Long Tow!

islandhopper00

islandhopper00

Active Member
Jan 4, 2007
2,670
Lake Norman (Denver) NC
Boat Info
240 Sundancer
Engines
5.0L 260hp, BIII outdrive
Hello everyone. I just returned from my island trip, and while the water portion was full of dramatics, the land portion was smooth as silk.
1400 miles and not a quirk one from the rig. I spent a lot of time going over the trailer and tow vehicle. While the bigger rigs suffered tire failures, I didn't. They both had triple axle trailers and 30ft boats. Each had two tire failures and only had to tow from within the state of Florida. What a pain it is to jack and change a tire on a triple axle, specially when it's a center tire.

I had two spares for the truck and trailer. That just meant wouldn't need them. If I didn't have them I bet I would have. haha
I let my cousins friend use one of my spares, he needed it.

Anyways, I was just proud to not have any issues. Specially since I just bought and reworked a new to me 1994 GMC 3500 dually pick up.
 
Isn't it funny/odd how when someone takes the time to check things out ahead of time that they seem to have fewer problems on the road?

Congrats on a successful tow. Now reach around with your right hand over your left shoulder and give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it.
 
I have done seven (7) round trip tows of 2200 miles each and not had bearing or tire failures. The key is to take down your wheels and inspect/replace bearings as necessary and to make sure your tires are in good shape and brakes are working properly. On the road, I keep the speed down and stop frequently to check tire and wheel temperatures. I use a Towmaster aluminum tandem axle trailer with torsion bar suspension and electric over hydraulic brakes. Weight of the rig per truck stop scales is 10,400#. There are, however, other things that can happen. On my last trip, one of the brake bleeder screws split open and brake fluid started leaking out. I noticed it during an inspection at a fuel stop. I was in the Poconos of Pennsylvania at the time. Not a good place to be without brakes. Luckily, I found a Pep Boys about three miles away and was able to get rolling again. I also now carry an extra brake bleeder screw kit. The nut on those things is brass and can split open as I have found out.
 
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Island, Are you going to do a write up of your adventure? Pictures would be nice. Thanks, JC
 
Great job on trip prep! I never have to use a jack! I carry 2x6 and 4x4 wood blocks. Lock truck in 4 low and ease both good axles up (after breaking all lug nuts on flat tire loose). I only have to do this on other people's stuff because most think that low miles on 5 plus year old tires and they "look" good everything is ok! I only use MAXXIS load range E and change them after three years whether needed or not! My rig scales out just over 21k total and we cruise the interstates around 65-70 and never have issues.
 
The biggie I have seen over the years is barely adequate trailers. Manufacturers skimp on trailer and max out GVW, while dealers sell boat buyers on boat options and cheaper trailers. I feel that good prep combined with the next trailer up over what is base will pay dividends.

MM

I still feel much of the tire issues are because manufacturers of them make them lower quality than ever and in "the good old days" trailers that were overloaded performed better.
 
MonacoMike said:
The biggie I have seen over the years is barely adequate trailers. Manufacturers skimp on trailer and max out GVW, while dealers sell boat buyers on boat options and cheaper trailers. I feel that good prep combined with the next trailer up over what is base will pay dividends.

MM

I still feel much of the tire issues are because manufacturers of them make them lower quality than ever and in "the good old days" trailers that were overloaded performed better.
Click to expand...

Mike you could be on to something here. I had a custom trailer built for this boat by using one size larger trailer and adjusting the axles and bunks. And oil bath hubs with torsion suspension is awesome.
 
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floriduramax1 said:
Great job on trip prep! I never have to use a jack! I carry 2x6 and 4x4 wood blocks. Lock truck in 4 low and ease both good axles up (after breaking all lug nuts on flat tire loose). I only have to do this on other people's stuff because most think that low miles on 5 plus year old tires and they "look" good everything is ok! I only use MAXXIS load range E and change them after three years whether needed or not! My rig scales out just over 21k total and we cruise the interstates around 65-70 and never have issues.
Click to expand...

That's exactly how we did the center tire blow out, except the trailer kept pushing the wood blocks! Either the front or back one wouldn't cooperate. Then we snapped off two lugs......good thing they were not all next to each other.

I have D load range now but think I might go with the E range when these tires wear out....get old actually.

The guy that owned the tires kept saying they still "look" new! I just smiled.
 
JC3 said:
Island, Are you going to do a write up of your adventure? Pictures would be nice. Thanks, JC
Click to expand...

I don't excell at writing but will will make an attempt when I get the pictures from my cousin. I'm terrible about taking pictures. They also have some go pro videos I'm looking forward to seeing for myself. My cousin tells me he caught me in the air a few times. We'll see.
 
JerryS said:
I have done seven (7) round trip tows of 2200 miles each and not had bearing or tire failures. The key is to take down your wheels and inspect/replace bearings as necessary and to make sure your tires are in good shape and brakes are working properly. On the road, I keep the speed down and stop frequently to check tire and wheel temperatures. I use a Towmaster aluminum tandem axle trailer with torsion bar suspension and electric over hydraulic brakes. Weight of the rig per truck stop scales is 10,400#. There are, however, other things that can happen. On my last trip, one of the brake bleeder screws split open and brake fluid started leaking out. I noticed it during an inspection at a fuel stop. I was in the Poconos of Pennsylvania at the time. Not a good place to be without brakes. Luckily, I found a Pep Boys about three miles away and was able to get rolling again. I also now carry an extra brake bleeder screw kit. The nut on those things is brass and can split open as I have found out.
Click to expand...

That is awesome. 2200 miles is no joke. Good job! I try to stop and check alot to. I keep my speed down (60-65) in the hot sun and temps, then give her hell when the sun goes down.
 
Gofirstclass said:
Isn't it funny/odd how when someone takes the time to check things out ahead of time that they seem to have fewer problems on the road?

Congrats on a successful tow. Now reach around with your right hand over your left shoulder and give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it.
Click to expand...

Thanks, their is a certain sence of accomplishment when things go right on the trip.
 
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Right! It's all in the preparation! My longest trip was from NJ to FL and back in a week, and I easily spent 6 hours prepping the trailer, bled brakes, re-pack bearings, check all tires, etc. The one issue I found and fixed was a leaf spring that was out of alignment with the rest-could have been a problem if it touched a tire, but I got under there to inspect and fix before it did.
 
I tend to agree that alot of trailers have tires/brgs etc that are overloaded. There sure have been enough people on CSR that don't know what their boats weigh and it's understandable...the only literature I've found on mine is that is weighs 8,500# but that doesn't count alot of things including twin engines/drives. What are trailer manufacturers working off of? Don't cut yourselfs short guys, the main reason you don't have problems is 'you'. You keep an eye on things and maintain as needed before instead of after. Even the oft cited 'you can pull it but can you stop it' is greatly affected by improperly maintained trailer brake systems. A real good example was made by a CSR member with surge brakes. He rebuilt the moving portion of his tongue and found flat spots on the rollers, and a spot that was tight or rubbed when it shouldn't, all which impeded the function of his brake system.
 
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