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Boat Towing Safety Guide

Feb. 19 2021 Lifestyle By Nisswa Marine

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Spring is on the horizon, which means that many boaters are pulling out their boats and preparing to head to the water. Of course, that means you need to trailer and tow your boat to a lake or river in order to actually go boating (unless you’re fortunate enough to live by a dock). Towing your boat may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! 

Nisswa Marine is your Minnesota boat dealer, and we’ve been in the area since the 1930s, so we’re experts on boating safety. Below, you’ll find a guide to towing your boat to help you master this somewhat tricky process in a safe manner.

Use the Correct Towing Vehicle

First, you should make sure that your towing vehicle is up to snuff. You don’t want to exceed the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of your towing vehicle because this can do damage to your vehicle and your trailer while also putting you at risk for issues on the road. In many jurisdictions, having an overloaded towing set-up is illegal.

The GCWR of your vehicle includes the weight of the vehicle itself, along with all passengers and cargo and anything being towed. If you have a large boat, then your towing vehicle will have to be large enough to accommodate it, along with the rest of your cargo.

Hitch Up Your Trailer Correctly

Connecting your boat trailer to your towing vehicle correctly will help to prevent it from becoming unattached while you drive. Here are the steps to take: 

  • Set your ball joint lower than the hitch. 
  • Get in your towing vehicle and reverse it until the hitch and joint are on top of each other. 
  • Park, get out and lower the hitch into place, using the pin or clasp to secure it. 
  • Cross your towing chains underneath the tongue of your hitch in an X shape and hook them to the towing vehicle. 
  • Connect your wiring for brakes and lighting if needed and test it to make sure it works.

Put In Some Driving Practice

While it’s not fun, putting in practice will help you to become more confident while driving with your towing set-up and you won’t feel like you’re floundering, especially at the boat launch. Take your hitched-up trailer to an empty parking lot and set up some cones to mimic a boat launch. Practice your turns, reverses and parking until you feel like you’re comfortable with the process. Take your towing set-up onto the highway and practice going a few miles and taking an exit before you head to the lake. 

Follow Safe Driving Protocols

Once you hit the road, you’ll need to be safe about how you drive with your boat trailer attached. Here are some tips for safe driving while towing:

  • Stay at least five to ten miles below the posted speed limit.
  • Stick to the right-most lane of traffic so that other vehicles can pass you. 
  • Signal all your maneuvers well in advance to give other cars the chance to get out of your way. 
  • Increase the following distance between yourself and other vehicles.
  • Remove distractions as much as possible by letting your passenger adjust the temperature and radio.
  • Take breaks as needed to give yourself a chance to rest your eyes and muscles, thus improving your focus when you get back on the road.

In search of a new boat near the Twin Cities? Visit our website or our Nisswa, MN, dealership location to check out our vast inventory of new and used boats for sale. We also offer financing options and can give you price quotes and trade-in values on your current boat. Nisswa Marine proudly serves the cities of Minneapolis and St. Cloud, MN.