Trailering a car long distance -- what should I bring?
 

I'm going to be trailering an old VW bug from Iowa to Cincinnati later this month. I have a flat bed trailer rented, along w/ a come-along and tiedowns. The trailer has lights and surge brakes. I've never trailered a car this far before -- what other items should I consider taking w/ me, that you either wish you had when you did something like this, or were glad you brought along. And yea, I've got my toothbrush, soap and fresh underwear on the list already :). Along w good supply of Eagles and Joe Walsh.

trailer bearing grease.

1. Spare fuses and bulbs.
2. A couple cans of fix-a-flat.
3. Extra tie downs.
4. Flash light.
5.Spare tire for trailer.

In addition to what Kevin mentions above, cell phone, AAA card, phone charger, maps w/ route marked out. Small emergency kit with a few cans of something (chef boyardee ravioli, etc), can opener if needed, some wheat thins, gallon or two of drinking water.

Flares and orange triangles in case of a break-down/flat. A tarp to lay on if you need to do fixes along the road. Make sure your jack/lug wrench is compatible with the trailer, if not pack a jack and lug which is.

You might want to organize emergency resources along the route. Friends, relatives, Pelicans can be a big help if/when things go sideways.

Make sure the tires on the trailer are up to proper pressure. Make sure the spare is up to pressure. Might not hurt to loosen the lug nuts now while your home if they haven't been removed in ages. Lots easier to brake them free at home than by the roadside. A little common sense also goes a long way. Good luck with the trip.

I would add one of these in addition to making sure you have a good spare and the correct socket and tools to replace a tire on the trailer.

Trailer-Aid -- Yellow - Trailer-Aid Store

Make that spares. They always seem to go at the wrong time for me. Pressure is key. Car should be pretty light, assuming the trailer isnt built for a tractor. Keep you speed down and enjoy the trip.

The car on the trailer should to left in neutral.

a jack for the trailer,

When towing on long trips, go to Walmart and "borrow" a spare tire. Buy the tire, if you need it great you'll have it, if not return it for a refund. Common practice with boat owners going to the Keys.

++++ on the spare tire and jack and tools to change a tire. I have towed long distances a number of times and almost always needed at least one spare tire .At least a couple times more than one before the trip ended. Trailer tires are either cheap chinese junk or dry rotted but look new. In May I towed from Fl. to Detroit with a brand new trailer (with 4 new tires) I had to get one tire patched after only 1200 mi. I check pressures every gas stop with a visual walk around and a guage before starting the trip.

rented trailer?

from Uhaul?

i rented one from them. a tire blew and left me on the corner of Gage and Figueroa in LA. i had to stay with my rig the entire night on that corner. the locals know it..i think it is Crenshaw..liken "boyz in da hood"..i was terrified. uhaul told me they would get a repair man to me by morning. even the uhaul lady said, "oh my God" when i told her where i was sitting..

i stabbed a benchmade knife into the dashboard and just sat there envisioning my murder. hookers offered me oral for crack cocaine.."crack? oh, i can buy it from that guy?"..

longest night of my life.

i lived..and learned..take a look at the tires first. and check the pressure..you know they didnt

Dave, I trailered my 911 on a u-haul trailer with my truck from Seattle to Florida in Jan 2010 and had no issues except for a pesky snowstorm or 2. AAA, cell, trailer jack, extra straps, and the right size lug wrench for the trailer was about all. Checked the tire pressures and wheels religiously and kept the speed down as well as I could.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1343937692.jpg

No wonder returns policies are tightening up at most stores I frequent. Can't afford to buy a spare? Stay home!

G

Add a roll of Duck Tape to the other things mentioned.

800 number for the rental company with a listing of all locations on your route. make them fix it if it breaksdown

Paul, Several people do this. It's really sad. My own son did this ONCE. He bought a halloween costume and returned it. I LIT his BUTT up for it. It's stealing plain and simple. Bike shops get hit by jerks doing this with car racks.

Great stories....I trailered a car from DC to OKC, Penske rental, only problem was wearing out a credit car buying gas for the moving truck. Wise counsel about the spare, don't want to get suck out in the middle of no where, or some where you don't want to be stuck.