2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

[woolznaz]

In a few weeks we plan to take a 25' South Bay tri-toon on a very long journey from the Phoenix area to Lake of the Ozarks in MO. It's a 2007 Extreme Custom trailer with 4-wheel surge disk brakes. Here is what I plan to do to prepare, but all suggestions are welcome from those who have made long tow trips before. I plan to do the following:
Boat:
Pull the bimini tops all the way off the frames
Shrink wrap the boat (at least going there, so I don't have to clean for a day before we use the boat once we get there). I'll have a dealer do this before we leave.
Pull the prop off to avoid unnecessary road rash

Trailer:
Service/pack the hubs/bearings
Bring extra grease and check frequently for heating up
All 4 tires are new, and I'll get a new spare too
Leaf springs are actually new as well
I'll bring some extra wire and extra bulbs for the lights if problems arise. All work now.

What spare parts would you have along for the tow? Spare hubs? Bearings? What is most likely to fail? I am a little intimidated about this trip, and I expect some problems along the way, but I'm trying to prepare well to avoid as many issues as I can.

I'll be towing with an '06 Ford F250 diesel. Boat, motor, trailer are about 6,000 lbs and tow capacity is 12,500, but this boat does seem to tow "heavy" due to the wind resistance. The first 150 miles or so are kind of mountainous, but then it's much flatter towing for the other 1250 miles or so to get there.

Any suggestions from those who've done this are welcome. Thanks!

 

[dennwhite]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

Sounds like you have thought af most everything. The only things that I can think of are a lug wrench for your trailer wheels and a jack that fits under the trailer properly. Have an awesome time at the lake.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

The only surge brake mountain experience I've had was a brake overheat. So I'm kind of a downer on that item.
I'm not putting this really well...
But on the bright side, the boat presents a wide front to the wind. You may not have that excessive trailer brake heat occur since (you hope) the boat's wide "face" helps keep the surge system from operating on the descent until the truck causes it to engage.
Just be aware of the trailer brakes and if you think they are getting a workout you can pull off or somehow get them cooled such as if you are coming to an ascent. It's well worth it to keep em from overheating, I drove warped trailer brakes cross country and it annoyed the he.. out of me.
I'd suggest carrying an IR thermometer, they are great for checking tires, brakes, bearings, a/c function, cooling system. There's just a ton of stuff you can get a fix on. In fact If you get some readings on your truck before you go you'll have a baseline there too.

I have a 23 year old engine in my boat and I have been giving it a workout this week, the IR thermometer has been nice to have around to confirm that the cooling system is working right.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

I wouldn't bother with a hub & bearing unless there's a problem history.

 

[ralphl]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

lots of gas mony,,,,,,, toons raise havoc with mileage

 

[dutchdog]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

Any time I go over 100 miles I put a spare set of bearings in the boat. I have an old ammo box that I carry spare bearings packed in grease in ziplock bags, a hammer, chisle, long punch, channel lock pliers, file and sandpaper. It's compact and handy in the middle of nowhere. If you were worried about your tires in the heat we having in central good ole USA, have nitrogen put in your tires. It helps keep them cool. The hiways here in Arkansas is littered with blowed tires from the heat.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

I would ABSOLUTELY take at least one extra set of bearings and all the tools you need to change. An extra hub with pre-installed bearings would be another option that would make for a faster roadside change should you experience bearing failure.

When you say you serviced / packed the bearings, does that mean you changed them out? If not, I think you should unless this has been done very recently. Even if the trailer has been sitting, the biggest enemy of bearings is moisture and rust pitting, so mileage isn't the only issue.

Also make sure you have a jack that's suitable for the trailer and whatever other items you need for jacking such as a flat board to prevent the jack from sinking if the shoulder is damp, etc, etc.

Needless to say, make sure you have a lug wrench that fits the trailer nuts. You'd be surprised how many people find out the hard way that their lug wrench for their towing vehicle is a different size than the one for their trailer lugs. Uh-oh. Not that I made that mistake myself. Oh no, I heard about it from some other guy who did it. What a fool.

I carry multi-meter on long trips in case of trailer light problems. Might be overkill, but worth bringing if you have one.

I also carry a can of that puncture seal / tire infation stuff. My reasoning here is that if I get a flat and have to stop in a bad place like on a narrow two lane road, this will give me enough seal and inflation so I can get out of that bad spot and find a safer place to change the tire.

