In the Trailer Fittings and Accessories section, you will find the hooks and eyes needed for trailer transport and attachment of your boat: Wichard's trailer hook in 8x100mm size and several other trailer hooks in 4/60mm–8/47mm sizes, a bow eye with M10 thread in a 95mm stainless steel model, and various R and M series trailer hooks for different attachment needs.
Why is the right trailer hitch an important part of safe transportation?
The trailer hitch is the part that holds the bow of the boat to the trailer winch both while driving and when launching and lifting the boat into the water – an incorrectly sized or worn hook can cause a dangerous situation where the boat can come loose too early or not be securely attached at all. The size of the hook and the diameter of the attachment hole should be selected according to the bow eyelet, which in turn is often installed as standard equipment by the boat manufacturer.
A stainless steel (RST) hook withstands constant exposure to salt water and weather much better than regular steel, which will rust over time and may become structurally weakened after years of use. The M10 thread for the bow eye is one of the most common sizes on smaller and medium-sized boats, but larger boats may require a more robust attachment.
The numbering of trailer hooks (for example, R-101/37R or M-10/31) refers to the manufacturer's own model marking, which indicates the exact size and mounting method of the hook - before ordering, it is worth measuring the dimensions of your trailer's winch and the bow eye of your boat so that the new hook fits directly in place without adjustment.
It is always a good idea to check the condition of the hook before a long journey – wear on welds or threads may go unnoticed if the hook is not checked regularly, and failure of the hook while driving can lead to a serious accident for both the boat and other road users.
It is also worth booking a spare hook for longer trailer trips, as replacing the hook on the road is much easier than repairing the entire trailer or the fastening system. At the same time, check the condition of the winch cable or belt - replacing a worn hook will not help if the towing device itself has already weakened and does not reliably hold the boat in place during transport.
It is always a good idea to test the compatibility of the trailer hitch and bow eye before a long trip in a quiet environment, for example in your backyard, and not in the middle of a busy boating day, when it is more difficult to correct errors.
Lubricate the moving parts of the hook regularly with marine grease to ensure smooth operation even after long periods of inactivity.