Now that we’ve seen the bits to keep the trailer secure, it’s time to see what else goes with owning a trailer. At least in my cluttered brain.
After I bought the trailer I discovered I needed a couple of MONSTER wrenches to attach the ball, and a lug wrench for the trailer wheels, and some rope and/or bungee cords to secure the load and and and … I decided I didn’t want this stuff rattling around my trunk, which is where it all started out.
SO, I chose a relatively small truck box to mount on the tongue ahead of the trailer deck. Tractor Supply to the rescue again! This one is plastic, pretty compact, and inexpensive. It has a hasp to lock it closed. (I love my padlocks!) It’s also pretty spacious. Ok, maybe not spacious, but there’s enough room for me to put all my trailer gear in.
Trailer Trunk
My trailer gear is all those things I listed above, plus a couple of wheel chocks.
Wheel Chocks
Oh, and a cold steel chisel. And a prybar. And some zip-ties with a pair of cutters. And a measuring tape. And a couple pair of gloves. And a hammer. And a long socket driver (lug wrench). And a ratchet with adapter and extension. And a knife kit. And a socket set. And an open end wrench. Ok, so that’s a lot of ANDs. But that all goes in the big bag.
The Big Bag Contents
The contents of the small bag is a little easier to list. It’s my bungee cord kit. Several lengths (pairs) of standard bungee cords, a bunch of small ones and some plastic bits to help utilize them. There are also two cans of flat goo in a can. I have a compressor in the trunk of the car as well. If a tire goes flat, I can squirt this stuff in then inflate the tire.
The Small Bag Contents
The five bundles of rope are now in the big bag, too. When I inventoried and reloaded everything the other day, I noticed there was plenty of room in the big bag, so the rope went in. The giant crescent wrench was the easiest way to get hold of the ball itself. The open end wrench fits the nut on the bottom. The crescent wrench won’t fit in the bag no matter how I angle it, so it sits in the trailer box. I have a tarp that is larger than the base of the trailer. That way I can fit it down around the cargo. That sits in the trailer box with the crescent wrench.
Tarp and Ropes
The last few items that sit in the trailer trunk are the wheel for the jack and the base plate for the jack. If I want to move the trailer by itself, I put the wheel on the end of the jack. For when it’s just going to sit at the end of the driveway, the base plate does the trick.
Wheel and Base Plate
Finally, is the alignment assist tool. I know, it looks like a couple of rods with tennis balls. Pretty close, actually, but the rods telescope. They can be adjusted to nearly the same height, one on the trailer, one on the hitch.
I could take the ball off and place the tennis ball at the end of the hitch, but it sits there nicely enough.
Alignment Tool on the Car
Of course, with the tennis ball sitting below the trunk deck, it won’t do much good, so I’ll raise it.
Alignment Tool Raised
Likewise, I have the other tennis ball on the end of the tongue of the trailer, just ahead of the trailer ball latch.
Alignment Tool on the Trailer
Backing up to the trailer with the Alignment Assist Tool in place makes it as simple as touching the balls together. Almost.
The View from FAR Away
If they actually touch, I’ve gotten too close. Or, the tongue of the trailer will knock off the one on the car.
Must be really close now!
Hmmm, after getting as close as I think I dare, it’s obvious I need more practice.
Apparently not.
Maybe I should make a mark on the jack cylinder to indicate the proper height.
A little more practice
Next up, the conclusion, Part 3, Bugging Out?
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