Bimini and Trailering

[lalh20]

Hello all, I just purchased a 2009 Z1 which will have to be driven about 10 hours to get it to me. It has the alpha-z tower with the factory bimini attached.

My question is, do I need to fold the tower down for the trip or leave it up? Does the bimini need to come down somehow?

Thanks for your help. I'm cautious about this because I've personally witnessed a bimini on the highway get ripped to shreds from the wind and ruin the mounting equipment it was attached with.

[jbort]

Take the bimini down or shredding will happen. we go with the tower up w no problems.

[embo]

Take the bimini down or shredding will happen. we go with the tower up w no problems.

X2

[Ewok]

When they say take down the Bimini, they mean have it folded up and put in its cover. It can stay on the tower but its a little extra wind resistance and it will travel better tied down in the boat somewhere. The alpha Z tower should be left up unless its being shipped from a dealer and they can fold it, support it and secure it in the folded position. The towable cover does not fit on the boat if the tower is folded down.

[chpthril]

Definitely do not tow the boat with the bimini deployed, it really needs to be in the folded-up position.

Towing with the tower down may help with fuel consumption, but I dont think you could do this with the cover on, and I would not recommend towing that distance uncovered. I would also recommend not towing with the tower down and unsupported.

So, I would tow with the boat covered, bimini stowed, tower up, but wrapped in cling wrap to give it some protection.

[Iwndr]

X2 on Ewok, I haul mine rolled up in the cover and secured to the tower with no issues, I have the "E" Series tower

[Iwndr]

And we need pictures of that new ride of yours also

[kerlee]

agree with all the above. I also use 4 extra bungee cords with plastic hooks to secure the bimini in its storage bag to the alpha z tower when we are trailering. The web straps with the plastic lock will sometimes come un-done unless you put one twist into the web strap. The bungee straps help hold the bimini bag snug up against the alpha tower otherwise it bounces around alot.

[Joeprunc]

Also once you get your boat and take her our, please never tow with any boards or skis in the racks.

[lalh20]

Awesome, thanks guys.

[NICKYPOO]

Also once you get your boat and take her our, please never tow with any boards or skis in the racks.

It always kills me to see some guy doing 70mph with boards still in the racks. I know one of these days I'm going to see some ones shiny new board shattered to a million little pieces along the highway. Hopefully it won't involve another vehicle that was just trying to avoid a flying wakeboard.

[Duncan]

I have never trusted wrapping the bimini in the cover and securing it to the tower.

Maybe I am being to paranoid. Sure would be nice not to have to put the bimini back on every time.

[NICKYPOO]

I have never trusted wrapping the bimini in the cover and securing it to the tower.

Maybe I am being to paranoid. Sure would be nice not to have to put the bimini back on every time.

Yup, paranoid. Mine doesn't even strap to the tower and I generally tow in the 70mph range and never had one sign of any problem.

[Dave S]

I have an 09 Z1 with the Alpha Z Tower and always fold the bimini up into the cover and run the two straps around the tower and keep tower up. I go 70+ and never had any problems.