Long Hauls

jeeperman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
1,513
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.
Thats the way to do it!
You can even get a spare tire carrier that mounts on your trailer that can hold the hub that is all ready to go. And you mount the spare to it too.
Just make dang sure you have the right hub for your axle. I might even put the new hub on the trailer and use the old one as the spare to make sure. Don't want to find out it is not the right size at 1a.m. along the side of an interstate.
Does your trailer have leaf springs or torsion axles? If leafs, Check real good at the center of the spring for any cracks as that is where they usually are. Look at your spring eyes and kinda eyeball them for eyebolt or bushing wear. If bolt or bushing is worn enough the eyebolt wont be centered in the spring eye. Bushing wear is not so bad but a worn eyebolt could shear if bad enough.

Also at least one big butt fire extinguisher in your tow vehicle located where it is not buried.
Put a jug of antifreeze, a bottle of motor oil and jumper cables and a funnel under the hood of the tow vehicle. There is usually enough spaces that will hold them all safely without losing them.
 

gstanton

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 3, 2003
Messages
451
Re: Long Hauls

All good advice.
Only thing I can add is a floor jack. Bottle or scissor jacks just don't cut it on the side of an interstate.
 

jeeperman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
1,513
Re: Long Hauls

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

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!

I was browsing around Lowe's the other day and saw something that made me think of this motel security for the night thing..................http://nservices.com/motion.htm
I am thinkin the second $24.99 model on the list.
A remote, battery operated wireless motion detecting transmitter.
Put one on the dashboard of the boat under the cover or without one. You have the receiver with you in the room. Someone starts messing in your boat and the receiver sounds the alarm in your room!
Not expensive either.
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: Long Hauls

ry%3D400



I travel prepared and it seems to pay off as i have had a few minor issues over the years no matter how much PM i did ;)
 

Jeep Man

Commander
Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
2,803
Re: Long Hauls

Throw your rain gear in the truck before heading out, and a couple of small tarps. One for the ground and one for weather protection. There's few things worse than changing a tire or bearing in pouring rain, then driving a couple hundred miles in wet clothes.
 

wingmastr23

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
211
Re: Long Hauls

Figured I would bump this back to the top - Some great ideas for the boating season!

Thanks for all the great advice!
 
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