Easytow ski User manual

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 1
Your Easytow Boat Trailer
Congratulations on purchasing an Easytow Boat Trailer. Your trailer is well known for its high quality
design, manufacture and component parts. And with a little care it will provide you with years of
trouble free towing.
This manual describes the operation and components of your trailer. Before using your trailer please
familiarise yourself with the contents, suggestions and cautions in the manual and in particular the
checklist for care and maintenance. This will help you to obtain the maximum pleasure from your
boating experience and avoid endangering yourself and others.
A little care and attention at the right time will ensure your Easytow Boat Trailer remains in top
condition.
Your Easytow Boat Trailer has been custom designed and manufactured. Its configuration and
equipment are specific to your boat / vessel. You cannot, therefore, base any claims on the data,
illustrations or descriptions shown in this Owner’s manual.
The Owner’s Manual is part of the trailer. You should keep it and pass it on to the new owner if you
sell the trailer. It also recommended to check our website each season as you may find information in
future editions and our news articles helpful.
Please consult an Easytow Boat Trailer dealer or contact our Head Office directly if you have any
questions.

Page 2 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Your Easytow Boat Trailer
Our contact details:
Easytow Boat Trailers
P. O. Box 421
Heathcote
Victoria 3523
Telephone: [phone]
Fax Number: 03 5433 3488
E-mail Address: [e-mail]
Web www.easytow.com.au
We wish you happy boating and trouble free towing – from Easytow Boat Trailers.

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 3
Contents
Pre-Delivery
Operating Safely
Before Each Journey and Before Each Journey Safety Checklist
Regular Maintenance
After Launching and Retrieving Checklist
Components
VIN Plate
Chassis
Axle Assembly
Brakes
Wheels
Bearings and Seals
Tyres
Coupling
Jockey Wheel
Winch
Lights
Guide Poles
Weight Distribution

Page 4 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Contents Continued
Towing Guide and Tow Vehicle Set Up
Spare Parts
Service Logs
Appendices
Australian Design Standards
Galvanising
Warranty

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 5
Pre-Delivery
All Easytow trailers require a certain level of pre-delivery checks and/or adjustments prior to their
first use. Depending on your specific trailer/boat model combination, the extent of these checks
and/or adjustments can vary. You should check your towing package to ensure these
checks/adjustments have been completed and constantly monitor/check these areas through the
trailer’s life. If you think that these points have not been addressed, please bring it to the attention of
your dealer.
Pre-Delivery Checklist
1. Boat is fitted correctly to the trailer √
This includes (but is not limited to) winch post position and height, and any adjustable
rollers or adjustable timbers. Some ‘un-jigged’ trailers can have significant adjustable
parts that must be fitted to the boat correctly to validate your warranty and to allow the
trailer to operate properly.
Warning
Special attention should be paid to your winch post adjustment. When adjusted correctly there should be a
significant amount of shaft still in the winch post base. If for some reason this is not the case, please contact
your dealer immediately for guidance. If you need further assistance, please contact our office directly.
2. Coupling is greased √
This applies to mechanical or hydraulic override brakes.

Page 6 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Pre-Delivery
Pre-delivery Checklist (continued)
3. Wheel nuts are tightened to 108Nm (80lbf-ft) √
4. Boat is securely tied to trailer √
Check that all straps are securely fastened. The boat should be tied down at both the
rear and the front. The winch strap is purely for launching and retrieving your boat. It is
not a tie down; excessive pressure on this strap can result in damage to your winch
which is not covered by warranty.
5. Load is within maximum carrying capacity √
6. Tyres are properly inflated √
7. All lights are working correctly √
8. Brakes are properly adjusted and working (if fitted) √
If your trailer is fitted with Dexter brakes, these units are tested on every trailer before
they leave the factory. Almost all issues with Dexter brakes are car related.

