| Trailering and towering your pontoon boat | | | | how much room you need to complete lane |
| doesn't have to be a dreaded chore. As a | | | | changes. Overcompensating in these cases is |
| matter of fact, if you follow a few simple | | | | much better than cutting a turn too short or |
| tips, not only will you expand the | | | | clipping the front end of the vehicle you |
| opportunities you have to visit a wider | | | | just passed. When someone passes you, |
| variety of waterways, but you'll enjoy the | | | | flashing your lights when they've cleared |
| drive as well. Towing obviously begins with | | | | your vehicle is the safe and polite way to |
| your tow vehicle. It is extremely important | | | | go.When you've arrived safely at your |
| that you keep this vehicle in tip-top shape. | | | | destination, don't despair. Most boaters |
| Change oils and filters more often than you | | | | hate and fear the launching of their boats |
| would under normal driving conditions. In | | | | more than anything else. When you think |
| must cases, it's a safe bet to do it twice as | | | | about it though, as drivers, we're usually |
| often as regular maintenance requires. Tire | | | | taught to keep our vehicles as far from the |
| pressure is another thing to check on a | | | | water as possible. The important thing to |
| regular basis. While it's not a good thing | | | | remember is that you're not alone. Once you |
| to have overflated tires, its even worse to | | | | drive up to the ramp, you're probably in line |
| drive a vehicle with low tires. Don't forget | | | | with many others who are just as apprehensive |
| tune-ups, services or your cooling system. | | | | as you are. Most fellow boaters won't mind |
| All brake lights need to be in working | | | | lending a hand and a second set of eyes can |
| order.Once you're confident that your tow | | | | make your launch a piece of cake. Since most |
| vehicle is in good working order, move on to | | | | boaters tend to hit the ramps in early |
| the trailer itself. To reduce the | | | | morning and late afternoon, it's important |
| possibility of swaying, manufacturers | | | | that you launch quickly to avoid creating a |
| recommend that the tongue weight of the | | | | back up. When you arrive at your |
| trailer (boat included) is 5-7 percent of the | | | | destination, stop away from the launch. |
| total tow package. (Boat, motor, trailer and | | | | Transfer the necessary items from your |
| all your gear.) Make sure you have adequate | | | | vehicle and take the time to walk over and do |
| tie downs on your boat and trailer. If | | | | a quick inspection of the ramp itself. It's |
| you're traveling from one state to another | | | | also a good idea to disconnect your trailer |
| you may run into different regulations | | | | lights prior to moving to the ramp. The |
| regarding the use of tie downs in different | | | | lights don't last that long to begin with so |
| states. Make sure you know what they are in | | | | by disconnecting them before you put the |
| your state and any states that you may be | | | | trailer in the water; you may be able to |
| traveling through. Again, when towing a boat, | | | | extend the life of the bulbs.Before you |
| it's always smart to err to the side of | | | | approach the launch ramp you should prepare |
| safety. Four straps will allow you to | | | | your pontoon or deck boat for launch. Park |
| conform to regulartions almost everywhere. | | | | well away from the ramp and transfer any and |
| If you use one strap to tie down the bow, two | | | | all items from your vehicle into the pontoon |
| straps at the transom and one strap on the | | | | or deck boat. Walk over to the ramp and |
| gunwale, you'll be in excellent shape. | | | | inspect the surrounding area. A few |
| Remember to use straps that are weather | | | | important things to note are how the ramp |
| resistant and as strong as you can buy. | | | | lies in comparison to the road and whether or |
| Straps with easy lock and release buckles | | | | not you'll need someone to guide you down. If |
| allow you to tighten them and control the | | | | you're alone, (which isn't ever recommended |
| slack with a minimal effort. If your boat | | | | when you're on the water) ask someone to help |
| didn't come with a cover, buy one. It'll not | | | | you. You'll also want to check for any |
| only keep the dust and debris off your boat | | | | obstacles and whether or not there's a place |
| when you're driving but it'll serve to hold | | | | to dock while you park your vehicle. When |
| everything in place and protect if from the | | | | backing down the boat ramp, the most |
| sun. The last thing you want to see are your | | | | important thing to remember is to take your |
| seat cushions floating down the highway | | | | time. Moving your hands to the bottom of the |
| behind you. Covers will also reduce wind | | | | steering wheel will allow you to turn the |
| resistance and thereby increase your | | | | wheel in such a way that your boat will |
| mileage.Once you've determined that your tow | | | | follow the same direction automatically. |
| vehicle is ready to go, your boat is securely | | | | Boat ramps are often uneven. If you notice |
| on the trailer and your lights are in working | | | | this, shift your approach a few feet to |
| order, it's time to hit the road. When | | | | compensate. When your day ends, simply |
| towing any vehicle, it's important to stay | | | | reverse the procedure. The only thing that |
| alert while driving. Although you may be | | | | you need to remember when putting your boat |
| very comfortable pulling the trailer, other | | | | back on the trailer is not to back up too far |
| drivers have no idea what kind of an impact | | | | into the water. With a pontoon boat, it will |
| their actions can have on your safety. On | | | | load more easily if the undercarriage is |
| the interstate system, for example, | | | | between 1/3 and 1/2 of the way forward. |
| semi-trucks can create enough of a wind to | | | | Water in the tail pipe can also cause your |
| literally blow you off the road. With the | | | | tow vehicle to stall.Thomas Holley is owner |
| added length and weight of your boat and | | | | of where you can find all your pontoon boat |
| trailer, it's a good idea to take things | | | | products and accessories. |
| slower than you normally would without them. | | | | Pontoon-Boat-Products.com, because we know |
| The added weight will decrease your stopping | | | | where you'd rather be. Also, be sure and sign |
| distances tremendously so brake early and | | | | up for our free newsletter, "The Pontoon |
| give yourself plenty of room. The length | | | | Boating Life. |
| will affect your turning ability as well as | | | | |