Ski Tow

Boat Towing Safety with your Truck

The Fourth of July is a fun summer holiday weekend. You will find a lot of friends and family on the lakes near central Texas this weekend and throughout the summer. Lake Travis is a popular weekend destination and is crowded with boats and jet skis over the holiday weekend. The roads also become very busy with drivers taking off for a fun weekend out of town. The roads can often be seen with trucks or SUVs towing a boat, four wheelers, and jet skis behind them. Here are some safety tips to remember this weekend if you are towing your boat to the lake with your truck.

First and foremost, you have to adjust the way you drive your vehicle when you are towing something such as a boat or an RV. Extra caution will be needed on the road and drivers around you should also be more cautious on busy holiday weekends with a lot of towing trucks on the road. The weight of your moving truck will be much different with a boat in tow. You will have to use extreme caution when pulling out, braking, accelerating, and changing lanes. You will need more room to come to a complete stop and you should drive slower than normal.

Before you start driving, you should check to see that your boat trailer is a safe and properly attached to your truck or SUV. It is important as a boat owner and driver that you know how to operate a towing trailer and the rules and regulations for doing so in your state. Make sure that the vehicle you are towing with can handle the weight of the trailer and boat in tow. Here is a checklist you can follow when attaching the trailer and loading up your boat:

• Is the hitch and hitch ball (coupler) properly fitted and the right size?
• Are the coupler and all safety chains attached to the hitch securely?
• Are all attachments tightened?
• Is the boat tied down to the trailer?
• Are the wheel lug nuts and bearings tightened and adjusted?
• Are you in proper weight capacity for the trailer and towing vehicle?
• Are the trailer tires inflated?
• Do all trailer lights work properly?
• Do the brakes work? (You may need to purchase a trailer with its own brakes)

Once you have checked off on the requirements and safety measures, you are ready to get on the road with your truck and boat in tow. Use extreme precautions and never drive too fast, aggressive, or recklessly. Have a fun and happy summer!

About the Author

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV's. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com

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ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR / TOW ROPE, 12', SKI/TOW ROPE BRI / R405WHT99 $26.17 ABSOLUTE OUTDOOR - TOW ROPE, 12', SKI/TOW ROPE BRI - R405WHT99

Ski Tow on Rib Mountain, Wausau, Wisconsin $39.99 Ski Tow on Rib Mountain, Wausau, Wisconsin - Giclee Print

KidSki Kid-Ski HBar - 1 Piece $29.95 With the Kiddie Ski Bar, you parents can now teach your children to ski only 2-3 months after they learn to walk by giving them lots of slide-time in their first winter. It gives stability to child and control to parent. You can push, pull, twist, tilt, lift, even pick-up and carry your child if s/he starts to lose balance. A great place to introduce your toddler (and yourself) to the Kiddie Ski Bar is on the playroom rug. Make carpet skiing a fun game, so when you hit the slopes, the activity is second nature for both you and your child. And, carpet skiing counts toward slide-time. For all ages 1-8, the Kiddie Ski Bar also makes a great towing device for backyard ski-sliding. With child in tow, take walks in your backyard, on snow-covered golf courses, cross-country trails, frozen lakes, city parks, or wooded trails. On grass, a child needs only a ½ inch of snow to slide on skis. A note of caution: Always use the Kiddie Ski Bar with the Tip Lock (even when carpet skiing), as well as with the Kiddie Lift. You should be better than an intermediate skier to ski with a child on the Kiddie Ski Bar. Due to the size of the HBar we are unable to ship this to countries outside of the US and Canada.

AIRHEAD Tow Harness 12' $9.99 AIRHEAD TOW HARNESS 12 FT. 1 RIDERAIRHEAD Tow HarnessIf your boat isn't equipped with a pylon or ski eye and you enjoy watersports activities, you need a tow harness. It creates a tow attachment point at the center of your boat, behind your outboard or stern drive. This tow harness is perfect for pu

Seachoice Prod Seachoice Prod Teal Ski Tow Rope 86621 $20.39 Teal ski tow rope 1/4? x 75', 12-strand polypropylene ski rope Meets AWSA specifications Cushion soft handle Self winding holder included Teal Made in U.S.A Brand #: Seachoice Prod 86621 UPC: 719249866215 Keywords: ski tow rope

