Road trip prep

[TetraFish'n]

I’m going to take my boat on an 1800 mile(one way) road trip in two weeks. Idaho to Michigan. I’ve already done lots of preparation to the trailer/boat/gear. Just thought I would post up and see if anyone had any good ideas for me. My rig is a newer Chevy 3500 diesel pulling a custom 22’ aluminum boat with a 250 Yamaha on a double axel trailer. I use a wheelchair, so I’m trying to eliminate/prepare for any problems that could arise. ?

 

Things I’ve done so far:

repacked trailer bearings/had everything inspected

put on quality tires, Goodyear endurance

mounted two spares on the trailer

truck has newer tires

already have transom straps and heavy duty winch, taking extra ratchets just in case

i’ve already located recharging locations and I’m carrying extension cords.

Of course, all the required safety stuff and some above what’s needed.

Per Glens new video, it will be centered on the trailer and strapped down tight ?

Engine has been serviced and running good this year

 

I’ve gone through my gear multiple times.

Clothes/hats/gloves for every weather condition I might experience. sunscreen/bug spray. 
 

All the rods/reels/line I might need. Triple the amount of soft plastic I could use, as well as terminal tackle, same goes for hard baits. 

I purchased some security stuff for the boat so I can lock everything down.

I’m sure I forgot to mention some stuff, but that’s the bulk of it. Anybody have any other ideas? Thanks!

 

[Junger]

Are you going by yourself?

 

Also, it's good that you did all of that preventative maintenance, but take it out for a 30 minute trip and see if it all panned out, such as checking the trailer bearings, running your engine on muff ears a few days before you go. 

 

Sounds like a fun trip though!

[TetraFish'n]

I’ll be driving the whole way, but I have someone riding shotgun over and back with me. 
 

Good thought on the test run. I do plan on a few local fishing trips before I go. Just to make sure everything is in working order. 

[Captain Phil]

Sounds like you have everything covered.  Three of us drove from our homes in Central Florida to Windsor Canada two summers in a row towing a 20' Ranger.   We left about 6 AM and arrived at 2 AM in the morning.  The most important thing is to have someone to share the driving and to keep you awake. Towing a boat in heavy traffic is stressful enough.

[A-Jay]

Looks like you've done your homework.

I'll add one thing and this comes from experience and is in the redundancy category.

Ensure your trailer tire repair kit includes a few 'extra' trailer tire wheel lug nuts and 

that whatever tool you're using to remove said lug nuts actual fits them.

Good Luck, safe travels and hope to enjoy Pure Michigan.

I do.

A-Jay

[looking45]

Make sure your batteries are in good shape 

[Bird]

Sounds like you're quite prepared.

One thing I'll add is make sure all your tires are properly inflated and might even carry a small air compressor.

I carry a Viar mini compressor.

[TetraFish'n]

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll break the trip up into a 2+ day drive. I don’t want to be super fatigued when I get there and I know it’s going to take longer pulling the boat. Coincidentally, I had to replace my batteries at the end of last season, so they’re pretty much brand new.  I appreciate that idea about the air compressor, I do have a small one that I can throw in. I’m all about redundancy, so this is good stuff.

[king fisher]

You are well prepared.   My only suggestion is, bring your pass port, turn south, and don't stop when you get to the Mexico border.  

[Darth-Baiter]

Pack a party hat and GO!  you sound ready.  

[airshot]

With crime on the rise, these small trackers could be a life saver, small and made for luggage !!  Something like these in your boat, tackle box, luggage and truck might save you a headache if you luck turns bad.  Hope you have a great trip!!

[WRB]

Make sure you have the needed sonar/GPS lake and river update maps.

At my age 1800 miles is a 3 day trip each way, don’t extend the drive time if you are the only driver.

Have a great save trip,

Tom

PS, North Dakota is boring with few places to stop?

[Darth-Baiter]

oh..i didnt see beef jerky on the list. 

[GreenPig]

Jump box and a tire plug kit.

[AmmoGuy]

1 hour ago, GreenPig said:

Jump box and a tire plug kit.

 

Wouldn't leave home without these two. 

[Darth-Baiter]

can a jump box jump a double battery diesel rig?

[TetraFish'n]

5 hours ago, king fisher said:

You are well prepared.   My only suggestion is, bring your pass port, turn south, and don't stop when you get to the Mexico border.  

Mexico is a bucket list trip! I know a few retired gentlemen that go down there every winter. I’ll make it happen eventually!
 

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Make sure you have the needed sonar/GPS lake and river update maps.

At my age 1800 miles is a 3 day trip each way, don’t extend the drive time if you are the only driver.

Have a great save trip,

Tom

PS, North Dakota is boring with few places to stop?

Yes sir, I have the map card for the area I’ll fish. And I have a sister in Bismarck, I’m aware of the desolate North Dakota landscape. ? 

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

oh..i didnt see beef jerky on the list. 

Can’t forget the beef jerky!

3 hours ago, GreenPig said:

Jump box and a tire plug kit. 

I have a jump box but didn’t think about throwing it in. Thank you sir! 

3 hours ago, GreenPig said:

 

8 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

can a jump box jump a double battery diesel rig?

Mine can. Says is it rated for up to 6 1/2 L diesels. And I did use it on my truck once before. 

[GaryH]

And if you take any medications make sure you have everything you need for the trip’s duration. Good luck and have a great time.

[slonezp]

Bottle jack and some wood if you have to change a tire on the trailer,

[gim]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

North Dakota is boring with few places to stop

South Dakota isn’t any better either.

[WRB]

5 minutes ago, gimruis said:

South Dakota isn’t any better either.

My Rushmore, the bad lands and some interesting terrain instead of dirt until you get to Fargo.

Tom

[DaubsNU1]

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

South Dakota isn’t any better either.

 

Drive through Nebraska...wait, not any better than ND and SD : ) 

[gim]

15 minutes ago, WRB said:

My Rushmore, the bad lands and some interesting terrain instead of dirt until you get to Fargo.

Tom

I guess the speed limit is also 80 there so you can haul ass to get through it too.

[WRB]

Way back there was a Aerospace Company (Westerngear) that I visited in NE North Dakota. My 1st engineering job was designing ejector bomb racks that Westerngear was manufacturing, so I was the designated technical support.

Traveled to North Dakota several times, nice folks living in some of the harsh climate in the country.

Towing is 70 mph but not fast enough!

Tom

[DaubsNU1]

Check your trailer tiers for max speed rating. Did first big trip with our 5th wheel...buzzing along in Montana doing 80-85 MPH...talked to buddy...then realized my trailer tires were only rated for 75 MPH max.  Oops!