limited Warranty includes a 1-Year, Tongue-to-Taillight Warranty. Ask your dealer for details.

Brake Laws
Brake Laws

ShoreLand’r is the first major trailer manufacturer to have brakes standard on all trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) at 3000 lb. and above.