Towing on the highway

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:44 am

I towed my Horizon home yesterday from Tennessee without any issues (knock on wood). I was running between 60-70 mph to get a run at the hills, which is about normal, but I noticed guys going around me towing boats and off-road toys like I was sitting still. I mentioned to the Admiral these folks that get in a hurry are going to have trouble. Well lo and behold I saw them again sitting on the side of the road with trouble (2 flat tires, and 2 unknown issues). I took me a long time to realize that slow and steady wins the race. Several of the folks that were towing had BIG 3/4 ton trucks and 17-20 foot boats. I know sometimes its nice to have a big truck to haul with for a piece on mind but doing 80-85 mph is crazy towing anything. If you have to do a sudden stop for anything its gonna be real tough espcially in the rain going down the mountain. Sorry for the long rant, guys PLEASE be safe out there cause it's not just you on the road, and if you are doing what you are supposed to, how your supposed to, there are always idiots out there that can throw a wrench in the works.

Kvou812 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:37 am

I see it all the time unfortunately. I also see a lot of trailers with non-working tail lights as well, though not necessairly on boat trailers. People don't realize that the speed limit for towing trailers in most states is 65mph. Trailer tires are not speed rated and weren't designed to perform at higher speeds for prolonged periods like that.

Kolia · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:03 am

Yeah I see those all the time.

It's worth to read the truck's manual too. I had a 2008 Nissan XTerra (5,000lb capacity) and they recommended not to use 5 gear (ie overdrive) for a surprising reason. Engine and tranny where fine, it was the alternator that had to keep spinning faster to supply power to lights and brakes.

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:49 pm

When I towed the trailer down on Friday night the lights kept flickering out when I would hit a bump or turn. So I had to make the good ole trip to Walmart at 12:30 at night and get a new 7pin to 4 pin adapter. I didn't have the boat on at the time so I figured folks could still see my truck's tail lights, but I wanted to get that fixed ASAP. I check everything before I leave. I have a system I use, tires(air, tread, give em a kick make sure nothing rattles), axles, hubs(grease, lugs) lights(hazards, tail and brake) then is the hitch pin locked on the touge just to make sure it ain't going anywhere. Then when I stop about an hour from home ( good mix of start/stop, and highway driving) I check the hubs for heat and the lights to make sure everything is still working. I know it sounds kind of OCD but, hey as long as my butt isn't fixing stuff on the side of the road.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 3:02 pm

If you have the ability to swap out to LT tires you can do 80 all day long towing your boat.

rpengr · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 3:56 pm

.
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Some possible outcomes from towing to fast:

O.K... that last one wasn't really a trailering accident. Just seeing if your paying attention.

LVChris · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:44 pm

O.K... that last one wasn't really a trailering accident. Just seeing if your paying attention.[/quote]

That's actually a pretty crazy story about the Cougar ace. I thought it was maybe photo-shopped so I had to google it.

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/16-03/ff_seacowboys?currentPage=all

FrenzyLenz · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:49 pm

I drive about 50 miles on the interstate from Colorado Springs to the Pueblo Reservoir where speed limit is 75 MPH. I usually stick to 65 MPH becuase my Suburban does so much better when towing at that speed. Along the way, there are usually about a half dozen trucks with boats that pass me on I-25.

When I arrive at the ramp an hour later, those same boaters are either just putting their boats in the water or waiting in line ahead of me. The additional 10-15 MPH that they are doing on the interstate saves them about 5-6 slots in line to get the boat wet. Don't kow if it is worth the risk.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:01 pm

When towing, I take on a different mindset and am perfectly OK with everyone on the highway passing me. Towing is a risky activity under the best of circumstances and things can go terribly wrong in the blink of an eye. Doing anything to make it worse is just stupid.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:06 pm

Well this makes me feel a little better about how the boat gets beat lookin' on the mooring. I have barnacles, bird sh!t, sand, weird salt water life forms etc to deal with, but none of that crazyness. Honestly if I had to trailer that much I'd find a new hobby (hot rods, that can be driven themselves, not ones that need a trailer, LOL)....

EvilZ · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:04 pm

Sadly, I've been the guy with the boat sliding down the freeway, and not on the trailer....it's never good when your boat passes you on the freeway :shock:

Nothing to do with speed, though.

EvilZ · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:10 pm

On the positive side of things, it wasn't my boat.

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:21 am

I usually leave mine at the mooring on my dock all summer, but with the kids starting school tomorrow(hooray!!!) our trips home( Tenn.) are going to be less and less frequent. So I brought her to the house(Ohio) for some easy maintaince and some local boating. So now I get the best of both worlds, trying to get the hull clean and shiny again and trailering to the lake. Ric, I don't care if they make tires rated for 200mph towing that fast is not the smartest thing on the planet!

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Aug 20, 2013 7:17 am

Also keep in mind that while using 15" rims lets you use LT tires, you have to take into account that in similar sizes the LT tires do not have as much weight capacity. Trailer tires in a 225/75-15 size have a 2150 lb capacity (c rated) or 2500 lb (d rated). An LT 235/75-15 c rated tire is rated at 1985 lbs.
And you still have the same bearings etc.

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Aug 20, 2013 7:17 am

230 Mike wrote:

When towing, I take on a different mindset and am perfectly OK with everyone on the highway passing me. Towing is a risky activity under the best of circumstances and things can go terribly wrong in the blink of an eye. Doing anything to make it worse is just stupid.

+1

The easiest way to keep a big gap in front of you for braking distance, is to go slower than everybody else. I've been staying in the slow lane at 55-60 and take a little extra time. Boating is supposed to be relaxing anyway.

www.iFourWinns.com

Towing on the highway

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