Boating Basics - How to Properly Hitch a Trailer

Hooking up your trailer to the tow vehicle properly is very important. If done wrong it can be a disaster. Here is how to do it.

3-IN-ONE Trailer Hitch Gel Lube provides long-lasting lubrication and superior rust prevention, leading to a quieter, smoother ride. Using a hitch lubricant reduces friction and wear between the ball and coupler as well as the hitch receiver, and prevents rust for up to ONE YEAR to help extend ball and hitch life.

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[mattwaters]

Your the first person to explain why to cross the safety chains. Simple and to the point. Makes sense to me. Thanks for sharing this. Much appreciated! 😊

[countryboyoutdoors]

Thank you for this video, Gene. It means a lot to me because of an incident with the daughter of a couple we became friends with while stationed in Germany. We came back to Georgia, and they came back to Virginia. One summer day a few years ago, their daughter was driving with her little girl in the back seat behind a trailer. Little did she know the young man towing the trailer had no clue what he was doing. First, he had put a 2 1/2 inch receiver on a 2 inch ball, and the latch was latched but not locked. Second, the trailer had no safety chains, and last but not least, the trailer was loaded with cinder blocks BEHIND the axles. When he hit a series of bumps, of course the receiver unlatched completely and the tongue came off the ball. With no safety chains, it was on its own. The load being behind the axles, the trailer naturally flipped and the tongue of the trailer came through her windshield on her side. The worst part, she did not die at the scene, but was on life support. Her parents were forced to make the horrendous decision to let her go. I say this to maybe somehow show how important it is to hook up a trailer the right way. Please people, please take this serious. She didn't have to die. Our friends are raising her daughter now, and she is a wonderful young lady, but she will never know the love of her real mother. It's just not worth it to save a few minutes.

[drewstuntz]

Growing up on a farm I’ve been hooking up trailers my whole life and I actually learned something from this. Thanks Gene!!

[UpstateFlyFishing]

I'm about to go buy a boat in an hour and I'm here so I don't look like an idiot infront of this older gentleman lmao

[markfryar]

Because of this guy i was able to hook up my trailer correct and move my lawnmower safely for the first time

[RhinoJoeOutdoors]

Pulling a trailer can be daunting if new at it. Glad to see this old school basic Flukemaster video!

[christopherpettersen]

Thank you for sharing this information. I just started towing a boat and had an unpleasant experience. No damage or injuries, but not pleasant.

Appreciate the information.

[janesmith]

Excellent advice and well-presented! I especially appreciate the fact that you explain how this all works and why you do what you do. I'd gotten instructions on hitching up my pop-up camper, but never before knew why I was doing what I was doing. Now that it makes sense, I'll remember it better!

[johnfahrlender]

Saved my day with this video today. Couldn't get it to catch 90 degrees. Took a break, watched the video and it worked!!! Thanks

[LittleBouchet]

Excellent! Some good points I never thought of before. Also, I'll give the rest of you a little tip! Never load your trailer where the tongue is too light. I hit a rough railroad crossing once and instead of hitting the ground the tongue bounced up and slammed into the back of my tailgate. Tough lesson. Safety chains saved it from going into traffic. Still not a cheap fix.

[osvaldoumana]

getting my trailer ready for my i am trying to get as much information as i thanks a lot for ALL the fishing tips and now for these great video on how to avoid losing your thank you...thank you...!!!!

[brianmuth]

Thanks. Been towing for years and never knew about crossing the chains. Very helpful, you are appreciated.

[papaduck]

I did not know about the 3 in 1 trailer lube but I am definitely getting some! Gene, this was a great video. Did I know all this stuff? Yes! Even though I have never had a trailer come off, I watched a guy in an oncoming lane have it happen with a big ol'camper about a 1/4 mile ahead of me and I just pulled over and waited. It was scary just to see it happen! This video is great because it keeps us reminded to be diligent in our safety protocal when towing any kind of load. The best accidents are the ones that dont happen. Thanks again for the reminder Fluke! Love your channel! God bless you!

[chronocross]

I am getting a boat and trailer and learning all of this new, thank you.

[Rique]

Just got my new truck. I can't wait! Thanks for the video, man. I enjoyed watching it. Very helpful.

[billyjin]

I don't even have a boat and I'm watching this lol

[brianhershberger]

I've had my boat come off the hitch twice, (it's a pretty old trailer 2004) ; once in traffic and once pulling out of a parking lot. Both times met with mixed results. Fortunately both times no one was hurt and no outside physical damage. However there is the issue of the spot one my seat cushion from when I lost control of innards LOL, This is a much needed video so thanks very much. Here's hoping we never have it happen again. You are a wonderful teacher my friend. I've learned so much from you, Thank you.

[MrTkeddo]

Hey thanks for the video we are trailer rookies in the U.K. and I’ve learnt a lot from YouTube tips, when we picked up the trailer it was a bit noisy which made the trip home a white knuckle ride 😱 I found out later that I was supposed to strip the paint off the tow all before use but I wasn’t sure if you grease the towball or not but your video has answered that question, many thanks 👍

[XandolfTheCray]

Thanks for this video mate. I'm picking up my first trailer & jetski today! This helped :)

[larryclemens]

Tip about noseing was useful and not shown on other videos I watched. Thank you.