Trailering, roadside assistance plans and preparedness

[uptimejeff]

Hi All

Another 'learning experience'
I had my first blown tire, driving on highway with my 185 sport and single-axle trailer..
Fortunately, only damaged the tire/rim and the fender is gone.
I was not prepared for this and had no spare or jack

Thankfully, walmart was 1 mile away, I purchased a very similar pre-mounted tire and a jack.
I wasn't able to lift the trailer with the 1.5ton jack because the blown tire (right-side) was on the soft-shoulder, it wouldn't go up high enough and it didn't seem safe to attempt this with my limited experience. I called in a wrecker, he couldn't lift the boat with his portable jack either, so he used his 6ton lift that extended from the back of his flatbed to lift the back frame of the trailer. This worked great by the way....

Obviously, I need to be more prepared when trailering, and I'm looking for opinions/advice.

First
Can anyone recommend a specific jack/device which may work best with a trailer of my size (18' boat)? Do these work well:
Quick-Change Trailer Jack

Second
I fully recognize that many roadside issues are better left to a pro... Does anyone have experience with trailer roadside assistance plans?
I see that AAA and SeaTow both have plans.
My boat and car insurance is with Progressive (I haven't checked yet to see if they have a roadside assist option).
Any experience with these, or others?

Thanks for all input..

Jeff

 

[Lazy Daze]

Doesn't your truck have a built-in jack? That quick jack can work - but you got to get it just right - personally, I'd rather use a regular jack. But, both still need a very stable surface. Carrying a piece of 3/4" plywood (about 12" to 18" square) can provide you with a solid surface just about anywhere. A few pieces of 2x4 (each about 6" long) can help if you need take up a little more space.

 

[uptimejeff]

My pansy SUV (cadillac srx) doesn't even have a spare tire!
The car comes with run-flat tires and roadside assist.

Thanks for suggestions.
The cheap scissor jack I bought from walmart (all they had) was REALLY difficult to use, took all I had to turn the crank. Definitely need to carry something better.

 

[Lazy Daze]

My pansy SUV (cadillac srx) doesn't even have a spare tire!
The car comes with run-flat tires and roadside assist.

Ah, gotcha. Just so you know, a good jacking point is the bottom side of the leaf spring axle shackles/bolts or the axle tube (nearest the shackle bolts). Even if you can only get the jack on one or two of the bolts, you'll be good - as long as the jack is stable. Point is, it's closer to the ground so a small jack can reach it easier. Double check (with a good tire on there) that the jack extends enough.

You can buy a rolling floor jack in a nice plastic, carrying case. But, sometimes they are awkward to get into to position.

A bottle jack is nice - another you can do to make the bottle jack more secure: through bolt it (flush head bolts) to a piece of 3/4" ply - or at least have the bolts ready to assemble with wing nuts.

Does your car's roadside assist include things you tow?

 

[Alex F]

Hi All

Another 'learning experience'
I had my first blown tire, driving on highway with my 185 sport and single-axle trailer..
Fortunately, only damaged the tire/rim and the fender is gone.
I was not prepared for this and had no spare or jack

Thankfully, walmart was 1 mile away, I purchased a very similar pre-mounted tire and a jack.
I wasn't able to lift the trailer with the 1.5ton jack because the blown tire (right-side) was on the soft-shoulder, it wouldn't go up high enough and it didn't seem safe to attempt this with my limited experience. I called in a wrecker, he couldn't lift the boat with his portable jack either, so he used his 6ton lift that extended from the back of his flatbed to lift the back frame of the trailer. This worked great by the way....

Obviously, I need to be more prepared when trailering, and I'm looking for opinions/advice.

First
Can anyone recommend a specific jack/device which may work best with a trailer of my size (18' boat)? Do these work well:
Quick-Change Trailer Jack

Second
I fully recognize that many roadside issues are better left to a pro... Does anyone have experience with trailer roadside assistance plans?
I see that AAA and SeaTow both have plans.
My boat and car insurance is with Progressive (I haven't checked yet to see if they have a roadside assist option).
Any experience with these, or others?

Thanks for all input..

Jeff

Jeff,

Sorry about the troubles, but I'm sure you know that if were properly prepared then this insident would be solved in minutes.


