Towing help

[Katmat]

Well it looks like we leave on a road trip tomorrow from outside Chicago to Pensacola (Edgewater yachts) to pick up our new to us 2012 29s Ranger. It should be a one day drive tomorrow. We will be taking it to South Haven Mi. I have a 2018 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup diesel, heavy duty hitch, have all my permits, tools, jacks, maps, ty down straps, wide load banners, small ladder & misc. Have I missed anything & anyone have any suggestions while driving?
Plan on it being a 2 day drive to Michigan.
Thanks,
Matt Murphy

 

[BB marine]

Good luck with your trip. That is normally an uneventful trip for us ( Perdido Key to Chicago) a few hills but nothing crazy. Your list looks like you have everything covered. Have fun with your new boat. The only advise I have is. Fuel up at truck stops, the over head canopies are high enough. If you do stop at a non truck stop filling station make sure the canopy clearance is sufficient. I nearly took my radar dome off . 11'9" canopy clearance in Indiana. Also turning radiuses at filling stations can be tight plan before you enter. Truck stops this is normally not an issue.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

First congratulations on your new Tug. Sounds like you’ve got all the right stuff so just be careful and don’t get in a rush. Check your trailer tires and truck tires pressure to make sure they are correct. If the trailer has not been used in a while you might want to recheck the lugs after towing a few hours. The traffics not bad here in Pensacola so you’ll have some time to get the feel of things. How much towing experience do you have? We towed our Tug from Pensacola to Key West and back last year and we also have a travel trailer we tow all over the place. Like anything else with experience you gain a level of confidence. If you just take it easy, be prepared for wind gusts when you get passed by the 18 wheelers and stop to rest every few hours you should do fine. Have a safe trip.
Cheers!
Karl

 

[stwendl]

Since you listed all the items what I don’t see on that list is the trailer. You do have one right? 🙂

Make sure your break controller works with the trailer’s probably electric over hydraulic brakes

 

[Katmat]

Since you listed all the items what I don’t see on that list is the trailer. You do have one right? 🙂

Make sure your break controller works with the trailer’s probably electric over hydraulic brakes

Yes, we had a new triple axle trailer (w/ a spare) built in Florida w/ electric or hydraulic brakes on all axles.

 

[Katmat]

Good luck with your trip. That is normally an uneventful trip for us ( Perdido Key to Chicago) a few hills but nothing crazy. Your list looks like you have everything covered. Have fun with your new boat. The only advise I have is. Fuel up at truck stops, the over head canopies are high enough. If you do stop at a non truck stop filling station make sure the canopy clearance is sufficient. I nearly took my radar dome off . 11'9" canopy clearance in Indiana. Also turning radiuses at filling stations can be tight plan before you enter. Truck stops this is normally not an issue.

Thanks, Brian.
That was my thought to stop at truck stops for diesel, maybe even spend the night at one or a Walmart if there is one close to the highway near Louisville.

 

[tugnnaweigh]

The second part of towing is the trailer, make sure all its brakes are operational and compatible with the truck. Actuate them independent of the trucks brakes in your first movements towing the boat to get the feel of how much assistance they provide in stopping then unplug and see what it's like to stop without them.

As your truck is near its capacity for towing watch all your temperatures and set your brake controller to come on quickly and strongly; you'll be depending on your trailers brakes to operate correctly every braking event.

On long downhills I stay with the semis doing 35 MPH and manually actuate my trailer brakes steadily while bringing in my truck brakes as needed. Of course you're dropping gears to let that diesel hold you back and if you have the factory exhaust brake you'll be just fine, I'm thinking of adding one to my truck.

Keep in mind you're towing something that likely weighs twice what your truck does.

 

[YukonRon]

I have a laser IR temperature reader for the boat, but I keep it with me in the truck when towing. I regularly stop and check the brakes on the truck and trailer, especially on the long descents, to get a feel for how hard they are working and how balanced the truck and trailer brakes are working together. I will also roll into a long pullout using little or no brakes and then check the trailer brakes to make sure I don't have them set too high that they are dragging and overheating on the highway.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Besides all if this good advice consider putting all of your permits, copy of boat, trailer and truck registration in a binder, along with a copy of your truck insurance. When you are required to stop at an inspection station, weigh station etc., carry your binder inside with you. Inspectors appreciate the organization, saves them time and I’ve found gets me back on the road without unnecessary delay. I was told in Florida that they require 3 red/orange caution flags per side vs the normal 2 of most states.....you may already know this.

Jim F

 

[YukonRon]

Besides all if this good advice consider putting all of your permits, copy of boat, trailer and truck registration in a binder, along with a copy of your truck insurance. When you are required to stop at an inspection station, weigh station etc., carry your binder inside with you. Inspectors appreciate the organization, saves them time and I’ve found gets me back on the road without unnecessary delay. I was told in Florida that they require 3 red/orange caution flags per side vs the normal 2 of most states.....you may already know this.

