The MasterCraft Trailer congratulations on your choice of a mastercraft trailer. It’s the ideal match for MasterCraft boats. The quality, innovation, selection and value of MasterCraft trailers are unmatched in the industry. Please take a few minutes to read this Manual completely before the use of your MasterCraft trailer for the first time. It will help answer most of the remaining questions you may have about your new trailer.
Note: The information given in this Manual may not be applicable to international rules of the road. If you have any questions, please contact your local authority. Visit us on the web at www.mastercraft.com for updates and additional information as it becomes available, as well as for any future potential service bulletins, advisories or other critical information pertaining to your trailer.
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. Failure to adhere to and comply with the safety warnings and cautions that appear in this Manual can lead to serious illness, injury or even death and/or damage to your trailer or the property of others. Beyond these warnings, drivers have a personal responsibility to utilize a common sense approach to the towing experience.
covered by your warranty. (Page 7) If the total weight on your loaded trailer exceeds the load capacity of the hitch on your tow vehicle, then the trailer may break free, which may result in serious injury or death and/or property damage. (Page 9) 6.
Here are some quick tips for maintaining your trailer in tip-top condition. • • • • • • Chips in the paint, especially on the axles and frame result when these surfaces are subjected to repeated or severe hits by external objects. Usually, these are gravel or asphalt chips thrown up by the rear tires of the tow vehicle. Over time, rust may develop where paint has been chipped away and this is not covered by the Limited Warranty for the trailer.
INTRODUCTION Introduction With the purchase of your new MasterCraft trailer, custom-built to integrate with your MasterCraft boat, you have added value to your boating experience. You can now enjoy almost any of the thousands of recreational waterways in this country. As the manufacturer, MasterCraft has provided a vehicle designed specifically for many years of attractive, convenient, trouble-free service.
Load-Carrying Capacity Check the metallic certification label attached to the front left side of your trailer. It will show the maximum load-carrying capacity of the trailer. It will also show the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), The Gross Vehicle Weight Racing (“GVWR”) is the estimated total weight of a road vehicle that is locaed to capacity, including the weight of the vehicle itself. Therefore, the maximum load-carryign capacity of the trailer is the GVWR, less the weight of the empty trailer.
the trailer hitch weight distribution The correct method for determining the load limit is to: • Locate the statement, “The weight of cargo should never exceed _______ kg or ______ lbs.,” on the placard. (This figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.) • Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. (That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity.
Be sure that the total weight of your trailer-boat rig does not exceed the hitch’s load capacity. The maximum weight it can handle is stamped on the hitch. Also, be sure the hitch ball is the correct size to match the coupler on your trailer. The correct ball diameter is marked on the trailer coupler. The hitch should also provide a place for attaching the trailer’s safety cables–two rings or holes on either side of the hitch ball.
safety cables Safety Cables The safety cables on your MasterCraft trailer provide added security that the trailer will not become detached from the tow vehicle when underway. Before each trip, you should make sure that the proper cables are correctly attached between the tow vehicle and the trailer. As noted above, your trailer hitch should provide a place for attaching safety cables, through holes or rings on both sides of the hitch ball.
Warnings at Tongue Read and adhere to all warning labels, especially those that appear on the pivot tongue. MasterCraft Trailers - Page 11 WARNINGS AT TONGUE Never apply a load on the winch with the strap fully extended. Keep at least two full turns of the strap that’s on the reel. Inspect the condition of the winch strap. Using a damaged or worn winch strap may result in serious injury or damage. It is not recommended to use the winch as the sole method for loading the boat onto the trailer.
MASTER CYLINDER LEVEL Master Cylinder Level Regularly verify that the brake fluid level comes to the top of the reservoir (as marked). MasterCraft’s specification for brake fluid is type DOT3 Premium. As part of an annual maintenance program, consumers should check the fluid level both at the beginning and at the end of the boating season. If at any time you suspect a braking issue, check the fluid level.
paired or replaced prior to towing. When the coupling is placed on the ball, the latch should close firmly. Keep the latch mechanism lightly oiled and clean. Always install a lock pin in the coupler to promote safety. Lights The MasterCraft trailer harness was specifically designed to mate with O.E.M. automotive equipment. This harness is designed to disengage the trailer brakes with the use of the tow vehicle’s O.E.M. harness.
wheels and hubs Wheels and Hubs Because they are often exposed to water, trailer wheels and tires require more attention than the wheels on your family car. The three major items to check are lug nuts, lubrication and tire pressure. Maintain the proper torque on the lug nuts attached to the wheel bolts. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or property damage. Your MasterCraft dealer can provide you with the proper torque specifications (measured in foot-pounds).
