Preparing for a fishing road trip

[Quarry Man]

I'm planning to drive from PA to WI to fish Lake Geneva and Lake Michigan with two of my friends. We have a place to stay on the lake. We are planning one day for driving out, one for coming back and 4-5 in the middle for fishing. I will be towing my boat. My friends and I are tough and cheap. We don't mind camping and want to spend as little money as possible. With the trip out being 650 miles, I plan we will only need to stop for gas once each way. I am thinking we could all put down like $500 for spending and split the costs that way.

 

Before the trip, we need to iron out a few things. If we are bring another three people and another boat, we have more to think about. Also, I will need to replace my trailer tires and get the vehicle ready for a long haul.

 

Are there any suggestions from people who have taken a long trip like this before? I am not nervous about long rides, been doing it for years with my family, but ive never towed a boat, let alone my new bass boat more than 3 hours. I know gas a tolls will add up, but between three people its not as bad.

[BrianMDTX]

Make sure your towing vehicle’s PM is up-to-date. If within 1500 miles of an oil change, change oil and filter now. Make sure coolant is fresh and topped off, as well as all other vital fluids (tranny, power steering, brake). Check condition of serpentine belt(s) and brake pad wear. Long tows put W&T on a vehicle. Better an ounce of prevention than a pound of cure. 

[LCG]

Beer?

[A-Jay]

Neglected trailer wheel bearings have ruined a fair share of long boat trailer hauls.

Unfortunately, unless we're monitoring them, there's little to no 'warning' that they need attention, until it's too late.

And it's usually bad.

Not a 'repair' easily done roadside. 

So there's that.

Looking forward to 'the story', because there's always one.

Good Luck and Safe Travels

A-Jay

[BrianMDTX]

Trailer wheel bearings. Absolutely. Living in MD, I lost count of the pickups and boat trailers on the shoulder of 95 broken down due to bearing failure. 

 

 

[redmexican5081]

650 miles is a long time in the seat pulling a trailer if you are new to doing it.  Unlike driving where you can do it at 70-75 on the highway, towing should be kept to a lower speed. The maximum I will tow at is 65.  Over the short distances this only means a few extra minutes in the truck. Over 650 miles you might be adding an extra hour or so to that trip. Also, do you know how your mileage will change pulling a trailer and having the extra weight of 3 guys and their gear?

Others have also said wheel bearings and I would agree on that, along with a spare tire for the trailer and the proper tools and jack to get the tire off if you have issues.

[Jig Man]

If it is your boat and tow vehicle, your buddies should pony up for the gasoline.

[NELABassguy]

In addition to having a spare set of bearings and a dedicated floor jack for the trailer, you need to check the trailer spare to make sure its properly inflated and not dry rotted.    

 

Also, I would think that you will probably get between half and 3/4 of your normal fuel economy while towing a boat. As someone said above, whoever is supplying the tow vehicle shouldn't have to pay for 1/3 of the gas, or if you did, then they should by you a dinner or something. 

 

[Spankey]

Have batteries that are in good shape. Load test them. A spare prop is nice to have. Trolling motor prop is cheap enough but may not be readily available on the road. Be safe have fun. 

[Armtx77]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Neglected trailer wheel bearings have ruined a fair share of long boat trailer hauls.

Unfortunately, unless we're monitoring them, there's little to no 'warning' that they need attention, until it's too late.

And it's usually bad.

Not a 'repair' easily done roadside. 

So there's that.

Looking forward to 'the story', because there's always one.

Good Luck and Safe Travels

A-Jay

Right here...they are cheap and easy to do. 

Put a fresh pair in and have some peace of mind on that front.

[WRB]

Trailer Tires don’t usually wear out the age out, over 10 years old they should be changed.

650 miles is 10 hours without stopping. Plan on stopping after 5 hours for about an hour for r&r, gas and trailer inspection.

Enjoy your trip.

Tom

 

[Quarry Man]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

Trailer Tires don’t usually wear out the age out, over 10 years old they should be changed.

 

boat is an 07, looks like the one is pretty baren, might as well just replace them for peace of mind eh?

[soflabasser]

Lake Geneva has very good fishing so you should be able to have a good time.

[Quarry Man]

4 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

Lake Geneva has very good fishing so you should be able to have a good time.