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 7
Operating Safely
Before Each Journey
When you take delivery of your trailer and prior to each journey, you should conduct a ‘Before Each
Journey’ safety inspection. The inspection items are shown in the ‘Before Each Journey Safety
Checklist’. Never tow your trailer before satisfying yourself that each item has been properly
checked.
When purchasing your trailer ask your dealer or the previous owner to show you how to perform
these safety checks. These simple inspections will help you avoid towing problems and possible
injury to yourself and others.

Page 8 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Operating Safely
Before Each Journey Safety Checklist
1. Coupling and tow ball are same size √
The cup on the coupling should fit completely over the tow ball and when fitted should
not have more than 5mm play or movement between the cup and the ball.
2. Coupling and safety chains are safely secured to tow bar √
Safety chains attached to the trailer should be connected to the tow bar with a rated ‘D’
shackle. Do not attach the safety chains to towing vehicle with any other device
3. Wheel nuts are properly tightened √
Trailer wheel nuts have a tendency to loosen more readily than those on a car which
has shock absorbers.
4. Boat is securely tied to trailer √
Check that all straps are securely fastened. The winch strap is purely for launching and
retrieving your boat - it is not a tie down.
5. Load is within maximum carrying capacity √
Check VIN plate for carrying capacity.
6. Tyres are properly inflated √
Check VIN plate for inflation pressure.

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 9
Operating Safely
Before Each Journey Safety Checklist (continued)
7. All lights are working √
Check both right and left indicator lights, tail lights and brake lights.
8. Guide Poles √
Remove guide poles before towing if their width exceeds trailer maximum width
requirements (2500mm).
9. Brakes are properly adjusted and working (if fitted) √
If your trailer is fitted with Dexter brakes, a quick visual check of the Dexter reservoir is
recommended to ensure you Dexter does not run out of brake fluid.

Page 10 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Operating Safely
Regular Maintenance
Your Easytow Boat Trailer has been designed and manufactured to give you trouble free towing. The
component parts are high quality and conform or exceed Australian Standard requirements. To keep
the trailer in top working order, simple, regular maintenance should be performed.
The maintenance to be performed on each component is described in the ‘Components’ section of
this manual. Some maintenance should be performed semi annually and some annually. It also notes
which maintenance functions should be performed by qualified technicians and which functions you
may consider performing yourself.
The service logs provide a maintenance checklist and can be used to record a history of the
maintenance performed. The checklist provides a prompt of what items are to be maintained, when
they are to be maintained and what maintenance is to be performed.

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 11
Operating Safely
After Launching and Retrieving Checklist
1. Chassis is washed √
Wash boat and trailer at the ramp after salt water immersion.
Ensure the water drain holes are free of blockages.
2. Carpet (where fitted) is hosed √
Remove sand and dust from fibres.
3. Brakes (if fitted) are flushed and dried √

Page 12 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Figure 1 – Trailer Components
Components

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 13
Components
VIN Plate
The VIN plate contains the trailer’s vehicle identification number. It also carries information about the
trailer including gross weight and wheel specifications. The VIN plate is riveted to the drawbar at the
front of the trailer. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the information on the VIN Plate
and ensure that the total load on the trailer is within the G.T.M. and A.T.M. parameters.
Aggregate Trailer
Mass. Maximum
overall total mass
allowable of boat,
trailer, motor, fuel,
gear, etc... (including
any weight imposed
on the tow vehicle)
Date trailer was
manufactured
Specification of
tyres
Specification of
wheel rim size
Recommended
tyre pressure
Weight of the trailer
only (unloaded)
Vehicle identification number
Weight the axle group
can carry
Gross Trailer Mass. Maximum
total mass allowable transmitted
into the ground (via the wheels)
when coupled to the tow vehicle
Trailer Model

Page 14 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Components
Chassis
Frame
A distinctive feature of all Easytow Boat Trailers is the high quality and strength of the trailer frame.
The side rails are manufactured to reduce distortion and formed to fit the contours of your boat.
All the steel trailer frames are manufactured from high grade, custom rolled steel sourced from
Australian mills and conforming to Australian Standards.
For ski boat trailers there are three finishes available – painted over bare metal; galvanised or
painted over galvanising.

