Aids to Help Couple Boat Trailers
Devices that Can Assist in Hitching a Tow Vehicle to a Trailer
Successfully backing a tow vehicle up to a boat trailer and coupling it can be a huge pain for many boaters. It can be especially difficult to accomplish alone and sometimes depending on hand signals from helpers isn't much better. There are several products and devices on the market that will aid boaters with this task.
Couple-Mate Trailer Hitch Finder
DuraSafe Lock Inc. manufactures the Couple-Mate, a device designed to easily guide a boat trailer coupler directly over the tow ball. Using this product allows one person to easily hook up a trailer and can help prevent damage to the tow vehicle. The Couple-Mate is composed of two parts made of zinc plated steel, a mounting bracket and the guide wings. Its mounting bracket is installed under the coupling ball on the hitch tongue. The guide wings are slipped into place prior to coupling the boat trailer and removed after the hitch is coupled up. They can be also utilized as an effective tire chock block.
Couple-Mate has received an Innovation Award for its unique design from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and a Seal of Approval from the North American Fishing Club. More information on the Couple-Mate can viewed at the DuraSafe website. The suggested retail price for the Couple-Mate is $41.99.
Speaking to Boating and Sailing, Cathy Kraatz of DuraSafe says, "Couple-Mate is our best seller and continues to gain momentum in the market. Unlike the telescoping poles version which requires a visual for lining up the balls, the Couple-Mate can be used on any vehicle including RVs, vans, trucks with caps or fully loaded truck beds, and can also be used in the dark. Just be sure you're within the distance of the guide wings and jack up. What could be easier?"
Cequent Performance Fulton F2 Trailer Jack
This is truly a new advance in trailer jacks. Fulton's F2 jack uses a unique mounting system that allows the trailer hitch to be moved easily into alignment with the towing ball. This jack has two wheels that move independently, allowing the trailer tongue to be repositioned and they provide a stable base for the jack. The F2 will make it easier for boaters to hook up their trailers. The F2 trailer jack is another winner, taking a Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show (MAATS) Innovation Award in 2007. Suggested retail price of the F2 jack is $99.95.
Swift Hitch
Tech junkies that also happen to boat will appreciate Swift Hitch. This is a portable wireless backup camera system that clearly shows a tow vehicle driver the position of tow ball and trailer coupler. The camera system provides a couple of distinctive features as well. The first is images displayed by the camera are shown reversed to make backing easier. Secondly, the Swift Hitch is equipped with seven infrared lights that allow the camera to have a night vision range of 15 feet.
This camera system could be especially helpful to boaters that use large recreational vessels to tow boat trailers. Swift Hitch can help with connecting a trailer hitch, but would also be handy for backing a boat trailer down a long launch ramp. Suggested retail price for the Swift Hitch is $309.
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