The Often Overlook by Sean Wayman

While many of us pursue our passion for catching those green fish, it is easy to overlook some of the less exciting aspects of the pursuit. What am I referring to you may ask? I’m talking about our trailers and more specifically our tires. If you have been towing a boat or any type of trailer for any amount of time, you are sure to have encountered a flat or a blow out. We can go years without any issue, and then bam! A string of mishaps. Usually these things happen at very inopportune times. Well is there ever a good time to have to change a flat? I wish I had a bunch of good advice on how to avoid a flat. However sometimes there is nothing you can do. The only real precaution you can take is checking your tires for wear and proper inflation pressure. Out side of that its pretty much pure luck, or bad luck.

That said there are things we can do to make it less of a bad situation. Since I know its inevitable and will happen I choose to be prepared for it. Some may find this to be a pain in the butt. However when the flat does happen and you have to change the wheel out, I think you’ll agree that its well worth it. Being prepared sure makes it easier.

First and foremost be sure and pull off the road to a safe place. I’m not one to wanna put myself in harms way so I get well off the road. If there is a parking lot close by or a large turn out I will use that first. Its dangerous to change a flat on the freeway with so many careless texting drivers on the road. Second is too carry the proper tools and know where they are. A breaker bar, proper sockets and a torque wrench is needed. As far as a jack, I carry a floor jack. The floor jack is faster and safer then trying to use your vehicle bottle jack. Personally I also use a cordless 1/2 inch impact gun. Milwaukee makes a great one. This just allows me to get the wheel off faster and the spare going on in just a few minutes. Make sure you check that your socket will work for your wheels. My previous boat required a special thin wall wheel socket. Last but not least, l now your torque setting for your wheels. They are to be torqued evenly and to specs. Not doing so can cause other problems. Wheels falling or while towing, or warped rotors.

So while this all sounds like a pain, as well as a lot to do, it is actually time saving. I had a flat last week on my way home from the Delta. It took me 7 minutes to get back on the road, that’s right, just 7 minutes. All of my tools are in a canvas bag in my truck. The floor jack sits behind the driver seat. This is quick and easy, not to mention I don’t have to try and locate what I need. This means I don’t have to be on the side of a road any longer then necessary. This means less risk for me. It also means if I’m on my way to a tournament a flat is not going to make me late.

Lets take a little time to make sure we are as prepared for mishaps as we are to pursue fishing. Check your tire pressure and make sure that spare is in good condition and holding air. If your spare is cracking or has dry rot don’t put it off, go get it replaced. I’ve attached some pics of my kit that I carry for reference.

Fish On

RB Bass Angler

Sean Wayman

Share on Facebook