Road Trip Tools and Supplies Checklist

[maxxwell]

I am about to travel 1800 miles to pick up a new boat. 900 miles of which I will be towing the boat home and because I do not know the mechanical condition of the trailer, I am making a checklist of the things I need to take with me in case of an unforeseen emergency. The boat and trailer (2010) have been checked out by a marine surveyor, but you never know and it is a long distance to tow. Do you guys have opinions on what to take?

[shag]

At least one spare tire/wheel.... Possibly a hub of the same (shouldn't need it)... 4 way lug wrench.... grease gun? Electrical tape...

[Nautiquehunter]

Wheel bearings,grease and a seal for the trailer . Full complement of tools,lights, fuses, bungees and rope. Where are you towing from ? Might not be a bad idea to see if you can get some local members on your route contact numbers just in case you get in trouble .

[ski4evr]

Being a 2010, it shouldn't be too far out mechanically. Check air pressures on tires including spare, check torque on lug nuts, and top of grease with three or four squirts. I would also check the brake reservoir for brake fluid level. Have a safe trip!

[maxxwell]

Thanks for the advice to all... 5 more days until I return from Offshore, then right back on the road... but this will be a pleasurable journey....

[AirTool]

Thanks for the advice to all... 5 more days until I return from Offshore, then right back on the road... but this will be a pleasurable journey....

I drove 1050 each way to get my 206. My dad had just retired so he road with me. It was fun....stopped at some casinos on the way (his idea)...turned down a streetwalker at a gas station in Mississippi that wanted to spend time with me (then 39) and dad (6x) at the same time LOL. She said we could all three fit in the back of the navigator.

Test drove the boat Saturday morning (low on gas) and then pulled it most of Saturday and all of Sunday. Mid day Sunday my wife's Navigator shucks the A/C clutch plate. I'm thinking because I had the overdrive off and the engine was up in RPM.

It was the last day of July and it was over 100. We nearly melted by the time we got back to Houston. We had just pulled out of Shoney's in Lafayette, LA

Wife got in the boat when we got home and said "what's this?" ...she found a rivet from the clutch plate. It fell out the bottom of the engine compartment and then got sucked up between the truck and boat and then landed in the boat.

What are the odds?

We towed with the cover off.

Had two spare tires/wheels. I ordered the trailer with a spare mounted and a spare loose.

Your lug wrench needs to be a breaker bar unless you're retired from the NFL.

I'd also get a tire repair kit with a strong t handle and some plugs. At least you could plug a tire if you needed.

Bearings and seal as mentioned above. Once you do that, you'll need the tools to change them, etc.

It's not obvious what else you'd need.

[Paxdad]

A good hydraulic floor jack with a couple of blocks of wood. Plus the other items mentioned above. I would also make sure you have a wrench that fits the bleed screws on the calipers if it seems like they are dragging.

[nyryan2001]

I always keep a large can of fixa flat in my truck.... Also a 10$ tire plug and repair kit. I've had to use both with my boat trailer.

ensure you have a lug wrench that fits the trailer lugs... And if the trailer doesn't come with a spare, make them give you one. Last 3 boats I've bought I've always had them give me a spare, even if it didn't match.

and do NOT tow with the cover on, you can seriously scratch your gel coat.

[sstexan]

Maxxwell,

I would for sure take a spare. You are welcome to borrow mine( I have 2). I live in Houston as well. Mine are 14 inch 205-75-14's, 5 bolts. I would also take a grease gun and lube them up. It also would not be a bad idea to bring a 12v inflator along. PM if you want to take my spare for the trip. Everything everyone else said is spot on..

Good Luck!

sstexan

[sodbuster88]

Besides the above, add a test light, electrical or duct tape, some zip ties. +1 on spare ( and or tire plugs & 12v compressor / jack kit.)

[maxxwell]

Guys, I have a list referencing all the suggestions you guys have given. We should be ready to go as soon as I get home!!
sstexan, thank you for the offer to borrow your spare, but I have a couple that I will bring. Again thanks for the offer.

I wish for good luck!!

[s_kelley2000]

There is some great advice already here. The only thing I would add would be in regards to the routine maintenance of your tow vehicle. Obviously engine oil but if your radiator or transmission haven't been flushed in a while it might be a good idea to have those done before the trip so that those systems are in top shape. Hopefully you have a fun and successful trip. My wife and I drove 2100 miles round trip to get our boat and everything went pretty smooth for us.

[AirTool]

Good point on the jack. Note the factory jack in my tahoe works perfectly under my single axle ramlin. But in my other vehicles, no dice. I did take a jack with me on my trip.

Long ago I pulled a boat on a trip and it didn't have a spare. So I did buy a spare tire as it was an odd size. Turned out, had a flat. Note a spare tire w/no rim is better than no spare at all.

As with any trip, be sure to have:

water
rags
gloves you can work in
on my working trips, I carry a box of nitril gloves
warm clothes and blankets if you are in cold climate
flashlights, box cutter, knife, etc.
tools - another tough decision
Other such life support that might help you through a miserable night

I now regularly have huggies baby wipes in my truck. I was working in a yard location that had no water provisions and it was always helpful to have a wipe handy to clean up after potty time, eating fried chicken from the roach coach, or just any general mess. A 2 or 3 inch thick pack is like 3 bucks at Walgreen's and can be priceless.

Last year, I traveled to that yard so much I started carrying all the travel support in a Rubbermaid action packer. Easy to load and unload and you don't have to think about the details...just grab the bin.

AT

[AirTool]

One more comment - INSURANCE

I was lucky when I bought my boat. I called on the way to get the insurance....there was a waiting period...either 24 hours or after midnight the next day. I was lucky that I was covered on the way home. That would suck to total the boat on the way home before the insurance kicked in.

So call ahead.

No worries this time of year...but IIRC policies can't be written with hazards in the area like a named storm within the coordinates 80/20.

[Rick]

I would add a spare tail light and a AAA card. They can help fix the flat or remount the spare if it's not already mounted. I like to carry a spare taillight unless the ones on the trailer are LED.