TOW FROM NC TO PUNTA GORDA, FL

[jaguar496]

Hi Y'all: Alice and I loaded "THE RESTLESS TWO" on the trailer that came with our boat, aluminum, Jan. '08, and left for FL at 8:15am on Nov. 28th. We drove at a max speed of 55mph all the way. The first nite was in Santee, SC., at a Best Western. We described what we were towing and the space we needed, and were assured that no problem existed, as we could turn around at the rear of the motel. NO problem with the travel. We stopped at all the rest areas on the way to check tires and bearings, which were always quite cool. (tires at 65psi) The turn around did not exist, and had to leave early in the next am by driving thru a farmer's newly plowed field; in 4 wheel drive. At the first stop on day two, in bright daylight, when doing the checks, we discovered that someone carved their initials and gang symbols into the wall of the left tire. Changed to our newly purchased mounted tire, and continued without incident, with constant rest area checking to Lake City, Fl. Stopped at another Best western that had space for truckers; no problem turning or leaving the next am. Arrived at the Fisherman's Village Marina mid pm on Nov. 30th, again, without incident, with constant checking of the tires and bearings. my emergency trailer equipment is, 6 ton jack, four way lug wrench, grease gun with marine grease cartridge, tire gauge, 3"lug socket with torque wrench, and a set of bearings. I do not have Bearing Buddies, just what came with the trailer, rubber bearing covers. We noticed that the right tail light goes out when the suv's lights are on when the brakes are depressed. all is normal with the suv's lights are not turned on. will have the electrical problem looked at sometime in the future. We will give some info on the general thread a bit later. Alice and Stew

[c130king]

830 miles. Sounds like you did pretty good. Sorry to hear about your tire. Did you ever try to go faster? I found that my boat did fine on I-95 at 65 MPH. The big difference I noticed was at 55 it felt really squirrely when a truck passed me doing 65-70. But when I was 65 I didn't get passed as much and when they did the "squirrely factor" was not as bad.

Jim

T-6 days until I start my trailering trip.

[Hamin' X]

Change the bulb in the wayward light. Your symptoms indicate a broken filament that has spot welded itself to the other terminal. Glad you made it the trip successfully.

~Rich

[Kelly Hanson East]

Also possibly a bad ground (wire or bulb). Change bulb first, then clean all grounds.

[jaguar496]

830 miles. Sounds like you did pretty good. Sorry to hear about your tire. Did you ever try to go faster? I found that my boat did fine on I-95 at 65 MPH. The big difference I noticed was at 55 it felt really squirrely when a truck passed me doing 65-70. But when I was 65 I didn't get passed as much and when they did the "squirrely factor" was not as bad.

Jim

T-6 days until I start my trailering trip.

Hi: no, we did not go any faster. we had no trouble with being pushed by the big rigs, and the speed at 55 gave the admiral the hutzpah to drive, also. made for a pleasant trip. stew.

[jaguar496]

Hamin x and KHE: thanks, will do. stew

[Kelly Hanson East]

...and buy the Admiral some killer gift (think COACH, not West Marine) for sharing the driving duties. Having a second driver on a long trip is FANTASTIC and really takes the wear level off you, especially if you can get some shuteye in the jump seat.

Admiral Boyle has always been a highway driver, prefers not to trailer in city traffic (but will do it in a pinch)

[jaguar496]

Hi Y'all: arrived back in NC on the 3rd. to KHE: Adimiral Ali does drive on the freeway, usually two one hour stints per day. We had NO problems on the drive home. Once again, we drove at 55mph, did not stop at each rest stop, but did make it a point to stop every two hours, at a rest stop or exit to check the tires and bearing hubs. The trailer's performance was so good, that I had to make sure I did not suffer from a "false sense of security", thus stopping every two hours for checks. I will give a report on the marina and motels in the general thread. Alice and Stew of "THE RESTLESS TWO"