Table of Contents
Introduction
Gripping the wheel with white knuckles while your truck and trailer fishtails. Holding your breath as your crew gently lowers a million-dollar yacht using jury-rigged hardware store ropes. Struggling to lift a trailer tongue alone as the owner watches nervously. Sound familiar?
Transporting boats pushes haulers to the limit unlike standard shipping jobs. But it doesn’t have to be this hair-raising balancing act. Taking control comes down to having the right gear specifically to the challenges of boats.
Integrating purpose-built marine accessories into your rig transforms boat hauling from dicey to smooth sailing. They provide the tools to command fragile loads on highways and water confidently. Outfitting your business means transcending hopes and prayers for safe deliveries. And that makes boat hauling incredibly rewarding when equipped properly.
- Procure Multi-Sling Lifting Straps
- Get Wireless Backup Camera Kit
- Obtain a Load Leveler Hitch
- Acquire a Digital Tire Pressure Monitoring System
- Invest in Hydraulic Trailer Tongue Jacks
Overview of Boat Hauler Business Accessories you Need to Succeed
How to Choose a Boat Hauler Business Accessories you Need to Succeed
Pros & Cons of Boat Hauler Business Accessories
What to Watch Out For
Pro Tips
Recap
>>>MORE: How to Start a Boat Hauler Business
1. Procure Multi-Sling Lifting Straps
Multi-sling straps make lifting and positioning boats a smooth, safe process. Have your adjustable straps and prevent hull damage while safely bearing the boat’s weight. Multi-sling systems make the process exponentially simpler and safer. They distribute thousands of pounds smoothly using adjustable padded straps. This protects fragile gel coats, graphics, and hulls during handling. And their durability ensures safe lifts trip after trip, year after year.
- Protects the hull from scuffs and scratches
- Distributes weight evenly for lift stability
- Allows the crew to quickly reposition the boat on the trailer
- Handles boats up to 30,000 lbs when rigged properly
- Provides fully adjustable and removable straps
- Requires training on proper rigging techniques
- Risks straps loosening if not thoroughly secured
- Experience pad wears over time and replacement
- Avoid extremely delicate surfaces
- Buy at marine supply stores or online for $150-$300
- Replace every 1-2 years
- Stick with name brand straps for durability and proper ratings
- Maintain and inspect straps before/after each use
2. Get Wireless Backup Camera Kit
Backing up blindly with a trailer risks expensive collisions. A wireless camera system is an affordable extra visibility insurance. Backing up a long towing rig blindly is a recipe for disastrous collisions. Yet even you, a diligent spotter can miss unseen obstacles. A wireless camera system provides truckers with an indispensable second pair of eyes.
The ability to see your blind spots in real time while backing lets you maneuver with precision. This prevents accidents that risk damage to boats, docks, vehicles or worse. The system quickly pays for itself by avoiding just one minor fender bender.
- Provides a real-time rearview display, allowing you to see blind spots
- Eliminates the need for spotters to guide backing up
- Reduces the risk of fender benders with docks, vehicles, posts, etc
- Enables precise trailer positioning when connecting to the boat
- Sticks magnetic camera securely to the trailer
- Offers wireless transmission to the in-cab display
- Has a less wireless transmitting range
- Experience possible wireless interference, degrading video quality
- Have fair vision with small screen
- Purchase online and at auto parts stores for $100-$200
- Opt for a weatherproof camera with night vision capability
- Mount the camera high on the trailer for optimal visibility
- Keep the display screen clean and positioned for good sight lines
3. Obtain a Load Leveler Hitch
A load leveler hitch transfers weight forward, distributing it evenly between trailer and tow vehicle. This dramatically improves stability. Towing heavy boats applies incredible tongue weight and strain to trucks. This risks dangerous trailer swaying and loss of control. A load leveler hitch is a boat hauler’s first line of defense.
No more wrestling or white-knuckling a jackknifing rig. Proper weight distribution also reduces strain on drivetrains and extends the life of vehicles.
- Transfers weight off the rear to improve balance
- Prevents “tail-wagging” sway from heavy rear loads
- Adds stability at highway speeds
- Provides adjustable for tuning weight distribution
- Supports tow capacity up to 14,000 lbs
- Makes hitching up easier and safer
- Extends suspension and tire life
- Has higher pricing than a standard ball hitch
- Requires a more complex installation and setup
- Needs proper adjustment each time you hitch up
- Lacks compatibility with hydraulic brake couplers
- Buy at trailer supply stores or online for $250-$650
- Consider having a professional handle installation if uncertain
- Lubricate pivot points and check bolts periodically
- Re-adjust before each trip depending on the load
4. Acquire a Digital Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Blowouts are a real risk when towing heavy boats. A monitoring system provides instant alerts to dangerously low tire pressure. Few events can instantly ruin a trip like a blown trailer tire.
The repair, lost time and possible damage make it a nightmare scenario. A digital monitoring system provides 24/7 peace of mind. By tracking tire pressure in real time across all wheels, it provides instant alerts to dangerously low PSI. This early warning provides time to address issues and avoid blowouts before they happen. For boat haulers pulling heavy trailers, the system pays for itself in no time.
