What size ball?

[jbosse1]

Guys - I am new here and I am buying my first Nautiqie. I am test driving it and picking it up tomorrow a couple of hours away tomorrow. The owner does not know what ball size the trailer takes. The boat is a 1993 SN with the original factory trailer. What size ball do these trailers typically take? Of course, I wil double-check when I get there.

[GCSuper]

99% chance it's going to be a 2 inch ball.

[jmo]

Agreed it should be a 2" ball. I would suggest you pick up a few ball receivers with varying amounts of drop (0", 1", 2") so you can match in the field which set up levels the trailer out. You can just return the ones you don't use.

You should also ask the current owner what type of plug is on the trailer wiring harness (4 pin flat, 5 pin flat, 7 pin round) so you prepared to hook it up correctly.

JMO

[jbosse1]

Agreed it should be a 2" ball. I would suggest you pick up a few ball receivers with varying amounts of drop (0", 1", 2") so you can match in the field which set up levels the trailer out. You can just return the ones you don't use.

You should also ask the current owner what type of plug is on the trailer wiring harness (4 pin flat, 5 pin flat, 7 pin round) so you prepared to hook it up correctly.

JMO

Thanks for the tips! Hopefully, all will work out well. I'll post pics.

[s_kelley2000]

You have gotten great advice so far. I would also bring a tire iron to make sure all lug nuts are tight. It would also be a good idea to check tire pressure and make sure the tires are inflated properly before you get going. Depending on the last time the hubs were serviced it might be a good idea to pull over and check for excessive heat after towing a little ways. Good luck!

[uncalumx2]

You have gotten great advice so far. I would also bring a tire iron to make sure all lug nuts are tight. It would also be a good idea to check tire pressure and make sure the tires are inflated properly before you get going. Depending on the last time the hubs were serviced it might be a good idea to pull over and check for excessive heat after towing a little ways. Good luck!

Speaking of good advice, the above post pretty much covers it. A quality spare tire is an essential item for towing over distance, not to mention a jack that fits the trailer. Once you get that boat home, make sure that you check the dates of the tires and have a good spare. If you tow a boat that has sat for any period of time, the tires/hubs will let you know that they are ready to be changed/serviced.

Congratulations on the new boat.

[azeus17]

I always take a grease gun and fill up the hubs regardless of what the PO says. It will be you on the side of the road, not him.

[gride]

if i'm traveling any type of distance, typically more than 35 miles one way, i bring my floor jack, grease gun, torque wrench, spare dust cover and cap, rubber or urethane mallet, and make sure my spare is inflated. i'd really like to get a ready to go hub mounted with my spare tire, but haven't gotten around to seeing if i can do that or not.
p.s. if you happen to have oil bath hubs i'd go ahead and spend the $$ to change to grease.

[s_kelley2000]

G, I think somebody on here did exactly what you are talking about. They had to have something welded to the trailer to hold the hub and wheel but then they had everything they needed to get back going again quickly if they got a flat or had bearing issues.