Being a new boater and never pulled a trailer before, I didn't double check to see if the trailer was properly seated on the hitch ball....  Well, I guess you probably could guess what happened.  

I think I was very lucky that the trailer didn't takeoff across the road.  

Always check the hitch connection by pulling up on the tongue and feeling underneath that you have the hitch ball seated in the tongue socket (that actually sounded dirty)

Glad it was not worse. Always use safety chains also. It will stop the boat from running away from you and in Texas it is a law that you have them.

Saw a boat get loose last year on 59N out of Houston, crossed the median and drilled a black mustang. Boat was worth 500.00 before the accident. Mustang was worth about that after the accident. Lucky though no one was hurt.

Always use the safety chains and cross them over each other to form a cradle with the chain.  I was with my cousin one time when the same thing happened as you and he had the chains but they weren't crossed and it was terrible getting a 19' Ranger to stop behind his truck just on the chains.  Also make sure the chains are in good shape and if they've been replaced make sure they are rated for the weight of our boat.

It happens! Went fishing with a friend several years ago and apparently he didn't lock it down :-/. Thankfully he had safety chains hooked...

skillet

After lowering the tongue onto the ball, use the jack to lift the tongue a bit.  If it is on the ball correctly, you should start lifting the rear of the tow vehicle.

Easiest thing to do is put your fingers underneath the receiver and make sure the lips are over the ball. I know that sounds like innuendo, but its true.

My brother tried loading his 4 wheeling rig onto his car trailer without locking the hitch onto the ball and BANG! Nice big hole in his tailgate.  I bet he won't forget to do that again.

I check mines more than once on each trip.  However, I think the locking mechanism that holds onto the ball is a bit too loose for my liking.  Anybody have ideas how to tighten it up?

NJD