Towing out to LOTO first time..

[cofooter]

A really good friend of mine was a NM state trooper and his Dad was actually his SGT. When we were going to to go through NM on a trip to TX and possibly stay the night They both basically said SAY GOODBYE to anything of value in your car if you Hotel it almost anywhere in NM by the highways. He said if you absolutely have to sleep stay in Gallup, if not drive through to Amarillo.

I've stayed overnight at the various casinos west of the city and they had good security and seemed safe, I don't stop in Alb for any reason, not een gas. The whole city has that Breaking Bad vibe...

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Good food though. Any time I'm there I have to stop and get a Stuffy and a Blake's Lottaburger.

 

[Badchoices03]

I believe the "Similar too" was referring to the concept more than this particular "Why". In this case, I suspect the cause could be related to the visible gap between the torsion mounting plate and the trailer frame.

Exactly, wasn't my pic, wasn't trying to google to find the perfect pic, that one came up first and i went with it, just to give Vic a visual of how it worked...

 

[Warlock1]

Vic, forget you ever saw that pic. The strap wasn't even on the pivot point. That would have worked if the axle actually came lose from the frame but not much else.

On a leaf spring double axle trailer (I'm assuming a triple axle is similar) the center leaf spring mount is not solid to the trailer. It is mounted on a pivot that is mounted to the trailer. Think of a teeter totter. When both axles are level the pivot is level. When you lose a tire, that axle drops where that tire was and will force the other axle up, driving the tire into the fender. The still good side of the trailer will become unlevel as well. but not as bad as the side with the flat tire. What you have to do is raise the bad axle up as far as you can and put a chain around it and secure the chain so that the axle stays up. Once you release the jack the chain will stretch some and hopefully you get that pivot to be level once again. Drive slowly and get to a point of repair and you'll be good to go.

I had this happen. Hub broke apart and left with the wheel passing me in the median. I had to take the sawzall and cut the inner fender wood away so I could wrap the chain around the frame because the bolts holding the wood on were so rusty they spun in the wood. That was a late night.

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

Vic, forget you ever saw that pic. The strap wasn't even on the pivot point. That would have worked if the axle actually came lose from the frame but not much else.

On a leaf spring double axle trailer (I'm assuming a triple axle is similar) the center leaf spring mount is not solid to the trailer. It is mounted on a pivot that is mounted to the trailer. Think of a teeter totter. When both axles are level the pivot is level. When you lose a tire, that axle drops where that tire was and will force the other axle up, driving the tire into the fender. The still good side of the trailer will become unlevel as well. but not as bad as the side with the flat tire. What you have to do is raise the bad axle up as far as you can and put a chain around it and secure the chain so that the axle stays up. Once you release the jack the chain will stretch some and hopefully you get that pivot to be level once again. Drive slowly and get to a point of repair and you'll be good to go.

I had this happen. Hub broke apart and left with the wheel passing me in the median. I had to take the sawzall and cut the inner fender wood away so I could wrap the chain around the frame because the bolts holding the wood on were so rusty they spun in the wood. That was a late night.

I'm impressed you had a Sawzall on you at the moment!

 

[RiverDave]

So we sre Off to some Auspicious beginnings here.. lol

My co pilot and I moved some stuff out of one of my storages to the new storage because I needed to change them before I left.. he closes the door and clicks the window switch and the window fell down into the door.

I called the owners of Bradley ford and they pushed it to the front of the line so had it fixed same day.. I am glad it didn’t happen on the road trip in the middle of a rain storm or something.

Step 2.. I just got this boat and I haven’t registered it yet because I have been busy as shit..

Down at the mvd right now getting the trailer registered.. then Off to quick stop for the boat.

My suspicions on the boat exhaust were correct.. at least one of those mufflers got stuck which was causing all the issues.. Absolute has been thrashing on the boat to get it done..

New tips came in, apparently the mufflers were cut down..

So had to take the tips to my shop to cut them down. Got a guide groove for Eric and then had him cut them with a zzzz wheel.

