Malibu Boats RESPONSE TXi 2021, Owner'S Manual

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118 Trailers | 2021 OWNERS MANUAL
Malibu Trailers
Legal Requirements for Towing
Be aware that many state and local jurisdictions in North
America have specific laws and/or ordinances regarding towing.
It is the operator’s responsibility to research and become familiar
with specific requirements that are in effect in the areas in which
you will be towing. Information is often available online, but you
can also contact your area’s motor vehicle office for direction
and details.
If you will be taking your boat and trailer on vacation or to an
outing in another jurisdiction in which you do not regularly tow,
it is necessary to determine the appropriate laws for that area.
Law enforcement officers will expect you to have knowledge
of applicable laws and ordinances. Laws can cover, but are
not limited to, such components and matters as lights, brakes,
safety cables, driver’s license requirements, trailer licenses and
permits, and overall size. Some areas may also have insurance
requirements. Determine whether you must carry liability
insurance specifically for towing. If you have financed your boat
and/or trailer, your lender may also require full coverage. This is
also your responsibility to determine and to secure as needed.
Malibu trailers does not assume any responsibility for your
knowledge and confirmation that the requirements have been
met.
Basic Safety Rules
Make sure you understand all of the operating instructions
prior to attempting to operate this trailer. Accidents are
generally caused by the operator’s failure to follow basic safety
rules or written precautions. Most accidents can be avoided
if the operator is completely familiar with the trailer and its
operation, follows recommended practices, and is able to
recognize and avoid potentially hazardous situations.
Failure to observe the safety recommendations contained in
this manual may result in severe personal injury or death to you
or to others. Use caution and common sense when trailering.
Don’t take unnecessary chances! Some basic safety rules are
outlined in this section of the manual.
Malibu strongly encourages people towing to read all
safety material available, including non-owners of trailers
who are towing, and to become familiar with laws and
ordinances pertaining to towing and driving within applicable
jurisdictions. It is advisable to also pay attention to insurance
requirements and to fully insure the trailer and boat and be
prepared for any potential liability. Review the tow vehicle’s
owner’s manual as well, prior to operation and towing.
Preparation
Never tow the trailer and contents, including the boat, behind
a vehicle that is not rated to tow this weight. Also, be certain
that the tow hitch is
correct. Additional
information follows
regarding this
important factor.
On the left front
side of the trailer is a
certification label that
shows the maximum
load-carrying capacity
of the trailer. The
GVWR will be
indicated on this label.
Many truck stops
offer complimentary
weigh scales. If you
are not able to locate
scales, nor compute
the total GVWR
from the individual
components being towed, contact your DMV for assistance in
finding scales in your area.
Reporting Safety Defects
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which
could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying
Malibu Boats, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists
in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, or Malibu
Boats, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the vehicle Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:1-800-424-
9153); go to http://nhtsa.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590. You can also obtain other
information about motor vehicle safety from http://
www.safercar.gov.
! WARNING
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the total estimated
weight that a road vehicle loaded to capacity (including the vehicle
weight itself) can be expected to tow safely. This includes the trailer,
boat engine, any liquids including fuel, and items carried on and in the
tow vehicle and the boat. This is a maximum established by federal
mandate and enforced by law enforcement authorities. Overloaded
capacity can cause the trailer to disengage from the hitch, which
could result in serious injury or death, in addition to damage that is
not covered under warranty.
! WARNING
Never tow with water in the ballast or bilge systems! All water
must be released prior to loading the boat on the trailer. Water
onboard can cause an imbalance on the trailer that further heightens
the likelihood of an accident due to loss of control when there is
insufficient percentage of weight at the tongue and hitch.