Cross country trailering advice/tips

[gsbarry]

In June I'll be towing my 2000# 175 runabout from Texas to Michigan and back. My trailer is a single axle without trailer brakes. I've greased the axle bearings and lubricated the leaf spring bushings. The tires are radials and new, including one spare, inflated to the max psi of 50. The tow rig is a 2024 Land Cruiser. I plan to limit my highway speeds to no more than 65mph. I have the balance of the trailer setup so that the tongue weight is ~250-300 lbs. Lights are all in working order, and I will periodically retorque the lug nuts. Boat straps are all in good condition, and I have trim ram spacers as well. I just replaced the bunks (which were rotting), and there is no signs of corrosion on the frame/axle/springs. Of course, all gear and seat cushions will be secured within the boat. I was thinking about getting a second spare given the length of the trip, and possibly an anti-sway bar, though that may be overkill for this size of boat/trailer. I know that a double axle and trailer brakes would be better, but that isn't really in the cards, and the boat is quite light. So far, I've had the trailer on several one-hour trips and one 4-hour trip and the setup performed very well without issue. I plan to drive defensively, keeping ample space from other vehicles, and keeping an eye on side mirrors to check for flats. Does anyone have advice for other things I should have in preparation for the trip? Or things I should do/watch out for while on the trip? Thanks

 

[alldodge]

Check out the towing laws for each state your passing through.
LAWS

 

[Sprig]

Sounds like you have well thought out the trip, you are prepared. Couple comments - on that long of a trip probably a good idea to have a second spare. I would also have a replacement set of wheel bearings and seals and of course grease and tools to replace them.
Something most people dont carry but I have found quite handy is an infrared thermometer. Great way to check your hubs and bearings. Every time I stop for fuel or eats I check the hub temps. Just aim it at the hub and you get the temp. It’ll let you know if the bearings are getting to hot and you can do something about it before failure. They are around $20 at harbor

freight.

Also carry extra fuses, trailer light bulbs and some wire if you have to do a little repair.
Be sure your hitch is locked to your truck and your trailer is locked to the hitch to help thwart theft.

 

[airshot]

Sounds love me you have things covered. On longer trips, I find myself stopping frequently, at least every two hours for a quick leg stretch and to check hub temps on the trailer. To easy to get butt lag on longer trips, much better off to make a quick stop to keep circulation going and keep an eye on those trailer hubs. On back roads I keep my speed down, but have no issue driving 70 with a well maintained trailer as long as your not running those dinky little tires !

 

[dwco5051]

One common mistake is not having a proper jack and the right lug wrench if you have to change a tire. I had a friend who knew is stuff and before leaving Pennsylvania even went around the trailer with a lug wrench and gave every nut a half turn to be certain nothing was frozen. As luck would have it he did have a flat and suddenly found he didn't have lug nuts but wheel bolts that protruded about 1/2" out of the back side of the hub and were solid rust where they stuck out. Took several hours to change a tire.

 

[bruceb58]

When you say you have greased the axle bearings, hopefully, that means you have taken the hubs off removed the bearings, inspected them, and hand packed them.

 

[Lou C]

In addition to all the good suggestions above, I would bring a spare hub with bearings already packed, installed with a new seal. Also spare axle nut, washer and cotter pins or tab washer whichever it uses. Second spare is a good idea. I like to bring an electric impact gun and 1/2” ratchet, a torque wrench in case you have to change a tire out on the road. Impact for loosening only lol.

 

[jlh3rd]

maybe something like this?

 

[cyclops222]

AAA towing policy ?
Only travel on week days. Road service is more available. Book motel nights way ahead of trip.
Have a cooler of food and drinks. Or risk sitting on a toilet every few hours.
I make sure I can stop at a KNOWN great food chain like Long Horn. Look up Darden Restaurants for other places they own.
Call Darden Restaurants and ask for places along your route.
MAKE SURE you have all tires and spare inflated to their maximum rated pressure, cold, in the morning.

 

[Scott Danforth]

in addition to the right tools, a good jack and a spare hub.

Have a second spare tire. both times hauling a boat from Wisconsin to Florida, I had 2 flats along the way. a piece of rebar going thru a construction zone, and a screw back in 2008. tread delamination and a roofing nail in 2012

 

[mike_i]

Verify the speed limits, in Ca it's "technically" only 55. Maybe different in the states you'll be traveling thru. Do you have a towing service such as boat us?

 

[dingbat]

A couple of speed limit reminders yet no one mentioned ST tires are typically only speed rated to 65 mph.

 

[Scott Danforth]

ST tires are typically only speed rated to 65 mph.

they kind of delaminate at 85......

 

[gsbarry]

I’ll be getting a second spare. My tires are rated to 75mph. I decided to go ahead and replace the bearings proactively, and I’ll have 2 spare sets of parts plus all tools. What brand of bearings do y’all like? Timken?

 

[jlh3rd]

I prefer timken.

 

[cyclops222]

I tried a 2 am wheel bearing inspection in the wild woods. Hopeless

 

[ESGWheel]

Here is how i do it > when towing my boat: at every stop for gas or whatever, before I do anything else I walk completely around both the truck and trailer and feel the temperature of every tire and wheel hub along with checking the straps, hitch, etc. If a particular trailer tire (or hub) temp is noticeably warmer than the others, it’s a problem. After all these years, this is a habit and I do it without exception or fail. And i carry a spare and have a specific 'trailering tool box' with a bottle jack, chocks, wood plank (for jack), needed wrenches, multimeter, spare bulbs, etc. that is desiged for tralier breakdowns. I carry this regardess of distance of travel.

 

[gsbarry]

So if you all notice a hub is excessively hot, assuming you're stopped in a safe location and still have a long way to go, do you change the bearings out right then and there?

 

[cyclops222]

Never had a bearing that I cleaned out and hand repacked with only clean wheel bearing grease. Ever fail.

 

[ESGWheel]

So if you all notice a hub is excessively hot, assuming you're stopped in a safe location and still have a long way to go, do you change the bearings out right then and there?

Short answer is yes, longer answer is it depends.

First off, I would look to see if there is grease flung all around (rear seal so look behind) and in front. Then I would grab the top of the tire and with a good shove and pull at the top, see it is it ‘rocks’ aka has excessive play. If any of those two conditions exist, then I am pulling it apart right there. If not, then I will think about where the next service area is and decide if ok to make it and get fully off road with other help available.

This is the key behind checking everything every time when you stop. Normally unless doing something like pulling over in a rest area, you are stopped at a place that more then likely has service advantages. And if a rest area, its well off the road so also a good place to service it yourself.

And while the remote tire pressure monitors are good, I make sure I can see my tires in parts of my mirrors. This is to see if there is smoke from a burning up bearing that requires me to pull over now.

And I do two purposeful initial stops on any haul. These two stops are (1) shortly after taking off, before hitting the freeway, so about 30 min. for me, I pull over and check. All ok? And then after hitting the freeway pull over at the next convenient place (about 20 min at highway speeds) and check. Still good? From there its gas or food or bladder stops whenever they occur. This gives me a comfort level that all is good prior to towing at 65 for 4 hrs…

Is this over the top? To some it may be, but it has not failed me yet, no pun intended. I also have AAA and trailer coverage.

Lastey, I am encouraged by your diligence and questions. You are correct to be concerned and thinking this way and I applaud you for it!