distance towing

Chinook · Post by **Chinook** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:31 pm

[I put another axle on my trailer almost entirely to get more tires back there in case of a blowout.

I towed our Mac with stock single axle for our first season. It towed ok behind our HD 3/4 ton diesel p/u, but I could feel her wag at times. Before taking off on an extended trip around the country I added the second axle and disk brakes. The difference in towing stability was significant. I picked up a nail in one of the trailer tires near Flamingo in the Everglades. Was lucky enough to get the tire fixed, but on the drive north, on the freeway skirting Miami the repair failed and the tire blew. Smoke billowing out from the wheel well, but with 3 tires still working fine, we cruised to the next off ramp and found a good place to park. The failed tire was in shreds, but we remained in control the whole way. I don't think we'd have had the same experience with only 2 tires. I'm a fan of tandem axles.

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:19 am

We pulled our stock trailer from south central Nebraska to San Carlos this winter and had some trouble with tire wear on the inside of the tires which were not the stock tires as I have already changed them once. On the way back from Mexico I was doing the walk around check and noticed the right tire was splitting in between the treads (I changed it on the spot with the spare). We had radials from OK Tire put on (they recommended them when I told them what I needed). According to them they have a higher load rating than the ones I had even though they are a smaller tire. The summary is that the old tires had approximately 2000 miles on them when they went bad but the new ones have about 1200 miles and show no wear. Sorry I can't give you the particulars about them but the boat and trailer are 50 miles away and memory fails me. In hindsight I think if I were to do a lot of distance towing I'd opt for the second axle just for the peace of mind. If I only pulled distance once in a while I'd stick with the single axle and the best tires I could get on it. By the way my boat is weighed in at over 4000 + on the trailer so it's right at the max over even over. I did take the batteries and other heavy items out on the way down to Mexico but left them in on the return trip since we were using the boat as a camper.

Idle Time · Post by **Idle Time** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:34 pm

We bought our X in Salt Lake City UT. Towed it to Joplin MO...stock trailer, single axle. No problems. We personally like dual axles. On long trips you have the added security of the extra tires if one should go flat. Having been truckers for years and "suicide jockeys" the last 4 or 5 we know how to do tirecheck. (had to be done every 100 miles) so a hand on the tires every time we stop to test for heat is normal for us.

We had the extra axle added behind the original. So far no problems. The boat was towed from Joplin MO to FL with them, we still check the tires for uneven wear and heat whenever we stop.

Chinook · Post by **Chinook** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:56 am

Regarding uneven tire wear, we had that problem on one side of our trailer. We are set up with a second axle. I took the trailer in to a shop that aligns boat trailers. He checked things out and informed me that the trailer tongue was bent out of alignment. He was able to straighten things up, and uneven tire wear has not been an issue since.

I think I may have caused the bent trailer problem while trying to execute too sharp of a turn, backing into a parking spot. I hadn't allowed for the reduced turning ability which goes along with adding a second axle.

Compromise · Post by **Compromise** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:55 pm

Lots of differing opinions on tandem vs single axles.
I'm getting ready to tow a 1000 mile plus in the next few days. I've had tires checked and today replaced the hubs, bearings and races, just to be on the safe side.
This may seem like an igonorant question, but here goes. I realize it's been recommended on this board, for distance towing to stop every hour and do an entire trailer/boat check. My thoughts are this is somewhat conservative and plan on stopping every hour and a half. During the check if you were to notice your hubs being pretty hot, what action do you take other than to let them cool off? How long do you let them cool? Would you recommend taking along a grease gun and regreasing on each stop or would that be considered 'over the top'?

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:04 pm

Ill give you my data on this. I fill my tires to the max cold pressure (50 psi) - after towing for an hour they reach a new pressure of 60 psi.

You do NOT bleed air out of them even though they are over the max COLD inflation pressure btw.

My hubs are then warm to the touch - you cant burn your hand on them but they definitely feel elevated in temperature.

Walk around every hour or two - I have done a whole 4 hour trip without stopping...first time I miss something going bad and end up spending $500 instead of $10 to fix will cure that practice I bet.

If the bearing is getting too hot to touch, more grease isnt going to help unless you are 5 minutes from home. Call Trailer Tow Boat US......and shame on you if you are trailering and didnt join for $10 a year.....

Compromise · Post by **Compromise** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:58 pm

Catigale wrote: If the bearing is getting too hot to touch, more grease isnt going to help unless you are 5 minutes from home. Call Trailer Tow Boat US......and shame on you if you are trailering and didnt join for $10 a year.....

Shame on me, thanks for the tip, I'll call them tomorrow

Compromise · Post by **Compromise** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:55 pm

I did try to call them and no luck......
Anyone have a phone number or website for Trailer Tow Boat US?

Just as well I had my hubs and bearings checked. One hub had a hairline crack in it and would not have made it from Florida to Texas!
Looks like rain is headed to the Panhandle, good and bad I guess. Rain will help keep things cooler!!

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:20 am

Its on the Boat US website..you probably have to join Boat US and the Trailer club too if you arent a Boat US membership, so plan on 20+10 USD

Our New England Trailer Sailors Club is a reciprocal club, so our 10 USD membership there applies in full to Boat US.

Link here

James V · Post by **James V** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:01 am

The Boat/US National Dispach Center is 1-800-391-4869. This is for Trailer Assistance and tow (as well as On-the-Water towing) IF you insurance covers this.

Compromise · Post by **Compromise** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:36 am

Thanks lads,
I signed up this morning.....
Getting everything prepped for our departure first thing Thursday morning

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

distance towing

Blowout