Take special care to ensure that the replacement lug nut is the correct type. While the threads of the lug nut may match, it may be a size that does not hold the wheel securely against the hub, even when fully tightened. Be certain a replacement lug nut is an exact match for the original. Ensuring that lug nuts on trailer wheels are tight and properly torqued is an important responsibility that trailer owners and users need to be familiar with and practice.
lubrication wheel bearings & Brakes tires Lubrication Currently, trailers feature oil-bath bearings. Earlier models were equipped with easy lubricating hubs. However, water invades and seeps through the smallest of openings. When a warm hub is submerged in cold water, any air inside the hub will contract and draw water through the best of seals. Trailers equipped with the Bearing Buddy II with Auto Check simplify the process of keeping watch for proper lubrication.
When your trailer tires become worn or damaged, replace them with new tires. Your MasterCraft dealer can help you. For safety and convenience, it is recommended that you inflate tires to the air pressure indicated on the sidewall of the trailer tire and that you always carry a spare wheel and tire. Brakes In most states, trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 1,500 pounds or more are required by law to have brakes on all wheels.
Tie-downs trailer jack Try out your brakes before each trip. On a regular basis, have your brake linings inspected, necessary adjustments made and any damaged or worn parts replaced. Wet brakes usually do not hold especially well. If your wheels have been in water, several brake applications at slow speeds should dry them out.
Hitching Up • • Hitch only to the ball size marked on the coupler. Be certain that the ball clamp captures the ball and lever or that the handwell is fully closed or tightened. Insert safety pin or optional lock pin. • Cross the safety cables under the coupling. • Allow only enough slack in the safety cables to handle turns. When hitching your trailer, you should always observe each item of the “Trailer Check List,” found in this Manual.
• trailer techniques • • Attach the surge breakaway cable to the tow vehicle, making sure there is enough slack for tight turns. Attach the safety cables. Connect the trailer’s seven-wire connector to the seven-wire connector of the tow vehicle and check the operation of the lights. Trailer Tips & Techniques With a boat trailer in tow, you are operating a vehicle combination that is longer, heavier and sometimes wider and taller than your tow vehicle.
or pass, use your turn signals to let other vehicles know what you intend to do. • Shift to a lower gear. If your tow vehicle has a manual transmission, traveling in lower gears when going up steep hills or over sand, gravel or dirt roads will ease the load on your engine and transmission. If your tow vehicle has an overdrive gear (manual or automatic) you may get better gas mileage in a lower gear. Check the tow vehicle’s owners manual for their recommended towing specifications. • Always be courteous.
Use great care when walking, standing or loading and unloading boats on or around any launch ramps as some launch ramps may be slippery when wet. • • • Prepare for launching. Install your drain plugs and detach the trailer tiedowns. Slowly back your trailer down the ramp. If possible have someone stand to one side of the ramp to direct you. Backing up a trailer can be tricky. A good way to simplify the procedure is to grasp the steering wheel with one hand at its lowest point (6 o’clock).
When your MasterCraft trailer will not be in use for several months, the following steps may increase the life and performance of the trailer: • If at all possible, park your boat trailer in a protected area such as a garage, carport or similar shelter. • Service or re-pack the wheel bearings. • Loosen the tie-downs and winch strap, but be sure the boat is still resting properly on the hull supports.
• trailering check list • Make up a special boating kit and carry it with you on all trips. The kit should include a spare wheel and tire, lug wrench, wheel chocks, bearing grease, spare strap for tie-downs and winch, extra lights, wheel bearings and road flares. Some insurance policies do not provide coverage when towing a trailer. Check your policy, or call your insurance agent to be sure you are fully covered.
1. Limited Warranty and Term. MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC. (“MasterCraft”) warrants to the original retail purchaser that the trailer shall be free from material defects in materials and workmanship to the extent set forth below, under normal use and when operated and maintained in accordance with MasterCraft’s instructions, for the period indicated: 1.1 Trailer and Trailer Component Parts.
(h) (i) damage to any component parts and accessories not manufactured by MasterCraft; damage to the trailer and its parts or components due to abrasions, rock chips, rust, improper care or maintenance, or use in salt or brackish water; however, the finishes of galvanized trailers, which are designed for use in salt or brackish water, are warranted to be free from damage resulting from use in salt or brackish water for one (1) year from the date of the original retail purchase or the initial use of the tra
Limited Warranty shall be void as of the date of transfer and shall not be transferable to the second owner. Only one (1) transfer under the provisions of this Section 5 (from the original retail purchaser to the second owner), within the applicable time period, may be made. In the event of a sale or transfer of the trailer by a second owner to a subsequent purchaser, all coverage under this Limited Warranty shall immediately be terminated and the Limited Warranty shall become null and void.
Maintenance Before Initial Use: • Read the Owner’s Manual completely. Before Every Trip: • Verify that the tongue weight and load is within proper specification. • Check the brake fluid reservoir to ensure it is at least three-quarters full. • Examine the actuator for wear, bent parts, corroded/seized parts or other damage. • Test the actuator to verify the brakes are working prior to use. • Verify all lights are working properly. • Verify the coupler latch is locked to the ball properly.
