Towing out to LOTO first time..

[RiverDave]

In kind of a last minute decision we decided we are going to take the new Hallett to LOTO.. So I have seen people post two routes there.. One is the direct way which is kinda flat and boring, and one is a way that is more north where you actually get to see some of the country?

Obviously I'm putting new tires on the trailer, prepping the truck etc.. Any tips? Take the shortest way possible both ways? Or is it worth taking the longer way back? Any lakes in between here and LOTO worth hitting on the way back?

RD

 

[n2otoofast4u]

@lake p.a.l. has driven that more than any sane person should. He will be the guy to answer this.

 

[hallett21]

Without knowing a damn thing I’d say scenic on the way out and fastest on the way home.

 

[rivergames]

I'd having your bearing on the trailer gone through as well

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Tires and bearings need to be on point…

My mom and MaK just did the trip… LHC to flag, then up to Durango, then through Colorado to Wichita and over… at least this gives you shit to do like the Durango railroad etc

Or you can do the upper loop (see pic)

I’ve done the run a few times different ways.

If it’s me though I’m taking 40 to 44 then up at Springfield.

I’d stop at both table rock and grand lake on the return trip…

 

[RiverDave]

Only 5 more hours to see a lot more stuff? Any lakes along that way?

RD

 

[RiverDave]

Without knowing a damn thing I’d say scenic on the way out and fastest on the way home.

I gotta get everything prepped so I'm only going to have one extra day as it sits right now.. On the way back I figured I'd take the scenic route and maybe dip the boat in a lake for a few hours?

RD

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Only 5 more hours to see a lot more stuff? Any lakes along that way?

RD

Some reservoirs etc in CO that a pretty but the restrict a lot of them so IDK. I can text you the list of where all they went if you decide to do that loop.

I want to do the shootout one of these days, just hasn’t worked out

The co route changes you by 4-6 hrs depending on speed vs 40/44

 

[monkeyswrench]

Cows and farms in Nebraska...not much else. Still very cool, but not real exciting. Any route you choose, look at the weather forecast.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

It’s a long, boring, shitty drive no matter the route. Keep the drive as short as possible and take I40. Spend your time saved at LOTO.

 

[FlyByWire]

Have the boat wrapped in that white vinyl stuff maybe..?

 

[sirbob]

Use painters tape anyplace the cover can rub on your gel, back corners etc.

Also wrap any straps that might rub with micro fiber towels at the gel contact area.

Then I like to tape down areas that can flap from the wind. A little time with painters tape can save $$$ in gel repair.

 

[RiverDave]

Use painters tape anyplace the cover can rub on your gel, back corners etc.

Also wrap any straps that might rub with micro fiber towels at the gel contact area.

Then I like to tape down areas that can flap from the wind. A little time with painters tape can save $$$ in gel repair.


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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

 

[Romans9]

Sending you a PM with my info in case you need anything.

I can fix anything but a broken heart……..

 

[mbrown2]

If I were towing that distance... I would have bearings and tires checked; and just general trailer check; multiple spares as well... I would also have any open cockpits shrink wrapped closed... I would not want my cover getting that much exposure and road grime.... I realize if you want to drop it in along the way the shrinkwrap sux but you could always cover instead...

 

[RiverDave]

If I were towing that distance... I would have bearings and tires checked; and just general trailer check; multiple spares as well... I would also have any open cockpits shrink wrapped closed... I would not want my cover getting that much exposure and road grime.... I realize if you want to drop it in along the way the shrinkwrap sux but you could always cover instead...

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

 

[throttle]

Wrap your bimini, tape and zip tie it!

Have a great trip!

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Bow and cockpit and just tape the leading edges and run areas… I’d never full cover on a haul like that.

 

[FlyByWire]

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

Absolutely not, Dave.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

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

No…and I can tell you exactly how much replacing 4 of 6 tires on the side of I40 costs on a tripple axle cruiser trailer…a lot plus a lot of waiting

 

[mbrown2]

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

Tire looks great from that angle....and from the tread it seems tread is left...but I would think about that date every time I checked my rear view if I did not replace it...

 

[Tank]

First off...B-line that shit and get there ASAP I'd say.
Second, if you do do the 40 to the 44 you'll pass close to GLOC (Grand Lake of the Cherokees) that's Bubba's @Warparty36 stomping ground and Table Rock Lake. Also, either there or back, you'll be about 4 hours north (on the 40) of Possum Kingdome Lake in Texas. That'd be worth a stop.

