600 miles with my 14'er

[mikeandronda]

Hi, I am moving this weekend over 600 miles from where im at. I have a 14 foot flat bottom with a 10 hp motor(pretty light)I am a bit nervous about going this distance and was wondering if haveing a light boat and trailer makes a difference.Sombody I know mentioned that these smaller boat trailers are not meant for distance plus they can be dangerous becuase a strong wind can cause them to move around on you quite a bit.Any thoughts on this subject?

 

[roscoe]

Re: 600 miles with my 14'er

If the trailer is mechanically sound, and the load is balanced, no problem.<br />It might move around a few inches in a strong cross wind, but not a problem.<br /><br />I used to pull a tiny 10 cubic foot trailer behind my motorcycle, 500-700- even 800 miles a day. Several 2500 mile weeks.<br /><br />Good luck with the move, and school, and be sure to check in here once in a while.

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: 600 miles with my 14'er

Thanx roscue, and I will be back online Sat. night. I would go through major withdrawl if I was off this forum to long The trailer is in really good shape so I hope everything is fine.( other than my nerves) Moving my family and my stuff cross country is one thing, worring bout' my boat is a whole nother thing I got priority's.......Im kiddin honey just in case she reads this

 

[RatFish]

Re: 600 miles with my 14'er

mikeandronda,<br /><br />I have a 12' aluminum boat with a 9.9hp Evinrude and a small trailer. I think the tires on the trailer are the smallest they make (4.80-8). I have towed that thing 200 miles @ 65mph without stopping and never had a problem. I think you'll be fine just be sure that the bearings are in good shape and lubed. If you have bearing buddies be sure to give them a shot of fresh grease. Happy Trails!

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 600 miles with my 14'er

Mike,<br /><br />All I can recommend is to make sure the bearings are in good shape and greased and watch the winds that have been quite strong the past week or so. Check the rating on the trailer and if you want, evenly add some weight to help assist in the negative affects of trucks, winds, etc. Tires and bearings are key. Don't worry about the distance, as long as it remains well lubed and the bearings cool, you will have no problem.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[JB]

Re: 600 miles with my 14'er

Ahoy, MikeandRonda.<br /><br />I have always found truck wash and wind more of a problem when towing big boats than small. Not that many big trucks pass .<br /><br />My problem, if there is any, towing small, light boats is that I might forget they are there. That could be dangerous.<br /><br />Good luck and good trip.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: 600 miles with my 14'er

MikeandRonda Just be sure tires are inflated correctly and that you have a spare, also take along a prepacked spare set of bearings in a ziplock, If bearing havn't been repacked, in awhile I would aleast pop the hubs off and have a look.

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: 600 miles with my 14'er

Ok guys, I made it and my boat is sitting safly in my garage. Our new house is awesome and the people we have met so far are great. Thanx for all the advice, the trailer did great and we did get some pretty big winds in Mn. on the way down.Cant wait to start some fishing in my new area.