trailering long distance with or without cover?

[jcass]

I am going to trailer a boat from Michigan to Texas in the near future and am wondering if I should leave the cover on or off. It is a nice snap-on cover but I notice when going down the road the fabric seems really depressed by the wind. Local drives don't concern me that much but going to TX and back at Interstate speeds might take a lot of life out of the cover I'm afraid. I don't want to have to buy a new cover if I can keep the old one going a few years. THe cover is about 4 years old, and is high profile, going over the console windshield and supported by two posts.
Any advice from experienced trailer people appreciated.
Thanks

[Darren MT]

If the cover fits well, is properly secured, and is of quality material, it should hold up during travel. Of course, driving fast or encountering high winds may raise havoc on it. Some covers and/or tie down straps tend to rub on the side of the boat, which may cause cosmetic damage traveling that distance.

Some benefits of covering are; (1)Keep out rain, dirt, etc. (2) Protect windshield (3) Discourage theft...what people can't see and easily access, they might not steal. Personally, I would cover my boat for this trip.

[Das Boot 3]

I always travel with my snap on cover on. I go 100-350 miles each way and have never had a problem
Make sure it's tight and the snaps are well set.
1. Keeps the boat interior clean and dry
2. Keeps prying eyes out of the boat
3. Keeps gear from blowing out
4. Just might help with the 14mpg I get while towing
It also gives some peace of mind while the rig is unattended during pit stops and rest stops. Keep a eye on it while you are on the road and check it over at each stop.
DB3

[JimH]

I'm just going to echo the sentiments of the previous posts. The cover on my last boat lasted almost 18 yrs, was a snap-on, fit like a glove, and never had any issues with it. No scratches, no rubbing of paint, was fine. I'm planning to do the same on my new one.

[Traveling Man]

I always preferred to tow my old Ranger with the cover off. I had the plexiglass windshields. The cover, no matter how 'snug', still moves. Movement over fiberglass will result in 'hazy' finish.

That said:

Tow with cover on if - you have a glass windshield
- the boat is clean and dry and its raining or snowing out
- if the roads are 'dirty'

Tow with cover off if - you don't want rub marks in your fiberglass or the paint to 'wear' of decals and painted hulls.
- if it rained while you were fishing and you want to start drying it out on the way home

[Brad1]

You will certainly being doing more harm than good to your cover by trailering it that distance. Especially with a cover that is 4 years old. All depends which risk you can live the most. Needing a new cover, or, possibly some rain, road dirt in your boat. Not to mention the wrong type of person having easier access to what is inside the boat. But if space allows in your tow vehicle, you can always address that concern by just locking everything in your tow vehicle.

Have you considered having your boat shrink wrapped for your journey?

[Vince]

I bought a custome made Lund cove for my 1700 Angler SS, both 04's. I also travel alot (back home to NE-Ohio from NC). Can anyone share their experiences with a similar rig and cover (do's & don'ts).

[CoverBoy]

I trailer my boat to 3 Canadian trips a year, 1500 miles round-trip each.

If your cover is well-made and is of non-scuff material I would cover it for the reasons already stated in other posts. I have been trailering mine for the stated 4,500 miles each year for 3 years now with no problems with the cover or boat finish.

[REW]

Without a doubt, I would certainly leave the cover off the boat.
No real good reason to have the cover on the boat - any dirt or dust that is picked up can be quickly washed away.
The fact that you ask the question tells me that you really don't trust your cover to stay in place, not flap, and not scratch or do further damage to your rig.

Keep the boat empty - nothing to steal - be prepared to wash out anything that might enter during the trip and save your cover for another day.

p.s.
A nice item to have on a rig - especially on some of these long trips is a good rear bumper fender skirt. This fender skirt, really helps to keep "Anything" from being kicked up and back onto the towed rig, by the tow vehicle. Even fender flaps on each wheel to a great deal to preclude throwing things up and back from the towed vehicle.

Take care
REW

p.s.
If you have a conern with your boat windshield, and if it is easily removable - take it off. If not, do as many folks do with towed rigs when they started using the transcanadian highway - tape cardboard over the windshield. That way, if a rock happens to get kicked up, the cardboard will protect the windshield, and since it is solid won't move and chaff on the windshield as a cover might.

[larrym]

I had a Lund lash down cover for my 2000 angler. They work well but remember anywhere the cover or straps rub the boat they will eventually cause wear. In my case, I traveled with the seats in position but folded down. After a couple trips to Canada I noticed wearing on the upholstry where the cover touched the seats. It actually wore a hole before I noticed it. The lesson for me was to try to figure out where the cover could touch or rub with the wind blowing it and protect those areas before the damage was done.

[Smitty]

I always tow with mine on whether 30 miles or 1,000. I've got a custom snap-on cover and have never had a problem. Keeps everything in the boat dry and clean (with a wife and 2 kids you CAN'T put everything in the truck!!!). I can also tell a BIG difference in how much easier the boat pulls when covered.

Not having seen what your cover is made of and how it's built, it would certainly have to be your call.

[Vince]

All they dealer told me was that it is the same cover that is shown in the Lund catalog (Lund print on the back left corner). It's a freebie so I grabbed it.

[2 DOGS]

I believe what you have there is a mooring cover, it's not intended to be used while traveling. I travel 1400 miles 1 way to Canada, my boat is loaded with everything and it's covered with a custom cover. A decent custom cover will run $500 and up. Mine made 5 round trips to Canada without any damage to boat finish, or tears when I sold the boat. It was made out of Sunbrella and it cost considerably more than $500. I wouldn't think of traveling without a good cover on the boat.

[TomPGrouse]

I have never owned a cover and have been fine and dandy. My boat is in great shape and I use it a lot. Have a nice trip.

[Smitty]

I'd tend to agree that it's a mooring cover (I know they were freebies for a while) and probably not built to withstand a long trip. My cover is Sunbrella as well (thanks, couldn't remember the material)and "almost" indestructible..

I got mine for around $400 but that was almost 4 years ago now. For those Iowa folks who remember Wersingers in Waterloo, it was the last cover they built before retiring!!! Not sure if the folks who bought them out are still in business or not.

[Suzuki]

I have a strap down cover. I like using it to trailer if it rains. Keeps the inside dry. The one problem is where it touches the outboards and one spot on the electic motor. Rubs the paint off.
I avoid trailering with it now unless I know it's going to rain or I'm going to travel on dirt road for any distance.

[work2fish]

I travel either without a cover at all, or with a snap cover:

http://www.pbase.com/image/3842575/large

Then, when we are staying someplace overnight, I put on the travel cover while the boat is sitting in the parking lot:

http://www.pbase.com/image/14977960/large

I at least sleep easier that way :-) In your case, it sounds like it would be better to travel without the cover on.

My snap cover does flap in the wind somewhat and the carpet on the back of the boat shows some rubbing. I need to get something that will prevent the thing from rubbing the carpet in the back so much -- what have others used for this purpose?

Good luck on your trip,