Long Hauls

[wingmastr23]

In about 6 months or so I will be hauling my boat about 2200 miles.......The longest tow I have ever done is about 100miles. Do you have any suggestions as to what I should prepare myself for (other than the SUCKY drive... )

Also - Should I be covering the boat for that long of trip? I am thinking I will.

I am trying to come up with a checklist of items, etc.

1. Fresh Wheel Bearings

2. Spare rim/Tire

3. Spare Wheel Bearings

4. Small tool kit - Hammer, pliers, socket set.

The boat has tie straps....

Any/All suggestions will be appreciated!!

 

[642mx]

Re: Long Hauls

I guess it depends on your boat... but I wouldn't cover it for Interstate speeds. The cover can rub the gloss right off. Plus, if your cover has any weak spots, 70 mph winds will find them.

If you haven't replaced the trailer tires in the last couple years, I would do that before your tow. Fresh rubber can keep the headaches away! Also, if you have bearing buddies, bring a grease gun and give them a little lube every 500 or so miles.

Don't forget a jack and lug wrench too!

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Long Hauls

Do you have any suggestions as to what I should prepare myself for (other than the SUCKY drive... )

Many Fuel Stops...

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Long Hauls

A GPS, not just for the nav. but most of them have repair places listed in them now. So you dont have to take BillyBobs cousins brothers uncles word for a good repair shop.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Long Hauls

In about 6 months or so I will be hauling my boat about 2200 miles.......The longest tow I have ever done is about 100miles. Do you have any suggestions as to what I should prepare myself for (other than the SUCKY drive... )

Also - Should I be covering the boat for that long of trip? I am thinking I will.

I am trying to come up with a checklist of items, etc.

1. Fresh Wheel Bearings

2. Spare rim/Tire

3. Spare Wheel Bearings

4. Small tool kit - Hammer, pliers, socket set.

The boat has tie straps....

Any/All suggestions will be appreciated!!

2 Spare wheels
Uncovered unless weather is terrible.
Large tool kit !!!!
Tire pressure gauge. Check when everything has cooled down after a rest stop.
Have a good trip.

 

[arimatation]

Re: Long Hauls

Prudence dictates not having the cover on. More damage could be done just from the chafing alone. If it is pouring down maybe you could pull in somewhere and cover the boat up till it subsides.

 

[Shrub88]

Re: Long Hauls

Every time you stop, put your hand on the tires and hubs to check for one being abnormally hot.

Make sure all the lights work and check that the wiring is secure.

Unhook and grease the trailer hitch ball every day.

Make sure the license plate won't expire before you get where you are going and don't forget the trailer registration.

And I also agree on the tires, more than 3 or 4 years old, buy some good new ones.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Long Hauls

A small air compressor.

Second the LARGE tool kit.

AAA membership card. (Just for the discounts of course.)

 

[dave11]

Re: Long Hauls

Relax and enjoy the trip. Don't try to keep up with traffic You will be much happier and more relaxed at just under the speed of traffic around you. You will be able to respond to traffic problems rather than react to them at a slightly slower speed.

Have fun at the new playground/waterworld.

 

[Bucks45]

Re: Long Hauls

large tool kit! Be careful and good luck!

 

[df909]

Re: Long Hauls

I'd bring a tongue lock and maybe a cable with a lock (to run through a wheel) in case you need to drop the trailer for whatever reason.

What does greasing the ball/hitch do?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Long Hauls

Extra light bulbs for the trailer and electrical repair items, wire stripper/crimp pliers, crimps, electrical tape, wire ties. I have a few trailer bulbs in my boat tool kit, everything else is in my boat tool kit.

Tire pressure gauge and keep the trailer tires at max pressure. Some vehicles say to run the rear tires at a higher pressure when towing.

Immediately after pulling up to the gas pump to fill up, touch the trailer hubs to see if the bearings are running hot, before gassing up. Check running lights often if driving at night, can be done from the truck/car after gassing up. In a parking lot turn right, check running lights, brake and turn signal,,, pull forward and turn left, check the lights on the other side.

For the tow vehicle, check tire pressure (spare too), filters and fluid levels. Oil change and transmission fluid service if needed. A tube of radiator stop leak and a couple gallons of water could save your a** if you spring a leak, or save another traveler some grief if you happen by them. Quart of oil and tranny fluid. Oh yeah, do you have a transmission cooler on the tow vehicle?

Don't forget the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer too...

 

[timmyjoebob]

Re: Long Hauls

A GPS, not just for the nav. but most of them have repair places listed in them now. So you dont have to take BillyBobs cousins brothers uncles word for a good repair shop.

Hey! That's my cousin you're referin' to!

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Long Hauls

Wow!! Tons of great ideas/advice here. I should have added more info...

