Trailer maintance

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />I just bought a new boat and I'm somewhat of a neat freak. After every trip to a fresh water lake I wash the boat down. I spray down the trailer also. Is there any other maintenance issue that I need to the trailer to keep it in good shape after every use/month? I do notice some rust spots in this new trailer already and brought it to the attention of the dealer. They said they will take care of it on my 20 hour maintance visit. Is it common to get little rust spots here and there? What's the best way to deal with it before it get out of hand? The boat will be trailer in the gargage. THanks.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Trailer maintance

Yes, boat trailers will get rust spots. Boats will get scratches. Ask your dealer about paint. You can get some touch-up paint to fix those spots as they occur.<br /><br />Maintaining appearances is the best way to safeguard your boat's resale value, for sure. On the other hand, I have a friend who worries so much about getting scratches on the gelcoat of his new bass boat that he hardly ever uses it, and when he does he stays far away from shore...in deep water. He doesn't catch many fish.<br /><br />He likes to go fishing with me, in my almost 40-year-old boat that's covered with scratches and worse. I get up close and personal with the reeds, and have been known to ground the boat from time to time. When he goes with me, he catches fish. He still hasn't figured out why.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Trailer maintance

Originally posted by nightvision:<br /> Hi all,<br />I just bought a new boat and I'm somewhat of a neat freak. After every trip to a fresh water lake I wash the boat down. I spray down the trailer also. Is there any other maintenance issue that I need to the trailer to keep it in good shape after every use/month?

Don't worry so much about the looks of the trailer, learn to keep the tires inflated to the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewalls and how to maintain the wheel bearings and brake system. These are the things that can leave you on the side of the road.

 

[burp]

Re: Trailer maintance

nightvision, If it's a painted trailer a good set of mudflaps on the tow vehicle will greatly reduce the number of paint chips/rust spots that you "collect" on the trailer. Some of the mudflaps slide over the trailer hitch draw bar making them easy to install and remove. www.mudflaps.com is where I picked my mudflaps up at.