Yeah - just feel the hubs in the center of the wheel. They'll probably be slightly 'warm' but shouldn't be hot and should be pretty equal in temperature.

My brother just dragged a Hobie Tiger from one side of Australia to the other and then back again in a Suby Forrester and it ran fine (7000 mile return trip). Fuel economy wasn't great though.

Just another tip - You have looked at your tyres, bearings etc which is great. Also look at your trailer springs and "U" bolts. I have seen several break (usually caused by rust) on long trips over the years which is silly because they are really cheap and easy to replace.

Michael

Just put your finger on the wheel hub cap when you fill up with fuel. If it is just warm that is ok. If it is so hot you can't keep your finger there then it is time to replace the bearings NOW because they will fall apart very soon.

Reaper

I pulled a Nacra 5.5SL AND a Hobie 16 (on the same trailer) across the USA last spring and the only problem I had was the learning curve on tire pressure with the trailer tires.

Got to the Nevada border, after starting just outside San Fran and experienced a rhythmical thumping that sounded like the concrete expansion joints but it wasn't. It was the result of the tire pressure being uneven. They weren't spinning at the same speed and one had to jump every so often. When I stopped at a tire repair station they also pointed out that my tires on the trailer weren't rated for High Speed. I will never own another trailer without replacing the tires that come with it with High Speed tires. What a difference. Also I learned that it is important to buy and use a good tire pressure gauge (like the professional truck drivers use)not the pencil-like ones they sell at the counter of the auto parts store. I had no problems from that point on with tire pressure or bearing temp or anything.

As a side note, I learned the other day that, for the most part, the trucks sold today come with large passenger car tires. NOT truck tires. I use my truck occasionally with some heavy loads and I don't want to exceed the weight limitations on the tires that come with the truck. Just something to watch for.

Greg

Interesting. We have been trailering boats for 40 years, and we have never heard of high-speed trailer tires. Who tows a trailer at low speeds?

Just out of curiosity, I just took a look at the tyres on all three of my trailers and they're all 'R' rated (low speed) BUT I've never experienced a problem towing at 70-80mph (completely illegal) or even on several occasions at 100mph plus (really, really, completely utterly illegal)

I've never been aware of high speed rated tyres for trailers. In any case I think 'R' rating for tyres is 'up to 106mph'

You could have tires that are designed to work on golf carts and the like that are not intended for highway speeds...like this .

John,
Those trailer tires are smaller than your car tires and they go around a whole lot faster, more contact with the road, more friction, more heat. I'd be careful and keep your speed down, especially on a hot day or you'll melt those suckers. I always go a little slower on a hot summer day and stop to check the bearings and the tires.

And make sure you lug wrench fits the lugs on your trailer, sometimes they are different.

100mph? Come on, you lose a tire at that speed and all that will be left of your boat will be splinters. It'll probably fly off into the oncoming traffic and cause a pile up. Do you really want to be the guy they show on the news in the back of the police car surrounded by wreaked cars?

100 in a car with good tires and good suspension is one thing, but towing your trailer? Come on think about it.

I was towing my utility trailer and it wasnt tongue heavy enough, and I got going to fast down a hill and it started fishtailing and jerking the back end of my car back and forth, it scared the Sh*t out of me.

Your Subaru will be fine!

Here's my Rig:

Seems like you would get a lot of "tail wagging the dog" action with that tilt trailer.

Has not been a problem (yet )...but if I'm doing more than a few hours drive, and high cross winds are a concern, my current trailer converts to hold the dismantled boat.

We knew a guy who towed his Hobie 18 behind a Porsche.

Mary:

I used a Toyota Terel when I had my 16. Can't get muck smaller 4 cylinder than that. It worked fine. Going to use a S-10 v6 on my Hobie 17 and Nacra A2 or Blade.

Doug

I used to know someone who towed a Tornado behind an old 911 Turbo - was about 20 years ago.

That was Nigel wasn't it? I believe he still has that car.

I'm assuming you're going through Orlando. It's the Florida Turnpike that takes off to the east from I-75. It's right around Wildwood. Be sure you're in one of the left lanes as you approach the left sweeper to the east onto the Turnpike. If you're on the outside lanes you will be headed toward Tampa. Watch that exit for confused tourists as they realize at the last minute that they are in the wrong lane and make kamikaze maneuvers between the truckers to correct their error. If you screwup, make sure your window is down so that you can yell "Starboard!" or "Water!" at the truckers. They will appreciate your attentiveness by agreeing with long blasts of their horn and a visual treat of smoking their rear trailer tires. Neato.

Watchout for speed traps around Live Oak; way east of Tallahassee.

"Quebec" or "Ontario" on a license plate is French for "I've been sleeping since Georgia."

From I-10, don't become so hypnotized that you miss the right turn from I-10 onto I-75. From there it will be thick until you get to the Flarduh Turnpike which was renamed "Ronald Reagan Parkway" but nobody calls it that because EVERY parkway was renamed for His Befuddledness. If you miss the turn onto I-75 you can launch at Jacksonville Beach.

I've heard that there are a lot of students in Gainesville and that beer is also sold there. I think some of them drink the beer and then drive around. I'm always extra careful going through Gainesville unless it's on a Sunday morning when they're all in church. There used to be a lot of football traffic through Gainesville; even during football season.

On I-4 in Orlando there are two speed limits: 7mph and 70mph. There is no in-between. Orlando will be recognized by the sea of Ohio license plates.

Happy Motoring!

You shouldn't have any problems. I towed my Hobie 16 from Philadelphia to Florida and back many times with a 1975 Toyota Corolla Fastback with a 1600 CC engine. Of course the speed limits we 55 then (wink wink). Keep an eye on things and you will be OK

oh and there are no gas stations in florida!

oh and there are no gas stations in florida!

AMEN. My buddy and I coasted into a gas station pulling his F27 on the FL turnpike. A 454 in a 3/4 ton truck dosn't get the greatest milage but that was too close.

pulling the doublestack down to tradewinds, we had a strict 170 mile policy no matter what the gas guage read.

If you go 170 miles since the last fillup, and you see a gas station, you stop at it.

They are seriously like 30 miles apart!