Get your beloved boat to the water safely and efficiently with these top towing tips.
A quick YouTube search of “boat towing fails” will bring up a smorgasbord of cringe-worthy incidents that were caught on camera while well-meaning weekenders tried to deliver or launch their boat for a banner day on the water.
Similar to RVs and campers, boats come in a surprising variety of shapes and sizes. That’s why it’s critical to have the proper towing capacity and setup for pulling and launching your buoyant baby. Follow these go-to tips for trailering and towing your boat safely so that you don’t wind up an inadvertent internet sensation.
Tow Vehicle
It should come as no surprise that one of the most important pieces of equipment when it comes to towing your boat is the vehicle you use to pull it. There’s much to consider when deciding if your existing truck or SUV has enough chutzpah to safely tow your boat.
Calculating your vehicle’s actual towing capacity and tongue weight involves a little mental math gymnastics — or there are several helpful apps and online cheat sheets that can help you quickly determine if it’s a no or go situation. Long story short, if your ride isn’t rated to safely tow your boat, then you need to upgrade.
Nothing you do to modify your vehicle can safely increase your towing capacity. Sure, there are things you can do to optimize your towing capacity and aid in weight distribution, but don’t run out and buy the biggest boat your truck is “able” to tow.
The proper vehicle for your boat must be capable of towing more than your boat and trailer’s combined weight.
You need to have a buffer built in between what your boat and trailer weigh and what your vehicle can safely handle. For example, if your vehicle is rated to tow 5,000 pounds, your boat and trailer should weigh less than that, closer to 4,000 pounds so as not to overstress your truck -- or your nerves.
Towing Equipment
Now that you’ve got the right vehicle for towing, it’s time to evaluate your towing equipment. First and foremost, you need a trailer that is the right size for your boat.
If this is your first time trailering your boat, it’s important to note that a trailer’s weight rating takes into account more than just the boat itself. You’ll need to allow for the weight of your motor(s), fuel, and whatever items are stored on the boat during towing.
Choosing the right trailer for your boat is also an important factor, with much to consider. Do you want aluminum or galvanized steel? Roller or bunk? How many axles do you need? Selecting a proper trailer definitely isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. There are several online forums that discuss this topic, but it’s also a good idea to consult a professional just to be safe.
You’ll also need a reliable tow hitch, as well as safety chains, emergency brake cable, trailer lights and wiring harness, boat tie-downs, and even a spare tire for your trailer in case of any unplanned blowouts on the way to the water.
There are also several useful add-ons that you can take advantage of in order to ensure a safer and smoother towing experience. Things like extra-wide side mirror attachments, a weight-distribution hitch, tow dolly, set-pin locks or wheel locks, a backup camera, and even an airbag suspension kit can help improve the safety and security of towing your boat, especially if you’re not yet a skilled boat towing pro.
Tow Prep
When towing, it’s a good idea to subscribe to the 6P’s: Proper Preparation Prevents P!$$ Poor Performance. So many towing mishaps can be avoided if the driver just takes a few extra minutes to thoroughly inspect and ready their rig.
- Be sure your boat is loaded onto the trailer so that its weight and length are distributed evenly. Do you need to redistribute any equipment or fuel onboard to achieve this?
- Check that your tow vehicle and trailer are as close to parallel to the ground as possible. This is where not overloading your tongue weight comes into play.
- Secure your boat to the trailer with ratchet straps and tie-downs. Make sure your winch strap is attached to the bow eye.
- Properly attach the hitch, safety chains, emergency brake cable, lights, and wiring harness to your vehicle. Double-check to make sure that your trailer lights are working.
- Be sure to tilt your boat engine up and secure it so that you still have a prop once you arrive at the water.
- Perform a thorough walk-around inspection, testing for proper tire pressure, wear and tear, and lug nut security. Also look for any loose gear, cushions, or canvas that might decide to sail off during your drive. (You should check this again once you’ve been underway for a few miles to see if anything is becoming loose.)
- Adjust your rearview and side mirrors for maximum trailer viewing prior to pulling out of your driveway.
Driving Tips
If you’re new to trailering a boat, practice makes perfect. It’s a good idea to practice steering, turning, and backing up your trailer in a deserted parking lot in order to get a good sense of how towing a trailer will affect your driving and handling experience before letting yourself loose on the general and unsuspecting public. Ideally, you would also practice with the boat loaded.
Additionally, consider setting out traffic cones or milk jugs that mimic the width and distance of a boat ramp. Better to crush a cone than scrape up the side of your boat on an unforgiving launch ramp.
One of the most important things to remember when on the road is that it takes longer to decelerate and accelerate when towing a loaded trailer. Be sure to leave plenty of space between you and your fellow motorists while underway.
If you’re going to pass another vehicle, it takes longer to get up to speed. Likewise, when it comes to slowing down, start EARLY and give yourself plenty of time and space to avoid last-minute brake mashing and panic. To avoid excess wear on your brakes, consider downshifting to a lower gear to let your truck’s engine help you keep your speed in check.
When turning your boat, keep in mind that you’re not going to corner like a sports car. The trailer’s wheels will be drawn closer to the inside of a turn than the wheels on your tow vehicle, which can cause you to kiss the curb or even ride up over it if you don’t plan accordingly. Approach the turn by positioning your truck as close to the outside of your lane as possible so that you leave room in the turn. Try not to cut your steering wheel until the vehicle’s rear wheels are past the inside of the curb.
Things can get fishy quickly when towing a trailer if there is too much wind or your weight distribution is off. If you start to experience fishtailing while driving, DON’T cram your foot on the brake!
This can lead to more swaying and disastrous consequences. Instead, slowly take your foot off the accelerator and try to move the steering wheel as little as possible. Try to keep going straight and naturally let your rig’s speed decrease. The swaying should subside as you begin to lose momentum. Once it’s safe to do so, pull off to the shoulder or a parking lot and adjust the weight of your rig so that it’s more to the front of the trailer.
Tip: Consider fueling up your boat closer to your destination in order to lighten your tow load while underway.
Arrival Tips
Ah, the boat launch. Fodder for amateur cellphone videographers everywhere. The boat launch can be another nerve-wracking experience for even a seasoned boat tower. With a little practice, launching your boat doesn’t have to become grounds for divorce or therapy. After all, the boat is supposed to just slide smoothly and gently into the water, right?
Once you’ve arrived at the boat launch, pull to into a safe spot and do the following:
- Disconnect your trailer lights and secure the plug to keep them dry
- Install your boat’s drain plug in the transom! (You’d be surprised how often this gets forgotten.)
- Turn your battery switches on
- Remove your tie-downs and ratchet straps, but not the bow strap
- Attach your fenders and dock lines
- Prime the fuel bulb
- Raise any Bimini tops or antennas that your boat has
Next, position your rig so that it’s lined up as straight as possible with the boat ramp. Reverse s-l-o-w-l-y into the water, making sure to only go in far enough to submerge the boat’s intake ports and achieve buoyancy. Be mindful that backing your truck up too far can quickly result in submersion of not just your boat.
Stop your vehicle and put it in park, being sure to set your parking brake for added security. Turn off your vehicle so you’re not sucking exhaust while trying to unhook your boat from the trailer.
Slowly un-winch or unlatch your boat from the trailer until it’s floating free, making sure you or someone on the dock has control of your bowline to cleat it to the dock. Restart your vehicle and pull straight out of the water.
Voila! Break out the snacks and the floaties and let the good times roll.