Loto or bust.. lol

 

[Runs2rch]

So we sre Off to some Auspicious beginnings here.. lol

My co pilot and I moved some stuff out of one of my storages to the new storage because I needed to change them before I left.. he closes the door and clicks the window switch and the window fell down into the door.

I called the owners of Bradley ford and they pushed it to the front of the line so had it fixed same day.. I am glad it didn’t happen on the road trip in the middle of a rain storm or something.

Step 2.. I just got this boat and I haven’t registered it yet because I have been busy as shit..

Down at the mvd right now getting the trailer registered.. then Off to quick stop for the boat.

My suspicions on the boat exhaust were correct.. at least one of those mufflers got stuck which was causing all the issues.. Absolute has been thrashing on the boat to get it done..

New tips came in, apparently the mufflers were cut down..

So had to take the tips to my shop to cut them down. Got a guide groove for Eric and then had him cut them with a zzzz wheel.

Loto or bust.. lol

View attachment 1417598 View attachment 1417599

Really those tips don't clear the tie bar?

 

[ridebig]

Been following this thread for fun because I really have nothing to add.
However, reading this Abluquerque, I'm thinking really???
So I looked it up...W0W

Albuquerque Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Albuquerque, NM. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Albuquerque is 1 in 72 and property crime is 1 in 20. Compare Albuquerque crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

www.neighborhoodscout.com

Crime index is a 1, out of a possible 100.
Is there a 0??

For Comparison.
Chicago is a 6.

Chicago Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Chicago, IL. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Chicago is 1 in 186 and property crime is 1 in 31. Compare Chicago crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

www.neighborhoodscout.com

Well, there is a 0.
Oakland

Oakland, CA Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Oakland, CA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Oakland is 1 in 65 and property crime is 1 in 15. Compare Oakland crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

www.neighborhoodscout.com

Now we know.

Tough crowd here lol. I’m born and raised here in Albuquerque as was my mother. I have never experienced any problem with crime. It’s pretty much thug on thug here. Granted the hotels along I 40 and I 25 may have issues. Anybody coming through here are welcome to contact me and I will give you any information you need.

 

[RiverDave]

Really those tips don't clear the tie bar?

Internally.. they are cut down on the inside to meet the header

 

[RiverDave]

So still dealing with some issues.. one header got hot today (weird because it has water to it?). So they are gonna re-examine tomorrow am and water test then off to get tires..

Side note got the boat and trailer registered in my name today.. I haven been busy as shit and just figured I’d do it whenever as the stickers are current.. but I figured if I get rolled on the way and it isn’t in my name they would accuse me of commercial towing or god knows what and I just didn’t want to deal with it.. quick stop for the win!

Absolute is going way above and beyond to make this happen! Can’t thank Aaron and team enough. It means a lot.

I’d guess that red DCB is getting prepped to leave as well? I know there’s a ton of boats leaving havasu.. this is my first time towing one to an event.

(I hate it.. never again. lol).

 

[schweeng]

3 boats are leaving tomorrow
12 couples going
3 lake houses rented

Gonna be fun

 

[JFMFG]

So still dealing with some issues.. one header got hot today (weird because it has water to it?). So they are gonna re-examine tomorrow am and water test then off to get tires..

Side note got the boat and trailer registered in my name today.. I haven been busy as shit and just figured I’d do it whenever as the stickers are current.. but I figured if I get rolled on the way and it isn’t in my name they would accuse me of commercial towing or god knows what and I just didn’t want to deal with it.. quick stop for the win!

Absolute is going way above and beyond to make this happen! Can’t thank Aaron and team enough. It means a lot.

I’d guess that red DCB is getting prepped to leave as well? I know there’s a ton of boats leaving havasu.. this is my first time towing one to an event.

(I hate it.. never again. lol).

View attachment 1417683 View attachment 1417684 View attachment 1417685 View attachment 1417686 View attachment 1417687 View attachment 1417688 View attachment 1417689

Hopefully they’ll have you ready to rip tomorrow.

