Towing a bass boat

[Thawk21]

Just wanted to get everyones thoughts on towing a bass boat.

I have a 2019 Ranger XLT bone stock. I have a 20ft Ranger bass boat riding on a single axle trailer with non-working surge brakes. Driving to my local lake has been find with a 5" drop hitch. I am curious how what your thoughts are with town long distances with a boat this size with not really having any working brakes on the trailer.

Sponsored

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Just wanted to get everyones thoughts on towing a bass boat.

I have a 2019 Ranger XLT bone stock. I have a 20ft Ranger bass boat riding on a single axle trailer with non-working surge brakes. Driving to my local lake has been find with a 5" drop hitch. I am curious how what your thoughts are with town long distances with a boat this size with not really having any working brakes on the trailer.

Hi Tyler,

Cannot comment with out data. What is the weight of the trailer/boat? Why were there surge brakes installed....not the trailer that the boat came with or maybe the boat never came with a trailer and this owner cudgeled this together.

As far as I can go is to weigh your boat trailer and then your truck and trailer/boat and refer to the owner's manual and your state DMV for when trailer brakes are required. Hope you did not get taken by this previous boat owner but only weighing this will provide a picture of where you are in the towing process.

Not having knowledge of bass boats, I have no clue if you are okay or not....

Report back and we will see if you stepped in it or hopefully not!

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Frenchy]

Hi Tyler,

Cannot comment with out data. What is the weight of the trailer/boat? Why were there surge brakes installed....not the trailer that the boat came with or maybe the boat never came with a trailer and this owner cudgeled this together.

As far as I can go is to weigh your boat trailer and then your truck and trailer/boat and refer to the owner's manual and your state DMV for when trailer brakes are required. Hope you did not get taken by this previous boat owner but only weighing this will provide a picture of where you are in the towing process.

Not having knowledge of bass boats, I have no clue if you are okay or not....

Report back and we will see if you stepped in it or hopefully not!

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

I agree that without much data it is hard to say if it is ok but i can answer your question on the surge brakes. With hydraulic surge brakes(as long as they are not leaking) wont be hurt by the water compared to electric brakes when putting the boat in water or taking it out.

Sponsored