Will be towing a 19ft bowrider with an i/o (single axle trailer w/o brakes) weighs 2100lbs - with a 2006 Escalade AWD.

Should I add brakes to the trailer?

Do you think I need a transmission cooler?

While staying in hotels, etc....what do you guys do to "feel" safe about leaving your boat/vehicle out all night?


Awesome stuff guys!! thanks!

 

[DeepVee]

Re: Long Hauls

Check with your local mechanic or dealer about towing capabilities of your Escalade. It may have a cooler for the trans. already. As for the trailer brakes, you probably don't need them if your doing a lot of freeway driving. If your going to be on mountain roads they would be great. Your Escalade weighs enough where you shouldnt have to worry about the 2100 lb boat pushing it around though.

 

[642mx]

Re: Long Hauls

Wow!! Tons of great ideas/advice here. I should have added more info...

Isn't this site great?... Lots of experience and folks willing to share it. Don't forget to use the iboats store when you can, its a nice way to say 'thanks' for the forums!

Will be towing a 19ft bowrider with an i/o (single axle trailer w/o brakes) weighs 2100lbs - with a 2006 Escalade AWD.

Should I add brakes to the trailer?

Brakes for that much weight are not really needed, but in a panic stop they will be nice to have! That's up to you. If your doing this with an open checkbook, then go for it.

Do you think I need a transmission cooler?

Tranny coolers are always a good idea. They are cheap insurance IMO. Your Caddy may already have one it. My boss has an 05 Caddy and its got one from the factory.

While staying in hotels, etc....what do you guys do to "feel" safe about leaving your boat/vehicle out all night?

When I'm at a hotel, I always use a lock pin in the hitch and lock the trailer to the hitch. Throw the cover on it and park in a well lighted area. If you have a high end prop, take it off and put it in the truck...

If you have to disconnect the trailer in the hotel lot, get one of those wheel lock devices that prevent the wheel from spinning if someone tries to steal it.

 

[642mx]

Re: Long Hauls

One more thing....

On a single axle trailer, you may want to keep a short 6x6 piece of lumber and a couple of ratchet straps.

This summer we pulled the boat 1000 miles round trip on vacation. 4 hours from home I hit a huge hole and blew out 2 of the 4 leaf springs on one side of the trailer. The fender was welded on and the tire was rubbing it. I limped it to a marina that fixed me up with a 6x6" between the axle and frame. I used a ratchet strap to hold it in place until I could find a replacement leaf spring.

I won't go far from home without a chunk of wood anymore!

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Long Hauls

I looked over the suggestions for your trip and agree with most of them. However I would like to make a couple suggestions and an observation.

If you are pulling a trailer with a gross weight of 3000 lbs or more, and I think you are, then you should legally have brakes on each axle of the trailer, in most states. You don't say where you will be going but you should make a point of researching all the trailer laws of the states you will be traveling thru as some states are more aggressive than others in enforcement. (Case in point N.C. is reported to be very aggressive, and have been known to refuse to let travelers continue their tow when not in compliance.)

Get an infared temperature guage (from Harbor Freight $20.00) to check your hub temperatures. Check the temperatures everytime you stop for gas, food, sleep, or whatever and be sure to watch for changes. My hubs run between 108 and 112 deg. Check yours often and you may forestall a breakdown.

More important, you wont BURN YOUR HAND!! A bad hub can get really hot and will burn you before you can react.

Do carry 2 spare tires on rims, 2 complete sets of bearings and at least 1 replacement hub. Carry the grease, both gun and can, rags, and a really good jack,and maybe a couple short 2x6's to go under them.

Also, travel with the plug out of the boat. Take off the prop, remove any electronics not built in and all loose items in and on the boat, even the batteries. Get really good locks for the hitch and receiver, even a "wheel lock or boot" that will keep the trailer from moving if taken off the truck. And park under the lights, in a busy parking lot, where you can see it.

None of this will keep someone from stealing your boat if they are determined, but may make them decide to try some one else's boat if they are opportunity thieves.

Keep your speed at 60 mph, you will get better mpg, and some states require it.

And yes, you should have a transmisson cooler, as well as a tow package on the truck. If you do then tow in the "tow/haul" mode.


Good luck,

Bob

 

[109jb]

Re: Long Hauls

Scanned the other posts and didn't see where anyone said a spare hub already greased and ready to go. Spare bearings are OK, but do you wnat to have to pound out the old bearing races from the hub while on the side of the road? With a spare hub all you gotta do is pop the cap, pull the cotter pin, remove the bearing nut, pull old hub and reverse to put the new one on.

 

[ifallsguy]

Re: Long Hauls

Consider the magnetic trailer lights at Harbor Freight as a backup should the trailer lights fail. Cost is about $10 and they have magnetic base. Also a barrel jack that has at least the reach to lift the tires off the ground. Much easier lifting that a mechanical jack.