Looks like a dock and matted veggies lake? not sure what type of fishing we will be doing yet as we just started planning it out today. looking for last week of July

[JediAmoeba]

When we did things like this we would sleep in the bed of the truck at rest areas - some rest areas have showers which is cool, otherwise you can take cheap showers at truck stops.  Your travels should be pretty east going across I-80/90 until you hit Chicago traffic.  

 

Make sure your boat cover is on for increased gas mileage.  You will have a blast!

 

Going to Wisconsin I sure hope yinz are taking some Muskie gear!  

[WRB]

Make sure you can charge your batteries where you are staying.

Change the tires!

Tom

[Scott F]

I’m not aware of how much tolls cost for cars pulling trailers in the states like Indiana, Ohio or Pennsylvania, but through the relatively short distance in Illinois, you will be shocked at how much they charge to use the toll roads. I travel to Wisconsin From Illinois pulling my boat regularly and the cost is nearly $30 for the round trip and I only pass through 2 toll booths. Depending on your route, you can expect to pay even more.

[papajoe222]

I was going to mention the toll road costs, but seeing as Scott already did, I'll add this.  Plan a 10-15min. stop every couple of hours. This will give you and your vehicle/trailer a chance to rest. I just returned from a trip to Georgia, my truck is 11yrs. old and with the mountains I don't think it would have made it if I hadn't done this. Granted that once you get out of PA, you'll be driving a lot of flat land, it's still a chore for most vehicles if attempted nonstop.  Take the time to feel the tires and bearing hubs on both. Your vehicle tires will heat up a lot quicker with the extra load. Tread separation is common. 

Lake Geneva is a great lake to fish, but is also a BIG pleasure craft lake. On the week-ends you'll get blown off the water if you like to fish off shore structure and on that lake, in the summer, that is where you'll find the most action.

[Basseditor]

Here in Texas, driving 300 miles is nothing — so 600 miles is feasible. I don’t leave anything unchecked. Carry grease gun to top off bearing buddies or whatever system you have. Feel the tires and wheels for heat every stop.

 

 Find out what size spindle on your trailer. Buy an extra hub/bearing/seal assembly. Make sure bearings are packed properly.

 

Rather than trying to replace bearings on the side of the road, pull off old hub, slip on new, tighten everything to specs and your done.

 

[CrankFate]

Long trips with few stops are no problem, until there’s more than one person in the car (or truck).

[JediAmoeba]

43 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

Long trips with few stops are no problem, until there’s more than one person in the car (or truck).

What he's saying is, don't let your buddy get the truck stop sushi!

[WRB]

Driving from my house in SoCal  to Lake Shasta in NorCal is about the same distance and familiar with towing long distances. It's tiring with sharing the 18 wheelers who know how to drive and crazy drivers who have no idea what they are doing.

You must know ahead of time where you are going, how to navigate all the interchanges and where to stop safely. Trips take planning.

In California we don't ask how far something is we ask how many hours is it? It takes 3 hours to travel 100 miles south and 1/2 that time to travel north.

Tom

[Spankey]

12 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

boat is an 07, looks like the one is pretty baren, might as well just replace them for peace of mind eh?

Go with radials. Towing is night and day different. I replaced mine last season just because. Did a road trip also and that was all I came up with that could/may be an issue. My tire would have been fine but I was glad I did it. 

[BrianMDTX]

10 hours ago, basseditor said:

Here in Texas, driving 300 miles is nothing — so 600 miles is feasible. I don’t leave anything unchecked. Carry grease gun to top off bearing buddies or whatever system you have. Feel the tires and wheels for heat every stop.

 

 Find out what size spindle on your trailer. Buy an extra hub/bearing/seal assembly. Make sure bearings are packed properly.

 

Rather than trying to replace bearings on the side of the road, pull off old hub, slip on new, tighten everything to specs and your done.

 

I moved from MD to TX last year, and drove my car to the Houston area last July. When I crossed the LA-TX border on I-10 at Orange, TX it showed the terminus in West Texas was Mile Marker 880 lol. THAT'S a highway!

[Spankey]

Just put together a nice care package or upgrade the one for local trips you take. Look in your fuse box now and take along a few spares. You really can’t assume you will be able to find it there. I go down to Virginia and fish some tidal. I’ll I really want to do is fish, charge my batteries, and get some rest. No running around all over the place.