Most Important Factors to Consider When Towing a Small Boat
Towing a small boat places demands on your vehicle and your skills as a driver. The maneuvering a vehicle while towing a small boat is much different than simply driving a car. Special cautions need to be taken to secure your safety as well as the other drivers around you.
Even Distribution of Weight
Properly balancing the load on your trailer is essential to optimal handling. You must position the boat dead center and have 60% of the boats weight toward the front half of the trailer.
Safety Concerns
Make sure that your boat is secured properly for your safety as well as other on the road.
- Secure your boat with a minimum of two ratchet straps so the boat does not shift forward.
- Check your trailers tires to make sure they are properly inflated and lug nuts are tightened.
- Attach the trailers surge breaks and check the reservoir.
- Check that the trailer is hooked up correctly.
Braking
You are towing a lot more weight so you will need a greater distance to stop. Avoid any sudden turns while coming to a quick stop which can cause the trailer to jackknife.
Dealing with Hills
Downshifting will help slow the vehicle down when going downhill. If added power is needed for climbing steep hill; downshifting will give you the power you need to make it up the hill.
Backing Up
Backing up can be tricking when towing a small boat. Be sure to back up slowing. If you have someone to guide you on the outside it would be helpful. Make small steering movements and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the boat to move.