I only tow with the cover when I absolutely have to (raining on the highway). I tow about 100mi on backroads (55mph, not interstate) each way every weekend.

I added one of these amazon caps to the factory support and use it in the bow:
https://www.amazon.com/Boat-Cover-Su...390657&sr=8-26

it spreads the load out enough that I've never had a problem.

Towing with the cover I definitely end up seeing some light chaffing that shows up in the blue and graphite colored sections above the rub rail on the bow of my boat. These easily wax out - believe it's just in the wax, not even really in the gel.

I agree on other's comments on MPG. Definitely better with the cover.