First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

ccave04 · Jun 21, 2012

Ok everyone, so I am prepping to take my boat on a 2 hour road trip with me to a friends camp for the July 4th week.

My vehicle and boat are in the signature line, and I have a hustler single axle trailer that my boat goes on. I had some issues this year with not greasing bearings and ruining / destroying a bunch of stuff (expensive lesson to learn :facepalm

, which actually led to a whole bunch of repairs on my trailer. So all the bearings are replaced new brakes and a whole new actuator on the front of the trailer after the start of the years adventure.

Other than those repairs I do plan on buying a spare trailer tire and throwing it in the boat for the trip (when I get home I will probably order a spare tire holder to mount on the trailer).

Besides the obvious checks of the trailer that I should look for before I go on a short trip to the launch, is there any extra preparation you guys do for a longer trip?

I also have on snap on bow cover and cockpit cover that are on the boat, I planned on leaving these on during the trip, is that a bad idea or should I strap them down to be sure they don't come off?

Any input / tips would be helpful

Roadrager50 · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

You should be okay. I always carry extra grease and a complete set of bearings including the inside seal. Mind the way the trailer acts and compinsate your driving habits to match. Other than that I can't think of anything else.

BRICH1260 · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

Take a means of jacking the trailer should you have a flat.

SilverSS07 · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

^^^make sure you have a lug wrench that fits the trailer wheels also. Check the tires for any dry rot. If you see any I would replace them. Keep your speeds moderate also. I think most trailer tires are rated to 65 mph. Probably don't want to tow in overdrive either.

choppywaters · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

I would recommend stopping after the first hour or so to just check if everything is still tight. A ten minute stop could save a lot of aggravation.

oregoncruiser · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

good tips above!! I tow mine with all covers on the boat. I THINK it probably stretches them a bit, so they may sag when you stop/park. I'm fine with that due to a past experience. I kept covers off, and ended up haveing to pass through a road constructyion zone where they were paving. I had some of the material fly up into the boat. I ended up with a million tiny little specks ofoil/asphalt all over inside by boat with mostly white upholstery. I never did get it all out. As far as I am concerned it ruied the inside of the boat. I'll spend a few bucks on the cover, and protect the inside of my boat.

And...btw, my snap on covers have never given me reason to think they'd pop off, although I'm sure a hundred people will come on and say I'm wrong. It probably all depends on your individual setup.

Scott Danforth · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

I bring along an inexpensive hydraulic jack, a grease gun, a set of tools, and for really long trips a complete hub and bearing setup.

LippCJ7 · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

AAAaaaaaaand, your worrying too much, relax you will be fine!

Mi duckdown · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

You could also hook up the trailer and drive around for a half hour and check things out, before the trip.
But I think you will be fine, if you are confident that everything you have done is correct.

MH Hawker · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

yea pull it a bit and check the lugs.

Oshkosh1 · Jun 21, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

Three words:
Cordless
Impact
Wrench

lncoop · Jun 22, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

LippCJ7 said:
AAAaaaaaaand, your worrying too much, relax you will be fine!

He had a bit of a scare a few weeks ago that resulted from not worrying enough, so now he's trying to be sure he doesn't make that mistake again. Definitely been there done that.

:facepalm:

oldjeep · Jun 22, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

Scott Danforth said:
I bring along an inexpensive hydraulic jack, a grease gun, a set of tools, and for really long trips a complete hub and bearing setup.

Bring extra wheel bearings for the tow rig too?

Scott Danforth · Jun 22, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

no, however on 2-3000 mile trips, things happen. usually 2 flats in a row due to construction debris. I have lost bearing buddies in the past. I could just bring along extra bearings, however I dont like the idea of changing bearings on the road, so if I have the extra hub I will never need it.

Tow Rig has tow insurrance

ccave04 · Jun 22, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

All great suggestions, thanks everyone. I plan on replacing the oldest tire on the trailer, with a new tire, and using the oldest tire as the spare. One tire was brand new the day I bought the boat (got a flat on the way to water test it) so I think I should be good.

Just trying to get my ducks in a row, as incoop said I had some issues at the beginning of the season and I don't want to repeat them once I get an hour away from house.

Thanks again all for the suggestions.

ccave04 · Jul 11, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

By the way everyone... I made it, there and back, just fine...

LippCJ7 · Jul 12, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

Told ya so

KD4UPL · Jul 12, 2012

Re: First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

Glad you made it. 2 hours isn't really a big deal. Before I moved a little closer to a lake every trip was at least 2 hours. We would often leave on Sunday after church at 10am, get on the water by 12pm. We'd boat until 7pm and be home by 9pm. That's 4 hours of towing in a day. You should make sure your trailer is in good shape no mater the distance of the tow, then it won't matter.

First longer tow trip (2hrs) with my boat. Suggestiosn?

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