Top up or topless towing

EULACHON · 02-08-2005, 06:13 AM

Hi all

The NR has a full Bently top with the suports that go to the windsheild my question is should I tow with the top up or down?? If I tow top up is the 70 mph speed to fast.

Anyway I would like to make the top last as long as I can so any input would be great.

Paul

ripthevolcano · 02-08-2005, 06:20 AM

I have a NR w/ Bently as well. I tow w/ the top up or down. Never over 70 though. I think it stretches the fabric out. I bought a tow/mooring cover and most of the time I tow with it on. Expecially in the rain. Just my 2 cents.

illbfish · 02-08-2005, 06:39 AM

I have a NR Mariner with full top.

When I went to Bently's and asked about towing they said, around town is O.K. but not above 55 or long distance.

I've followed their advice & have had no problems in 400 trips.

Bill
Jacks or Better

Jettin' Fool · 02-08-2005, 07:12 AM

I have a Bentley Top Gun top and I always drive with the top up. No problems yet....

Jfool

02-08-2005, 07:26 AM

You can tow with the top up at any speed as long as you are willing to replace it prematurely.

ChinookSlayer · 02-08-2005, 07:32 AM

I've towed my boat with the top up, with a vehicle that had marginal power. I point out the vehicle because it is much more sensitive to changes in the load. Even around town, I noticed a huge difference in the amount of drag. This equates to even worse gas milage.

The question to ask is, does the couple of extra minutes you save at the boat ramp out weight the possible wear and tear on the top, plus the increased gas usage?

For me, I have a new tow rig now, but still keep the top down while towing.

Great question though!

rola76 · 02-08-2005, 07:46 AM

Excellent thread!

I've asked this question many times to many dealers/manufacturers such as Weldcraft, Duckworth, North River, etc. and they've pretty much all told me the same thing...the tops are "towable" but that is a flexible statement.

In other words, you "can" tow with them up, but it will take its toll. The aluminum frame/tubing can withstand the air pressure, as can the vinyl/fabric, but nevertheless the top will endure more and have a longer life if it is not towed in the upright position.

My .02.

Wreckless · 02-08-2005, 08:01 AM

What Keta said!!

I've followed a bunch of boats, on I -84, that the top was taking a BEATING.

A friend of mine used to work in the industry and they consider pulling your boat down the highway with the top up job security

BTW my sled has no top....I have good rain gear

trap50 · 02-08-2005, 08:02 AM

0

02-08-2005, 08:04 AM

Quote:

They made me a very nice tow cover.

The only way to go

YaHoeeFishOn · 02-08-2005, 08:21 AM

I left my boat at dealer for glass work. I asked if they towed it to take cover off . They towed it to Eugene back with the storage canvas on. The straps have to be twisted so they don't hum or plane in wind. The straps had cut through on trailer frame. They replaced straps. But there was wear on water proofing and stretching and blown out off shape and chaffing on my boat .
I will tow with mooring cover on at highway speeds.
I wont tow with the camper canvas or standard canvas besides from camp ground to launch , Never over 35mph. Canvas just costs too much for wear it will receive.

judyfish99 · 02-08-2005, 08:47 AM

I have a brand new Bently top on my boat(came with the boat). When it is tow time, the top is rolled around the top frame and a boot is zipped on. Travelling is ok this way...

259 · 02-08-2005, 09:57 AM

I have a NR with a full top and always tow with the top up. So far I've had to fix a couple of buttons but have not seen any sign of wear on the canvas. I just like to have everything inside dry after towing in the rain.....how much is a new top for a 21' commander?

backlash442 · 02-08-2005, 10:38 AM

Used to tow my old boat with the side curtain on. Now this was a side curtain on a hard top so didn't get as much direct strain as say a full canvas top. It caused the fabric to develop some nice rips around the fastners. Long tows really put the stress on it. I NEVER tow with the top up on my NR. Although I might if it was for a very short distance and I never got above 55mph.

Rocky · 02-08-2005, 12:33 PM

FYI if combination (towed) vehicles are in oregon or washington, they must follow the posted truck speed limit, not the passenger car limit

EULACHON · 02-08-2005, 12:41 PM

I'll check on that on my next run with my state patrol buddy. (while going 70 in my truck with my boat)

FourFun · 02-08-2005, 12:45 PM

I just got a new boat with full top and the dealer informed me that towing the boat with the top up was fine as long as the backdrop was on and zipped up, otherwise it needed to be rolled up. But i agree with 259, having everything nice and dry down the road is nice. I like to get on the water as fast as possible when at the ramp and wouldn't want to foul around with putting up a top or taking off a moring/towing cover. :tongue:

As yet un-named · 02-08-2005, 12:55 PM

I have never towed (except across town) with the top up. I am very interested in a tow/mooring cover. Any recommendations and what should I expect to pay? I live in Kfalls, so limit responses to Roseburg or south please. Thanks,
ML

5-Cents · 02-08-2005, 01:01 PM

I am assuming that you are talking about covers that can be taken down. My top frame is permanent. I could take it off but that would envolve removing several bolts and ummmmm its just a pain in the butt

So my top is always up when I am towing and I have never had a problem with the top tearing or getting messed up. I know on boats that have removable tops or tops that fold up and down the material used seems to be not as thick as my permanent top. I bet I have 15,000 miles on my current trailer/boat/top with no worse showing for the wear

gljjr · 02-08-2005, 01:18 PM

As far as I know my top has never been down on my '96 North River. It looks like a royal pain to take down so I never have. The top is quite worn after nearly 10 years of use but I can't say that the towing is the cause of the wear. Shoot, I broke the main stansion by backing into the roof of the garage and it still tows just fine!