Blog
Towing a Boat to Lake Norman? Check Your Tow Vehicle First
Every spring the boat ramps at Lake Norman State Park and Stumpy Creek produce the same calls: overheated truck, brakes that faded on the ramp, trailer lights that don't work. Here's the ten-minute check that avoids it.
Brakes
Towing a 4,000-pound boat down a ramp is the hardest thing your brakes will do all year. If the pads are under 4 mm or the fluid is more than three years old, do it before the season.
Cooling and transmission
Towing in July traffic is severe service. Check coolant, make sure the fans run, and change transmission fluid at half the normal interval. A transmission cooler is worth it if you tow often.
Trailer wiring
Test the 4- or 7-pin connector. Corroded pins and blown fuses are the number one cause of trailer lights failing, and it's a ticket on NC-150.
Tires
Tow vehicle and trailer both. Trailer tires age out before they wear out; six years is the limit.
Related services
We do this in your driveway
- Brakes
Brake Pads & Rotors
Pad and rotor replacement with quality parts, done in your driveway with a torque wrench, not an impact gun.
- Drivetrain
Transmission Fluid Service
Drain-and-fill with the exact ATF or CVT fluid your transmission requires, plus filter where serviceable.
- Starting & Electrical
Electrical Diagnostics & Repair
Parasitic draws, blown fuses, bad grounds, wiring damage, and warning lights, tracked down properly.
- Cooling & Climate
Coolant Flush & Fill
Drain, flush, and refill with the correct coolant to stop corrosion before it starts.
Ready when you are.
Text or call with your vehicle and what's going on. We'll confirm a window and bring the parts.