Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

[MilChad]

Anybody do this to prevent flat spotted tires? If so, are there blocks you can buy or something else creative people have done? Is this a waste of time?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

I've always thought it would be a good idea to put the trailer on blocks for the winter to prevent flat spotting tires, BUT I've never gotten around to doing it. If I ever do I'll probably use a couple of jack-stands or cement blocks to rest in on. Good Luck!

 

[MilChad]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

Yeah, jack stands is what I was thinking about using. You could probably get some cheap at harbor freight.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

I've done this for the past 6 years and truly believe that I have avoided the trailer tire tragedies others have suffered. I have not had a blow out, tread separation or other issue since I started jacking up the trailer between uses. I don't do it if the trailer will be sitting for a week or less but otherwise I do. My trailer has a separate under-frame that holds the running gear. The back beam is a heavy channel that sits below the main frame. I crank the tongue jack all the way down, put the jackstands under the heavy channel and crank the jack back up. It takes almost all the weight off the tires. I can almost spin the front wheels and the rears are just touching the ground. I also take the tires off the trailer for the winter and store them in the garage. Then I just leave the trailer on the stands and it sits there for 6 months. I have Goodyear Marathons on my trailer that are now 4 years old and have close to 10,000 miles on them and they still look very good.
It only takes me 15 minutes to do it and I think it helps.

 

[jkust]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

I have gotten the flat spot and the subsequent blow out on a long tow last season. I tried to put the Chaparral and trailer up on Jacks just to try it out a few years back and the weight of the Chap crushed them in about 10 seconds contrary to their weight limitations. One of my Trailers is a snowmobile trailer that hasn't been towed in a few years due to so much snow locally and I'm afraid both tires will have flat spots.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

Yep, I did this last year and intend to do it again. Just used jack stands ^^^^ and the trailer jack in the front to keep it balanced. Stacked some 2x4's in the back just for safety.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

I set mine on jackstands and pull the wheels off during the winter. Boat won't be going anywhere, wheels won't be rusting in the snow, tires won't have a flat spot.

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

Jackstands ( on 1/4" plywood ) on both sides of the axles plus the boat is wrapped in a tarp. Plenty of decon mouse poison in the boat too.


24' Starcraft pontoon on dual axle trailer

Works great

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

This is a completely inapprorpriate thread. Next thing you'll be asking about is winterizing the motor.

Its still August yet. Winter is ......er....still weeks away. Now you gave me sour anticipation!

To answer the question.....don't waste your time. The current quality of tires precludes this troublesome task. Used to do it religiously years ago, but not needed any more.

That's my experience. Heard thumping in the 1960's, so blocked up thru the 1980's. Stopped in the 1990's and havent heard a thump since.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

complete waste of time. any flat spots your tires develop will be gone in a mile of towing. It doesn't damage or hurt the tire in any way.

 

[rbh]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

Make sure they are inflated, and do not park on grass, if ya gotta put some wood under the tires.

 

[beason]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

i was planning on getting two of these

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/trailer_jack.jpg

 

[MilChad]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

This is a completely inapprorpriate thread. Next thing you'll be asking about is winterizing the motor.

Its still August yet. Winter is ......er....still weeks away. Now you gave me sour anticipation!

To answer the question.....don't waste your time. The current quality of tires precludes this troublesome task. Used to do it religiously years ago, but not needed any more.

That's my experience. Heard thumping in the 1960's, so blocked up thru the 1980's. Stopped in the 1990's and havent heard a thump since.

Sorry to bring you down, just trying to get some useful information. Yep, cold weather sucks!

 

[skargo]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

I poured some concrete where my trailer tires sit, no issues come spring. I also have hot rods that sit all winter in my garage, no issues with them either. It's more important to protect them from UV rays if you can.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Boat trailer up on blocks during winter?

Make sure to bring the air pressure to specs for the rig after the cold weather sets in. Keep them off the grass. You won't have a problem. Replace at 3-4 years.