questions before towing a boat

phazetitan · 05-10-2007, 02:11 PM

hey guys....i just bought myself a bass boat and this is the first time that i will ever be towing anything with my truck. it is a 4 door se w/o the towing package.

questions: can i just install the ball on the rear bumper and tow the boat?

it is a 14 footer bass boat...not too heavy.....

where do i wire up the lights on the trailer? where is the specific location to look for this magic plug?

titan_tough_04 · 05-10-2007, 04:10 PM

You want the trailer to sit parallel to the ground, so what you can do is measure the hight of the tounge on your trailer and compare it to the hight on the bumper. everytime i've ever towed I had to use some sort of drop hitch. I dont have the tow package either but I bought the nissan reciever for my truck. I installed it myself in minutes. There is only 6 bolts. As for the wiring, it was tucked up under on the rear bumper. Its ready to rock as a 7 prong I believe but you'll need an adapter to use a 4 prong (they have those at most auto parts stores). I like to use the tow/haul button aswell that way its easier on your rear end and it doesnt drop a shift as much

Floating-Traction · 05-10-2007, 08:44 PM

Well you need to do some research. Honestly you would have been better to have purchased a Titan with a Big tow package. Bumpers have a tounge weight that they are rated for. The biggest things you need to know are the actuall weight of the the boat, not just a guess, you need to know the weight. The tow capabilities aside is the boat trailer a single or tandem....does it have some kind of brakes???? Even if the Titan is rated to tow it ....is it rated to slow it down!!!!!! I dont mean to be so harsh but I leared all my lessons the hard way after I bought my 1st boat. Also take a look at the boat trailer tires and make sure they are ST rated. That means Special Trailer, so they will take more air pressure then a standard car tire...I got hosed on that one. The size of the boat and the towing capabilities of the truck are not as important as the proper set up. The boat trailer can make the difference. If any of this is confusing feel free to ask more and I will do my best to enlightejn....Good Luck!!!

MuskyHunter · 05-10-2007, 10:02 PM

Why mess around with the uncertainty of the bumper hitch? The OEM trailer hitch is a no brainer to install and will be better suited for the job. The cost of messing up easily offsets the cost of the frame mounted hitch Depending on the load, the bumper may flex a bit and not provide the optimal height for your trailer.

The frame mounted hitch will tow the trailer better and be more durable in the long run. In my opinion, the frame mounted hitch is a better feel when towing. Add a cushion ball mount like what is offered by Convert-a-ball and it will help a lot with surging and help save the drivetrain.

http://www.convert-a-ball.com/ballmounts.htm

Curmudgeon · 05-10-2007, 11:55 PM

For a lightweight boat, I wouldn't hesitate to try the bumper-mount hitch, BUT, it may well be too high for a typical trailer, making the back of the trailer likely to drag and the boat more awkward to load.

NKYTITAN · 05-11-2007, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floating-Traction

Also take a look at the boat trailer tires and make sure they are ST rated. That means Special Trailer, so they will take more air pressure then a standard car tire...

To add to this, always check your air pressure on the trailer before your trip if you are towing over a long distance, especially on a hot day. I tend to make a few stops when towing my boat (about 250 miles one way) just to see how hot the tires and trailer hubs are getting. You should also probably check/repack (grease) the bearings on the trailer just to be on the safe side. Extra bearings/grease or an extra hub w/ bearings is also a good idea if your traveling long distances.

The next time you take a long trip on a hot summers day, just watch and see how many people have flats on their trailers.

**walleeme** · 05-11-2007, 07:40 AM

Make sure the plug is in the boat BEFORE you launch it.

**Carbeaux** · 05-11-2007, 07:48 AM

I'm with Musky here. Just put the factory hitch on your truck. Do it once, and do it right. Why play around with towing in an unsafe manner?

imaweirdo159 · 05-11-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walleeme

Make sure the plug is in the boat BEFORE you launch it.

make sure the boat will start before you launch it as well...otherwise have a nice swim!

SoBeGraphics · 05-11-2007, 01:23 PM

Dude - do yourself a favor and go to your local UHAUL shop and have them install a hitch and trailer harness for less than $200.00.

The problem with the bumper ball is..

1. the trailer will not sit level.
2. if you back up and turn sharp the trailer tongue will hit the chrome and take a chunk out of it. the smaller the trailer the quicker and easier it is to jackknife it.

MuskyHunter · 05-11-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Dude - do yourself a favor and go to your local UHAUL shop and have them install a hitch and trailer harness for less than $200.00.

Why not just get the OEM hitch for around $200.00? It will be the easiest install.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=999T5-A6000

SoBeGraphics · 05-11-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuskyHunter

Why not just get the OEM hitch for around $200.00? It will be the easiest install.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=999T5-A6000

DITTO - wut he sed^

BigA · 05-11-2007, 03:11 PM

The OEM is probally a cleaner looking package then a U-Haul hitch thats not vehicle specific.

**Carbeaux** · 05-11-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigA

The OEM is probally a cleaner looking package then a U-Haul hitch thats not vehicle specific.

It is, and you know without a doubt it will let you safely get to your maximum towing capacity.

**Helinut1970** · 05-11-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walleeme

Make sure the plug is in the boat BEFORE you launch it.

Ive done that before and almost sunk my boat.
Get the hitch and do it right no doubt. Its not worth watching your boat go one way in your rear view while you go the other way down the freeway at 70mph.