Should you tow with or without cover?

[CantRepeat]

Probably just hook the boat to the bumper and tow without the trailer while you're at it.

[Jarome]

Sounds like there are different schools of thought on this, which is great... each to his own. I have found that towing for short distances without the cover is fine and when I tow for longer trips ( i.e. 500 miles ) I prefer to tow with rock tamer flaps, plastic wrap the boat to about an inch below the edge of the tarp, tarp as tight as possible with the side straps on and twisted to prevent flapping. I also use two blankets over the windshield ( under the tarp ) as protection from possible flying rocks. Just my $0.02

[sully]

For Day trips to the lake no cover, in for service or trips to the cabin the cover is on. Our cover is more of it is called a cockpit cover with snaps holding it on. Never had a issue. But the snaps are not real exciting to look at.

[Dd24skater]

Never with the cover

[JohnE]

Only one on my Phone right now

Thanks Dave. I have that cover. I meant Mastercraftdave with the snap cover, I should have been more clear.

[dt37803]

Dave, any pics of the cover fit around the tower?

Only one on my Phone right now

[kscrib]

A friend was towing on a paved highway without a cover and something (likely a rock off a tire) shattered the windshield of his boat. We were over 100 miles into the trip, all on paved highways when it happened.

Ever since then I always tow with the factory shipping on for any trips of distance. I know it is still possible to have a rock cause damage, but I want to minimize the potential.

[JohnE]

Dave, any pics of the cover fit around the tower?

[Mastercraftdave]

I always tie with my snap cover on the boat. Doesn’t cause any scratches and protects the inside from rain and dirt.

Snap on cover is the way to go IMO.




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[88 PS190]

They say that if you over-inflate ST tires by 10 PSI they are good for another 5-10 mph. I pump mine up to 60 psi, and I don't hesitate to drive 70 mph on flat smooth roads.

There are charts - its generally as pressure goes up speed rating goes up but load rating goes down - this is because the flexing of the tire causes heat - if you stiffen the tire it flattens less on the road contact patch and the sidewalls don't bulge so far which reduces heat build up.

However it also means that the tire is less capable of absorbing impacts - pot holes - turtles - and more at risk of sidewall bubbles.

Always a trade off.

[JohnE]

They say that if you over-inflate ST tires by 10 PSI they are good for another 5-10 mph. I pump mine up to 60 psi, and I don't hesitate to drive 70 mph on flat smooth roads.

There are so many stories about trailer tires blowing out it makes me just a little nervous. I've had blown tires and bad bearings; don't want to do that again. Every summer I see a few boats on the side of the road with tire/bearing trouble.

I hit a deer once while pulling a boat, it went under the truck and trailer, a total of four axles. The animal didn't suffer.

Eighty MPH is just too fast for me. To each his own; be safe!

Do I have to remind you to get off my lawn?

Years ago there was a bulletin from Goodyear on the Marathon tires saying just this. Add 10 psi if you are going to tow at speeds over 65 (iirc). I ran my marathons at 65 psi. I won't maintain 80 mph, but don't mind drifting near there at times. But to me, the longer the trip, the more reward by averaging better mpg. For a 2 hr trip, there is no need to push it to save 5-10 min. On a 900 mile trip, I cut off better than an hour by pushing it a little.

[bturner2]

If so I never tow with a cover on.....

[MC25]

I never tow with a cover on.

Is this a metaphor?

[CantRepeat]

I never tow with a cover on.

[Miss Rita]

They say that if you over-inflate ST tires by 10 PSI they are good for another 5-10 mph. I pump mine up to 60 psi, and I don't hesitate to drive 70 mph on flat smooth roads.

There are so many stories about trailer tires blowing out it makes me just a little nervous. I've had blown tires and bad bearings; don't want to do that again. Every summer I see a few boats on the side of the road with tire/bearing trouble.

I hit a deer once while pulling a boat, it went under the truck and trailer, a total of four axles. The animal didn't suffer.

Eighty MPH is just too fast for me. To each his own; be safe!

Do I have to remind you to get off my lawn?