Man, you're mannin' up for the haul. 1700 miles one way. People always trying to get us to tow out to LOTO. I mean, its gonna happen, but when it does, I'm leaving the boat there for the whole summer!!

Table Rock, GLOC, Possum Kingdom

 

[sirbob]

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

You will get rained on. I’m 4 for 4 hitting rain on cross country drives the last 4 summers.

I would cover and tape. Nothing worse than 300 miles of rainwater spray all over your interior!!

 

[adam909]

Floor jack. 2 spares. 2 complete bearings and tools to change out bearings.

 

[MisplacedSooner]

I just drove from Kansas City to Flagstaff and took l35 to I40, it’s a crap drive but the fastest. Heading on 44 might be faster but I was driving back to KC and not LOTO. Semi traffic was my biggest complaint, and the speed limit not being 120.

 

[coolchange]

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

If you don’t have Common Sense fasteners on the bow and cockpit covers put a leash on them. I’ve done a couple that got sucked off going down the highway.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

First off...B-line that shit and get there ASAP I'd say.
Second, if you do do the 40 to the 44 you'll pass close to GLOC (Grand Lake of the Cherokees) that's Bubba's @Warparty36 stomping ground and Table Rock Lake. Also, either there or back, you'll be about 4 hours north (on the 40) of Possum Kingdome Lake in Texas. That'd be worth a stop.

Man, you're mannin' up for the haul. 1700 miles one way. People always trying to get us to tow out to LOTO. I mean, its gonna happen, but when it does, I'm leaving the boat there for the whole summer!!

Table Rock, GLOC, Possum Kingdom

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Spent a lot of time on grand… had an uncle who lived near grove and had the cool cable car down the mountain to the docks..

Table rock will always hold a special place for me…spent a lot of time there as a kid, I know it like the back of my hand. My buddy runs one of the boat dealers in Kim city. My grandparents owned a cabin near Indian point. We used to ride rusty bicycles tied to ropes off the dock as fast as we could get them.

Deep fun lake with several solid lakeside bars. It’s also close to steal your dollar holler!

 

[Tank]

PS, like @sirbob said, I'd cover for the tow. At least cockpit and tape. I don't think you need to shrink wrap. But you'll hit thunderstorms and road dirt / muck will get all over the interior if not covered. When Rob drug the Cig out from LOTO it was filthy! Went straight to the detail shop. Slap the cover on and put painters tape at the edges. Done.

 

[Javajoe]

Sounds like you better just stay home

 

[ChrisV]

Go to your local body shop and ask for a roll of crash wrap. Wrap the front up. Not sure how OCD you are. You don’t want stock chips on that beautiful boat. Wrap the trailer too.

 

[last1]

Done 3 or 4 times. 40 to 44! Bow cover and cockpit covers and ,lots of tape.Tablerock lake is nice, quiet compared to loto. Grand lake is kinda nice to. I always bring my boat back to phx from havasu before i leave. But its still along hall, 1380 mile s. But worth it. New tires, dont tak a chance.

 

[Orange Juice]

My advice is to borrow/carry a small floor jack, 4way to remove lug nuts, and 2 spares.
Don’t tow it in the rain, so have “Radar Now” loaded on to your Phone, and plan a route that’s not raining.
Drive straight through if you can.

 

[rivermobster]

@RiverDave

We all know you like to gamble. Take the safe bet on this one. Sooooo not worth the loss.

 

[PRIMO]

40
44
Springfield
“A” Road
Spend the night at the half way point / Enjoy the Armadillos through Texas, they are like Rats

Ps grease your bearings / when you stop check the bearings, if they are hot to the touch , fill it with grease !

 

[HydroSkreamin]

As you know Dave I've done the drive back and forth between LOTO and DCB in PHX towing my boat and also the 24' enclosed trailer. I either stay in Gallup NM and drive the rest the next day, or Amarillo TX. After some of the experiences of the inmates here that now live in LOTO, you can't pay me to sleep anywhere else in NM.

The northern route crosses some huge cattle areas in TX and OK, neat to see, not so neat to smell. Northern route encourages you to stop in small towns for restroom, fuel and food. I like the roads better on the northern route, the OK tollroads across the reservation have huge potholes in them, plus the toll part. I've slept in OK and KS on the northern route. Being a platinum IHG member, the next destination is always a Holiday Inn Express; not only do I get smarter, I get to stay on points! You can pretty much always count on them being decent.