 

[ridebig]

Tough crowd here lol. I’m born and raised here in Albuquerque as was my mother. I have never experienced any problem with crime. It’s pretty much thug on thug here. Granted the hotels along I 40 and I 25 may have issues. Anybody coming through here are welcome to contact me and I will give you any information you need.

Also if not a serial killer overnight accommodations might be available. I’m heavily armed because I live in Albuquerque the crime capital of the country lol. Seriously I can’t believe the way Albuquerque is portrayed in the media. Granted I don’t like the politics here but I believe it’s turning red in November.

 

[RiverDave]

Our hope is to drive straight through nm and stop somewhere further down the line..

Jake my old assistant is in town and I’m leaning on him pretty heavy to roll with us.. lol

Would make my life infinitely easier

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Always wanted to tow out to LOTO. Really wanted to run the shootout in the 22 deck back in 2021. Should have done it.

Hopefully Jake goes, that will be a great experience for him. Nothing better than a bonzai adventure across the country. Safe travels you guys, can't wait to see pics!!

 

[Bowtiepower00]

You are about 8 hours from ABQ, and 15 from OKC. I would time your departure so that you miss rush hour traffic in both spots. I don’t take I44, so I am not sure about Tulsa. There are enough truck stops for fuel every 200-250 miles- but there is a stretch in west Texas where they are pretty spread out, so plan your stops accordingly. Amarillo is approximately the halfway point. If you do decide to stop, I would try to make it past OKC before you do, to make the second leg an easier drive.

If you have more than one driver, I would pull it straight through, leave Havasu around 10am, get through ABQ after evening rush hour, and through OKC early the next morning. Truck traffic drops way off after 8pm or so and you can make pretty good time overnight. You will end up pulling into LOTO before noon the next day probably 20-22 hours total plus 2 hours for time changes.

 

[prorider]

I don't understand your comment. What's stupid about it?

Did you look at the picture? That’s a torsion axle and the strap isn’t holding up nothing unless the weld is broken. Damn sure isn’t getting hub any higher off the ground.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Take 54 east outta Tucumcari & run it the entire way to LOTO. This is a hidden gem. It will add 90-120 minutes to your trip. It is stress free, middle of America, no big liberal cities, small town easiness. It doesn't have any wow I've gotta see that but you are relaxed entire way.

 

[78DiMarco]

Drive down to absolute to check the tire codes..

Would ya gamble? This thing has been sitting in a climate controlled garage for most of its life.. lol

Get new tires for sure and have a spare or two, as others said also have the bearings looked at or replaced.... you know all this....

 

[Tank]

Did you look at the picture? That’s a torsion axle and the strap isn’t holding up nothing unless the weld is broken. Damn sure isn’t getting hub any higher off the ground.

lol. Yeah. After I really looked at it I noticed.

 

[outboard_256]

Did you look at the picture? That’s a torsion axle and the strap isn’t holding up nothing unless the weld is broken. Damn sure isn’t getting hub any higher off the ground.

On a torsion axle couldn't you just pull the wheel off? No need to strap up since each axle is independent of each other.

 

[mash on it]

Essentially you are doing exactly what it sounds like, you are strapping the broken hub up to the trailer so that you can tow it somewhere to fix correctly, it works great on triple axles, I drove our HTM from Indio back to Whittier with the center axle completely strapped up to the trailer frame...

It just holding the axle up similar to this:

View attachment 1417061

Fairly easy to see the weld failed along the frame.

I was lucky when I had a flat, hwy 93 n/b to Willow Beach, right rear, and removed the wheel. Spindle and hub about 4" above the highway. Used the block of wood trick.
Resumed cruise control at 72.

Dan'l

 

[RiverDave]

New rubber is on and they checked the oil baths.. now it’s time to wrap her up and get ready to roll!

RD

 

[callbob]

Good lord, some of you guys act like you’ve never towed except to the river. Dave you might think about hiring a chase truck with all the tools and spare parts you”might” need lol. Gun it and go, you have the resources to make it happen regardless. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[24 Sleekenforcer]

I’m in Gallup, NM if you need anything coming through let me know. Ed

 

[Cobalt232]

Good lord, some of you guys act like you’ve never towed except to the river. Dave you might think about hiring a chase truck with all the tools and spare parts you”might” need lol. Gun it and go, you have the resources to make it happen regardless. Good luck and have a great trip.

