I am writing this post as a heads up to those of you who use trailers to haul your kayaks.
I do not trailer my kayaks, but I do trailer my 16' center console boat. I have never had a problem with the tires until this morning. John Rentch and I were returning from the Eastern Shore about 11:30. Half way across the Bay Bridge I sensed more resistance from my trailer. I looked in the side view mirror and saw that the left trailer tire was completely flat. It had not been flat when we left the ramp 10 mins earlier (I heard a funny noise a minute or two before noticing the flat tire -- perhaps I ran over something that punctured or sliced the tire).
The right lane of the westbound bridge was closed. I was able to slow down to 20 mph, move over partially into the empty right lane, and watch the tire self-destruct as I continued across the bridge. It is never a good sight to watch rubber chunks bouncing behind your tire.
As soon as we were off the bridge, I pulled off onto the shoulder and assessed things. I always carry a spare tire and a lug wrench that fits that size lugs. I first tested each nut to make sure I could budge them loose (they loosened). I got the scissors jack from my minivan and raised the trailer frame. I had 4 of the 5 lug nuts out when an emergency truck from the Maryland Transportation Authority pulled in behind me. As that man began to assist, a second truck pulled in front of me. The two men removed the old tire, put on the spare, and got me on my way. One truck followed me to the first exit where he was able to add some compressed air to the tire.
I send a special thanks to Alfred Finch, Jr. and Ronnie Whetsall, the men who helped me. I was well on my way to solving the problem on my own, but they were professional and kind to help out. They made sure we got safely underway again.
After that long story, here are my trailering tips. Always carry a spare tire that matches the lug pattern of your trailer. The lug nuts on the trailer wheels may not be the same size as the nuts on your vehicle tires. Make sure you carry a wrench that fits the trailer lug nuts. Also check the lug nuts periodically to make sure they are not frozen in place. Finally make sure that your vehicle jack can be used to lift your trailer.
2018-06-19 11-31-13.jpg 2018-06-19 12-45-17.jpg 2018-06-19 12-45-24.jpg
I do not trailer my kayaks, but I do trailer my 16' center console boat. I have never had a problem with the tires until this morning. John Rentch and I were returning from the Eastern Shore about 11:30. Half way across the Bay Bridge I sensed more resistance from my trailer. I looked in the side view mirror and saw that the left trailer tire was completely flat. It had not been flat when we left the ramp 10 mins earlier (I heard a funny noise a minute or two before noticing the flat tire -- perhaps I ran over something that punctured or sliced the tire).
The right lane of the westbound bridge was closed. I was able to slow down to 20 mph, move over partially into the empty right lane, and watch the tire self-destruct as I continued across the bridge. It is never a good sight to watch rubber chunks bouncing behind your tire.
As soon as we were off the bridge, I pulled off onto the shoulder and assessed things. I always carry a spare tire and a lug wrench that fits that size lugs. I first tested each nut to make sure I could budge them loose (they loosened). I got the scissors jack from my minivan and raised the trailer frame. I had 4 of the 5 lug nuts out when an emergency truck from the Maryland Transportation Authority pulled in behind me. As that man began to assist, a second truck pulled in front of me. The two men removed the old tire, put on the spare, and got me on my way. One truck followed me to the first exit where he was able to add some compressed air to the tire.
I send a special thanks to Alfred Finch, Jr. and Ronnie Whetsall, the men who helped me. I was well on my way to solving the problem on my own, but they were professional and kind to help out. They made sure we got safely underway again.
After that long story, here are my trailering tips. Always carry a spare tire that matches the lug pattern of your trailer. The lug nuts on the trailer wheels may not be the same size as the nuts on your vehicle tires. Make sure you carry a wrench that fits the trailer lug nuts. Also check the lug nuts periodically to make sure they are not frozen in place. Finally make sure that your vehicle jack can be used to lift your trailer.
2018-06-19 11-31-13.jpg 2018-06-19 12-45-17.jpg 2018-06-19 12-45-24.jpg
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