Boat Towing Tips

Just thought I'd give everyone some boat towing tips.

)Before you depart, make sure all lug nuts are tightened and that everything is secure on the boat.
)Make sure that your trailer lights are connected, and that the trailer is hitched securely onto the truck's hitch.
)When launching and retrieving the boat, make sure that your truck is in 4WD if so equipped.
)Make sure to remove your transom straps before launching, and put them back on after retrieving.
)When retrieving the boat, make sure the bow is resting all the way up on the bow stop. Another way is to have the driver bring the boat up until the hook for the winch strap reaches the bow stop.
)Then make sure all chains and straps are properly connected.  

Good advice. Other things to keep in mind is the wheels on the trailer take a beating going in and out of water especially salt water so check for rust on your rims and tire degredation. Last thing you want is your rim or tire falling apart on the road. Also repack your wheel bearings often. The water could flush out the wheel bearing grease. Use a good marine grade bearing grease. Check your electrical wiring for the trailer lights once a year for corrosion or cracking. Salt water does wonders on electrical wiring. Keep in mind if you have to replace any electrical wire on a trailer that sees water, there are different grades of wiring and if you do not use the right kind of wire, it won't last a year before you have to redo it. But once you launch your watercraft, "drive it like you stole it"  

That's nice.  

Thanks. I'll need this for when I get a boat.  

Pay particular attention to the tires and wheel bearings. Ever notice how many boat trailers you see on the side of the road when the weather first starts to turn nice?  

It is also a good idea to crisscross the safety chains so that if the trailer comes loose from the hitch ball, the chains form a cradle that will catch the loose trailer tong and keep it form digging into the pavement and flipping over. (Advise from http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/tow-how ) Also it a good idea to put the tow vehicle into 4WD (cman) so that strong currents wont pull your boat and your truck into the water especially if you have a heavy boat.  Laugh if you want but it happens so take "cman's" advice he knows a lot.  

good to know  

Hey guys,

I was searching for some info on boat towing safety and I came across this article, which I thought was particularly helpful. What do you guys think?

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/boat/boat-towing-safety.htm  

3. Backing
* Back slowly with someone outside the rear of the trailer to guide you.
* Place one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you want the
trailer to go.
* Make small steering inputs. Slight movements of the steering wheel result in a greater movement
at the rear of the trailer.
* Use your mirrors. Always watch both sides of the trailer.

4. Braking
* Allow considerably more distance for stopping with a boat and trailer attached.
* If you have a manual brake controller, lead with the trailer brakes first, if possible. To correct
trailer side-sway, touch the manual trailer brakes with out activating the tow vehicles brakes.

* Be sure to steer as straight as possible when stopping a rig. Turning while making a radical stop
can cause the tow vehicles rear end to be pushed forward of the front. This is called "jackknifing".

5. Downgrades And Upgrades
* Downshifting assists braking on downgrades and provides added power at the drive wheels for
climbing hills.

6. Parking With A Trailer
* Whenever possible, vehicles with trailers should not park on a grade. However, if it is necessary,
place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels as follows:
a. Apply the foot service brakes and hold.
b. Have another person place the wheel chocks under the trailer wheels on the downgrade side.
c. Once the wheel chocks are in place, release the foot service brakes, making sure that the
chocks are holding the tow vehicle and trailer.
d. Apply the parking brake.
e. Shift the transmission and make sure it is latched there. If your tow vehicle has a manual
transmission, put the gearshift lever in reverse.
Note: With 4-wheel drive, make sure the transfer case is not in neutral.

To start again.
a. Apply the foot service brake and hold.
b. Shift the transmission into park on automatic transmissions and neutral on manual
transmissions.
c. Shift the transmission into gear and release the parking brake.
d. Release the foot brakes and move the tow vehicle uphill to free the wheel chocks.
e. Apply the foot service brakes and hold while another person retrieves the chocks.

7. Acceleration And Passing
* The added weight of the trailer can dramatically decrease the acceleration of the towing vehicle.
Exercise caution.
* If you must pass a slower vehicle, be sure to allow extra distance. Remember, you also have the
added length of the trailer which must clear the other vehicle before you can pull back into the
lane.
* Make your pass on level terrain with plenty of clearance.
* If necessary, downshift for improved acceleration.

8. Driving With And Automatic Overdrive Transmission
* With certain automatic overdrive transmissions, towing, especially in hilly areas with heavier
boats, may result in excessive shifting between overdrive and the next lowest gear.
* If this occurs, it is recommended that the overdrive gear be locked out to eliminate the condition
and provide steadier performance.
Note: See the tow vehicle's owner's manual for more information.
* When there is no excessive shifting, use the overdrive gear for optimum fuel economy.
* Overdrive also may be locked out to obtain braking on downgrades.  

Slow down a little and double check everything, a few more min of maint and prevention cancel out hours off repair and hastle.

Put the plug in the boat!  I can't believe how many people I've seen make really short trips and costly repairs from sinking a boat at the ramp.

Only back the trailer in enought to load unload the boat. Especially with water shortages and lake getting lower I've seen lots of people back the trailer off the ramp and that means a heck of a time getting it out.

If your going to make a turn get over ahead of time, don't wait till your there and have problems getting over in traffic.

Always check your fuel and oil. Prices are higher on the water and it bits if you run out.