Have a brand new (Dec 2013) Wesco trailer for my Key West 203. I haven’t put too many road miles on it, probably 100-150, rinsed thoroughly after every use.
My question is, we’re going to Emerald Isle NC, about 500 miles round trip. Is it necessary to do any type of preventative maintenance with the trailer prior to this trip or since it’s so new, everything should be good?
Thanks,
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
Shoot some grease in the bearings, just to be sure. Spare tire, can of fix-a-flat, a jack that you are sure will fit the trailer, a lug wrench that you are sure fits the trailer lugs. A scrap of board to put under the jack. If it was any older I’d carry a spare hub with bearings pre-packed.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I do. 2 of them on a long trip. Funny, I’ve noticed a direct correlation between how prepared you are and what will break. If you carry spare tires, hubs, bearings, right lug wrench and jack, tools to replace the hubs, a big hammer and cold chisel, extra grease, you can run 1,000 miles and never have a problem. Leave any one of them at home and that’s when something will break. I’ve been broke on the side of a hot Florida turnpike with my wife a couple of times and I’ll do anything possible to avoid doing that again:smiley:
Other things I take on a long road trip is a 3’ length of pipe that will fit over the lug wrench, to use as a breaker bar and a concrete block in case I need to block it up.
I’ve also got the trailer assistance package through SeaTow as a back up plan. Never used them, but it’s a good deal compared to being broke down on the road very long with my wife 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
What Larry and Chris said. If you do not carry it then that will be the part that breaks.
I am getting ready for a road trip with the flats boat to south fl on the gulf side. I will change the bearing before and carry spares along with all that has been mentioned.
big dog
Also.
If you have to cross a state that requires a trailer loc. get one in sc. Fl will write you and carrying a new ticket will not stop the law from writing another.
And save your breath about how we roll in sc. They care not.
big dog
I took my boat up to lake Marion a couple of weeks ago. First thing I did was make sure the air pressure in the trailer tires were up to the correct pressure. That is like 45-50 PSI. Don’t neglect that! I bought a spare hub for the trailer. I had to call the trailer manufacture to check what size my spindles are. I have tools and a jack in my truck so I had that covered. I was thinking of who I could borrow a spare tire from but then worried that it might just get stolen out of the back of my truck so I passed on that plan. I bought a can of fix-a-flat and hit the road. No troubles…knock on wood!!!
Dorado II
Carolina Skiff 25DLV
quote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillAlso.
If you have to cross a state that requires a trailer loc. get one in sc. Fl will write you and carrying a new ticket will not stop the law from writing another.
And save your breath about how we roll in sc. They care not.
big dog
What is a trailer loc.? Took my boat to FL this year.
I drag my boat down to the Keys at least once or twice a year at 1400+ miles round trip. I have had one blowout and one occasion that I had to change out a hub. Take everything and the worst thing that will happen is that you won’t need any of it.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
quote:
Originally posted by OccamsRaiserquote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillAlso.
If you have to cross a state that requires a trailer loc. get one in sc. Fl will write you and carrying a new ticket will not stop the law from writing another.
And save your breath about how we roll in sc. They care not.
big dog
Lic.
What is a trailer loc.? Took my boat to FL this year.
Lic. Must have
big dog
quote:
What is a trailer loc.?
Ditto
quote:
Lic. Must have
What’s a trailer lic. 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Originally posted by doradoI took my boat up to lake Marion a couple of weeks ago. First thing I did was make sure the air pressure in the trailer tires were up to the correct pressure. That is like 45-50 PSI. Don’t neglect that! I bought a spare hub for the trailer. I had to call the trailer manufacture to check what size my spindles are. I have tools and a jack in my truck so I had that covered. I was thinking of who I could borrow a spare tire from but then worried that it might just get stolen out of the back of my truck so I passed on that plan. I bought a can of fix-a-flat and hit the road. No troubles…knock on wood!!!
Dorado II
Carolina Skiff 25DLV
Ok, here’s a really dumb follow up question: If I call Corbin’s and tell them the trailer model, etc, will they have most of that stuff in stock?
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
I pull down to Steinhatchee , Fl. about twice each year. I knew about the Fl. requirement for trailer brakes but what is a loc and a lic? Sounds like something from the comusatra.
ZX
Got a warning ticket in Naples for no license plate on trailer. Told the officer S.C. didn’t require one and he said I wasn’t in S.C. Duh
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
i think i met the same officer in islamorada, also, fla requires tie downs, or a strap which i didn t have at the time. have a safe trip.
another piece of useful info for anyone using the florida toll roads. you NEED a SUNPASS sticker for your windshield. this allows you to pass through toll booths without even slowing down. the price is discounted and can be purchased on line or at the fla welcome center when you cross the state line. without the sticker, you get a bill for the full price of the tolls accumulated plus, ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.
Think of it as a bonus On the Florida turnpike almost all the toll booths have been replaced by automated systems now. They take a picture of your license tag when you drive through the check points and cross reference the plate to you, and send you a bill in the mail, in a month or 6, along with a pictures of your license tag. I’m in Georgia, we have to put tags on trailers here, and I get a few dozen pictures of it in the mail every year from the FL highway dept.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
fla requires tie downs, or a strap which i didn t have at the time. have a safe trip.
Would you really pull a boat on an Interstate highway without tie down straps
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I’m still a little lost on the licensing thing. What is the recommended/cheapest way to get a plate on the trailer in SC if you plan on trailering to FL?
quote:Calll Iron Knight off Rivers or Tommy Stone @ the trailer shop. You can buy the stuff you need from West Marine, Northern Tool, etc.
Originally posted by bonecrusherquote:
Originally posted by doradoI took my boat up to lake Marion a couple of weeks ago. First thing I did was make sure the air pressure in the trailer tires were up to the correct pressure. That is like 45-50 PSI. Don’t neglect that! I bought a spare hub for the trailer. I had to call the trailer manufacture to check what size my spindles are. I have tools and a jack in my truck so I had that covered. I was thinking of who I could borrow a spare tire from but then worried that it might just get stolen out of the back of my truck so I passed on that plan. I bought a can of fix-a-flat and hit the road. No troubles…knock on wood!!!
Dorado II
Carolina Skiff 25DLV
Ok, here’s a really dumb follow up question: If I call Corbin’s and tell them the trailer model, etc, will they have most of that stuff in stock?
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
21 Contender
quote:
Originally posted by brysonI’m still a little lost on the licensing thing. What is the recommended/cheapest way to get a plate on the trailer in SC if you plan on trailering to FL?
go to DMV with boat registration and paperwork from the trailer. it is $87 for a permanent plate. i just got one in case i was going through another state. SC does not require a plate on a boat trailer, but you may be stopped in FL if they cannot see that you are from out of state. easier to avoid the hassle of being pulled over, in my opinion, and put a plate on the trailer.