I had my boats towed from NJ to FL number of times. On with my 175BR and single axle trailer I was 100% guaranteed to have a blow out (actually thread separation) on the way back, despite that I had new properly rated tires. However, I had all the tools to fix it and fast. I had:

1. Two spares.
2. 4 tons jack.
3. Couple of wooden logs (2x4s, 4x4s and 2x6s). This is what helps to have enough elevation to for the trailer get the tire off/on, as well as blocking the trailer from moving forward or revers.

I always had road side assistance with AAA and paid extra $10 with Boat-US. However, I had my tires changed in 15-20min and would have waited an hour for the assistance to arrive. So, I never used them for tire change job.

BTW, when I got my 240DA I had not a single tire go bad. I always though that tendem-axle had better weight distribution. But the same 4 ton jack did fantastic job lifting the trailer when I layed it for the winter storage.

Simply take this as a learning experience and do better next time.

 

[ysidive]

Hi All

Another 'learning experience'
I had my first blown tire, driving on highway with my 185 sport and single-axle trailer..
Fortunately, only damaged the tire/rim and the fender is gone.
I was not prepared for this and had no spare or jack

Thankfully, walmart was 1 mile away, I purchased a very similar pre-mounted tire and a jack.
I wasn't able to lift the trailer with the 1.5ton jack because the blown tire (right-side) was on the soft-shoulder, it wouldn't go up high enough and it didn't seem safe to attempt this with my limited experience. I called in a wrecker, he couldn't lift the boat with his portable jack either, so he used his 6ton lift that extended from the back of his flatbed to lift the back frame of the trailer. This worked great by the way....

Obviously, I need to be more prepared when trailering, and I'm looking for opinions/advice.

First
Can anyone recommend a specific jack/device which may work best with a trailer of my size (18' boat)? Do these work well:
Quick-Change Trailer Jack

Second
I fully recognize that many roadside issues are better left to a pro... Does anyone have experience with trailer roadside assistance plans?
I see that AAA and SeaTow both have plans.
My boat and car insurance is with Progressive (I haven't checked yet to see if they have a roadside assist option).
Any experience with these, or others?

Thanks for all input..

Jeff

I would check out SEA TOW with traile towing. I also would check out AAA because I believe they do not cover the trailer .... for roadside assistance. The coverage is for the towing vehicle only. But to be safe call the AAA office to verify.

 

[wvsundancer]

Check out the online boat supply houses for a jack that will raise the wheel when you back up or pull forward. Also do your self a big favoer and buy a spare hub assembly. Thank god I don't tow anymore. 2 broken spring shakles, 1 failed hub assembly and countless hours sitting on the side of the road on a hot July evening were all it took to become a no trailer guy.

 

[Alex F]

...Also do your self a big favoer and buy a spare hub assembly. Thank god I don't tow anymore. 2 broken spring shakles, 1 failed hub assembly and countless hours sitting on the side of the road on a hot July evening were all it took to become a no trailer guy.

To avoid this I had all my bearings/hubs checked and fixed evry spring. This way I know that I'm good to go for the whole season without worries. After towing for 8-9 years I never had an issue with any of that. So, this is one of those "pay now or pay later". I prefer good preventive maintenance, it's usually a lot cheaper.

 

[MonacoMike]

Ditto most of the above. A DeWalt 18v impact wrench to compliment the good jack, stabilizing boards, and 2 spares go with me on EVERY trip. The backup plan is the BoatUS trailer assistance plan.

 

[Angry Ranch Hand]

We run with the triple A Premier membership with RV.
200 miles of towing, both your tow vehicle and boat/trailer,, and all kinds of other bennies.

Our trailerable boats always have at least 2 spares that are locked.
Trailer tire pressure is essential, we check it all the time.

Bearings are always lubed, and I carry a spare hub w/bearings.

 

[Prater]

I also have two spares on my trailer, actually had to use both one year. I also carry an aluminum 4 ton floor jack and blocks, wheel bearings and grease, and a handheld IR thermometer. When at the rest stops or getting food walk around with the thermometer and check the hub temps. If you have one that is significantly hotter check it further and hit it with the grease gun. Check it often in case its going bad.