Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

[Bob_VT]

JB had done a fantastic job of getting the new boaters started and I thought this would go right along with his comments. These are just a few guidelines to insure we can get our boats from point A to point B safely.<br /><br />BEFORE YOU TOW<br /><br />Inspect the vehicle and trailer to see they are roadworthy. Check the trailer springs, bearings and brakes (if equipped) for good working condition.<br /><br />Inspect your tires checking the recommended inflation. Trailer tires are normally higher than passenger car tires in PSI.<br /><br />Ensure the ball and coupling socket match and they are the same size. Check your safety cables and chains. Cross them beneath the trailer tounge before you hook them. Check your lights too. <br /><br />Make sur your boat is tied down!!!<br /><br />TONGUE WEIGHT<br /><br />The tongue weight should be about 10-15% of the total weight (Gross trailer weight) to insure good towing characteristics. However slightly light will work but never go below 7% of the Grass trailer weight. This would create a wagging (snake like) situation.<br /><br />WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRIVING<br /><br />Allow for extra room while entering traffic based on your new length and width.<br /><br />Allow for greater stopping distances!!<br /><br />Use a lower gear while going down steep hills to save on the brakes.<br /><br />If the trailer starts to sway or "wag" like a dogs tail avoid hitting your brakes. Let up on the accelerator.<br /><br />If you attempt to pass anyone it will take longer so keep that in mind for your sight distances.<br /><br />Be advised that cross winds and passing vehicles can effect your handling.<br /><br />Steer and brake smoothly to avoid swaying the trailer.<br /><br />WIRING<br /><br />4 way plug through 7 way plugs all have the basic same color patterns.<br /><br />GREEN Right turn and brakes<br /><br />YELLOW Left turn and brakes<br /><br />BROWN Marker lights/running lights<br /><br />WHITE Ground<br /><br />RED Auxilliary power (winches ect)<br /><br />BLUE Electric brakes<br /><br />Purple Back up lights<br /><br />If your vehicle has Europeon Standard turn signals (AMBER) then you can purchase a converter at an auto parts store to accomodate the wiring change. Standard T connectors are now sold for must vehicles which is like "plug and play".<br /><br /><br />Best of luck, it's not brain surgery just good old common sense. ANY questions just ask them. <br /><br />Bob

 

[kev_79]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Hey bob, good advice. I was wondering, why should you cross your safety chains? I have seen people do it both ways. I just do it like my dad always did, but I don't know why to do it. Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Good stuff, Bob. Thanks.<br /><br />BTW, Don't exceed the tow rating of your vehicle and be sure you know the trailing laws of your state and any state you plan to traverse.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Yes crossing your safety chains is considered to be important. [It is mandatory for tractor trailers that haul doubles with a pintle hook] It will provide more control if *** forbid the coupling should ever fail.<br /><br />NEED TO FIGURE YOUR TONGUE WEIGHT?<br /><br />Obtain a 5 or 6 foot beam (4 x 4 wood works good), a bathroom scale, a brick or block, and two pieces of pipe. Place the scale and the brick EXACTLY 4 feet apart (yes 5 will work too) and lay a piece of pipe on the scale and a piece on the brick/block. Lay the beam across the two pipes and lower the trailer tongue onto the beam one foot from the brick and 3 feet to the scale. * The beam would be in the same position as your bumper * Now multiply the scale weight by the distance between the block and the scale pipes. <br /><br />Now for example if the scale reads 37 lbs and the block and the scale are 4 feet apart you would have a tongue weight of 148 lbs. If your Boat/trailer weight is 1500 lbs you are in the right ballpark.<br /><br />This gives you a good tongue weight and will not destroy the family bathroom scale in the process!<br /><br />Be safe don't be a statistic!<br /><br />Bob

 

[kayak99]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Chains are crossed to catch the tongue if, for some reason, the coupling comes off the ball. In fact, in most states it is illegal to tow a trailer and not have the chains crossed. They have to be loose enough to allow you to turn but tight enough to avoid dragging on the pavement.

 

[choat]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

I am new to trailers and I have read alot in these forums about not using a bumper ball and to go with a hitch instead. Just curious as to why?<br /> Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

It's just a matter of strength, Kretzeik. Many auto and van bumpers are flimsy decorations and others are crash cushions. Neither gives a solid connection to your chassis and places any trailer weighing over a couple of hundred pounds at risk of breaking loose. <br /><br />On the other hand most pickup truck and some SUV rear bumpers are intended to be used for towing and are load rated for that purpose. As long as your tow doesn't exceed the rating of your hitch (including truck style bumpers) and the tow rating of your vehicle you should be okay.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[kev_79]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Thanks guys, always wondered that, now I know.<br /><br />...and knowing is half the battle!<br /><br />Kev

 

[stevward2001]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

I'm about to buy my first power boat. Probably a 20 footer center console for off shore fishing. From my research these boats run about 3200 lbs with engine and may be up to 3500 lbs with trailer. I have a front wheel drive van with 200hp engine and a towing capacity of 4400lbs. Is there any hope of being successful in towing a boat as described? WHat about getting out of ramps?

