Chaparral 246 SSI 2019, Owner'S/Operator'S Manual

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2019 246 SSI SPORT BOAT
Chaparral Boats, Inc.
chaparralboats.com
Distributing the weight on the trailer is important. Place the heaviest
items at the bottom of the boat over a roller or chock, and secure them to
keep them from shifting.
Balancing the load on the trailer is also important. If too much weight
rests on the hitch, the towing vehicle will over steer, a condition that
causes the front end of the vehicle to sway. Conversely, too little weight
on the hitch causes the trailer to fishtail. In both cases, the vehicle will be
difficult to handle and at higher speeds the swaying or fishtailing can
become uncontrollable and result in personal injury and damage to the
boat, trailer, or towing vehicle.
Weight on the hitch, or tongue weight, should be 5% to 10% of the total
weight of the loaded trailer to avoid overloading the tow vehicle and to
provide adequate pressure on the hitch ball. If the weight of the loaded
trailer is 2000 pounds, the weight on the tongue should be between 100
and 200 pounds. A weight distributing hitch transfers portions of tongue
weight to a point between the front and rear wheels of the towing
vehicle and to the trailer wheels.
Important: Bumper hitches are not safe and are illegal in many
states.
DISCLAIMER:
TOWING REGULATIONS REGARDING GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT
RATINGS VARY BY STATE AS WELL AS REQUIREMENTS FOR BRAKES.
CHECK YOUR STATE REGULATIONS TO DETERMINE
THE BRAKE
REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR BOAT, MOTOR AND TRAILER PACKAGE.
CHAPARRAL ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE TRAILER
REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO YOUR STATE.
The brake system is usually completely self‐contained on the trailer and
no hook‐up is required to the towing vehicle. Brakes are either drum or
disc type. They work the same way as the brakes on a standard
passenger vehicle, but the method of applying the brakes is different.
Your Chaparral or trailer dealer can explain how the brakes on your
trailer work.
Make sure your boat is secure before towing it.
WARNING: Improper towing can result in an accident causing personal
injury and equipment damage. Become familiar with towing instructions
in owner’s manual and with warnings supplied with your trailer and
towing vehicle. Ensure all snap‐in carpet is stowed during trailering to
avoid damage to carpets.

Close all windows, hatches, and doors.

Store equipment to keep it from shifting or falling.

Remove and store convertible top if your boat is so equipped.

Use a second safety chain to secure your boat’s bow to the trailer
tongue. Tie down the stern to the trailer.
Towing a boat requires extra caution by the vehicle’s driver. Allow extra
distance between vehicles. Obey speed limits. Some states have lower
speed limits for vehicles with trailers. If you are traveling slower than
other traffic, pull over when it is safe to do so and allow traffic to pass. As
with all other aspects of owning and operating your boat, use common
sense and good judgment.
If you do not have experience backing a trailer, practice before you get
into a confined public or private launch site. Take your trailer to an open
area and get accustomed to using it. If possible, take someone with you
who knows how to back a trailer.
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