Now that summer has come to an end, we can expect cold weather to hit us soon! Fall is a good time of year to pull boats and water crafts off the dock and place them back into storage for the winter. Since it’s been a few months since the last time you towed your boat, it may be a good idea to review some helpful boat towing tips to ensure the safety of your truck, your riders, and of course, your beloved boat! Continue reading for tips on safely towing your boat back into winter storage.

Boat Towing Safety Tips

Whether you choose to use a car or truck, you should realize that once you connect the trailer and begin to haul your load, the vehicle will drive differently. It will respond slower to brake signals, accelerate slower, turn wider, and drive heavier altogether. Getting used to this feeling is part of the towing learning curve, and simply takes time. With enough practice, you will be able to maneuver and navigate a tow without any anxiety or hassle.
It is also important to remember how to back up properly when hauling a boat and trailer. It can be confusing knowing which way to turn the wheel and tires. Be sure to review the owners’ manual for these particular instructions, and practice a few times in an open space before the real reversing happens.

Here are some more tips to remember:

Be sure your load is balanced and the weight is evenly distributed on all sides. If you have loaded your boat up with a bunch of supplies and extra equipment, be sure to disperse them evenly for even weight distribution.

Always check the tongue weight to be sure you are not overloading the hitch. Use the ten percent formula: If a boat and trailer weighs 5,000 pounds added together, the tongue weight should be 500 pounds.

The towing vehicle, trailer, and boat should be nearly parallel to the ground.

Be sure all ratchet straps are secured. The trailer winch strap should be secured to the bow eye.

Check that all vehicle and trailer lights and signals are working. This includes turn signals, flashers, brake lights, parking lights, reverse lights, and more.

Always do a final walk-around inspection for loose straps and obstructions before getting behind the wheel. Pull over and do these every 50 miles as well.

Always have a spare trailer tire, as well as, a lug wrench, grease gun, and tire gauge in the case that you get a flat.

Call a licensed towing company for professional boat towing services for long distance towing or heavy boat towing.

Indianapolis Boat Towing

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for professional boat towing in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our tow truck operators are highly trained, licensed, and experienced within the towing and recovery industry. We offer a wide range of towing services for all vehicles, boats, water crafts, equipment, and more. Call 317-247-8484 for free price quotes and information regarding boat towing services in Indianapolis, IN.