Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

[mvgossman]

I have a brand-new EZ-Loader trailer for my Larson Escape 214 (first boat for me), and I was made very nervous at the sight of two trailers with missing wheels and sad-looking operators on the interstate last week. I'm moving up my schedule to get a spare wheel.<br /><br />Question: Is there a kit available somewhere to secure a wheel to the trailer along with a jack and lug wrench? I'll call EZ-Loader in the future, too. Anything else I should consider having in order to prevent a wrecked vacation?<br /><br />And I think I need a mud flap behin the rear trailer wheels - the boat's getting splashed. Has anyone had good luck finding satisfactory ones? I hate to drill holes through the powdercoat finish since it will start a rust chain reaction.<br /><br />Mitch

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

Whoever sold you the rig without a spare should be slapped.<br />It is also illegal to pull a trailer without a spare, in some states.<br /><br />Brackets are available to hold the wheel and tire, some even hold a spare wheel hub and bearing assembly.<br /><br />Most of the vehicles stranded without a wheel, have actually burned out a bearing, due to lack of maintenance and proper greasing.

 

[djvan]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

If you tow your boat with the same vehicle all the time check the jack and lug wrench from it to see if it will work. If not you could get a socket and whrench that fit and vacuum seal them in a bag and put them in the boat. For the jack they sell a cresent type piece of aluminum that looks like it would work pretty good (I've never used one but think I should get one). Don't forget to take into account that with a wheel missing or flat the jack will have to go low enough to get under the axle or frame and high enough to slip a spare tire on. <br /> If these people you saw were missing wheels, they probably had more trouble than needing a spare tire, like a new hub and bearings and possibly a new axle. <br /> Since your trailer is new you are probably alright this year, but this fall or next spring you should at least inspect your wheel bearings. Repacking is the safe route. <br /> If you don't have bearing buddys on your trailer look into getting some. While some people prefer them and some don't, I like them. For more debate on bearing buddys do a search on them.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

It is not illegal to tow a trailer anywhere in the country without a spare, nor was it illegal for the dealer to have sold you the trailer without a spare, and I would hazard a guess and say that 95% of the trailers on the road do not have a spare.<br /><br />Those guys who you saw on the side of the road were probably suffering a bearing failure. They are common on boat trailers and they result from negligence in maintainence - there is no other cause.<br /><br />You need a lug wrench that fits your trailer and your tow vehicle. For just a very few dollars at any auto parts store in the country you can buy a 4-way lug wrench. Get one.<br /><br />You need a substantial jack for your trailer. Get a hydraulic (bottle) jack. Your local sears will have a nice selection of them in the tool secion. I'd recommend something in the 10 ton capacity range. It will be a little large, but that's OK.<br /><br />Now, when it comes to carrying a spare tire there are a zillion brackets you can buy that will hold one on your trailer. They are almost all pure junk. There is one, however, that makes a whole lot of sense to use.<br /><br /><br /> Champion Trailers was selling a spare tire carrier that really makes a ton of sense. This thing is an L shapped bracket in which the protruding part of the "L" is actually an axle spindle. The bracket clamps, via supplied bolts (you don't drill any holes in your trailer), to your frame rail and the protrusion of the "L" extends out away from the trailer. You mount a spare hub, complete with packed bearings, on the spindle and then mount your spare tire to the hub. It allows you to carry both, a ready to go spare hub of the correct size and type for your trailer, and the spare tire both out of the way of the boat. They don't show it in this year's catalog but I suspect that was just an oversight. I'd give them a call if I was looking for a way to carry a spare.

 

[rpddoc]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

Congrats on the new trailor. Get a 4 way collapsible lug wrench from Wal Mart. Make sure it fits your trailor lugs and it put it in the boat. Get a jack that will fit under the axle or frame close to the tires when the tire/s on the side in question are flat. Be sure it will jack it up enough put the tire/s on. Get a spare tire ASAP!!! Put it in the truck or get a mounting braket and mount it on the trailor. Also, get a spare hub assembly and mount it to the trailor some where or put it in your boat. You can buy a hub assembly in a kit for $20.00 - $40.00. Be sure the bearings are packed. Then lock the hub assembly and spare tire if mounted so you won't be a victom of theft. Also, carry at least one of every different fuse found on your boat and at least one of every different light bulb found on boat and trailor. Don't forget all USCG required items for your length of boat. Put registration and proof of insurance if you have any and a cell phone in zip lock baggies. A VHF radio, flares and a boaters emergency flag are nice to have even if not required.<br /><br />And when you think you have enough stuff, go get some more. Enjoy!!!<br /><br />TakeEm

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

This last week I was one of the guys on the side of the road.<br />My trailer came with the spare tire holder when we bought the boat new. I have towed maybe 3000 miles total when the carlisle tire tread seperated from the tire. I had no spare and had to leave it for 2 hours while I went home and got a tire off the other boat. what a pain. I bought a nice breaker bar and a set of deep sockets along with 2 new tires and a rim. The other carlisle tire is now my spare. <br />Listen to these guys they tell the truth!!!!!

 

[jlshields]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

bluewater, I hope the two new ones aren't Carlisle. If you got 3000 miles out of a Carlisle you did GOOOOD!

