This one is for all the boaters.

I'm driving down the east coast next week to pick up a boat and trailer it back to MA. The trip will be about 600 miles one way. I don't currently own a boat so I pulling together the gear I need.

The trailer is approx. 20' with a 17' open hull boat w/ OB motor which, according to specs, totals 1880 lbs. The trailer is a single axle with no brake assist.

The guy I'm buying the boat from had a good idea. He mentioned how he has all the stuff he needs for towing in a big tupper ware container that he keeps in his garage and then pulls out and puts into the truck when he's going to tow. Taking that idea I'm putting together a "grab and go" duffle that I'll be able to use for this trip and future use. So far this is what I've got pulled together:

• small grease gun
• tube of grease
• 2 ton bottle jack
• bottle of fix-a-flat
• small can of wd-40
• 2 wheel chocks
• ball mount, lockable pin and 1 7/8" hitch ball w/ 2" drop
• dual feed motor flusher
• adjustable wrench (large enough for the hitch ball nut)

I'm not going to be trailering the boat very often so I'm not planning to put things in here that I'll be using for the boat itself, will probably have another duffle or two for that. Just looking to create a kit to grab when trailering.

Separately, I also carry in my truck all the time a lug wrench (variable size X type), jumpers, bungee's, tie down straps, and emergency kit w/ medical and other emergency supplies like gloves, food, hazard stuff, rope, flashlight, etc.

Throwing this out there to more experienced boaters for feedback. Any of you have something like this pulled together? Anything you'd add or take out? Anything you'd add for this long trip on top of these supplies?


Thanks in advance.

1. Keep two wrenches for the ball mount. Not just one. You sometimes need one for the balls and one for the nuts. If you often switch between 1 7/8 and 2" setup, you might consider just getting two receiver pieces instead of always trying to change those things with a wrench. That is what I have going on.
2. Trailer light wiring kit and a few connectors and tools you might need in a pinch. I keep a wire crimper, wire stripper, and cutter. A pair of needle nose pliers. Also, make sure all of this stuff is stainless steel if you can.
3. Make sure you have a jack that will properly lift the loaded trailer if you need to change a tire. I think the stock jack will probably suffice, but you should verify when you pick it up. I once had to jack up my enclosed cargo trailer in the rain on the side of the MA turnpike and we had to use a Fender guitar amp as a jack stand and use the trailer's A-pillar jack to raise from the other end...in the rain!
4. Rags/towels/degreaser/cleaner. The grease gets everywhere sometimes. You don't want to get back in that nice rig with dirty hands.
5. Before you put that trailer in the water, I would suggest COMPLETELY coating your trailer leaf springs with grease. I mean like about a tube or two PER side. Cake it on there. If you don't, those things will only last a few years if you live in salt water areas. Also, don't buy the trailer if it is not galvanized, unless you are doing fresh water only.
6. Find out about your trailer bearings!!!!! Make sure they are newer and in good shape before your trip back north. This is the number one reason I see boats parked on the side of the road around here. If they are the sealed type, then have a local shop repack them. If they are the other kind, just make sure the grease them up real good, and that they are not old. I replace the ones on my boat trailer about once a year simply as a safety measure. If a bearing goes out, your whole wheel will come off the trailer and the axle will grind on the road potentially causing a nasty situation. Happens all the time around here (coastal SC).

That's all I can think of right now.

Good luck!

Thanks Snooper, this is really great info.

A spare tire and spare set of bearings will cover 95% of problems you encounter with a boat trailer.

Ditto. Get a pre-packed spare hub kit. Sell them in West, probably Northern tool. If you loose a bearing you don't want to have to press in a new bearing, race and seal on the side of the interstate.

And yes, I have lost a wheel bearing (and almost a wheel) in the Low country of SC.

You might want to bring a trailer wiring adapter or extension. The plug is located way off to the left. Many of the trailers I have towed are too short to reach over there, so I keep an extension in the back.

You probably do not need a 2" drop on your hitch, unless you have lifted your 4runner, in fact I use a straight hitch flipped over to make it a little higher. I pull a 19ft lund with a dual axel trailer with brakes. Many of the other suggestions above are good also.

A few thoughts as most of your OP has been answered (except a good hunk of 2X6 for the bottle jack).

Do you KNOW that the rig will have a spare wheel/tire? You should not be on the road without one.

Do you KNOW the condition of the tires? Trailer tires have a shortened life due to typically sitting unused, in the sun, for extended periods. The condition of the tires and wheel bearings is of utmost importance. A blowout at speed on a single axle trailer will be real unpleasant.

Stop frequently in the first few hundred miles to check the heat of the wheels/tires, regardless.

Enough tongue weight is also just as important as too much. Without sufficient TW, that trailer will not track well.

Maintain increased following distances. A 2000# trailer will be taxing your 4Rs brakes. You do not want an emergency stop with a trailer without brakes.
It could come around and meet you.

Be careful, be vewwy, vewwy careful.

EDIT: Oh, and check to be sure your jack will fit under the axle, allowing for the tire being flat. Axe me how I know this.

+1 on the wiring kit.
And a couple of 6" long 4x4s for chocks.

Good point. And a piece of $%$%^ cardboard to lay on to plug the thing in since you have to get on your back to plug the #%% lights in.

Bought a 15" Boston Whaler couple months ago. Luckily the trailer light wires had 3 feet of slack wrapped around the light brackets. I took of the lights (installed one new one) and pulled the slack out of the tongue to reach my trailer receptacle.

I pointed out how I liked the T4R but the plug location sucked!

A nice alternative to the cardboard is to use one of your floor mats...even better if you have the Husky (or similar) rear cargo area liner...but I hear ya on the location. I relocated mine ghettofabulously... See how here. Roof Rack and Hitch Setups HERE!

mapdash and gwcpa - roger that on the bearing kit, tx

legrandice and glenn - i ended up picking up a 4ft. wiring harness extension, very odd spot for a receiver plug

philsey - good questions. I do know the trailer has a spare. The boat is currently being trailer from the midwest to the east coast so it will have just gone 1000+ miles. Thank again for the additional tips.

Step #1 upon pick-up....check fitment of jack both ways!