Towing a boat Minnesota to Florida

[DeepCMark58A]

I have decided to pull the pin and move my 1448 jon boat from my home in Minnesota to the Gulf coast of Florida. I will have a spare and related tools will have new bearings is the trailer. What are the odds I can make the trek without issues of some kind?

 

[ahicks]

Assuming you don't overload them, have properly inflated tires that are less then 10 years old, an occasional check of wheel bearing and tire temps (just touch them) at rest stops, My experience is you'd have nearly a 100% chance of making it with no trouble.

 

[scipper77]

Check your leaf springs. I once had one break on me. One of the 2 leafs was cracked under the mounting bracket where it could not be detected with a visual inspection. I was very fortunate that it broke when it went over a transition into the boat launch at extremely low speed. Had it broke on the expressway the axle would have ripped off.

Other than that make sure your safety chain is on and your tie downs are in good shape. You should be good to go.

 

[JASinIL2006]

We pull our boat and trailer on at least two 1500 mile trips each year, along with numerous other shorter trips. No reason at all a well-maintained trailer can't go as far as your tow vehicle. I always bring a spare tire (I actually have two, since we go up to Northern Ontario and travel on many gravel roads in rough condition) and on the long trips, I have kit that includes a spare set of bearings and grease. The bearings are for peace of mind more than anything.

If everything is in good shape, you should have no problems.

 

[Scott Danforth]

bring a good spare, have your inflation proper, and make sure your bearings have been regularly serviced

make sure you are not over-loaded and keep it under 80 and you will be fine.

many of my families boats made the trip from north-central WI to the sun-coast here in Bradenton, including dad's old fishing barge on 22 year old 8" diameter tires on a very patina'd trailer

over the years we lost one boat cover due to age, one tire due to a 6" long piece of re-bar durring road construction on I-65, a tire loose its tread at 85mph due to extended periods of high-velocity, and the boost hose on dad's truck due to a leaky turbo seal spewing oil into the CAC and lubing up the silicone hoses

if you get close and have an issue, contact me

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Scott I will be keeping the boat on the other side of the river from you on Snead.

 

[Scott Danforth]

well then, we must meet in the middle at the River Roo for a few brews and sammiches....

 

[fishrdan]

I wouldn't sweat it, just make sure lights, tires are good and bearings services. I tow my 1436 jon boat all the time at freeway speeds 75-80 and never had issues, (trailer has 12" tires), many trips 500-600 miles round trip. If the outboard doesn't have a de-flopperizer, might not be a bad idea to add one.

Touch the trailer hubs at gas-ups to see if they are running hot.

I'd chain the outboard to the boat too. I have my OB and trolling motor locked so they don't grow legs at a gas station....

 

[bigdee]

As long as they have not been neglected (water intrusion,too tight/loose)) your fine. IMO too much hype......I mean no one ever worries about the wheel bearings on their car/truck.

 

[Scott Danforth]

As long as they have not been neglected (water intrusion,too tight/loose)) your fine. IMO too much hype......I mean no one ever worries about the wheel bearings on their car/truck.

I do if I drive my car or truck into the water. then again, on vehicles with serviceable bearings, I re-pack the bearings every brake job.

 

[bigdee]

I do if I drive my car or truck into the water. then again, on vehicles with serviceable bearings, I re-pack the bearings every brake job.

Your a good mechanic and do things proper. However the average Joe goes the life of the vehicle without servicing the wheel bearings. I check for play and spin the wheel to listen for noise and pop the dust cap to inspect for water. If any water,noise or play I repack,otherwise I'm good to go.

 

[dennis461]

I carry a spare hub with bearings installed, new cap and lug nuts makes for quicker road side repairs.
Also spare spindle nut, washer, cotter pin, grease, tools modified to work on this stuff, small hammer, etc..
e.g. large pump pliers to wiggle the hub cover off.

All kept together in a dedicated in a tool box just for hub repair.
I know I have everything in one place because it is the same tool box I use for regular hub maintenance.
A bottle jack for getting trailer into the air.
A tarp (for working in the rain), 5-gallon bucket(stool).

I had too many roadside repairs, so replaced the axle last year (seals never sealed right)
I have a pickup truck for towing, so plenty of room for tools and parts.

Did I mention night light and Peppermint Schnapps?

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Along with all the other posts buy a cheap temp gun I think $35 will get you one. Shoot your tires and bearings throughout the trip every time you stop. It can give you a warning if something is about to go wrong.

Make sure your chains are in good shape and properly routed and all your lights work. Nothing like getting hammered by some bored state trooper looking to bring some out of state money into his state.

 

[ahicks]

One point regarding tire temp. It's not at all unusual in the southern states to have the side of the vehicle that's in the sun running noticeably warmer than the side in the shade. Don't let that alarm you!

 

[jkust]

When you say jon boat...are you talking about a 200lb aluminum hunting boat? If that's the case, I would be confident you won't have any issues if your equipment is up to par.