RESCUED

After a perfect weather day and a few cooperative fishes, I was headed home. Southbound on I-65 in heavy traffic near Hobart, IN, a car pulled next to me, slowed and started honking. I glanced over and the driver was yelling and pointing back towards my trailer. It wasn’t the “hey, how are you doing” friendly greeting that occasionally happens.

Not the way to get home from the lake. But thanks to BoatUS,
the price of the repair will be more than the price of the tow truck. 

  I glanced in the side view mirror and immediately noticed I could see much more of the rear tire on the trailer than is normal. Immediately, I pulled over to the berm lane as far as possible but since there’s a guard rail, I couldn’t pull over as far as I would have liked.
  With cars and trucks whizzing by only a few feet away, I snuck back to see if my instant diagnosis was correct. Yep, bearing failure.
  I carry a spare wheel hub and tools with me when trailering. However, dragging the wounded trailer to the next exit without doing permanent damage to the spindle was unlikely and I’d have been killed trying to make the repair along the road.
   Luckily, when I renew my BoatUS membership, each year, I select the “Trailering Club” option. It’s a sort of AAA for trailer boaters. I called the 800 number, relayed the information to the BoatUS lady who answered and long story short, relatively soon a flatbed pulled up to load up the boat and trailer.
   Forty-five minutes later we were unloading at my house, worse for wear, but home where better tools and cold beer resides!  The BoatUS dispatcher called with perfect timing, I handed my phone to the driver and in minutes, the deal was sealed. BoatUS paid him with a credit card, I owed zero!
   The BoatUS Trailering Club costs $14 in addition to the regular membership dues.  I asked the driver what the bill would have been. Over $300.  Money well spent.
   Even if you only live a few miles from the marina, think about the most inconvenient spot for you to have bearing problems, flat tire or some other mishap. Would $14 for help seem a wise investment?