AIRHEAD Heavy Duty Tow Harness $16.64 AIRHEAD HEAVY DUTY TOW HARNESS 12 FT. 1-4 RIDERAIRHEAD Heavy Duty Tow HarnessThis 5,000-pound tensile strength tow harness is perfect for pulling skiers, wake boarders and the big 4 rider towables. Simply clip it onto your boat with the 5,000-pound tensile strength hooks, and attach your ski or tube

Airhead AHTH1 Tow Harness $19.99 "Airhead Tow Harness Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Airhead AHTH1 is a 12 feet Tow Harness. This tow harness is needed if the boat isn't equipped with a pylon or ski eye and you enjoy watersports activities. It creates a tow attachment point at the center of your boat, behind your outboard or stern drive. This tow harness is perfect for pulling a skier, wake boarder, knee boarder or 1 rider tubes . Clip it onto the boat with the hooks provided, and attach the ski or tube rope. A 6"" float keeps the attachment loop floating on top, away from the propeller. It is 12 feet long to fit larger boats and pontoons. AHTH1 Features: Product # AHTH1, 12' Tow Harness, High Strength Tow Harness, 6"" High-Impact Molded Plastic Float, 2 Large Corrosion-Resistant Snap Hooks, Perfect f/ Pulling Skiers, Wake Boarders & Up To 1 Rider Tubes, 12' Long To Fit Larger Boats & Pontoons"

Equal Pull Tow Rope $8.99 WPS Equal Pull Tow Rope Place front hook in tow hitch and the two remaining hooks in the ski loops of the sled to be towed. Strap slides freely through the eye of the front hook for equal pull on both skis. Made of 4000 lb. mildew resistant flat nylon webbing. Packaged in an attractive display bag. Sizing Information: 5' 6"

Tow Rope Hook-Up Ropes $11.5 Atlantis Tow Rope Hook-Up Ropes The easy way to quickly attach and detach your ski or tube ropes to your PWC or boat. Just snap them on or off to change ropes.

Airhead AHTH5 TOW DEMON - 12FT $22.99 "Airhead Tow Demon Harness Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Airhead Tow Demon is a new higher strength versions of a classic and very popular tow harness. This high-impact molded plastic float / pulley system allows for easy attachment of ski ropes, wakeboard ropes and tube ropes. This tow demon can be connected easily and quickly to boats with the help of the two large corrosion-resistant snap hooks . It is very much recommended for recreational water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and towing 1 rider tubes. Tow Demon Features: Tow Demon Harness, 12' Floating or Steel Rope, 2 Large Corrosion-Resistant Snap Hooks, High-Impact Molded Plastic Float, Easy Attachment Of Ropes, Perfect for Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Knee Boarding & One Rider Tubes"

Airhead AHTH7 TOW DEMON - 12FT $23.99 "Airhead Tow Demon Harness Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Airhead AHTH7 TOW DEMON - 8FTis a new higher strength versions of a classic and very popular tow harness. This high-impact molded plastic float / pulley system allows for easy attachment of ski ropes, wakeboard ropes and tube ropes. This tow demon can be connected easily and quickly to boats with the help of the two large corrosion-resistant snap hooks . It is very much recommended for recreational water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and towing 1 rider tubes. AHTH7 Features: Product # AHTH7, Tow Demon Harness, 12' Steel Cable, 2 Large Corrosion-Resistant Snap Hooks, High-Impact Molded Plastic Float, Vinyl-Jacketed Steel Cable, Perfect for Skiing, Wakeboarding, Knee Boarding & One Rider Tubes"

Deluxe Tow Strap $13.99 WPS Deluxe Tow Strap The 4’ 8” leading strap forms a soft hitch on the towing machine. The 7”3” back strap passes through the front strap. Then both ends of the back strap loops around the spindles and hook back over the strap to form an equal pull between all 3 soft hitches Features: Loops around spindles (not ski tips) Looped end won’t scratch towing machine Equal pull on both sides Leading Strap- 4' 8" Back Strap- 7' 3"

Airhead Heavy Duty Tow Harness $19.98 AIRHEAD and reg; Heavy Duty Tow Harness This 5,000-pound tensile strength tow harness is perfect for pulling skiers, wake boarders and the big 4 rider towables. Simply clip it onto your boat with the 5,000-pound tensile strength hooks, and attach your ski or tube rope to the heavy duty Kwik-Connect. A 6 float keeps the Kwik-Connect floating on top, away from your propeller. 12 feet long to fit larger boats and pontoons. Yellow / Red. AHTH-2

