Recommendations for a towing boat from Phoenix to Powell (I live out of state)

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Great info here...my 2 cents, as I've towed that zillions of times.........check hubs/tires/brakes on trailer...have a spare for the trailer. Make sure boat is well strapped to trailer...you don't want it moving.....and the big one....go slow......50 MPH in some spots is safe. I was towing 10K lbs and would put flashers on at times to hopefully get the attention of the other texting 18 YO drivers :cool:

Oh, I'd pray for divine protection, too. That helps, IMHO....
 
Adding another $0.02. When I buy a used boat (I've done a few) I always check the DOT code on the tires to get the manufacture date. And I usually budget new tires as the trailer rarely has tires an age I'm willing to live with (I never run tires over 7 years old, usually change them around 5 years, especially ST tires). I'd also check the bearings. Spending $ on tires and a bearing service on a trailer that will only be towed once, less than 300 miles from Phx to Page isn't "fun", but it does beat sitting on the side of the road changing the tire or bearings.

Safe travels to @Rivergoer and lets see some photos of the new boat.
 
If you rent a tow vehicle, make sure you purchase the damage waiver, and for Enterprise also purchase their insurance. I did that for a box truck I rented and when I was hit by a car I just dropped off the truck and walked away. Well worth the money extra cost.
Terry
 
C B said:
New shoes, Goodyear Endurance, Fresh bearings, races and seals.
Not a fan of bearing buddies. No room for expansion leads to inner seal failure.
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All of the foregoing advice in both posts on the trailers is also great advice especially when we are talking big and heavies! Trailers are usually the most neglected part of the program. Tires bearings, brakes and cribbage all go bad underneath our boats and it's easy to neglect that part of the program until you have a problem. It's good to at least inspect the trailer, grease everything and carry a spare. You also need to make sure you have a jack and a lug wrench that fits the lugs (think stuck on the side of the highway)

I have a friend who does a lot of cross country towing who carries two spares and complete hubs upfront where the spare usually goes. He welded two spindles matching the ones on his trailer to his frame, installed fresh greased hubs and bolted tires and rim to the hub. Ingenious I thought. With that and a 20 volt battery powered impact you could be your own Nascar Crew. If I ever get caught up just keeping my boats running and playing on Powell I want to do that too. (in other words maybe never)
 
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Something that I do typically, is every time I launch, and I'm parking the truck in the parking lot, I give the trailer the "once-over" treatment. I will give all the boards a good smack, grabbing them and checking for any loose bolts. With the boat off, it gives an easier visual to the leaf springs as well.
For the past few years I have switched to using the Valet launch at Antelope instead. So I'm not getting as good of a look as normal, but I still inspect at home, crawling around underneath.
 
Unfortunately I received a text from the seller this morning that he sold the boat to someone else locally. He wanted to make sure the deal didn’t fall through so he went with a local buyer. Disappointed with the outcome knowing the time spent on planning the trip and finding transportation. Thanks to Rivergoer (Dennis) for offering to transport the boat. This was the best part of this process, that is, knowing a stranger would do something for me who I had never met. He said the offer is still on the table. Thank you! I’m still looking around for a 24-26 boat for fishing, skiing and tubing.
Brad
 
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