Summer is upon us and that means people will be traveling to lakes across Arizona to do a little cruisin’, fishin’ or just plain tubin’. If you’re new to boating, or just haven’t taken your Ram truck out to the lake in a while, we’ve put together a list of tips on how to properly trailer and tow your boat, so you and your family will have a safe and fun boating season!
1. Find Out Your Towing Capacity
In order to begin trailering your boat, you’ll need to check your owner's manual to find out your truck or SUV’s towing capacity to determine if it can handle the boat's weight. Most of today’s trucks have nice towing capacities like the Ram 3500 Tradesman, which can tow over 22,000 pounds. However, if you don’t have a large truck or SUV, it’s advisable to either rent or borrow one, as most sedans and small crossovers cannot handle such a heavy tow.
2. Pay Close Attention to Weight Distribution
This is a big one. In order to properly and safely trailer your boat, you'll need to make sure the boat’s weight is properly distributed with a low center of gravity. The basic formula is this: the front half of the trailer should hold around 60 percent of the boat’s weight, while the backend should hold 40 percent. You’ll also need to make sure the boat is balanced on both sides, which will help the boat’s stability and extend the life of your trailer’s tires.
3. Take Care of Your Tow Truck
Before you hitch your boat to your truck, you’ll need to not only refuel your truck, but also change the oil, put plenty of water in the radiator and make sure there is fluid in the transmission. This will keep your motor from heating up too much and put less strain on your truck’s transmission.
3. Check the Trailer’s Lights
Once the boat has been secured with the tow truck, be sure to check all running, brake and signal lights to ensure they’re in proper working order. According to AZ law, all boats must have properly working lights, so this one is a biggie!
4. Practice Driving
Towing a boat is going to make driving a bit more difficult than usual. Before you head out on your trip, practice stopping, turning and backing up. Also be sure to make wide and careful turns to avoid jackknifing.
5. Keep Hands on the Bottom of the Wheel
When you’re finally at the lake and ready to put your boat in the water, put your hands on the bottom of the steering wheel and aim the boat toward the water. It’s the best and most simple way to bring your boat in and out of the water successfully.
Want more summer travel tips? Stay tuned to our blog to discover tips and tricks on how to have a great summer!
