Fall is over and the local rivers and lakes will soon be turning icy cold. In other words, it's time to get your boat into storage. That likely means hitching it up to a trailer and hauling it off to the local boat storage facility. Even if you've done this sort of thing before, it can always help to have a reminder of what you should and should not do while hauling a boat out on the open road. Here are three tips to keep in mind to make sure your boat makes it to the storage facility in one piece.

Keep Those Turns at a Wide Angle

The biggest problem that rookie boat towers usually have is remembering to turn at a wide angle around every bend. If it's a nice day and you're looking out your window at the scenery, you might even temporarily forget that you have a huge boat right behind you. Pay attention when trying to get around any curb or when pulling into a parking space, being sure to take the bend at a wide angle, while carefully watching the boat in your rearview mirror. 

Stop Sooner Than You Normally Would

When you are traveling down the highway with a boat behind you, all of that extra weight creates extra momentum that will take longer for your brakes to bring to a stop. When traveling on the road, always leave extra space between you and the drivers in front of you. As soon as you see brake lights or a red light up ahead, immediately start slowing down. You never want to have to suddenly slam on your brakes as all of the extra weight could lead to a very dangerous situation.

Hands on the Bottom When Backing Up

If you need to back up while the boat is attached, there's a simple trick that should help you guide the boat where it needs to go. Place your hands on the bottom of your steering wheel, not the top. Then, move your hands in the direction you want the trailer, not the car, to go. Always back up slowly so you don't risk attaching the boat from your vehicle.

When hauling a boat behind you, it's always a good idea to brake sooner than you otherwise would and to take all bends and turns at a wide angle. If you discover you're having problems hauling your boat to the storage facility, you may be able to find a business that offers boat hauling in your area. Reach out today for more information.