towing in the rain

[bow wow rider]

going up to northern ohio this weekend to get my 17' four winn bowrider out of storage. it's a 3.5 hour drive back here, and it will probably be raining for some of the trip, possibly heavy rain.

does anyone have any tips for towing in the rain? i'll be pulling the boat with the cover off, so it will get plenty wet inside. i'll pull the drain plug, is that about it? TIA

 

[wifisher]

Re: towing in the rain

Turn your windshield wipers on.

 

[bow wow rider]

Re: towing in the rain

Turn your windshield wipers on.

I guess this about sums it up. Glad I asked.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: towing in the rain

Yup, and your lights ;-)

Great thing about this trip, half the cleaning will get accomplished while you're driving it home.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: towing in the rain

all i would say is to watch those that you pass closely, your boat will be obscured by the splash back from your truck or whatever you tow with and sometimes people will try to jump in behind you and well theres a boat behind you, I typically tow faster when its raining, but then again I just plain drive fast anyway but the idea is to get past people before they can have time to do something stupid, if you pay attention you can normally see that person that is waiting for you to go by them so they can jump in

 

[bow wow rider]

Re: towing in the rain

your boat will be obscured by the splash back from your truck or whatever you tow with and sometimes people will try to jump in behind you

good tip, i wouldn't have thought about that.

 

[Smuggler's Blues]

Re: towing in the rain

As a recovering truck driver of 13 years I would also advise to increase your following distance. Obviously you know your vehicle handles differently when towing and will require more distance to stop. I would use the same five precautions I use anytime I drive. I use the SMITH system.

1. Aim high in steering. (look as far ahead as you can see)

2. Get the big picture. (Know what is going on in front of behind and next to you)

3. Keep your eyes moving. (keep scanning beteween in front of you and your mirrors and gauges)

4. Leave yourself an out. (Make sure you do not get boxed leave an opening so you can manuver)

5. Make sure they see you. (Use the horn if necessary)

Hope these help they have saved me more times than I can count.

 

[NYBo]

Re: towing in the rain

Slow down. Use your hazard flashers if needed.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: towing in the rain

Why not use the cover and secure it from flapping itself to shreds. Arriving at your destination with a boat that is dirty on the outside is bad enough. To have the inside full of grime is not fun to clean up. Properly secured most any cover will withstand the trip at reasonable speeds.

 

[Shrike]

Re: towing in the rain

As a recovering truck driver of 13 years I would also advise to increase your following distance. Obviously you know your vehicle handles differently when towing and will require more distance to stop. I would use the same five precautions I use anytime I drive. I use the SMITH system.

1. Aim high in steering. (look as far ahead as you can see)

2. Get the big picture. (Know what is going on in front of behind and next to you)

3. Keep your eyes moving. (keep scanning beteween in front of you and your mirrors and gauges)

4. Leave yourself an out. (Make sure you do not get boxed leave an opening so you can manuver)

5. Make sure they see you. (Use the horn if necessary)

Hope these help they have saved me more times than I can count.

A#1 .. I'm another retired truck driver. Learned The Smith System back in the 70,s
Works for 4 wheelers too.

 

[Smuggler's Blues]

Re: towing in the rain

I had it drilled into me so much that I use it every time I drive anything and do not even realize it.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: towing in the rain

I didn't know it was called the SMITH system but I have practiced it almost all my driving life. If at all possible, also make eye contact and watch the other driver, not the car. Frequently they will telegraph their next move with head movement and body language long before they actually do it. If you are perceptive, that 1/2 second advance warning may prevent an accident.

 

[Smuggler's Blues]

Re: towing in the rain

Yup, Frank you're absolutely right. 1/2 second can save your life. The eye contact would fall under the make sure they see you.

 

[444]

Re: towing in the rain

I bought a boat without a cover and it as a long drive home. Spent about 3 hours getting rained on. Yeah it got plenty wet inside. Sucks but the tarp I tried throwing on it flapped and shredded into threads on the highway. And I had it strapped on pretty good! I usually store my boat indoors but I left it outside for a few sunny days to let it dry out. Now need to give it a good cleaning inside yet.

 

[Splat]

Re: towing in the rain

Slow down. Use your hazard flashers if needed.

Don't use your hazards. They are actually illegal to have on and driving down the road unless your under a certain speed.

Your flashing lights just create one more distraction on a already wet hard to see road condition. There's enough to watch, I don't need your lights constantly flashing in the corner of my eye. If you need your hazards, you need to get off the road and park.

Bill

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: towing in the rain

Your flashing lights just create one more distraction on a already wet hard to see road condition. There's enough to watch, I don't need your lights constantly flashing in the corner of my eye. If you need your hazards, you need to get off the road and park.

I second that! The hazards override the turn signals on most vehicles, by using them in the rain you lose the ability to communicate lane changes in an environment where it's needed the most!

-E