Rich Yanulis

I also have been towing for years without an escape door.

I am an overweight, old man...........the driver's door opens enough to get in and out of the car.

SamEYEam

Great list! Thanks This hits a bunch of good points and echos in threads below it or related items!
I did check the Drings in the trailer. I had looked at some where there was a mixed bag of plywood bolted and some bolted to a plate.
Addressed the spare, check.
I have a jiffy jack you pull or back the good tire onto to raise the bad one. If necessary, I could probably use the truck jack.
I'll be checking straps early and often given my concern about it shifting. I do this with my chain binders when moving tractor. Usually after some snugging up early on the ride seems to settle in, but always good to recheck which I do at each stop. This load and trailer will take a bit more time than my open utility trailer but well worth it. Besides moving around doing this will give my back a break from driving. I have been known to stop and shift the load if it feels bumper heavy or to far back. A fish tailing trailer isn't fun! Fortunately, this trailer and load is far lighter than what I have pulled on the equipment trailer and camper.
Good idea on checking the lug nuts against my lug wrench. I have a star or cross lug wrench with 4 different size sockets, but need to verify they will fit.
Spare bolts in nose of trailer next to winch and easily accessible from side door. Jiffy jack will be in the bed of the truck next to tailgate under the tonneau cover. I hate seeing people on the side of the road digging all the stuff out of a car trunk or SUV to get to the spare and jack, sad.
Well, as I age the need to double check stuff increases!!
I understand the fear of hitting curbs or other things in tight turning areas or dropping off low shoulders on narrow secondary roads, which I hope to avoid. Stopping for diesel can be a nightmare, not just on the gas cars occupying the diesel pumps when other gas pumps are available, but avoiding getting into an area that is a nightmare to get out! I will need to be more cognizant of this as my unitality trailer is only 18 or 20' and last we pulled the 29-foot camper was years ago.
I did get to drive it some after we picked it up today on an interstate with a cross wind. The torsion axles and radials are so smooth unlike the higher setting leaf springs and biased ply on my utility trailer and the leaf springs on our old camper. I could feel the wind but nowhere like the camper we use to have sitting up high and the camper had sway bar and load transferring hitch. I believe when the weight of the car is added it will be more stable, but I will be paying attention to that. We go up interstate 77 often and after seeing campers on the side of Fancy Gap Mountain near the NC Va boarder it stays with ya. I will also be one of those guys going right at or below the speed limit. I find it less stressful on me and load.
I am sure the first time I need fuel or to make a rest stop I'll be rubber necking to see where to go in and how. That trailer is low in the back! Good for loading, not so much for uneven driveways etc.
Yes, the bearings! I did meet the original owner and he said he'd be surprised if he put much over 200 miles on it since he had it. It is a 2019. My thought is to jack up each wheel using the jiffy jack and spin them to see if the sound smooth. If he is correct on the miles that is pretty low, but it does look like new. The rock guard looks in great shape sides and wheels look good. There is a deep scratch on rear door but that is not from lots of miles and / or abuse.
Thank you for the list and I think some of the concerns may have been repeated/expressed again after your post and hopefully these responses address many of those too!

SamEYEam

I did get some extra axle straps in case I damage some though they are all 3'. The trailer has four 8' have ratchet straps that have the triangle ring in the strap where they can be used as an axle strap. I will also carry some 1" and 2" straps with S hooks. I'll take some 2x material and decking style screws to add beside the tires to help control shifting though I'll probably install away from the tire a bit to allow the straps and my adjustments to control side to side but just incase they can act like a bumper for the tire. I hope not to place anything in the trailer with the care and pack stuff under the tonneau cover or in back seat of crew cab.
I like the idea of a tongue 'chain box' and added one to my equipment trailer and it may make the upgrade list. I'll take some extra flashlights as I have not checked the interior lights on this trailer. I hope not to be loading or pulling in the dark!!
I don't fish, no offence to those that do, but I'd rather be a bit tongue heavy than back heavy. I have stopped early in a pull before and addressed fishtailing. I don't like trying to control using the manual brake controller slide.

SamEYEam

Interesting Idea on solar powered fans when storing stuff. I avoided black trailers for just this purpose. The solar back up for battery charging may also make the upgrade list of possibilities.
Your post also reminded me of some battery powered closet lights I have that I can add to the go box for sticking up as needed. My check list and things to round up grows.

SamEYEam

I do believe I could get door open enough to get in and out but I hope the winch will keep that from happening. I plan to pull up to the back of the trailer and center as best I can on a chalk line yet to be snapped, goes on the to do list. I then attach winch and pull it in with axle straps on lower control arms. I should easily be able to steer the steering wheel slight turns to center while winch cools and continue this process until in correct position and attach ratchet straps. This will be aided I believe by parking facing up hill or raising bumper jack enough to keep car from freewheeling..

watson

Do you have the hooks that go into the frame slots where the tie downs attach? I believe that GM used the same thing when shipping cars back then. They go into slots at the front of the frame rail and at the rear frame kick up. They keep the tie downs low and they avoid putting a lot of stress on suspension parts etc.

pop23235

No one mentioned “Bearing Buddy” for wheel bearings. Save repacking bearings if you have good seals.

SamEYEam

I don't have in hand. I have ordered 2 for the rear kick up location and plan to use lower A arms front. I may also add a axle strap to the bottom of the axle shaft brace.

SamEYEam

A bit more progress today, I picked up a spare tire with appropriate size and wheel size as appropriate. It is on a white wheel with triangular stampings but it fits! Hopefully it is never seen outside the trailer. I also picked up a new winch battery, group 24. The one in trailer was DOA.

Tomorrow, I hope to pick up trailer after having the winch reinforcement plate added.

SamEYEam

I have not heard to many good things on this. Seems hard to find seals that are good enough to contain the hydraulic pressure of someone over pumping!

SamEYEam

A bit behind on this thread info. New battery was mounted in battery box. Chaulk line popped down the middle, Winch plate was installed and the low mileage, but 4-year-old bearings repacked, they needed it!. It has made its maiden voyage of 450 miles to the pick up location. Car is loaded and tomorrow we'll see how it pulls with a load. I will stop after a couple miles to check the load, mostly 2 lane driving. Then interstate for about 10 minutes and exit again to look. My biggest concern at this point is weight distribution for pulling.

I do appreciate the feedback on the trailer and things to do/check.

SamEYEam

Things went great today on the 400 and some mile trip. Trailer pulled like a champ, no issues, wish I could say the same for my back!

SamEYEam

One great reason for an enclosed trailer, no road debris or salt etc. on the car! Glad I went with it.