True - He's not driving through Siberia.
You probably won't have time, but we like going to El Pinto in Bernalillo which is just north of ABQ on 25. Really good food and soapillas to boot. They have a big parking lot too. Anytime flying in or out of KABQ it quick to get to.

 

[CLdrinker]

Header issue fixed?

 

[RiverDave]

Header issue fixed?

Yep absolute water tested this am and everything is good to go!

Now the electric over hydraulic trailer breaks aren’t working so I’m fixing that this afternoon. Then load the truck and prep the boat etc

 

[River Dirt 2]

Raining in New Mexico!

 

[hawgty55]

Drive down to absolute to check the tire codes..

Would ya gamble? This thing has been sitting in a climate controlled garage for most of its life.. lol

Nope. 5 years max for me on trailer tires on something nice. If it was my flatbed i run them till they fall apart. Have had 3 let go trying to gamble over the years.

 

[rivrrts429]

I’ve never read a thread with so many people that have so much trepidation. Holy fuck people lighten up. Dave would have a Snap-On truck and two lube trucks following him if he listened to you nerds

 

[dread Pirate]

On a torsion axle couldn't you just pull the wheel off? No need to strap up since each axle is independent of each other.

Yes. Smoked a bearing on my triple axle enclosed trailer. I carry spare parts, but this fried the spindle. pulled the assembly and balanced the load a little better. 80 miles home and had to remind myself I only had 5 wheels a few times. Trailer got all new axles after this one. It was built in 1992 so it was time.

 

[adam909]

Good lord, some of you guys act like you’ve never towed except to the river. Dave you might think about hiring a chase truck with all the tools and spare parts you”might” need lol. Gun it and go, you have the resources to make it happen regardless. Good luck and have a great trip.

Didnt dave ask for some "tips" so what your seeing is people responding to his post. The gun it a go attitude might work at times but ive learned to be prepared especially with trailers. Most boat trailers hardly get serviced especially ones that travel a few miles to the launch ramp. I myself have been in stupid situations that if i would have just thrown my tool bag in the truck while im towing simple issues wouldnt have been a headache.

 

[Joe mama]

I hadn't planned on covering it, but I do have a snap cover or the bow and a cockpit cover.. Maybe I should just tape the shit out of it and cover it..

RD

Buddy had Ron’s in Havasu plastic rap his Lavey for the trip to his new home in Tennesse. The gel was destroyed by the time he got there. Shitty job and weather on the way there. $1200 bucks to bring it back to life. Said it would have been better off not covered.

 

[22Shockwave22]

New rubber is on and they checked the oil baths.. now it’s time to wrap her up and get ready to roll!

RD

View attachment 1417845 View attachment 1417846

What are these holes for?

Have fun, Bucket list trip you're doing.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

What are these holes for?

Have fun, Bucket list trip you're doing.

View attachment 1417922

They are step vents. Some hulls the step isn’t fully out to the chine so they put that hole in so the step can draw air to break the water.

 

[RiverDave]

What are these holes for?

Have fun, Bucket list trip you're doing.

View attachment 1417922

Hallett did a deal on a few models where they have holes in the sides of the boats which basically has a tube that goes down both sides.. In the bottom of the boat there are holes that go up.. So it draws air in through those side holes and spits it out the bottom of the boat..

Just a different step hull / aeration design.

RD

 

[2Driver]

Those stern pics of your boat are awesome. Jealous.

 

[Nosocks]

So still dealing with some issues.. one header got hot today (weird because it has water to it?). So they are gonna re-examine tomorrow am and water test then off to get tires..

Side note got the boat and trailer registered in my name today.. I haven been busy as shit and just figured I’d do it whenever as the stickers are current.. but I figured if I get rolled on the way and it isn’t in my name they would accuse me of commercial towing or god knows what and I just didn’t want to deal with it.. quick stop for the win!