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

No they are load range B lesschwab brand 205/75/14 st trailer tires. I hope these last longer!<br />I can't believe the tread just came off like that. I set the pressure at 45lbs cold before we went camping. it's a 200 mile round trip. <br />I'm just glad it let go close to home!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

I didn't say the dealer broke the law, but he should still be slapped for doing something so irresponsible. <br /><br />

It is not illegal to tow a trailer anywhere in the country without a spare

It may not be illegal where you are, but it is in other places. In some states it is not illegal to tow without a spare, but it is a violation to be without a spare if one is needed.<br />A quick search of state dot sites popped up a number of states that require a spare for the tow vehicle and or trailer. I stopped counting after the first five. Some states even make it illegal to sell (wholesale or retail) a vehicle without a useable spare tire and functional jack.<br /><br />

and I would hazard a guess and say that 95% of the trailers on the road do not have a spare

You must drive on different roads than I do. Around here, nearly everyone has a spare.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

Please give me the link to the state laws. Its not that I don't believe you, but there must be one hell of a lot of lawbreakers out there if you are correct. Link please.

 

[captain spike]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

i made a bracket out of stainless threaded rod from home depot save myself a little $$ works great!!!if you tow without a spare and then you have a flat???ha ha ha you should know better!a burnt hub?thats a little easier to chew.maintance is key, grease is cheap and so am i.lol <br /> ***1971 winner 1969 115 jonny***

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

THomWV, it is not illegal to be without a spare in WI, but most people here have one or two. But we do have laws that forbid rusty wheel, broken springs, missing lug nuts, mismatched tire types and or sizes, among other things.<br /><br /><br />Here is a link to the Mass law, althouth it does not quote the statute number. <br />www.town.barnstable.ma.us/tob02/Depts/CommunityServices/MarineEnvironmental/SandyNeck/sandyRequirements.pdf+%22spare+tire%22+%22required+equipment%22&hl=en]http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:VGvUv73B4rsJ:www.town.barnstable.ma.us/tob02/Depts/CommunityServices/MarineEnvironmental/SandyNeck/sandyRequirements.pdf+%22spare+tire%22+%22re quired+equipment%22&hl=en[/URL]<br /><br />Here's the RI statute that requires a spare and jack to be included with every automobile sold. <br /> http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-4/31-4-11.HTM <br /><br />Here is a state of Maine website that references that a spare tire is required.<br /><br />California requires safety flares and a max of 55mph while towing, and brakes on trailers over 1500#.<br />NC, requires brakes over 1000#.<br />And Mass doesn't require brakes until 10,000#.<br /><br />This info is from websites,so I cannot vouch for their validity.<br /><br />Lots of laws out there that people aren't aware of.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

Originally posted by bluewater19:<br /> This last week I was one of the guys on the side of the road.<br />My trailer came with the spare tire holder when we bought the boat new. I have towed maybe 3000 miles total when the carlisle tire tread seperated from the tire. I had no spare and had to leave it for 2 hours while I went home and got a tire off the other boat. what a pain. I bought a nice breaker bar and a set of deep sockets along with 2 new tires and a rim. The other carlisle tire is now my spare. <br />Listen to these guys they tell the truth!!!!!

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

I have a trailmaster single axle, hauling a 21' Rinker. A Carlise 225-75-15 blew apart on I-80 East bound Indiana with less tah 1500 miles on it. Rim and tire destroyed @ 60 MPH. Carlise replaced both, 1000 miles later the replacement formed a knot in the tread area, and a large crater on the sidewall. The junk one and the spare now have G'Year Marathons (8 PLY ) The Carlise is a spare, and 1 is a tree swing. Hope the swing holds my 8 year old Granddaughter! Carlise's are deadly. They have a Class action suit against them for tire defects.

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

I carry a spare tire and a jack in my SUV. That way they are less likely to be stolen.

 

[thefoyboy]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

I keep my spare mounted on my trailer and use this to secure it.<br /><br /> http://tinyurl.com/6g88a <br /><br />As for the spare wheel changing kit, I have this.<br /><br /> http://tinyurl.com/68yej <br /><br />I do not have anything to secure it to the trailer, but have never had any problems with it and I really do need to remount it because it is far enough back on the trailer that depending on the boat ramp, it sometimes gets submerged.

 

[BrianFD]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

Mitch, I didn't see anyone address your ?? on mud flaps, so here goes.<br />I found a pair of flaps at my local AutoZone that were plain black and are mounted using clips that tighten up against the inside of the wheel well. No holes required. Other auto parts stores may also have them.

 

[Pony]

Re: Trailer spare wheel and changing kit? And mud flaps.

Like Roscoe i live in Wisconsin, and i have to agree with him whole-heartedly...I very rarely see a trailor without a spare, and in fact i cant think of anyone i know that doesnt have one. In response to Mitch, I have a set-up that i still need to work on, but i think its satisfactory for the time being. I used to have class B tires on my trailor with 3 spares(no clue why so many spares.) I upgraded this summer to class C tires. I only bought two, so i don't have a matching spare. I kept the best 3 tires from the other set. I keep one on the trailor with a bracket i bought from fleet farm for like 5 bucks. The other two i keep in the back of my truck. I know its extra work, but the plan is change both tires if one goes bad (keeping in accordance to WI state law as class B's and C's are different rim sizes). This is only until i buy a bigger spare of coarse. I also keep a four lugg tire wrench and hydrolic jack in my truck. Also as mentioned above bearing buddies are great. I never really "believed" in them until i put them on my trailor after i found water in my grease. In reality that problem was the rear bearing seals, but now that i have those bearing buddies i will never have a trailor without them.