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Your Ultimate Guide for Towing a Boat Trailer

May. 14 2021 Article By Tropic Trailer

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Are you itching to get back out on the water again but towing your boat is holding you back? We get it. Pulling your boat comes in handy for those summer fishing trips and quick getaway weekends. However, it’s also a huge risk to take if you don’t know what you’re doing. Towing a boat can seem overwhelming and a bit intimidating at first. You need to consider the type of terrain you’ll be navigating, the weight of your rig, and personal comfort. However, with the proper tools and equipment, you’ll quickly learn there’s no great mystery to trailering a boat which is why we put together a boat-towing guide for you. 

Preparing Your Tow Vehicle

The first step in properly towing your boat is to know for sure that your vehicle can do so. Pull out your vehicle owner’s manual to determine the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) capacity. The GCWR will tell you the combined weight limit for the vehicle, loaded trailer, people, and gear you plan to take on the road. (Also, make sure that your trailer hitch has been rated for the weight of the boat and trailer.)

Additionally, you will need to ensure that your vehicle is in good working order. Do a thorough inspection by checking the tire pressure, brakes, trailer lights, and so on. You don’t want to risk any vehicle failure, such as tire blowouts, especially if your trailer has been unused and parked for an extended time. Ensure your boat is secured both at the bow eye and tie-downs at the transom. It also helps to carry extra tools and equipment in case any accident should occur. There should not be any loose gear in the boat that could fly out at highway speeds. Last but not least, pack all the gear you’ll need out on the water the night before you hit the road to prevent from forgetting anything.

Driving While Pulling the Trailer

Once you’re on the road, it’s vital to stay alert and responsible at all times: maintain more distance than usual between you and the cars behind and in front of you. At a stoplight, slowly take your foot off the brake and accelerate gradually to prevent any accidents from happening. If you start to sense any swaying in the rig, safely pull over and redistribute the weight by adjusting the tongue weight to be between 10 and 15 percent of the overall load weight. It may seem like a lot to think about before you leave on your trip, but with necessary safety precautions taken care of, it will all become second nature once you’re on the road because you took thoughtful steps in advance.

Backing Up

Now that you’ve made it to your long-awaited destination, it’s time to back down the boat ramp. Some people may find this to be the biggest challenge related to trailering a boat, but anyone can overcome the challenge with a few simple guidelines. Here are some key points to remember when backing up.

  • Pull your vehicle far enough forward (before backing onto the boat ramp) to ensure that your truck and trailer are in alignment.
  • Make tiny incremental steering corrections as you back up - you don’t want to steer too wide or fast.
  • Steer in the opposite direction that you want to go in. Some individuals find it easier to remember this by placing their hands at the bottom of the wheel and move their hands in the direction they want the trailer to go. 
  • As soon as your trailer is submerged enough that the boat begins to float, you have the clearance to release the bow eye and motor, or you can have someone tug the boat off for you.

While every rig setup is different, you will soon discover what works best for you and your boat. By the way, depending on your vehicle, don’t be surprised if you need to back down until the rear tires are wet. Most importantly, remain calm, steady, and patient with yourself.

Loading the Boat Back On

You can mark the perfect ending to a day on the water by successfully loading your boat back onto your trailer. Here are some simple step-by-step instructions for safely completing this last task.

  • Start by slowly navigating your boat up to the launch ramp’s dock (get those bumpers out in time if necessary) and deliver your vehicle driver, crew, and gear ashore while you wait on the water in the boat, away from the ramp itself. (Boat ramp etiquette: please “don’t be that guy” who offloads his gear while taking up precious space on a busy boat ramp!) As your driver retrieves the towing vehicle and gets into position to back down the ramp, you can idle out in the water and wait patiently.
  • When it’s your turn, as your driver backs the trailer down the ramp, start moving the boat slowly into position. You can cut the engine once you’re moving forward in alignment with the trailer.
  • The trailer should be as straight as possible and submerged enough in the water to allow the boat to float over the rear.
  • Your driver should now put the vehicle into park and pull the parking brake.
  • The driver can now evacuate the vehicle and assist in securing the boat onto the trailer.
  • Align the bow peak with the trailer bow stop and raise your prop to ensure it doesn’t hit bottom.
  • When the boat is close enough, your helper can help pull and secure your boat onto the trailer with the proper tools.
  • Once the boat is secured to your trailer, pull your rig out of the way of busy ramp activity to prepare the trailer and boat for the road.

When you own a boat trailer, you have access to visit just about any lake or river that is deep enough for your hull and hosts a boat ramp. Finding the best boat trailer for your vessel can be challenging, but Tropic Trailer eliminates the hassle! We have a multitude of boat trailers to choose from that are fit for any adventure. Boating is a great way to get outdoors, bask in the sun, and explore new locations all around the country. What are you waiting for?