Discover the best way to ship a boat and trailer. Your boat and trailer are valuable belongings that deserve careful attention when making a long-distance journey. So don’t compromise safety or security and follow these easy steps to have a great transport experience.
This guide will show you what you need to know to ship your boat and trailer while avoiding the most common problems so you can save time and money.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important factors to consider.
Recent Boat and Trailer shipment of a Sailboat
Ready to ship your boat and trailer? Call Red Foot Haulers at 1-800-491-7715 for a quick quote and all of the answers to your transport questions. We look forward to speaking with you. Thank you!
Clean and Prep Your Boat
In order to best prepare your boat for the most seamless transport possible, make sure it is clean ahead of time.
Cleaning Tips:
- Remove any growth, such as algae and/or barnacles
- Clean the boat’s hull
- Remove any invasive species that may be apparent
Prepare for Shipping
- Secure all hatches, entrances, and equipment on the boat to prevent them from becoming loose during transport.
- Remove any items secured to safety rails, including BBQ grills, safety buoys, and anchors. Stow all equipment safely and securely to avoid becoming loose during the shipment.
- Unplug all batteries
- Remove fuel
- Remove any excess equipment that would increase the height, width, or length to the boat—this could interfere with the loading process.
- Secure and stow the engine
Choose the Pickup Location
In order to ensure the smoothest pickup process, be sure that your boat and trailer are located somewhere that’s easily accessible for a large truck. Move other vehicles that are close by to allow the truck to maneuver.
A paved location (not on dirt) is ideal.
Know Your Options for Transport: Towing vs. Flat-Deck Trailer
When it comes to selecting a method of transportation for your boat and trailer, you have several options. Your team at Red Foot Haulers will take your specific transport needs and advise you on the proper route to take.
Which option is best for you? It will depend on the size of your boat and trailer.
Towing
Your first option is to have the boat and trailer towed behind a truck. In order to take this approach to transport, the trailer needs to be “road-worthy” to be able to endure the road and weather conditions of a cross-country trip.
Ensure that your trailer is in top road-worthy condition by having it serviced by a professional mechanic before the transport.
Addressing any issues with the trailer beforehand is an easy way to prevent potential problems down the road. The last thing you want is to have mechanical issues with the trailer during transport!
A “pro” of choosing towing is that it tends to be faster to schedule pickup compared to flat-deck transport. It may also be more affordable to tow.
However, depending on the boat, the only option may be to transport on a flat deck.
Flat-deck Transport
Size-permitting, transporting your boat and trailer on a flat-deck trailer is going to be your best bet. Why? This option means no unnecessary wear and tear on your trailer, in addition to no extra mileage being added.
In this process, the boat and trailer are loaded together onto a flat-deck trailer. For added security, both will be tied down and thoroughly secured during transport.
Photograph Your Boat and Trailer
There are many types of flat-deck trailers available. In order to select the most appropriate one for your transport, it is imperative that you provide us with the exact dimensions of your boat and trailer, as well as a clear photo.
We need the following accurate measurements of each:
- Length
- Width
- Height
Your photos don’t have to be professional—you can take them with an average smartphone.
They simply need to be clear enough for us to assess the condition, size, and current location/surroundings of your boat and trailer.
Ready to ship your boat and trailer? Call Red Foot Haulers at 1-800-491-7715 for a quick quote and all of the answers to your transport questions. We look forward to speaking with you. Thank you!
Reasons Why Flat-deck Transport May Not Work
When comparing the two options, towing is generally faster because more trucks are usually able to provide this type of transportation.
If you are under time constraints, or just looking for a quicker option—and your boat trailer is road-worthy, towing may be the right service for you.
Large or Oversized Load
Another instance that flat-deck trailer transport may not work for is if your boat is too tall, too wide, or generally “oversized.” If this is the case, it may not be possible to load the boat on a flat-deck trailer without incurring extra oversized costs.
Additionally, a load that is deemed oversized requires extra permits from the different provinces involved in the transport process, which can add extra processing time, as well as cost.
In general, most customers hope to avoid these complications, opting instead to simply have their vehicles towed by a trusted transport service like Red Foot Haulers.
Trust the Professional Process
Once you’ve locked in the rate you feel comfortable with for the shipment of your boat and trailer, allow yourself to trust in the process and de-stress. Consider the following:
Red Foot Haulers operates exclusively within Canada—enjoy extra peace of mind with drivers who are experienced and knowledgeable about the unique road conditions of the North.
When Red Foot Haulers is on your team, you’ll be given a clear timeframe for the duration of the shipment, with a helpful customer service representative readily available to answer any questions or concerns throughout the pickup, transport, and delivery of your cargo.
RFH is dedicated to making the entire process streamlined and seamless, with attention to detail and personalized service at all times.