TetraFish'n Posted Thursday at 04:20 AM Share Posted Thursday at 04:20 AM 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! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junger Posted Thursday at 04:53 AM Share Posted Thursday at 04:53 AM 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! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TetraFish'n Posted Thursday at 09:02 AM Author Share Posted Thursday at 09:02 AM 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Phil Posted Thursday at 11:28 AM Share Posted Thursday at 11:28 AM 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted Thursday at 11:32 AM Super User Share Posted Thursday at 11:32 AM 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 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
looking45 Posted Thursday at 01:37 PM Share Posted Thursday at 01:37 PM Make sure your batteries are in good shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Bird Posted Thursday at 02:07 PM Super User Share Posted Thursday at 02:07 PM 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TetraFish'n Posted Thursday at 03:19 PM Author Share Posted Thursday at 03:19 PM 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king fisher Posted Thursday at 03:43 PM Share Posted Thursday at 03:43 PM 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Darth-Baiter Posted Thursday at 05:27 PM Super User Share Posted Thursday at 05:27 PM Pack a party hat and GO! you sound ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airshot Posted Thursday at 05:34 PM Share Posted Thursday at 05:34 PM 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted Thursday at 05:42 PM Super User Share Posted Thursday at 05:42 PM 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😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Darth-Baiter Posted Thursday at 05:46 PM Super User Share Posted Thursday at 05:46 PM oh..i didnt see beef jerky on the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User GreenPig Posted Thursday at 05:51 PM Super User Share Posted Thursday at 05:51 PM Jump box and a tire plug kit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmmoGuy Posted Thursday at 07:23 PM Share Posted Thursday at 07:23 PM 1 hour ago, GreenPig said: Jump box and a tire plug kit. Wouldn't leave home without these two. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Darth-Baiter Posted Thursday at 09:05 PM Super User Share Posted Thursday at 09:05 PM can a jump box jump a double battery diesel rig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TetraFish'n Posted Thursday at 09:10 PM Author Share Posted Thursday at 09:10 PM 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryH Posted Friday at 12:11 AM Share Posted Friday at 12:11 AM 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User slonezp Posted Friday at 01:01 AM Super User Share Posted Friday at 01:01 AM Bottle jack and some wood if you have to change a tire on the trailer, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted Friday at 01:07 AM Super User Share Posted Friday at 01:07 AM 7 hours ago, WRB said: North Dakota is boring with few places to stop South Dakota isn’t any better either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted Friday at 01:12 AM Super User Share Posted Friday at 01:12 AM 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaubsNU1 Posted Friday at 01:12 AM Share Posted Friday at 01:12 AM 4 minutes ago, gimruis said: South Dakota isn’t any better either. Drive through Nebraska...wait, not any better than ND and SD : ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted Friday at 01:28 AM Super User Share Posted Friday at 01:28 AM 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted Friday at 01:44 AM Super User Share Posted Friday at 01:44 AM 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaubsNU1 Posted Friday at 02:48 AM Share Posted Friday at 02:48 AM 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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