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 15
Components
Chassis
i) Painted over Bare Metal
Trailers painted with a ‘painted over bare metal’ finish have been prepared with an undercoat and
four (4) top coats of automotive ‘two (2) pack’ paint directly applied to the steel. To provide strong
bonding, the bare metal is sandblasted prior to applying the undercoat.
These trailers have been made for fresh water use only and should be stored with the front of the
trailer highest so that any water can drain out the rear of the side rails.
Maintenance
As Required
Touch up any stone chipping immediately. Once moisture gets on to the bare steel corrosion will
start.
Warning
The life of the trailer will be substantially shortened and warranty will be voided if used in salt or
brackish water. Washing the trailer after use will not help as the salt water will have already done the
damage.

Page 16 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Components
Chassis
i) Painted over Bare Metal
Warning
Special attention should be given to your boat’s fuel level and breather especially on hot days. As
fuel expands with heat, overfilling your tank can result in fuel expelling out your fuel breather.
Fuel left unattended constantly dripping and drying on a painted trailer is dangerous and can have a
negative effect on the finish of the trailer (and boat decals). Trailers parked on excessive angles can
have the same consequence as an overfilled tank.

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 17
Components
Chassis
(ii) Galvanized
Galvanising is an industrial process that covers the trailer (and parts) with a protective zinc coating.
The zinc provides a ‘sacrificial’ protection to the metal frame. Instead of the steel rusting, the zinc is
‘sacrificed’ to the corrosion process first through a catholic reaction. This process takes many years
and does not require that the zinc completely cover the steel to provide protection.
The zinc, itself, will react with the environment to form a white powder (this reaction begins within a
week of the trailer being manufactured). This white powder is called calcium carbonate and it
protects the zinc from the elements. It can be removed by a wire brush or washing with a
dishwashing detergent but it is best left on.
As galvanising involves hanging and dipping the frame and parts in to molten zinc, the thickness of
the zinc coating can vary slightly. Any large lumps and burrs are removed but the varying thickness is
left otherwise the presentation of the finished trailer would appear worn.
Even though these trailers have been made for extra corrosion protection they should be stored with
the front of the trailer highest so that any water can drain out the rear of the side rails.
Refer ‘The Galvanising Process’ in the appendix.

Page 18 Easytow Boat Trailers Pty Ltd
Components
Chassis
(ii) Galvanized
Maintenance
Every launch / retrieval
Wash boat and trailer at the ramp after salt water immersion to prolong the life of the trailer. Even
salt residues dripping from the boat onto your trailer will cause a reaction with the zinc surface whilst
drying.
Dry trailer before garaging in an enclosed space. One of the biggest causes of zinc deterioration is
washing your trailer and garaging it whilst still wet.
Ensure the water drain holes underneath the cross members are not blocked so the water can drain
freely.

Easytow Boat Trailers – User’s Guide Page 19
Components
Chassis
(iii) Painted over Galvanising
Trailers finished with paint over galvanising combine the attraction of a painted finish with the
protection of galvanising.
Galvanising is an industrial process that covers the trailer (and parts) with a protective zinc coating.
The zinc provides a ‘sacrificial’ protection to the metal frame. Instead of the steel rusting, the zinc is
‘sacrificed’ to the corrosion process first through a cathodic reaction. This process takes many years
and does not require that the zinc completely cover the steel to provide protection.
Refer ‘The Galvanising Process’ in the appendix.
Once galvanised, the trailer and parts are prepared and finished with an undercoat and four (4) top
coats of automotive ‘two (2) pack’ paint. These are applied directly to the galvanised steel.
Even though these trailers have been made for extra corrosion protection they should be stored with
the front of the trailer highest so that any water can drain out the rear of the side rails.