Boat Towing Safety with your Truck

The Fourth of July is a fun summer holiday weekend. You will find a lot of friends and family on the lakes near central Texas this weekend and throughout the summer. Lake Travis is a popular weekend destination and is crowded with boats and jet skis over the holiday weekend. The roads also become very busy with drivers taking off for a fun weekend out of town. The roads can often be seen with trucks or SUVs towing a boat, four wheelers, and jet skis behind them. Here are some safety tips to remember this weekend if you are towing your boat to the lake with your truck.

First and foremost, you have to adjust the way you drive your vehicle when you are towing something such as a boat or an RV. Extra caution will be needed on the road and drivers around you should also be more cautious on busy holiday weekends with a lot of towing trucks on the road. The weight of your moving truck will be much different with a boat in tow. You will have to use extreme caution when pulling out, braking, accelerating, and changing lanes. You will need more room to come to a complete stop and you should drive slower than normal.

Before you start driving, you should check to see that your boat trailer is a safe and properly attached to your truck or SUV. It is important as a boat owner and driver that you know how to operate a towing trailer and the rules and regulations for doing so in your state. Make sure that the vehicle you are towing with can handle the weight of the trailer and boat in tow. Here is a checklist you can follow when attaching the trailer and loading up your boat:

Is the hitch and hitch ball (coupler) properly fitted and the right size?

Are the coupler and all safety chains attached to the hitch securely?

Are all attachments tightened?

Is the boat tied down to the trailer?

Are the wheel lug nuts and bearings tightened and adjusted?

Are you in proper weight capacity for the trailer and towing vehicle?

Are the trailer tires inflated?

Do all trailer lights work properly?

Do the brakes work? (You may need to purchase a trailer with its own brakes)


Once you have checked off on the requirements and safety measures, you are ready to get on the road with your truck and boat in tow. Use extreme precautions and never drive too fast, aggressive, or recklessly. Have a fun and happy summer!

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.