Road trip woes

This story could have had a much worse ending than where I actually ended up. I headed back to Canada from Florida at 5am going straight up I95. If you have made the drive you know that it is usually high volume traffic and high speed to go with it. It is part of my routine to check the trailer at every gas stop so when I jumped out of the truck I turned to go back to the trailer. Two steps in and I knew I was in trouble. The Port side bearing had disintegrated and the spindle was resting on the hub. Remember I had just come off the highway and had been doing an easy 70mph. I don't know if it would have lasted more than another mile before the wheel came off. It would not have been a pretty sight at that speed and someone was surely looking out for me that morning. I am in small town Georgia and some of the horror stories I have heard about folks getting ripped off are going through my head. I have a bearing kit but I have never had to change one so I guess I am half prepared. Anyway the folks at the gas bar called a tire shop who said they would take me right in and they called a tow truck for me. Two hours later and I am on the road and very impressed with this small town in Georgia. Tow bill for two guys and a flatbed.$75. Changing out my bearing with the one I had plus doing the other side with one of theirs {just in case} was $145. Fairly happy ending to what could have been a tragic day. So lesson one is always carry a spare hub assembly or bearing kits. Even if you don't know how to fix it someone will and it can be tough to find the right bearing when you are stranded. Lesson two is check your trailer often. To top it all off, our first tournament of the season was last Saturday and one of the guys took out a wheel bearing just before he got to the launch. Unfortunately he did not have a bearing kit with him and it looks like a special order.