- Displays PSI in real-time on dashboard readout
- Provides audible alarm if pressure drops suddenly
- Helps prevent blowouts leading to accidents
- Monitors tires on both the trailer and tow vehicle
- Has easy DIY installation on valve stems
- Detects slow leaks and temperature fluctuations
- Sensors will need periodic battery replacement
- Spend more than a manual pressure gauge
- Triggers false alarms if sensors loosen
- Lacks automatic inflation of tires
- Get at auto parts stores or online for $60-$200
- Sensors screw onto the valve stem and take seconds to install
- Replace batteries every 1-2 years depending on use
- Test the system before each trip to catch any issues
5. Invest in Hydraulic Trailer Tongue Jacks
A hydraulic jack makes raising heavy boat trailer tongues easy. No more cranking or bouncing trucks. Connecting and disconnecting a heavy boat trailer repeatedly strains muscles and risks slips. A hydraulic tongue jack makes the process nearly effortless each time. Just flip a lever and let the hydraulic cylinder smoothly lift thousands of pounds with ease.
The jack also ensures a reliable lift every time, whereas crank or electric jacks can fail or bind. Quickly connecting your rig solo without relying on others provides confidence before hitting the road. The hydraulic power and convenience of these jacks make them indispensable time and back-savers out on the water.
- Uses hydraulic piston for effortless lifting
- Makes connecting/disconnecting trailer faster and safer
- Provides higher weight capacities up to 15,000 lbs
- Attaches permanently so it’s always accessible
- Takes up less space than electric jacks
- Improves usability with fast tongue lifting
- Has more complex installation than other jacks
- Requires periodic hydraulic fluid replacement
- Needs full replacement
- Pick up at trailer stores or online for $120-$350
- Have a professional handle install it
- Inspect fluid levels and top off monthly
- Fix any leaks immediately to prevent failure
- Keep a spare manual jack for emergencies
Overview of Boat Hauler Business Accessories you Need to Succeed
Transporting boats has nuances unlike standard freight hauling. Investing in modern accessories transforms good boat haulers into great ones. They become force multipliers that make tricky jobs smooth and protect fragile loads. Take the time to strategically identify and integrate the right marine gear. This elevates your capabilities, professionalism and reputation.
You must navigate a delicate balance between successful deliveries and potential disasters. The key factor that distinguishes the two outcomes is the integration of marine-focused accessories into their operations. These purpose-built tools empower you to handle the unique challenges of transporting large, fragile, and high-value boat loads with precision and safety.
Whether it’s using a hydraulic jack for navigating slippery boat ramps or a load leveler hitch to enhance stability, these accessories work in harmony to mitigate risks. Boat transport requires a well-coordinated approach, and identifying pain points and reinforcing weak areas in the workflow with the right tools can make a significant difference.
How to Choose a Boat Hauler Business Accessories you Need to Succeed
When selecting boat hauling accessories:
- Evaluate needs by analyzing pain points in your current workflow
- Verify construction quality by inspecting materials and seams
- Ensure a robust warranty that demonstrates durability confidence
- Read feedback from other haulers using the accessory in real-world conditions
- Assess ease of integration into existing equipment and processes
Pros & Cons of Boat Hauler Business Accessories you Need to Succeed
Pros
- Prevents thousands in hull damage that erodes profits
- Saves hours of time safely handling boats at launch ramps
- Reduces fatigue that leads to accidents after long days
- Enhances capabilities to take on special jobs
- Delivers peace of mind towing irreplaceable boats
Cons
- Involves a large upfront investment and ongoing upkeep costs.
- Leads to potential downtime for repairs if low-quality accessories fail.
- Requires a learning curve for adapting existing workflows to new gear.
- Demands storage space for keeping accessories secure but accessible.
>>>GET SMARTER: How Much Do Boat Haulers Make?
What to Watch Out For
Be wary of boat hauling accessories that:
- Lack durability with cheap welds and thin materials
- Arrive with vague installation instructions leaving you guessing
- Feel overly complex or full of gimmicky features of questionable use
- Come from no-name brands without reputation accountability
Pro Tips
- Leverage trade group discounts for high-cost accessories
- Take manufacturers’ training courses to maximize usefulness
- Take inventory before trips ensuring important accessories are onboard
- Have backup options in case primary accessories become bad
Recap
You face unique challenges and risks in your line of work, but the right marine accessories can make all the difference. These purpose-built tools, such as multi-sling lifting straps, wireless backup camera kits, load leveler hitches, digital tire pressure monitoring systems, and hydraulic trailer tongue jacks, provide the necessary support to transport boats safely and efficiently.
Each accessory offers its own set of pros and cons, with considerations for cost, installation, and maintenance. Integrate these accessories into your operations, boat haulers and enhance their capabilities, professionalism, and reputation in the industry, ultimately leading to safer and more successful deliveries.
Take the time to thoroughly evaluate options using a critical lens. This results in gear that unlocks efficiency, protects cargo, and enhances your reputation for delivering – everything that builds a thriving boat hauling business.
