Towing a boat isn't difficult, but it does have certain requirements to make it safe, easy, and enjoyable. If you're planning to buy and tow a boat, the first thing you'll need to know is how much it weighs, combined with a trailer and gear.

If you already have a truck or SUV you intend to tow with, you'll need to find out if it can support the boat's weight.

There are several things you need to tow a boat. Aside from the boat, a trailer, and the towing vehicle, you'll also need an appropriate hitch and some towing accessories like safety chains. Let's take a look at everything that goes into safely and successfully towing a boat.

Source: Ridgeline Owners Club user ranger519

Understanding Towing Capacity

If you already have an SUV or truck as your towing vehicle, you'll need to confirm the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) before you consider purchasing a boat and trailer.

The GCWR for your vehicle can generally be found in the owner's manual. It is the weight limit for the combined weight of your vehicle, the loaded trailer, and the people and gear in it.

For example, if the boat you plan to buy weighs 1,500 pounds, you'll then need to factor in the weight of the trailer (a single-axle boat trailer might weigh up to 600 pounds), the amount of gear you'll be carrying, and the weight of the passengers in the tow vehicle.

To determine your vehicle's towing capacity, subtract its curb weight from its GCWR. Once you know this, you should never exceed 10% of the total.

Trailer Capacity

Finding the right trailer for your boat isn't terribly difficult. It shouldn't be too small or too big. A rule of thumb is that the trailer shouldn't be more than 10% longer than the overall boat length. A single-axle trailer can usually accommodate a boat up to 22 feet with a maximum weight of 3,500 pounds.

Just like with your vehicle, you'll need to subtract your trailer's empty weight from the listed Gross Vehicle Weight Rating to determine its available cargo capacity.

Source: Ford Media

Types of Boat Trailers

Several types of boat trailers are available, including roller trailers, float trailers, and bunk trailers. The type of trailer you'll need depends on the size of your boat, what type of water you plan to use it in, and how easy you want the launch/retrieval process to be.

Bunk trailers are the most common type of boat trailers. They use wooden or metal bunks to support the boat hull. Bunk trailers are well regarded for their stability and ability to accommodate a variety of boat sizes.

Roller trailers use rollers to support the boat, making them especially easy to launch and retrieve. This type of trailer is best for boats with flat hulls.

Float trailers support the boat's hull so it can easily float on and off the trailer. If you launch your boat often, this type of trailer makes it much easier than the other types.

Another thing to consider with a boat trailer is the type of suspension system. Leaf springs are the most common option and are generally reliable. However, if you do a lot of long-distance towing, you might consider a trailer suspension with torsion bars.

Trailer Hitch Classes

If you thought you were done after determining your vehicle's towing capacity and picking out a trailer, you weren't. Receiver hitches and couplers connect your vehicle to the trailer. Trailer receiver hitches have physical weight classes, each with its own capabilities.

Class I - This type of tow hitch is usually used with cars and small crossovers. It can withstand a tongue weight of 200 pounds and tow up to 2,000 pounds. Class I hitches are also used with personal watercraft or small tent trailers.

Class II - This hitch is usually found on and used with medium-to-large crossovers and minivans. It can tow up to 3,500 pounds and has a tongue weight of 350 pounds. This is usually the first level of hitch considered adequate for towing a small boat.

Class III - You can generally tow up to 8,000 pounds with a class 3 trailer hitch. This type of hitch is found on SUVs, Jeeps, and trucks. It has a tongue weight capacity between 350 and 800 pounds.

Class IV - This hitch is most commonly used on trucks and SUVs. It can pull up to 10,000 pounds and has a tongue weight of 1,000 pounds. You can use this hitch to tow a large boat.

Class V - These big boys can tow up to 20,000 pounds and are usually only used on full-size HD trucks.

In most cases, a boat will need a Class III or Class IV hitch. If your vehicle is tall or lifted, you might consider an adjustable drop hitch to make things easier.

Enthuze adjustable drop hitch on an Enthuze class 3 trailer hitch.

Safety Chains and Accessories

Last but not least, safety chains and other towing accessories are also important. Two strong safety chains must be used and properly crossed to support the trailer coupler.

The chains must be strong enough to hold the combined weight of the boat and trailer if they become disconnected from the tow vehicle.

Additional accessories for safe towing include the right tires for your trailer, tie-downs, and a hitch lock. C and D-range tires are most common for towing. These have a weight range between 1,700 and 2,000 pounds per tire.

Pre-Towing Checklist

It's important to make a pre-towing checklist that you can follow every time you hit the road. Start with your tow vehicle by checking the tire pressure and tread condition. Inspect the brakes and lights, and check the fluids under the hood.

It is important to check the tire pressure and lug nuts on the trailer and verify that the lights and signals work. Finally, check your boat and ensure that all gear and equipment are secure and won't fly out at freeway speeds.

Be sure to secure your boat to the trailer. Source: The Hull Truth

Hitching the Trailer

The first thing to know is that aligning your vehicle and trailer tends to be easier with a friend to help. To start, position your tow vehicle in a straight line from the trailer. This gives you the best chance at a straight shot in backing up to the coupler.

When your vehicle is roughly a foot away from the trailer tongue, have your friend adjust the trailer coupler height to ensure it will clear the trailer ball.

After aligning the ball and coupler, you can lower the coupler onto the ball with the trailer jack. You may want to grease the trailer ball before hooking it up to ensure a smooth connection.

Once the coupler is properly seated, you can engage the latch and secure it with a lock or pin. Then, you can stow the trailer jack and plug in the trailer wiring.

Safety chains are a legal requirement for towing. They should be attached in a crisscross pattern beneath the coupler to form a sort of cradle that would catch the coupler if it became disconnected from the trailer ball.

As mentioned before, the chains must meet or exceed the weight of your trailer and boat.

Safety chains attached properly. Source: Bronco6G Forums

On the Road: Towing Techniques

Once you're on the road, remember a few things. Chief among them is that your vehicle's length is now much longer, and you'll need to make wider turns to accommodate that.

You'll also need to allow for increased stopping distance, so maintaining a safe speed is paramount.

If you own a late-model truck or SUV, it likely has a trailering system and camera system to facilitate transport. Back-up assistance is especially useful when trailering.

Make your towing adventures a success with Enthuze towing accessories, including safety chains and adjustable drop hitches. All Enthuze products are rigorously tested for quality before using the Enthuze name.

Any of Enthuze's towing accessories can be installed at any Action Truck and Car Accessories location in Canada.