So now that you know that it\u2019s possible, keep reading to find out how to do it right!<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"can](\"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/can-you-pull-a-pontoon-boat-with-cover-on.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhy Tow Your Pontoon Boat With a Cover <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSo now that you know that you can indeed tow your pontoon boat with the cover on, let\u2019s talk about why you may want to tow with the cover on in the first place as opposed to towing it with the cover off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, as you may know, boat covers are a pain in the butt to take off and put back on! <\/strong>So if you are only needing to tow it several miles to a new storage location, etc, then I highly suggest that you just leave it on. As long as you have it reasonably secure and are not traveling at high speeds, you should be perfectly fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe real debate as to whether or not to leave your cover on when towing is when you are planning on traveling for long distances and on major highways (freeways).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that being said, if you can ensure that you can do it safely, then I recommend that you keep your cover on when towing, and here\u2019s why:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Keeping the cover on will protect your boat from bugs and other debris that could be damaging to its interior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- By keeping the cover on, you can basically use your boat as an additional means of storing gear, luggage, coolers, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If you secure the cover correctly, there’s a chance it could make your boat more aerodynamic, which can help with towing as well as gas mileage. This is only an opinion, it’s possible that the cover could cause additional drag. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Finally, if you are not planning on using your boat when you arrive at your destination, you save yourself the headache of having to put the cover back on the boat.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The Right Pontoon Boat Cover<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are a couple of ways to go about this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Use your custom-made pontoon boat cover<\/strong> that came from your pontoon dealership or that you bought separately (can run anywhere from $700-$1600).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use a cheaper “Trailerable” Boat Cover<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Using Custom-Made Covers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Custom-made covers have the highest chance of standing up against the high winds of highway travel as well as protecting your pontoon boat from disposable covers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well-made custom covers are taut<\/strong>. They are not loose and they don’t billow. Billowing and whipping will rip your cover, or even worse, make the cover fly out into traffic which is super dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSafety tip: It’ll be worth your time to use straps on the outside of the cover to keep it from lifting off in the wind<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
However, you stand to lose the most when you drive with a custom-made cover.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe cost of a custom cover is so high (anywhere from $700-$1500), that tearing or otherwise damaging the custom cover could mean expensive repairs for the cover, and perhaps even expensive covers for your boat if you get water damage from a bad cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s for this reason that many pontoon boat dealerships flat out tell you not to travel with the custom cover on. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNot all custom covers are made alike–some snap down onto the hull (these are probably the best for travel) so that the wind is not traveling underneath the cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that being said, some people do travel with their custom-made cover–while others have had bad experiences trying this. So, you have to use your own judgment on whether the cover is strong enough and secure enough to stay put. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is There Such A Thing As a Travelable Pontoon Boat Cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some boat covers are specifically designed to be pulled by a trailer. Check out this example from Seal Skin<\/a> on Amazon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0B75SLF6T&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=mindbuilders-20&language=en_US\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=mindbuilders-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0B75SLF6T\")
\n\n\n\nEssentially, what makes a cover “trailerable” is whether it is strapped down. These straps prevent the wind from picking up the cover and taking it away. Additionally, “trailerable” covers should be made of strong enough materials to withstand 70mph+ winds while driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be warned, though, you get what you pay for (often), and these cheaper travelable covers aren’t likely to be as high quality as the custom-made boat covers made for your pontoon boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefit of buying a cover specifically for towing this on a trailer is that if the cover rips, you aren’t out $1500. <\/strong>It’s hard to think of anything costing over $200 as “disposable”, but when it comes to protecting your boat, $200 isn’t that much. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAll that being said, you could just spend $20 on cleaning supplies to wipe up the dead bugs on your pontoon boat, too. It all realy comes down to a judgement call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do You Need A Pontoon Boat Cover While Towing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You do not need to have a cover while towing your pontoon boat, and in fact, many dealerships caution boat owners from using a cover because the cover or the boat can be damaged. Even though some people do in fact tow their pontoon boat with a cover, many pontoon boat owners do not. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn the world of boat covers, you basically have three choices. You have custom, semi custom, and universal covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Types of Covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Custom and semi-custom covers will usually state that they are approved for trailering due to their custom fit, not to mention that they are usually made of stronger materials that are meant to handle the elements, including strong winds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll also find some universal boat cover brands claiming that their covers are trailerable, but these covers are loose and are prone to whipping which will rip the cover. If you are viewing these covers as disposable protections for your pontoon boat that might match your expectations more closely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can mitigate some of that whipping by carefully ratcheting down the cover.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCustom Covers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you plan on towing your pontoon boat for long distances, your custom-made cover will probably give you the best protection because these custom-made covers fit the best and are made from higher quality materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Semi-Custom Covers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYour next best option is a semi-custom boat cover. While these types of covers are not custom made for your boat, they are custom made for the type of boat that you have and usually come in 1ft increments. They won\u2019t give you the snug fit that a custom cover will, but they will fit much tighter than a universal boat cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Universal Cover <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nA universal cover is made to fit a wide range of boat types and sizes, including 20 ft center consoles, as well as 24 foot pontoon boats. They typically come in 2-4 foot increments in length and are large and baggy, making them a poor choice for trailering your pontoon boat over long distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if this is the type of boat cover that you are looking for, make sure to check out another article of mine where I discuss the best pontoon boat covers. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSafety is Always First<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhether you\u2019re towing your boat with the cover on or off, it\u2019s always important to do it safely!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This includes making sure that your boat cover is the correct size for your boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your cover is too big or too small, it could slip off a bit and allow air to get under the cover, which could cause it to rip, or worse…the cover could fly off into the path of another vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you intend on trailering your boat long distances at high speeds, always buy the correct size cover for your pontoon boat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You also need to make sure that your cover is secured with plenty of tie-down straps. This does not include your cover\u2019s tie straps for securing it to the trailer when parked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The real debate as to whether or not to leave your cover on when towing is when you are planning on traveling for long distances and on major highways (freeways).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that being said, if you can ensure that you can do it safely, then I recommend that you keep your cover on when towing, and here\u2019s why:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a couple of ways to go about this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Custom-made covers have the highest chance of standing up against the high winds of highway travel as well as protecting your pontoon boat from disposable covers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well-made custom covers are taut<\/strong>. They are not loose and they don’t billow. Billowing and whipping will rip your cover, or even worse, make the cover fly out into traffic which is super dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safety tip: It’ll be worth your time to use straps on the outside of the cover to keep it from lifting off in the wind<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n However, you stand to lose the most when you drive with a custom-made cover.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost of a custom cover is so high (anywhere from $700-$1500), that tearing or otherwise damaging the custom cover could mean expensive repairs for the cover, and perhaps even expensive covers for your boat if you get water damage from a bad cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s for this reason that many pontoon boat dealerships flat out tell you not to travel with the custom cover on. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all custom covers are made alike–some snap down onto the hull (these are probably the best for travel) so that the wind is not traveling underneath the cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All that being said, some people do travel with their custom-made cover–while others have had bad experiences trying this. So, you have to use your own judgment on whether the cover is strong enough and secure enough to stay put. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some boat covers are specifically designed to be pulled by a trailer. Check out this example from Seal Skin<\/a> on Amazon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Essentially, what makes a cover “trailerable” is whether it is strapped down. These straps prevent the wind from picking up the cover and taking it away. Additionally, “trailerable” covers should be made of strong enough materials to withstand 70mph+ winds while driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be warned, though, you get what you pay for (often), and these cheaper travelable covers aren’t likely to be as high quality as the custom-made boat covers made for your pontoon boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The benefit of buying a cover specifically for towing this on a trailer is that if the cover rips, you aren’t out $1500. <\/strong>It’s hard to think of anything costing over $200 as “disposable”, but when it comes to protecting your boat, $200 isn’t that much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All that being said, you could just spend $20 on cleaning supplies to wipe up the dead bugs on your pontoon boat, too. It all realy comes down to a judgement call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You do not need to have a cover while towing your pontoon boat, and in fact, many dealerships caution boat owners from using a cover because the cover or the boat can be damaged. Even though some people do in fact tow their pontoon boat with a cover, many pontoon boat owners do not. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the world of boat covers, you basically have three choices. You have custom, semi custom, and universal covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Custom and semi-custom covers will usually state that they are approved for trailering due to their custom fit, not to mention that they are usually made of stronger materials that are meant to handle the elements, including strong winds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll also find some universal boat cover brands claiming that their covers are trailerable, but these covers are loose and are prone to whipping which will rip the cover. If you are viewing these covers as disposable protections for your pontoon boat that might match your expectations more closely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can mitigate some of that whipping by carefully ratcheting down the cover.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Custom Covers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan on towing your pontoon boat for long distances, your custom-made cover will probably give you the best protection because these custom-made covers fit the best and are made from higher quality materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Semi-Custom Covers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your next best option is a semi-custom boat cover. While these types of covers are not custom made for your boat, they are custom made for the type of boat that you have and usually come in 1ft increments. They won\u2019t give you the snug fit that a custom cover will, but they will fit much tighter than a universal boat cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Universal Cover <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A universal cover is made to fit a wide range of boat types and sizes, including 20 ft center consoles, as well as 24 foot pontoon boats. They typically come in 2-4 foot increments in length and are large and baggy, making them a poor choice for trailering your pontoon boat over long distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if this is the type of boat cover that you are looking for, make sure to check out another article of mine where I discuss the best pontoon boat covers. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re towing your boat with the cover on or off, it\u2019s always important to do it safely!<\/p>\n\n\n\n This includes making sure that your boat cover is the correct size for your boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your cover is too big or too small, it could slip off a bit and allow air to get under the cover, which could cause it to rip, or worse…the cover could fly off into the path of another vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you intend on trailering your boat long distances at high speeds, always buy the correct size cover for your pontoon boat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You also need to make sure that your cover is secured with plenty of tie-down straps. This does not include your cover\u2019s tie straps for securing it to the trailer when parked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
The Right Pontoon Boat Cover<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Using Custom-Made Covers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is There Such A Thing As a Travelable Pontoon Boat Cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do You Need A Pontoon Boat Cover While Towing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Types of Covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Safety is Always First<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n