Good luck and have fun! Maybe we'll cross paths there...

 

[Runs2rch]

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

Bow and cock pit cover will be good.

 

[Hermosa]

I keep 2 extra sets of bearings, sleals and grease for each of my trailers, and the tools needed to change them as needed. I'm a maintenance whore, but I have had the need to change a bearing out in the middle of nowhere a couple times. This thinking ahead can save you 1/2 a day out on the road if you have a problem. Enjoy your trip, looking forward to the pics.

 

[PRIMO]

When your on the Road , If you find yourself all alone and no Semis around ,
Something is going on and you may want to find an overpass or underpass to park it with cover !

Midwest weather is Unforgiving…..

 

[Clank123]

Cows and farms in Nebraska...not much else. Still very cool, but not real exciting. Any route you choose, look at the weather forecast.

How many Cornfields in Nebraska?
Only two…one on the left and one on the right!

 

[240Hallett]

Make an appointment for a boat detail, close to your final destination.

 

[kurtis500]

You will be driving north for a long time before you head east. The 70 is farther north of Las Vegas than it seems, at least thats how it feels when I drive it. Id say some of the scenery in Utah and then going through Vail and etc. is nice but the 70 isnt as straight as the 40. Once you get to Denver its the same as any other route in the plains

 

[Ricks raft]

9 yr old tires? Replace. It will be beyond filthy if you don't cover it. If I don't cover my boat the 100 miles to the Delta it's filthy.

 

[BingerFang]

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

Love to gamble! $100 bucks says you get a blowout with those 10 year old tires.

 

[steamin rice]

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

2014 date code on the tires and towing cross country in the summer? No f-in way would I even consider it. You have a big heavy boat and trailer tires are much more important on this boat compared to a smaller, lighter boat on a triple axle trailer. I just bought 6 new tires for my trailer this summer because my tires are 4-5 years old, even though it sits in my garage and the tires looked great.

Also, use your bow and cockpit covers, put painters tape all around the edges to seal out the air and plan on a full wash of the boat when you get there.

 

[77 SLEEK]

Do you have a set of Rock Tamers rear mud flaps? If not try to get some we love them when towing.

 

[DaveH]

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

good quality continental tires? triple for lees load per tire? yes i would gamble.

 

[paradise]

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

Like most others said, fuck no on the tires. My boat and trailer sit in the garage at 78 unless the boat is on the water. At 6 years old, went to Powell, 1 blowout on the way out and 1 big ass bubble on another coming home. Had spares so it was a non issue to change them, but the damage to the trailer sucked

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Id really look into doing the shrink wrap as much as possible. The last time a friend looked into it, it wasnt all that expensive or too long to get on and off (has to be installed by a shop).

 

[lakemadness]

If you dont have to run through the Colorado mountains towing a big boat, why would ya? It's uphill and not straight for a while and then ya gotta get back down the hill, some good grades, and not straight again. Sure, it's a more scenic route, but once you get 5 minutes east of Denver it's like all the other routes - desolate.

Hilarious people are saying dont tow in the rain... LOL its a boat, they get wet! You're most likely going to hit some degree of rain.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

I'll be towing out with my buddy out of Vegas on the 18th. We'll take 40 with first overnight in Albuquerque and second night on OK City, then up to Osage on Tuesday afternoon.

He has to get back to work so will fly out with his woman and I'll be towing back solo. I might go back through CO as I have a sister that lives there. She's in Salida off of US50 so I won't be going through Denver and will be south. I'm retired so I have all the time in the world and will be taking it easy. I'll decide right when I leave LOTO. If I'm tired I'll just go back 44 to 40, the boring but direct route. The roads through Kansas, CO and Utah are way better than 40 tough. 40 just sucks from AZ to TX.

Over 20 years ago my buddy and I hopped in my truck and towed my 20' Outlaw to Buffalo, NY and crossed over into Canada to do a trade deal for my 28' Cigarette and then crossed back over Niagara Falls (I have a story about going through customs) and back to SoCal in 5 days. It was quite a trip going through all kinds of weather including a blinding snow storm. It was February and about 80 degrees when we left and not thinking about weather we were wearing shorts and t-shirts. Froze our butts off!

The Cig trailer was a POS and not even for that boat. It had no brakes and we busted a spring hanger in Amarillo at a Hooters. A couple locals called a mobile welder and he got her fixed up for us and wouldn't take any money, not even beer. Texas hospitality! I'm thinking this trip will be less eventful although we will probably hit some rain.