Doing the 400+ miles to Table Rock Lake on Tuesday. I'm spending today going over everything.

Here's what I've done so far:

Truck:

Completely serviced, oil changed, transmission serviced, etc.

New tires

All lights working



Boat and trailer:

Front axle- new bearings, races and seals last year, repacked this year

Rear axle- new bearings, races and seals this rear

Brakes adjusted and bled, flushed fluid

All lights working(currently)

All new tires, including spare


What am I missing? I hate feeling like there is something else I should do.

Any and all suggestions are much appreciated!

2Suns, Enjoy your time at Table Rock.

Additions that I can think of are:

Trailer:

- a jack and lug wrench suitable for the trailer.
- recheck the lug touque after first 50-100 miles to verify they are staying tight and feel the hubs for excessive heat build up. They will be warm but should not be so hot that you cannot touch them.
- carry a extra gallon or two of water "just in case"
- Extra ratchet strap to tie down whatever might come loose.
- Spare bulbs for trailer lights

Boat:

- any odd parts or supplies that cannot be obtained locally.
- watersport stuff
- extra anchor for leaving in overnight or as main anchorage

Truck:

- check the belt(s) and replace if worn, Keep old as spares
- check air filter
- extra quart of oil
- small tool box with basics to get you off the side of the road.


enjoy, Brian

Test drive it. If you screwed something up in during your servicing the it will probably show up within a few miles.

Enjoy your trip.

Be prepared for the heat. We are in Bull Shoals this week and today it was 102 degrees so make sure your radiator is in good shape.

I would also carry a complete spare hub assembly, but hey, that's just me...

Have a great trip!

Todd, remember that your jack needs to be "low profile" enough to be able to fit under the trailer or axle (whatever you will have to jack up) when a tire is flat. So if your jack barely fits in the flat driveway with all the tire full, it ain't gonna work on I55 with a flat tire!
Carry some wood blocks to block up the axle or run up on to raise it up. Some chain to chain up an axle if you need to.

Talk about hardcore trailerer. My dad has worn out the second set of trailer tires on his Chap 265 that he bought before last summer. Wore them out! I didn't think anyone actually did that.

That about covers it. I take along a complete pre-packed hub when we go that far, but that's kind of extreme. I'd probably throw in a couple of spare seals just because they're cheap, don't take any room, and can be hard to find during a trip.

How are your tie down straps? I always like to carry a spare strap just in case. Have fun!

Oh, and one more thing I like to do when going on a trip is use Rain-X on the windshield of the tow rig and the boat. Not going to rain you say? Do it anyway because once you have washed the bugs off the windshield with Rain-X on it you will wonder who has kept this a secret for so long. Get 'em wet and they practically fall off all by themselves.

A couple of years ago a freind and I towed his super comp drag car down to Vegas for the NHRA race and stopped for gas at what must be one of the last full service stations in the country. The old gal that was doing the service was amazed at how easy the windshield was to clean. I guess they don't have much need for Rain-X in Nevada but it's great for bugs too.

Thanks everyone.

I am taking tools out the wazoo. I kinda figure the one I need will be the one I don't take, so I'm not leaving any behind.

Got the floor jack and a long 2" x 12" (and various wood blocks) to set it on if in the dirt. Got chain to tie up an axle if needed.

Got spare light bulbs and fuses.

Got two complete set of bearings and races. Got 4 new seals.
Got the sockets to set the seals and races.

Kevin, I saw the triple digit forecast for this week down there. All the more reason to skip branson all together. I'm planning on leaving between 3-4AM to beat the hot part of the day. Which reminds me, don't forget a good flashlight....

Grease gun?

I think you're set. The only thing you're lacking is, taking me with you.

check.

How is the spare on the TV? Often overlooked for even the non-trailerers.

I always liked to use Rain ex as well until a couple of years ago. I picked up a rock chip and the insurance company sent a serviceman out to repair it. He made a comment that he could tell by the condition of the windshield that I used Rain Ex. His belief is that the glass absorbs the stuff and it slowly deteriorates the glass. He gave me a sample of another product that would work (in his opinion) Unfortunately, I did not retain the name of the product, yet at the same time it put a question in my mind about its value and I now tend not to use anything.

First I have heard of that. I don't think it absorbes in very far if at all since it wears off fairly quickly in a rainy climate. Now that I am on the dry side of the state I can go all year without haveing to reapply.

When I was commercial fishing we applied it every trip. Saltwater takes it off pretty fast.