emergency repair kit ❚ A good basic tool kit At a minimum it should include large and small socket sets and wrenches (standard and metric), assorted screwdrivers, pliers, etc. Your kit also should include any specialty tools required for your trailer (an extra large socket to fit a trailer hub nut, for example).
❚ Hammer to assist with removal of frozen bearings, etc.
❚ Set of locking pliers such as ViceGrip®
❚ Spare tire and jack If relying on your tow vehicle’s jack, verify it also will work for your trailer (many won’t) and that it’s beefy enough to lift both boat and trailer.
❚ Spare hub preferably one with bearings already installed and ready for action
❚ Four-way lug nut wrench your back will thank you
❚ Extra lug nuts ❚ Spare fuses and bulbs for both trailer and tow vehicle
❚ Wire connector kit assorted butt connectors, wire stripper and crimps
❚ Spare electrical wire for repairs on the fly
❚ Electrical tape ❚ Roll of duct tape would any emergency kit really be complete without it?
To head off potential problems while traveling, after 50 miles or so stop in a protected area to check your boat and trailer—something you should get in the habit of doing at every stop (fuel, food, bathroom break, etc.), particularly during longer trips. Start by walking around your trailer and checking that everything is as it should be. Check the trailer hitch attachment for looseness, missing retaining pins, etc. Check lug nuts for tightness, and touch each wheel bearing to check for overheating (they’ll likely be warm, but should never be too hot to keep your fingers on). PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE BAKER / STEPHANIENBAKER.COM
❚ Extra bearing protector ❚ Grease gun and marine-grade grease
❚ Sheet of Emory paper for sanding a scarred axle spine
❚ Assorted blocks of wood and a few boards good for blocking or
leveling the trailer when changing a tire
❚ Spare cotter pins ❚ Wheel chocks ❚ Lock for trailer hitch should you have to leave your trailer for some reason
❚ A good roadside emergency kit complete with flares, reflectors, etc.
❚ Weatherproof flashlight preferably a “hands free” head set unit.
❚ Knife ❚ Can of tire inflator and sealant Fix-a-flat, etc.
❚ Portable 12-V DC air compressor ❚ Assorted plastic wire ties including larger lengths (10 to 13 inches)
❚ Pair of mechanics gloves ❚ Pair of vinyl gloves
Boaters excited to spend a fun-filled day out on the water may unintentionally overlook the importance of trailer preparedness before hitting the road. Make sure you’ve planned ahead by preparing a solid trailer emergency repair kit, not the least of which should contain a set of basic tools (above).
keeps hands clean when packing grease into hubs
❚ Pack of pre-moistened hand wipes ❚ Small wire brush or tool to clean corrosion from connectors, bulb sockets, etc. Inspect stern tie down straps for snugness, the bow eye for looseness or deformation, and make sure the winch cable or strap is tight. Never rely solely on the winch cable to secure the bow; instead, use a separate line or chain between the bow eye and trailer. Check that safety chains are in place and criss-crossed between the tow vehicle and the trailer coupling (this should prevent the trailer coupler from separating completely from the tow vehicle in the event of a coupler failure). Safety chains should have enough slack to allow for proper turning, but not so much 37 LAKELANDBOATING.COM J U L Y 2 011