 

[JB]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Hi, Steve. I think you will be on the edge, and unhappy with the result if you plan any long range towing. <br /><br />Unfortunately, FWD doesn't lend itself to changing diff. ratios.<br /><br />My ML320 has 215HP and an intelligent 5 speed automatic. It is rated to tow 5,000lb. I get antsy when towing my Outrage, maybe 2300lb, up hills because it keeps downshifting to get up the steep grades and I don't like to listen to the engine going 5000rpm so I slow down and irritate everyone else on the highway. I use low range 4x4 to launch and load. I love my ML320, but am very tempted to cough up another 20 grand and get the 268hp V8 ML430.<br /><br />You will have a smaller engine in a lower rated vehicle towing a much heavier package. 'Nuff said?<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[araiha]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

I have trailered over some very long distances and add the following recommendations:<br /><br />This is for a two axle trailer with 4 brakes<br /><br />Spare parts!!!<br /><br />Minimum<br /><br />1 good spare (properly inflated on rim)<br />Parts to rebuild one hub (or spare hub)<br /> Inner/outer bearings & race<br /> Outer nut & washers<br /> grease seals<br /> lug nuts<br /> studs<br /> Tools to do this<br />Grease for hub <br />Rags<br />Brake fluid<br /><br />If going longer distances (500 + or remote)<br /><br />Second spare <br />Replacement lights (store never seem to have right ones)<br />Extra bolts/ubolts for trailer<br />Extra brake pads<br />Spare drum/rotor (style)<br />spare stub axle<br /><br />Any other item that might be hard to do without or replace<br /><br />& of course a phone

 

[skier]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Steve 2001:<br /><br />I can tell you from personal experience that FWD sucks on teh boat ramp. Personally I think that FWD sucks anywhere. I am more of a traditionalist, Good old fashion RWD and a V-8 will do it every time.<br /><br />There is NO replacement for Cubic Inch Displacement.<br /><br />Craig

 

[ajp]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Some keys to pulling your boat out of the water are:<br /><br />Slow and steady pull<br />Good tires<br />Proper size vehicle<br /><br />I have watched hundreds of under powered vehicles, with thinly treaded tires, and drivers standing on the gas peddle, smoking the ramp to get their huge boat out of the water. <br /><br />Arlan

 

[DJ]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Steve2001.<br /><br />I think you are underestimating the weight of your rig. I would expect the trailer alone to weigh at least 800 #'s.<br /><br />I don't know which FWD van you have, I am not aware of any FWD vans that have a tow rating over 3500 #'s.<br /><br />I would bet your "ready to go" weight is about 4500#'s. Don't let the dealer convince you your vehicle can handle it. Don't buy it until the dealer actually weighs it for you. If they won't, I would look elsewhere.<br /><br />You WILL have trouble with ramps.

 

[wyattm]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Great comments about towing, I just want add for new people, that when you get to the ramp and launch the boat after heating the wheels and brakes up on the highway it is a good ideal to let them cool off before backing in the water. this prevents wheels and brakes from warpping and they last longer. Also disconnect lights before backing to the water it safes trailer lights bulbs from burning out when they hit the water. Happy trailing.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Not to mention the fact that after a drive to the ramp when the bearings and wheel gear heats up, the sudden immersion in cold water (salt or fresh) makes the air inside the hubs etc shrink rapidly thus sucking in water to do the damage. I don't allow my wheels to enter the water past the rubber, but I'm lucky to have a trailer that allows me to do that.<br />Those commercially available hubs are bueat for preventing water entering the system.<br />Ross

 

[DJ]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

I ALWAYS unplug my lights. If I have towed a great distance, I throw a bucket of water on each hub. Cool em' before they hit the water!<br /><br />I've NEVER (knock on wood) had a bearing or tire failure on a trailer!

 

[Finger Lakes Boater]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Great information here. Steve 2001, if trailering is going to play a significant role in your boating life (anything more than once into the slip at the beginning of the season), be very conservative in the vehicle you use to tow. Adequate power is one (important) thing, but adequate BRAKING is critical. Your rig, at something north of 4000 lbs, is a considerable load to tow with any fwd rig. Consider a heavier vehicle. It will last longer, be safer, and be easier to drive. <br /><br />JB--that 430 is a KICK to drive! (Have you completely nixed the Escalade?)

 

[skier]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

I'm with Ross J. My hubs never touch the water. As far as towing, I tow with a 1993 Ford Mustang (W/ the 302 (5.0 for Metric Guys)) mated to an automatic w/overdrive. The rear end ratio is 2.73 and overdrive is a .70 so I don't tow in overdrive unless there is A. No wind or a tail wind. B. Flat road and I don't need to pass anyone. Without the boat I get about 35 MPG on the highway, with the boat 17 - 18 MPG and it doesn't make any differance if I am using drive or overdrive. The best thing is with the boat, going down hill either in overdrive or neutral, the car will not go over 65 MPH. There is that much wind resistance from the boat.<br /><br />Happy boating/towing.<br /><br />Craig

 

[Cut n' Jump]

Re: Towing Tips for the new and old boaters

Just thought I'd mention that if your automatic downshifts up hills it should be driven in third gear, not overdrive. Gas is cheaper than transmission overhauls. An add on transmission cooler if not factory equipped is almost mandatory even if not towing. I had a spring break once and a farmer was nice enough to spare a block of wood, chainsaw, and some bailing wire. I even went fishing again after the block was in place!