Spring is here, although you’d never know it—in some parts of North America, March is going out like a lion.
Spring officially arrived last weekend, so boating isn’t far off—fingers crossed. Boaters with trailerable boats, are hitting the road to enjoy fishing, early boating at the cottage, or if we are lucky, some early summer full blown boating enjoyment.
Many boaters have taken advantage of our FREE article about “27 Ways to Save Fuel” on the water. Dan Armitage a contributor to Great Lakes Scuttlebutt Magazine has written an article on 7 Ways to Save Fuel Trailering (republished with permission) that we think you will find helpful in tandem with our 27 Ways of Saving Fuel on the Water.
Whether you are trailering once a year, or every weekend, here are some fuel saving tips for your tow vehicle and boat trailer.
Check Tire Pressure
Check the tire pressure on the boat trailer and the tow vehicle.
Low tire pressure can drag both the vehicle and trailer, reducing fuel mileage. Low tire pressure can also lead to heat-caused tire failures.
Refer to your trailer’s owner’s manual to learn the recommended tire pressure rather than using that posted on the tire itself, which is usually a maximum pressure rating and may not represent the most fuel efficient for that tire or that particular rig.
Maintain Tongue Weight
Maintain the proper tongue weight. The boat trailer’s tongue weight should be between 5 to 7 percent of the total tow package, which should include the weight of the boat, all loaded gear and the trailer weight. This helps the trailer tow properly by reducing swaying or “fishtailing” which can drastically reduce the rig’s miles per gallon.
Level Trailer
Adjust your trailer to fit the boat. Make sure the boat is level on the trailer and the trailer/boat is level when hooked to the vehicle. For adjusting the trailer for the boat it cradles, V-frame trailers allow for the lowest adjustment of the boat into the trailer and at the same time enables easy loading and unloading of the boat without any damage to the trailer or boat. Proper boat and trailer adjustment also reduces wind resistance.
Match Tow Vehicle to Trailer
Match the vehicle’s tow rating to trailer weight. When towing, make sure the tow vehicle is capable of towing the boat and trailer package by checking the vehicle’s tow rating in the owner’s manual. Using a 2,000-lb. tow package to tow a 3,000-lb. boat and trailer package not only will reduce fuel mileage, but is unsafe to boot!
Trailering Boat Cover
Use a trailering style boat cover. To further reduce wind resistance, invest in a boat cover made for use while the boat is being towed. These snug-fitting tops will streamline and reduce the wind drag when towing the boat down the highway.
Local marine dealers can be helpful in locating and fitting the right cover for your particular boat, which also protects the boat from the elements. Just don’t try towing with a common storage boat cover. It will flap and shred to pieces at best, and blow off and be a danger to fellow drivers at worst!
Lubricate Trailer Bearings
Check trailer bearings for proper lubrication. Most trailers come with bearing protectors to keep the hubs properly lubed. Even these need to be checked regularly to make sure they are full of grease. Most bearing protectors can be tested by simply pressing the spring-loaded piston. If the hub has adequate grease, it will rock back and forth slightly, but it will not fully compress. Visually check standard bearings for adequate grease and re-pack as needed. Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for specific instructions.
Maintain Constant Speed
Watch your speed. When towing, accelerate slowly and steadily from complete stops.
Maintain constant speeds – if the speed limit is 55 mph, maintain this speed. In interstate driving where the posted speed limit is 65 to 75 mph, drive 5 mph slower than the posted speed limit to get the most out of every precious gallon of gas.
“Every bit helps!”
Every dollar saved on fuel means another dollar for boating enjoyment.
It was interesting to me when you mentioned that it is a good idea to match your vehicle’s towing rating to the weight of the trailer you are pulling. If you have a boat that needs to be towed, it could be a good idea to contact a professional and have them do it for you. You wouldn’t have to worry about picking the wrong trailer if you hire a professional.