Towing A Boat In Wyoming At 104 MPH Isn’t Guaranteed Jail, But It Could Kill You

A driver caught towing a boat on Interstate 25 near Wheatland at 104 mph received a $180 ticket but no jail time. While some observers questioned why such reckless behavior didn’t trigger an arrest, the Wyoming Highway Patrol says there is no set speed that automatically sends a driver to jail. But troopers warn that towing a boat at triple-digit speeds is a gamble with life—and the odds are terrible.

The driver was clocked Friday on I-25 in an 80-mph zone. The traffic stop added about 20 minutes to his trip. But as Steve Stadelmaier, sales manager at Bellwood Boats in Glendo, explains, the risks of high-speed towing are not theoretical. “The faster you go, the bigger the problem,” he said. “If a tire blows out at 108, you’re going to have a major issue.”

Stadelmaier recently hauled a new boat and trailer more than 1,200 miles from Texas. Even with brand-new equipment, he kept his speed at 80 mph. He notes that many trailers on Wyoming roads are not fresh off the lot—they sit for months or years in sun, cold, and weather that slowly weakens tires, bearings, and other critical components. “Let’s say a guy lives in Wheatland and his tires might be 10 years old,” he said. “Your rubber is going to be compromised if they’ve been sitting out in the sun.”

At 104 mph, hidden weaknesses become emergencies in seconds. A blown tire can send a trailer swerving across lanes. A seized bearing can lock a wheel or detach it entirely. Inside the boat, loose coolers, life jackets, and equipment can become projectiles. Even at legal speeds, added weight lengthens stopping distances and stresses brakes and tires.

Trooper Aaron Brown of the Wyoming Highway Patrol said there is no specific speed that automatically triggers jail time. Instead, charges escalate when behavior crosses into reckless driving—defined as willful or wanton disregard for safety. That decision depends on traffic, road conditions, and risk to others.

But Brown emphasized the specific dangers of towing at extreme speeds. “With the small wheels, he probably exceeded the speed that the tires were rated for,” Brown said. Improper loading is another common risk. “That’s a pet peeve for troopers,” he said. He also warned against ignoring wind closures, calling that “one of the most dangerous things you can do in Wyoming.”

Stadelmaier’s advice is simple: inspect your trailer before every trip, check tire age and pressure, service bearings, balance your load, and respect speed limits. “If you go from 80 to 108, a lot of bad stuff can happen,” he said. Getting to the lake a few minutes faster is not worth turning a weekend trip into a funeral.