Ski  $3.5 Ski

Kwik Tek AHTH6 Tow Demon Harness 8 Foot Cable $30.65 Popular tow harness design now even stronger Makes attaching tow ropes for skiing wakeboarding or tubing easy Highimpact molded plastic float and pulley system Attaches quickly and easily to boats with two large corrosionresistant snap hooks The Airhead Tow Demon Ski Tow Harness gives you the ease of use of the classic and very popular water sports tow harness design with even more strength. The Two Demon uses a highimpact molded plastic float and pulley system for easy attachment of ski ropes wakeboard ropes and tube ropes. This vinylcoated steel cable tow harness attaches quickly and easily to boats with two large corrosionresistant snap hooks. A great choice for recreational water skiing wakeboarding kneeboarding and towing single rider tubes.. Airhead Tow Demon Ski Tow Harness.

Airhead AHTH6 TOW DEMON - 8 FT $23.99 "Airhead Tow Demon Harness Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Airhead AHTH6 TOW DEMON - 8FTis a new higher strength versions of a classic and very popular tow harness. This high-impact molded plastic float / pulley system allows for easy attachment of ski ropes, wakeboard ropes and tube ropes. This tow demon can be connected easily and quickly to boats with the help of the two large corrosion-resistant snap hooks . It is very much recommended for recreational water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and towing 1 rider tubes. AHTH6 Features: Product # AHTH6, Tow Demon Harness, 8' Steel Cable, 2 Large Corrosion-Resistant Snap Hooks, High-Impact Molded Plastic Float, Vinyl-Jacketed Steel Cable, Perfect for Skiing, Wakeboarding, Knee Boarding & One Rider Tubes"

Airhead AHTH4 TOW DEMON - 8 FT $21.99 "Airhead Tow Demon Harness Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Airhead AHTH4 Tow Demon- 8 Ftis a new higher strength versions of a classic and very popular tow harness. This high-impact molded plastic float / pulley system allows for easy attachment of ski ropes, wakeboard ropes and tube ropes. This tow demon can be connected easily and quickly to boats with the help of the two large corrosion-resistant snap hooks . It is very much recommended for recreational water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and towing 1 rider tubes. AHTH4 Features: Product # AHTH4, Tow Demon Harness, 8' Floating Rope, 2 Large Corrosion-Resistant Snap Hooks, High-Impact Molded Plastic Float, Easy Attachment Of Ropes, Perfect for for Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Knee Boarding & One Rider Tubes"

Kwik Tek AIRHEAD Heavy Duty Tow Harness $31.84 AIRHEADreg; Heavy Duty Tow HarnessThis 5000pound tensile strength tow harness is perfect for pulling skiers wake boarders and the big 4 rider towables. Simply clip it onto your boat with the 5000pound tensile strength hooks and attach your ski or tube rope to the heavy duty KwikConnect. A 6 float keeps the KwikConnect floating on top away from your propeller. 12 feet long to fit larger boats and pontoons. Yellow / Red. AHTH2 Product : KWIK TEK AIRHEAD HEAVY DUTY TOW HARNESS Manufacturer : KWIK TEK / DRY PAK Manufacturer Part No : AHTH2 UPC : 737826018260

SportsStuff Zip Ski $67.99 SPORTSSTUFF ZIP SKIGet ready to take on the wake with the smooth riding ZIP SKI MY-T TUBE! This classic action towable is updated with a fast easy quick connect tow system. Just slip your tow rope over the Quick Connect and you're off and tubing. The ZIP SKI is fully loaded with double webbing foam

Video Action Sports (VAS) Warren Miller Bloopers $14.98 All the great Warren Miller films throughout the years have made it look easy – big mountain, smooth rides and effortless grace. But behind the scenes, some of winter sports’ most comedic moments have been captured on film and are now coming to DVD. This disc features two films: The Best of Winter Bloopers, Vol. 3 and Skiing Bloopers II. In The Best of Winter Bloopers, Vol. 3, you’ll see inner-tubing, cardboard downhills, snowshoe races, dummy races, pond jumps, dirt skiing, chairlift and rope tow blunders, not to mention some of the most outrageous ski and snowboard crashes ever caught on film. The entire collection is narrated by the Master of Winter Comedy himself, Warren Miller. Skiing Bloopers II will show you why Warren Miller has rightfully been called the “King of Skiing Comedy.” You’ll see it all, from altitude-weary beginners to Zudnik, the half-wolf, half-husky who gets a speeding ticket in Crested Butte. It’s the cream of the comedy crop: crashes, klutzes and collisions as only Warren Miller Entertainment can deliver.

