Would you tow with THIS cover?

[BTMCB]

I realize that there are some who don't ever tow with a cover and some that tow with a custom cover. To this point, I have never towed with my cover. But, we are thinking of a long road trip with the boat behind us this summer and I like to keep my boat spotless. I am thinking I don't want to have to worry about freeway dust, debris etc, inclement weather if I don't have to, so I am considering towing with the cover on. It is a semi - custom, well made, good fitting Carver - Outdura (bought from IBoats). I would cushion / pad the windscreen frame and other "stress" points like the bimini hardware. So, would you tow with THIS cover?

Thanks in advance for yout thoughts,
Brian

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

I am one of those that would never tow with a cover...but the more I read about "towable covers" the more and more I feel inclided to try it. I too, am concerned about the debris etc from highway driving and if I trusted a cover enough to tow with I might try.

Looking at how well it that fits, I would at minimum try it! And actually, I've considered getting a similiar cover and seeing how well that fits in the pictures, I might actually procure it and try and tow with it.

And not to change thoughts about the thread...but: If you're going to be towing it all summer, I'd consider getting some type of tire flaps. Something to keep your tires from shooting up small rocks ect from hitting the gelcoat as you tour the country...I dont have these either but I've noticed you can buy some that clip onto the tongue of the trailer and I've considered trying them out.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

I'm not at all sure why you would be concerned. Looks like a nice cover and suitable for towing.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

Having constructed many custom covers for my own boats there is absolutely nothing wrong with towing with a cover provided it is designed properly. Proper design starts with keeping wind from getting under it. This cover is well secured and I see no reason wind would get under it. However, regardless how well it is designed, a windshield operates very much like an airplane wing. Wind passing over it creates a void in back of it. Therefore the cover will balloon. So I suggest the following and you will be good to make your road trip without cover worries. Buy or fashion two long straps -- long enough to go entirely around the boat directly in front of the windshield and another a couple of feet behind the windshield. Cinch those straps down and the cover won't balloon. A cover that flaps anywhere will beat itself to shreds in few miles so observe the cover and take any corrective action if necessary.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

Many thanks for the comments guys and for the excellent idea about the straps to prevent ballooning. Appreciate it guys!

 

[grahamh]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

Just put the straps on like someone already said...my cover is a little bit looser, but I strap it down when I tow and it works just fine.

 

[df909]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

My boat is always covered when I drive. I don't want to worry about the cushions flying out & I like to load all my crap into the boat before I leave the house. With the cover on, I feel much safer that the stuff I put into the boat stays there for the drive. It only takes a minute to uncover/cover at the lake.

I do plan on beefing up the cover a little. You will notice tension points where the cover pulls a little tight over the windshield or something like that and if you add a little canvas or something to the cover, it'll help it last a little longer. I got my cover at Bass Pro and it's intended for towing.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

If that cover was not a custom cover, it probably doesn't have reinforcements at the windshield or at any sharp points on the boat. Before I would use it for towing, I would mark all around the windshield and any cleats and lights and take it to a canvas shop to have vinyl put in at all the rub points. Also, if the cover has any flapping, additional tie downs will be needed.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

Thanks for the additional replies guys. Appreciate it and all suggestions are good ones that I will follow!

 

[jkust]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

If you gave me the cover for free I'd tow with it but I wouldn't buy that particular cover. The reason is that it doesn't completely cover the dark gel stripe. I have payed the price for towing with a cover that doesn't cover the gel. Road sand and rocks keep hitting my wide gel stripe and make little marks all the way through the gel so the white underneath is exposed. I have tried two tow vehicles both with custom molded mud flaps that extend past the with of the tires to no avail. On one vehicle I even put a second set of flaps on out of desperation and extended them way out but no luck. I'd take it for free because it covers most of the stripe but would buy a cover that comes down further on the hull. Frankly this is such an issue for me i'm suprised it's not a sticky. Every time I tow I am guaranteed more chips.

 

[Kevinmcm]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

I tried towing with my cover, and the balloon effect happened so i strapped it aft the windshield, all was great until i stopped overnight and rain filled the cover and because of the strap rain wouldn't run off, it puddled and tore cover at windshield corners (as mentioned). I ended up buyin another cover from Wally World, and picked up some 3/4" foam pipe insulation and run along windshield, as my fix needed to be quick. Two years now and my quick fix is still used. (hangs head in shame) but then again, I live in the ozarks and I am a redneck! (mostly from time spent on lake gettin my sunburns!) oh and the pipe insulation slides right on and off! makes great "noodles" for water toys too!

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

If that cover was not a custom cover, it probably doesn't have reinforcements at the windshield or at any sharp points on the boat. Before I would use it for towing, I would mark all around the windshield and any cleats and lights and take it to a canvas shop to have vinyl put in at all the rub points. Also, if the cover has any flapping, additional tie downs will be needed.

I used to tow from WV to FL and back every year, I had a cover about the same, although the boat was filled wit ha BBQ grill and bicycles, I used to take those pool fun noodle things ( cheap at the dollar store ), and cut them long ways to cover the windshield and stress points then tape them down and snug the cover on top, check the straps often...

 

[bhammer]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

I tow with my cover on a semi regular basis. It is a custom and fits real tight so I don't have to worry about it floating during tow. I can tell you that I can tell a difference in towing with the cover as there is less drag on the boat at highway speeds.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

we tow with a custom made **** pit cover all the time.
just rolled in from a 800 mile trip last night.

all comments above are spot on.

would add one on rain puddling and wind bubbling though. taylor makes tent rod things that fit threw grommets installed in the cover at key points and you are able to slide and adjust these rods to take slack and cause the cover to tent up. you can install these pretty easy your self but if you do want to use them, you relay need to take cover to canvas shop and have a 3 or so inch square piece of material sewn in to reinforce the area and keep grommet form tearing out.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Would you tow with THIS cover?

Appreciate all the replies, good stuff. Thanks again.