Towing a Boat

Make sure you have a way of either locking the trailer to the car or imobilising it off the car so you can stop at services without fear of losing your boat.

Don't let people take the p!ss just because you're towing: my car accelerates just as quick with a Contender on the back as without (sometimes quicker ). I get really fed up with people thinking a boat is a caravan, desparately overtaking before a hill then slowing down because their car is gutless.

Originally posted by Matt Jackson Make sure you have a way of either locking the trailer to the car or imobilising it off the car so you can stop at services without fear of losing your boat. Don't let people take the p!ss just because you're towing: my car accelerates just as quick with a Contender on the back as without (sometimes quicker ). I get really fed up with people thinking a boat is a caravan, desparately overtaking before a hill then slowing down because their car is gutless.

services, when with my parents going somewhere (boat or caravan on tow) my dad and i go get stuff/go loo while mum/bro/sis stay at the vehicle then once we are back they go. but on your own then try park where there will be lots of people! dad has also parked in the cars only bit when he was towing as he was on his own.

and we have had people try and overtake us but fail because my dad just stepped on the gas a bit more and its fun seeing the look on their face realising they are struggling to overtake a caravan.

also, if the boat start to snake a small bit GENTLY slow down, but if it seems to be wanting to overtake(swinging quite violently)stick the pedal to the metal, even though the highway code says to brake. put it this way brake and roll the car OR floor it and speed(if you have to)then once straight in control, slow back down.

and yes i have been in a car that has had the caravan try and overtake it, not fun at all and have seen a car/double roll because they stepped on the brake to get rid of the snaking


Edited by ratface

Yeah, worth reinforcing that comment about motorway service stations. There are some real toerags hanging about
there, basically their day-job is finding stuff to drive off with. God knows what they do with their free time. I
try to park well away from other vehicles so I can see if my stuff is being approached. They particularly like to
park their caravan or big van right up close to your property so they can nick it without being seen

hmm, someone who instantly sees a caravan and thinks 'oh look gypsies' 
not every caravan'er is!

*calms down*

also which this thread is here, when towing doubles do you have to have the lighting board on the lowest point possible? ie the boat on the bottom?


Edited by ratface

Make sure it the hitch really is locked (bitter experience leaving the boat park) does the car move up and down by lifting and pushing down the trailer.

Fit a break-away cable.

Especially after the recent weather - navigate around potholes - they are everywhere - boatbreakers.

+1 for TTs stop after 5 mins and check the tie downs - don't forget the mast! I must have lost enough strips of carpet to cover the M4.

+1 for all above - find a way to lock the trailer to the car.

It is amazing at legal towing speed how many nutters there are on the road (and I also have a caravan).