Jim F

Friends of ours were towing their boat over the mountains from Skagway when the brakes overheated and set the truck on fire. They barely had time to grab passports etc before jumping out. The truck quickly set the boat on fire and the whole works burnt to the ground in no time. Another good reason to have all the documentation handy in a binder in the truck cab.

 

[bob daily]

When towing a heavy load slow down prior to approaching a down grade and place transmission in lower gear, this will save your brakes and use the motor and transmission to keep your speed under control. Save those brakes for when you really need them!
A few Hail Mary's doesn't hurt either.

 

[Annie Time]

I add the TireMinder setup to all six wheels on the trailer. Makes me more comfortable knowing the temperature and pressure on each tire. Saved my butt the last trip from Washington back to California we picked up a screw in the front right just before stopping for fuel in Medford. The alarm sounded when the tire pressure went down to 65psi. Just put the spare on and had the tire repaired at Costco $11 and 1 1/2 hours later we were back on the road safe and sound


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[snydzy]

BB marine wrote:
Good luck with your trip. That is normally an uneventful trip for us ( Perdido Key to Chicago) a few hills but nothing crazy. Your list looks like you have everything covered. Have fun with your new boat. The only advise I have is. Fuel up at truck stops, the over head canopies are high enough. If you do stop at a non truck stop filling station make sure the canopy clearance is sufficient. I nearly took my radar dome off . 11'9" canopy clearance in Indiana. Also turning radiuses at filling stations can be tight plan before you enter. Truck stops this is normally not an issue.

I saw an R25 listed on EBay that must of hit something.... ripped the cabin pretty good! Not pretty!
2009 Ranger Tugs R-25 Classic/Yanmar-Diesel.. Ranger Tugs R-25 Classic/Yanmar-Diesel. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3173981083

 

[ALICE J]

I second the Tire Minder. It is made in Vero Beach, Fl. and will monitor tire pressure and temperature, with an in-cab monitor meter that wireless monitors each tire on the trailer, and will give an alarm if the set parameters are exceeded. You will need a relay amplifier because of the trailer length. This was very helpful on my 14,000 mile trip to Alaska from Florida thru the National Parks out west to Texas, South Bend NP. Identified a cracked tire rim, and faulty tire pressure stems (my tires took 105 PSI and the dealer used rubber tire Schrader valves, should have been all metal Schrader valves) I also installed a review camera on the trailer so I could see behind the trailer (mounted on the aft rail of the boat) to show what is behind me when towing and when backing.

 

[Irish Mist]

Congratulations on your new boat.
I have to disagree with the poster suggesting you manually activate the trailer brakes. Your trailer and rig should be equally applying brake pressure.

A lot of the truck stops use high speed nozzles for the transports so be careful filling it will spit back at you if you fill too fast.
I just put my hand on the trailer hubs whenever I stop and feel if they are hot. Sometimes if you have a tight turn coming into a stop, it loads up the bearings on one side and you may feel one to two hubs a little warmer. The tire minders sound like a great idea, but if you don't have check the hubs whenever you stop, with t gun or your hand.
I find if you take your time in the slow lane ( I try to stay around 60 MPH) you have a much more relaxing drive and it is easier on your equipment, and your milage improves.. I got 8 MPG for a lot go my last trip.. usually it is 11
And enjoy the trip. We do not put in long days. It is good to stop earlier as the stops tend to fill up later in the nights.
Google Earth your intended stop ahead of time and you can get a good ideal about access and parking. It also helps knowing it is an ok parking spot if Google shows trucks there.
We just came from Anacortes Washington to Orillia Ontario, mostly through Canada and we never had to show a permit once. I think they can run your plate and tell if you are permitted.. But being organized when you do have to go in is key as mentioned.
Make sure to check your break away pin every day, and it should be hooked to a part of the truck that is not your hitch. If the hitch fails ( very doubtful ) and comes off the truck it is useless. I hook mine around the bumper... This was pointed out to me by an officer at one of the scales on one of my trips. After your first day you will relax. It is not complicated just allow more time stopping ( Don't tailgate ) and take your time.
Hopefully this is the first of many trips for you 🙂

 

[CaspersCruiser]

You're getting lots of good information. Someone suggested manually shifting into a lower gear going downhill. I see your tow vehicle is a 2018 Chevy Silverado. On my 2014 Silverado, using the Tow/Haul mode enables "Grade Braking" which automatically assists in maintaining your desired speed going downhill using the engine and transmission (and not wheel brakes). It works well on my truck. There is no need to manually shift into a lower gear. On my truck, the Tow/Haul mode is activated with a button on the end of shift lever.