Coolabear - Tow $6 Coolabear - Tow

Tow Hook $14.99 Tow Hook

Airhead AHTH2 Heavy Duty Tow Harness $24.99 "Airhead Heavy Duty Tow Harness Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Airhead AHTH2 is a Heavy Duty Tow Harness which is perfect for pulling skiers, wake boarders and up to 4 rider towables. Clip it onto your boat with the 5, 000-pound tensile strength hooks, and attach your ski or tube rope to the heavy duty Kwik-Connect. A 6 float keeps the Kwik-Connect floating on top, away from your propeller. 12 feet long to fit larger boats and pontoons. AHTH2 Features: Product # AHTH2, Heavy Duty Tow Harness, 5, 000 lbs. Tensile Strength Hooks, 6"" Float, Heavy-Duty Kwick-Connect, 12' Long To Fit Larger Boats & Pontoons, Perfect for Pulling Skiers, Wake Boarders & Up To 4 Rider Towables"

Hopkins Mfg. Hopkins Mfg. 12 in Tow & Trailer Kit 48165 $3.17 12? tow & trailer kit 12? tow vehicle end and 12? trailer end set A 4-wire flat is the most commonly used trailer plug This plug is found on small boats, utility, jet ski, snowmobile, and small camper trailers where right turn/brake, left turn/brake, tail/marker lights and ground is needed Includes 6 splice connectors Brand #: Hopkins Mfg. 48165 UPC: 079976481656 Keywords: wiring kit vehicle tow towing connector

Kwik Tek AHTH5 Tow Demon Harness 12 Foot Rope $28.98 AIRHEAD s TOW DEMONs are new higher strength versions of a classic and very popular water sports tow harness. The highimpact molded plastic float / pulley system allows for easy attachment of ski ropes wakeboard ropes and tube ropes. Connect TOW DEMON quickly and easily to boats with the 2 large corrosionresistant snap hooks. Available in vinyljacketed steel cable and floating rope versions. Recommended for recreational water skiing wakeboarding kneeboarding and towing 1 rider tubes.

Kwik Tek AHTH1 Airhead Tow Harness 12 Ft. $24.05 If your boat isn t equipped with a pylon or ski eye and you enjoy watersports activities you need a tow harness. It creates a tow attachment point at the center of your boat behind your outboard or stern drive. This 2 375 pound tensile strength tow harness is perfect for pulling a skier wake boarder knee boarder 1rider tubes or 2rider tubes. Simply clip it onto your boat with the hooks provided and attach your ski or tube rope. A 6 float keeps the attachment loop floating on top away from your propeller. 12 feet long to fit larger boats and pontoons. Yellow / Red.

Airhead AHTH3 Self-Centering Tow Harness $27.99 "Airhead Self-Centering Tow Harness Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Airhead AHTH3 is a Self Centering Pulley, 12 ft. Tow Harness, is perfect for pulling skiers, wake boarders and up to 2 rider towables which has a tensile strength of 3, 000-pounds. A stainless steel pulley glides along the length of the rope to provide the optimum pull at all times. Clip it onto your boat with the 5, 000-pound tensile strength hooks provided, and attach your ski or tube rope to the heavy duty Kwik-Connect. The 6"" float ensures that the Kwik-Connect floats, away from your propeller. It's 12 feet long to fit pontoon and larger boats. AHTH3 Features: Product # AHTH3, Self-Centering Tow Harness, 3000 lbs. Tensile Strength Tow Harness, 6"" Float, Heavy-Duty Kwick-Connect, Stainless-Steel Pulley, 5000 lbs. Tensile Strength Hooks, For Pulling Skiers, Wake Boarders & Towables, 12' Long to Fit Large Watercraft"

Seachoice Prod Seachoice Prod 8' Tow Harness 86711 $13.85 8' tow harness 8' usable cable length Unique design molded high-impact plastic float/pulley Allows easy attachment of ski rope for better towing and boat control Full 1/4? diameter vinyl jacketed steel cable Large snap hooks for quick attachment to boat Brand #: Seachoice Prod 86711 UPC: 719249867113 Keywords: harness tow

Burley 960097 We! Ski Kit $275 Perfect for cross country skiing, skate skiing or snow shoeing, the We! Ski Kit attaches to the wheel axle with a push button system. The adjustable, lightweight tow bars connect to the trailer side mounts and lead to a padded hip harness.

