View Full Version : Tow with Platform On or Off?
Archimedes
06-21-2010, 08:27 PM
This may have been discussed before but I searched and couldn't find anything, so...
Do you folks take your swim platforms off the boat when you tow longer distances (say 2+ hours)? I've been taking mine off and putting it in the truck due to concerns about the bouncing loosen up the the screws on the platform over time, but its a PITA and I'm wondering if I'm being overly cautious. Wondering what others do.
AFX-30
06-21-2010, 08:36 PM
I have a 45 min tow to the lake and back and have done it many times. I have not had any issues but I also ck the mounts everytime when I get there and when I get home. If you have a cover that goes over the swim platform it keeps the paltform tight to the mounts and will not let it bounce around as much.
jvbaca
06-21-2010, 08:41 PM
Pics of your platform cover? Where did you get it and how secure is it when you're driving?
JohnE
06-21-2010, 08:53 PM
50K miles in the past 4 years and platform stays on the boat. No issues with my Marathon's either.
AFX-30
06-21-2010, 09:03 PM
It is just a regular cover that fits over the boat and platform. It is secured with the ratchets and I pull them as tight as I can. You can not shake the platform when we have the cover on. I can not get pics right now due to the fact I live in SC but am sitting in San Antonio for school.
silverblueBP
06-21-2010, 09:19 PM
4 miles down gravel roads, 5 miles down a very rough chiprock road and then another 5 miles on normal pavement to get to the lake from my house. 3 years of this so far and the mounts are still tight. I never take the platform off.
mccobmd
06-21-2010, 11:54 PM
I tow my x1 with teak deck 90 mile round trip 2-3 times a week for the past 3 years with no problems.
Double D
06-22-2010, 08:18 AM
Platform stays on on all travels.
Thrall
06-22-2010, 08:58 AM
Leave it on. It doesn't bounce around near as bad on the road as it does on the lake when rollers hit it and people jump off it.
Sodar
06-22-2010, 10:27 AM
On .
Muttley
06-22-2010, 10:57 AM
The only time I take my platform off is once a year to refinish it.
bkblaida
06-22-2010, 03:37 PM
It looks like I am alone on this one, however I take mine off and toss it in the boat just to keep it clean. Takes 30 seconds to remove 2 pins and toss it in.
I like the cover idea.
06197ttlq9-footer
06-22-2010, 03:42 PM
The only time I take my platform off is once a year to refinish it.
ditto......
flipper
06-22-2010, 03:44 PM
I tow anywhere from 20 mins to three hours to any lake, and never take it off. Never a problem
06' X-2 R8R H8R
06-22-2010, 04:06 PM
I forgot I had one back there!!!
jwmiller
06-22-2010, 04:51 PM
I would think that it takes more of a beating on the lake than when being towed. I leave it on.
onejdgreen
06-23-2010, 08:00 AM
Tow mine from 15 mins to 12 hours, never take it off except to refinish it.
ShamrockIV
06-23-2010, 09:33 AM
leave it on!!
scott023
06-23-2010, 10:07 AM
Tow mine from 15 mins to 12 hours, never take it off except to refinish it.
Same thing here... I haven't even considered taking it off to travel. Seems it would be more of a PITA then anything. Like my vehicles aren't full enough when we are on holidays, having to find a spot for the platform... I don't want to think about it. If it's properly secured, there should be no issues.
onejdgreen
06-23-2010, 11:04 AM
Same thing here... I haven't even considered taking it off to travel. Seems it would be more of a PITA then anything. Like my vehicles aren't full enough when we are on holidays, having to find a spot for the platform... I don't want to think about it. If it's properly secured, there should be no issues.
Agreed. For the short trips, who cares. For the long trips to northern MN in August, the truck is full already!