Absolute is going way above and beyond to make this happen! Can’t thank Aaron and team enough. It means a lot.

I’d guess that red DCB is getting prepped to leave as well? I know there’s a ton of boats leaving havasu.. this is my first time towing one to an event.

(I hate it.. never again. lol).

View attachment 1417683 View attachment 1417684 View attachment 1417685 View attachment 1417686 View attachment 1417687 View attachment 1417688 View attachment 1417689

335s are growing on me rapidly...

 

[Hammer]

335s are growing on me rapidly...

Same…

 

[NeedlesRat]

Same…

Your 300 is gorgeous. IMO they are the nicest Hallett. Love the size of Dave’s, but the lines of the 300 are far superior. The windshield ruins the 335 for me.

 

[DLC]

Jesus….

4 pages of get new tires….

Are we there yet?? How about Now???

 

[RiverDave]

Jesus….

4 pages of get new tires….

Are we there yet?? How about Now???

So tonight we went to put the snap cover on the open bow and the cockpit. Of course meticulously taped off / towels on interior etc..

One problem. The cockpit cover is nowhere to be found.. . I have driven to my building twice. I drove to one of my storages. I have looked through my shed. I have looked through my garage. We have looked everywhere. It could possibly fit in and this thing is not in our possession… I am wondering if I ever got it with the boat at this point.

I have a snap in bow cover, I have the large cover for the hull boat but I do not have the cockpit cover..

I am extremely uncomfortable with the idea of towing it with the full cover as I am concerned about potential gel and other damage. So I made the decision to put the bowel cover on with painters, tape anywhere around gel and towels over the interior, but we are going to run open, in terms of the actual cockpit..

Logic being I can clean it.. but I’d rather not repair it.

 

[RiverDave]

Tomorrow am we have to load one of those Offroad bar deals into the back of the truck and wrap it etc.. few other minor things and then we are on the road. I expect we will leave in the afternoon

RD

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

OTR. In Kingman.

 

[Lumpy]

View attachment 1418139 View attachment 1418140 View attachment 1418141 OTR. In Kingman.

That be Scott…good friend, great guy.

 

[RiverDave]

View attachment 1418139 View attachment 1418140 View attachment 1418141 OTR. In Kingman.

We will be a few hours behind him.

 

[Long Way Home]

So tonight we went to put the snap cover on the open bow and the cockpit. Of course meticulously taped off / towels on interior etc..

One problem. The cockpit cover is nowhere to be found.. . I have driven to my building twice. I drove to one of my storages. I have looked through my shed. I have looked through my garage. We have looked everywhere. It could possibly fit in and this thing is not in our possession… I am wondering if I ever got it with the boat at this point.

I have a snap in bow cover, I have the large cover for the hull boat but I do not have the cockpit cover..

I am extremely uncomfortable with the idea of towing it with the full cover as I am concerned about potential gel and other damage. So I made the decision to put the bowel cover on with painters, tape anywhere around gel and towels over the interior, but we are going to run open, in terms of the actual cockpit..

Logic being I can clean it.. but I’d rather not repair it.


View attachment 1418021 View attachment 1418022

We used to go to Lake Powell , Lake Shasta every summer for about 15 years, houseboat trips and prepping the boat for the travel. I would take my Towing cover with me in the back of the truck, if there was any signs of thunder/ rain, I would stop at the first raindrop put the cover on Until the rain was done pull over uncover the boat mainly to keep the boat dry inside. It usually worked out because the cover was not on for very long. No damage to the boat just a quick wipe down when you got to the lake. also, any luggage in the back of the truck we would put in trash bags for the trip to and from just in case of a thunder shower.

 

[Tank]

That be Scott…good friend, great guy.

Scott’s a good dude.

He just sent me this. They’re east bound and down!!

 

[Tank]

No cover? Fuck it, it’s a boat. Tow back and forth to havasu all the time no cover. Been through rain too. oh well. Just have to clean it when you get there.

Drive safe everyone. Looking forward to the pics!!!