Jodie

If you're practicing changing tires, when you have the lug nuts loose, apply a few drops of oil or a small dab of grease to each of the wheel stud threads. When the lug nuts are tightened, you will be able to properly torque them. More importantly, they will not rust in place, making it more difficult to break them loose during the next removal. 

Your mechanic friend will be able to show you how to tighten the lug nuts in an "X" pattern. Chad's idea of a long breaker bar is a good one, and I've seen some that have a sliding handle that shortens the overall length by half during storage. It is much easier to use than a four way.

You're doing very well.   Gard

Hi Gard,

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. Driving a truck and trailer is a fun, albeit challenging learning experience. I've learned so much from you, and, others who have shared their experience and advice.

It has been very cold here lately (our temperatures are in celcius btw). I was outside with the farrier for over an hour this morning and my feet were absolutely frozen. Maybe living in a more temperate climate would be nice. Snakes aren't so bad are they?

I saw my friend's mechanic husband this afternoon, however, it is too cold to change a tire today! I did ask him if the dually is too wide to drive through those Esso car washes and he said it is. Maybe I would have had the spatial ability to come to that conclusion before driving in and getting stuck...

Regards,

Jodie 

Hi Reinergirl,

Wow, driving 1100 miles with horses in tow sounds like a it would be difficult enough even with everything mechanical working perfectly. Good thing you had observant friends to help you out. Driving without trailer brakes must have been very stressful! Good thing you didn't have to make any sudden stops.

BTW, how did you make out at the reining futurity?

Regards,

Jodie

Glad nothing happened..as they say no harm,no foul. Fact of the matter is, there is always the chance something might go wrong even if we take all the safety precautions in the world, follow every rule, and cover all the bases...fact of life -shit happens. It wouldn't stop me from hauling my horse and going places. Don't let this make you nervous or hestiant in the least. Just learn from it,knowing you are far more capable of dealing with problems than you think and keep on truckin.......

Yep, I had to be really careful. I had 3 horses and a 15' LQ, so I was worried, until I reached OKC. The whole trip was not one of my best. In addition to all the mechanical problems, I missed the finals by a 1/2 point! But I got home safe and looking forward to a better show season next year.