Long distance tow

[oldjeep]

Re: Long distance tow

I never tow with a cover, just one more thing to potentially go wrong. Leave the plug out - if it rains the boat will drain.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Long distance tow

You forgot to tell us what kind of tow vehicle you have so we can tell you it's not big enough.:boink:

He doesn't have to tell me. I'm pretty sure it's too small.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Long distance tow

One thing that costs nothing: Keep your speed at 65 mph or less. Easier on your tow vehicle and trailer tires, wheels and bearings.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Long distance tow

Covers beat themselves to oblivion on long trips and beat up the gel

 

[chris.j.marshall]

Re: Long distance tow

I guess its also important to mention that my wife will be following me in her vehicle. We'll be traveling with two dogs and our daughter who will be about 9 months old at the time. We're definitely making this trip in two days. The boat is a 17ft bowrider that doesn't quite touch 3,000lbs on the trailer with gas and gear. If I don't burn off most of the gas in the boat before we leave, I'm tempted to just siphon some of it into the truck. I'll be pulling it with a 5.7ltr Tundra. If anyone doesn't think that's not enough truck for the load, I'd love to take a spin sometime in your tow vehicle.:joyous:

 

[emilsr]

Re: Long distance tow

When we did that the dogs rode with the wife....made it easier for me to focus on the towing duties. Not sure if that would work for you with the baby; might be best if the dogs rode with you.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Long distance tow

I guess its also important to mention that my wife will be following me in her vehicle. We'll be traveling with two dogs and our daughter who will be about 9 months old at the time. We're definitely making this trip in two days. The boat is a 17ft bowrider that doesn't quite touch 3,000lbs on the trailer with gas and gear. If I don't burn off most of the gas in the boat before we leave, I'm tempted to just siphon some of it into the truck. I'll be pulling it with a 5.7ltr Tundra. If anyone doesn't think that's not enough truck for the load, I'd love to take a spin sometime in your tow vehicle.:joyous:

Tundra????!!!!! Pfft! Amateur! Kudos to you for thinking everything through in advance. Hope the move goes well. Safe travels partner.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Long distance tow

Give the dogs benadryl. Its like doggy tranquilizers. They will sleep most of the day. Have your wife. Run block. When you have to change lanes, she gets into desired lane, then let's you in

 

[bassman284]

Re: Long distance tow

Covers beat themselves to oblivion on long trips and beat up the gel

Good covers don't.

 

[Rd05lly]

Re: Long distance tow

I don't think you have enough truck.JK but a 400 horse tow rig with turbo braking is nice.

Just relax remember to watch your mirrors if you are stressing over the tow it will be a long trip. Check bearing temp at all stops.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Long distance tow

Good covers don't.

then your not driving fast enough Even the sharkskin covers that I have had come loose and start flapping at 80

 

[emilsr]

Re: Long distance tow

then your not driving fast enough Even the sharkskin covers that I have had come loose and start flapping at 80

Maybe you should take that as an omen you shouldn't be towing a boat that fast. :facepalm:

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Long distance tow

The last time we moved I towed the boat 1200 miles from Lake of the Ozarks, MO to El Paso, TX. Guess what happened? Nothing.

Relax, you'll be fine. Just take your time and keep the speeds down. Take 2 days to make the drive so you stay awake and alert. If you really want to do something, replace the spare.

My sentiments exactly......

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Long distance tow

Piece of cake. Make sure the hubs and tires in 100% tip top shape, and watch your speed. Towed my 6500 lb setup from FL west coast to NY when I bought her. Had to replace all 4 tires when I started, because they were in lousy shape, and we had zero problems on the 1200 mile trip towing with an F150 4x4 5.4L. Only scary part was the snow storm the last 100 miles got pretty dicey.

Towed with the mooring cover on, also, and that wasn't a problem. Just checked everything at each stop and took it nice and easy, figuring 400-500 miles per day, but did better, since there were 2 drivers.

PS: Can of fix a flat won't cut the mustard unless you have a portable compressor in addition. The fix a flat won't pump tire to maximum pressure needed in the trailer tires. Plus, once you run the trailer tire that low in pressure to need fix a flat, it's probably junk.
Swap it out with the spare and get a new tire for the spare ASAP.

 

[chris.j.marshall]

Re: Long distance tow

Well, we made our drive this past weekend. I couldn't have asked for the trip to go any better. The wife blocked like a champ and we had absolutely no issues. For everyone who said my tow vehicle isn't big enough, I forgot about the fact that my wife always seems to have about 120% of a vehicles cargo volume packed for a trip; so in a sense, you were right. I'll try adding a picture here of the whole convoy at our first rest stop off of I-44 in OK.