If you don't already have them, I'm a huge fan of Bearing Buddies. On long trips, I bring a grease gun and every day I give the bearings a good few pumps of fresh grease just to make sure they stay topped off.

Grouse

 

[whitjohn]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

You might want to consider some prep/parts for your truck too especially with that 6.0 diesel. You may not have had any issues with yours, but thousands of them have.

 

[woolznaz]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

Great suggestions, folks. Thank you. Please keep them coming.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

2800 miles? I think a bottle of "Monkey Butt" powder would be on my list!

Otherwise, I think you have the basics covered. Take a tool box with you with zip ties, wire, and duct tape and you should be fine. I like the above ideas for a spare set of bearings. The only other reccomendation is if you are bringing bearings, check yours frequently. If they got hot, lock up, and destroy the spindle, the spares won't matter much.

Good luck and have a great, safe tip

 

[jeeperman]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

I would be inclined to bring along a spare hub, complete with greased bearings and rear seal and bearing buddy or spindle cover.
Those pressed in spindle covers and/or bearing buddies tend to fly off and go bye bye for no good reason. If the trailer has replaceable spindles, you could take a spare one.
They sell trailer brackets that will use the spare spindle and hub to hold the spare.

Does your trailer have the fat donut size 10" rim tires ?? They will be spinning quite a lot more than a 15" rim tires. Making the bearings spin extra fast.

Have them shrink wrap from the rail slanted down to the bow for sure. Might help deflect the wind.
You might get a roll of pallet stretch wrap and packaging tape for on-the-road repairs to the shrinkwrap.
A nice rug to lie on and a good work light.

What about night time security when your in the hotel room?

 

[jkust]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

As mentioned, the lugs on your trailer are potentially different than your truck so get a T lug wrench if you don't already have one. Walmart carries them. Also, check and see if your boat/trailer insurance comes with roadside assistance. My progressive policy does and I needed it when I discovered the difference in lug nut size. Grab a piece of wood to put under the jack if your pulled over on a dirt road. For that long of a trip, I'd invest in a second spare and rim. On at least one occasion, I would have had two flats from unavoidable road debris if I had a tandem trailer. Make sure you have enough security on the spare tires/holders as well.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

I'd suggest carrying an IR thermometer, they are great for checking tires, brakes, bearings, a/c function, cooling system. There's just a ton of stuff you can get a fix on. In fact If you get some readings on your truck before you go you'll have a baseline there too.

This is very good advice ... I believe the IR thermometer is one of the most practical diagnostic tools to carry with you since you can check your trailer hubs (and anything else) at every pit stop, no muss or fuss, and spot a developing problem before you suffer a complete breakdown at the worst possible time and place.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

Just made a similar trek - I would buy a couple of pre-greased hub assemblies (bearings already installed) I did - and I didn't need them....but if the bearings would have gone out, I would have pulled off the tire - took one bolt off the spindle, slid the new hub assembly on and you are off and running.....skip trying to put bearings and races in on the side of the road!!

I too bought an IR thermometer....worked like a champ....cost me like 10 bucks. Worth it for peace of mind!

One thing I wish I would have done was put some sort of sticky covering on the hull.....(Not sure if you can shrinkwrap that low...) I got more road rash from gravel, etc on my gelcoat than I would have ever imagined.

Tools, etc.

Typical gas stop would include checking hub temp, and tire pressure.

The overall trip was easier than I ever thought it would be.

Oh....and driving back West killed my gas milage....had a head wind nearly the whole trip....So, don't get to excited when you see the gas milage you get on the way to MO....it will get worse going home.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

Oh....and I had 2 spare tires/rims didn't need either one....but it was great to have.

 

[WPWillis]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

Check each states regulations before you pay to have the boat shrink wrapped. Some states require an inspection for invasive species even if you are just traveling through the state and I would hate for you to have to unwrap it 200 miles into your trip.

Patrick

 

[woolznaz]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

Original poster here. Thank you all for the great responses so far. I appreciate all of the tips and suggestions. Still planning the trip so the advice is all being considered. Thanks again for sharing your experiences/advice.

 

[Matt89GT]

Re: 2800 mile roundtrip tow - preparation advice

make sure that EGR cooler isnt getting clogged up on that 6.0 or your gonna be stranded.