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Jon Boat trailer speed question

Posted on 3/27/25 at 9:17 pm
Posted by clickboom
Shreveport
Member since Sep 2012
247 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 9:17 pm
I have a 16’ Jon boat and the tires specify not going over 60mph. I need to haul it about an hour away and back with majority of travel on interstate with 70mph limit. What is everyone’s experience hauling a jon boat above the recommended tire speeds?

Posted by Kashmir
Member since Dec 2014
9631 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 9:26 pm to
An hour away, what’s the rush?
Posted by Goldensammy
Cypress, TX
Member since Jun 2016
951 posts
Posted on 3/27/25 at 10:06 pm to
If this a one off trip, just take precautions. Otherwise, just go buy a new set of tires, radials. Can't say I've ever known anyone that regretted buying a decent set of trailer tires. Peace of mind and whatnot.

But I'm cheap, so I'd just opt for the maypops and regret it later down the road!
Posted by Grassy1
Member since Oct 2009
7330 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 6:03 am to
If you were my son, pulling my boat, I'd tell you to just do 60 and listen to a Dave Smith podcast on the way.

And keep checking your mirrors, so if you blow a tire you don't tear up other stuff too.

How long will the trip take you if you break down half way?

Do you have a spare?

Have you greased the bearings lately?
Posted by The Torch
DFW The Dub
Member since Aug 2014
27573 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 6:27 am to
The trailer bearings are more likely to sideline your trip, make sure they are in decent shape and have grease.


Or you will be on the side of the road
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
46445 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 6:55 am to
quote:

I have a 16’ Jon boat and the tires specify not going over 60mph. I need to haul it about an hour away and back with majority of travel on interstate with 70mph limit

lets assume 60 miles traveled
at 60mph you'll arrive in 60 minutes
at 70mph you'll arrive in 52 minutes

those 8 minutes got you in a bind?
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
23324 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 6:58 am to
Generally pulling a boat I opt for the route that’s shortest distance with the fewest stops over the routes that are fastest or that have a lot of stops.

So you may consider a different route if possible.
Posted by TheDrunkenTigah
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2011
18146 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 8:57 am to
I get it. Driving 60 on the interstate can be nerve wracking with everyone behind you playing on their phone. I’d have new tires on it yesterday.
Posted by rattlebucket
SELA
Member since Feb 2009
12564 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:02 am to
When I pulled a camper I did 62 in the right lane. Everyone can go around. My little jon boat trailer has the little 4 bolts on the donuts. I do 60 and let em go around. Also like everyone else said I repacked and replaced bearings to try to prevent blow outs

I also take the adjacent highways in my jonboat sometimes
Posted by clickboom
Shreveport
Member since Sep 2012
247 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:07 am to
I appreciate everyone’s input. I am going to go an alternate route. I also ordered two new tires with an 80 mph rating so hopefully that will help out.
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
19135 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 11:11 am to
quote:

tires specify not going over 60mph


It's the bias ply tires on most trailers. Switch to radial trailer tires if you want to drive 70.
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