As summer comes to an abrupt end, people scramble to indulge in all the outdoor activities they can before colder weather is upon us. And one of the most popular outdoor activities there is to enjoy here in Indiana is fishing! Fishing is a common activity because it is inexpensive, family-friendly, and easy for people of all ages to do. But mostly, people go fishing because it’s just fun!

Whether you are aiming for catfish, blue gill, or bass, Hoosiers know you get the best results fishing on a boat. In order to get your fishing boat to your lake or river of choice, you must have the proper towing system for your car. Continue reading to learn the recommended hitch set-up for towing a fishing boat with a small to mid-sized car.

Towing a Trailer

A fishing boat and trailer combined will usually have a gross trailer weight (GTW) under two tons. So to safely (and legally) tow a loaded trailer weighing up to 2,000 pounds, you need 5 primary components. This includes a trailer hitch receiver, a ball mount, a hitch ball, a pin and clip, and a wiring harness. The hitch receiver is the part that attaches to your car’s bumper and accepts the removable ball mount. It comes as an open-faced receiver or fixed tongue model. The ball mount, also called a “drawbar”, inserts into the trailer hitch receiver’s frontward-facing opening, proving a platform for mounting the hitch ball. The pin and clip holds the ball mount inside the trailer hitch receiver, while the wiring harness provides power and synchronizes signals to the trailer’s lights.

Choosing a Hitch

Below is a guide to which hitch-type you will need to tow a small fishing boat with a compact or mid-sized car depending on the length of your towing trailer.

HITCH TYPE = Regular Duty
HITCH CLASS = Class 1
GTW = Up to 2,000 lbs.
TONGUE WEIGHT = 200 lbs.
TRANSMISSION COOLER = Light Duty

For trailers up to 6 feet: Class 1 Fixed Tongue
For trailers up to 14 feet: Class 1 Receiver Hitch

Additional Towing Accessories

Wiring harnesses are required by law, so be sure to never skip this step. And although not necessary to actually tow a trailer, safety chains are also strongly encouraged and should always be used. You might also consider adding on an aftermarket transmission cooler to help your car maintain safe operating temperatures while towing a load. These are especially useful in hot climates. Sometimes, factory transmission coolers are inadequate for certain towing applications.

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 when you need fast roadside assistance or tow truck service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We have been a family owned and operated business since 1975, and maintain an unparalleled reputation for quality service and value. If you have questions about towing a fishing boat, or need help recovering one from a lake, we are the professionals to call for prompt and friendly assistance. Contact our office directly at 317-247-8484 to learn more about our 24 hour towing and recovery services, today.