Safety comes first when you want to get the most out of boat towing. Small mistakes can damage both your vehicle and the boat. To avoid serious injury, pay close attention to the steps in this guide.
Preparation
The best preparation is by recognizing the disastrous potential of being uninformed. Most people take the time to check out Mastercraft Boats, and for good reason. Towing a boat requires a lot of front-loaded information that becomes second nature after the first few trips. It is an overwhelming first-time experience that has put doubts into the minds of many boat owners. But those that persevered are now enjoying one of the greatest experiences of their lives – and it all started with preparation.
The Right Vehicle
This is one of the rare times where a life hack is not recommended. There are plenty of generic attachments to transform any vehicle into a compatible boat towing machine. But compatibility for attaching the boat does not account for the capacity to pull it. Some larger cars may be able to handle it, but you are asking for trouble if your vehicle isn’t rated for at least 1,800 lbs. of towing capacity. This is about the average, and the number to keep in mind if you want to stay out of trouble.
Checklist
Now that you have the right vehicle, it’s time to create a checklist! Do a quick maintenance prep on the vehicle and trailer. This means checking the tires, lights and the overall fit of the boat. Everything should be secure, including the trailer wheel lock! For extra protection, you can install trailer couple locks, a padlock and even set up a ground anchor. The entire thing should be immoveable when stationary and rarely move when towing. And to keep things simple, you can load all of the gear needed for the day inside the boat. A locked container inside the boat will prevent the headache of forgetting your supplies once you reach the destination.
Easy Does It!
Drive carefully, and don’t try to beat the stoplight. Don’t fall into the trap of speeding up for oncoming yellow lights. After getting to the launch ramp area, line everything up and slowly back into the designated spot. Depending on the busyness of the area, you may need to get out and make a plan – this is normal. Unfortunately, some of the other boaters may make your specific launch more difficult than it needs to be. You’ve got this, so show them how it is done!
At The End of The Day
Loading up your boat to go home is the easiest part of the entire experience. Observe the area to find the most efficient path. The order of things at the end of the day will depend on whether you came alone or with someone else. If you’re by yourself, tie up the boat and put your vehicle in place. But if you have someone else, they can drive the truck while you prep the boat. The important part here is to monitor the area for other people that may be doing the same thing.
A Great Exploration
Hauling a boat for a day of fun is an invigorating experience. Instead of spending time fixing hauling mistakes, work to prevent them from ever occurring. By following a few safety rules, everything will always go as planned.