Seachoice Prod Seachoice Prod Deluxe Ski Rope 86601 $13.03 Deluxe ski rope 8 strand hollow braid poly-propylene cord with a single padded handle Designed to tow 1 person, maximum rider weight 225 lb. 5/16? x 75' Made in U.S.A Brand #: Seachoice Prod 86601 UPC: 719249866017 Keywords: rope ski tow

Transpack SKI PRO Double Ski Bag Red $99.95 The Transpack SKI PRO is a partially padded double ski bag that adjusts to accommodate skis from 165 – 185 cm in length. The SKI PRO ski bag will hold two pairs of skis and features closed-cell foam padding on the sides for extra protection. The SKI PRO is a great ski bag to use when traveling by car or bus. Features: Adjustable double ski bag Internal zippered pocket for personal items Closed cell foam padding on sides Double-locking, self-repairing nylon coil zippers Length: 165–185 cm Fabric: Super tough, water-resistant coated 1680 ballistic nylon

Transpack SKI PRO Double Ski Bag Black $99.95 The Transpack SKI PRO is a partially padded double ski bag that adjusts to accommodate skis from 165 – 185 cm in length. The SKI PRO ski bag will hold two pairs of skis and features closed-cell foam padding on the sides for extra protection. The SKI PRO is a great ski bag to use when traveling by car or bus. Features: Adjustable double ski bag Internal zippered pocket for personal items Closed cell foam padding on sides Double-locking, self-repairing nylon coil zippers Length: 165–185 cm Fabric: Super tough, water-resistant coated 1680 ballistic nylon

Kwik Tek AHTH3 Yellow/Black Airhead SelfCentering Tow Harness $36.53 Airheadreg; SelfCentering Tow HarnessThis 3000pound tensile strength tow harness is perfect for pulling skiers wake boarders and up to 2 rider towables. A stainless steel pulley glides along the length of the rope to provide the optimum pull at all times. Simply clip it onto your boat with the 5000pound tensile strength hooks provided and attach your ski or tube rope to the heavy duty KwikConnect. The 6 float ensures that the KwikConnect floats away from your propeller. Its 12 feet long to fit pontoon and larger boats. Yellow / Black.Product : KWIK TEK AIRHEAD TOW HARNESS 12FT. SELF CENTERING PULLY Manufacturer : KWIK TEK / DRY PAK Manufacturer Part No : AHTH3 UPC : 737826019045

Sports Stuff AHTH4 Airhead Tow Demon Harness 8 ft. Rope 1 Rider $28.15 Airhead s Tow Demons are new higher strength versions of a classic and very popular water sports tow harness. The highimpact molded plastic float/pulley system allows for easy attachment of ski ropes wakeboard ropes and tube ropes. Connect Tow Demon quickly and easily to boats with the 2 large corrosionresistant snap hooks. Available in vinyljacketed steel cable and floating rope versions. Recommended for recreational water skiing wakeboarding kneeboarding and towing 1 rider tubes.

Tow Rope $24.99 A. Villani Tow Rope - Photographic Print

Transpack SKI Pro Convertible Double Ski Bag $118.95 The Transpack Ski Pro convertible double ski bag is a reinforced padded double ski bag designed to protect your skis and make transporting them easy. Compression straps on the side help secure the load. Adjustable length design allows the Transpack SKI Pro Convertible Double ski bag to accommodate skis from 165 to 185 cm in length. Features: Reinforced padded double ski bag Construction: Super tough, water-resistant coated 1680 ballistic nylon Compression straps for load control and size adjustment Closed cell foam padding on the side Internal zipper pocket for personal items Double-locking, self-repairing nylon coil zippers Length: 165 to 185 cm Item code: 1401-01 View our full line of Transpack Bags.

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