MCA Editorial·July 2026
The tow vehicle sets the ceiling on where the boat can go.
It's a whole system — vehicle, hitch, brakes, weight, tyres. Get any one wrong and the trip is either impossible or unsafe.
It's a whole system — vehicle, hitch, brakes, weight, tyres.
Tow Ratings Are Real
Braked capacity, tow ball weight, GCM. Learn them for your specific vehicle.
The Ball Weight Trap
A boat within tow capacity can still be over the ball weight limit. That's how you get sway.
Brakes and Tyres
The two things that fail first on long trips. Neither is expensive to look after — and both are lethal if ignored.
Things to Think About
- Do you actually know your vehicle's braked tow capacity and ball weight limit?
- When did you last check the trailer's brakes and bearings?
- Are your tyres — car and trailer — rated for the loads you're actually pulling?
Key Takeaways
- The tow vehicle is a system, not a number.
- Ball weight matters more than most people realise.
- Brakes and tyres are the two failure points to inspect first.