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Why is it that all these companies allow irresponsible advertising to be sent out, specifically showing large boats being towed that have NO tie down straps? The people who have large boats and are possibly going to buy these trucks understand the requirements, and I do strap mine down and I am rather irritated that the equivalent of "fake advertising" is out there suggesting that it's ok to haul 10,000 lbs of fiberglass with just the bow eye.
It's not.
There's a Dodge ad that's in the tv rotation that shows a big dually pulling a big aluminium fishing boat out of a pond and then down the highway that's the same thing. That boat has to be 15,000 lbs, on a triple axle trailer and held in place by the bow eye.
My sailboat, on the trailer is 11,500 lbs, and with the jackpads, it's not going anywhere, but that doesn't remove the legal requirement to strap the thing down.
I get the need to have clean, appealing advertising, but it's promoting irresponsible behaviour.
Why is it that all these companies allow irresponsible advertising to be sent out, specifically showing large boats being towed that have NO tie down straps?
I'm sure it's just an aesthetics issue. Having tie down straps would take away the neat and clean appearance of the ad. Besides, they're selling you a truck, not a boat.
As a boat owner following the laws, the bow connection and two independent straps on the stern are legal - the marketing picture shows more of the truck doing a fantastic job towing your toy.... not the stern of the boat.
Ads dont mean squat in the real world. Start towing as a business or for your business...that opens more laws and regulations than you can imagine. Actually doesnt even need to be a business per-say. One thing i dont agree with is what the OP brought up...private people towing boats, campers ect. which they seem to get a free pass on the towing regs...unless they get in an accident.
Unfortunately there are MANY people who lack the common sense that others do, and will gleefully follow whatever they see on TV or the internet, or even worse, whatever their boat/RV/trailer salesman tells them.
