I tow with the pole in the bow and the hang tyte ratcheted tightly in the cockpit. The pole helps prevent the cover from fishing in on itself once the wind hits it. You can also use a large beach ball to help with that. The pole clamp isn’t the strongest and will wear out in my experience, so a beach ball is better.
Same here- always tow with the pole (only pole is up front). I do lower it a bit from where I normally keep it. No issues at all towing hundreds of miles with the pole. I do put a towel on the floor up front as cushion.