If you plan on towing your boat, it’s important to start out with the right vehicle. To tow anything larger than a small boat, you’ll need a full-size pickup, van or SUV. Begin by determining the weight of your boat and boat trailer. Don’t depend on weight figures supplied by the manufacturer, since this may not include installed options and other equipment that you’ve added to the boat. Have the fully outfitted boat and trailer weighed in order to determine what your tow load will be.

When choosing a vehicle for towing, check the maximum trailer weight rating as supplied by the manufacturer. You may be able to find this figure in you owners manual, or can contact the manufacturer. Some car companies have posted this information online. For example, the Ford Towing Guide provides trailer ratings for current and past Ford vehicle models. You will also find several useful articles about all aspects of towing in this Towing Guide, whether or not your tow vehicle is a Ford.

Another place to find boat towing safety tips on HowStuffWorks.