What should be maintained on a trailer?

[joe8739]

Besides the tires and bearings which I always check the grease level, and I just changed them last year anyways, what else should I do it to? Its a galvanized trailer so there is no rust. I do notice rust on all the nuts and bolts though. Leaf springs squeek, then I just shoot some oil on them and they are fine. I dont see any cracks or anything on them. Its only been in salt water a couple of times and I always took it right down to a freshwater lake afterwards and dunked it or hosed it off. Anything else I should do? Thanks.

 

[DJ]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

Joey,<br /><br />I'll give you a quick "run down" on what has served me well. By the way, I have NEVER had a trailer failure, of any kind.<br /><br />1. Tire pressure. Set (cold) to max tire rating.<br /><br />2. Check wheel lug nut torque (every 500 miles)<br /><br />3. Bearings. Repack once per season (fall) and maintain bearing buddies.<br /><br />4. Check all bolts for tightness (seasonal-fall).<br /><br />5. Check coupler and chains.<br /><br />6. Check operation of ALL trailer lights before each trip. Carry spare trailer light bulbs and a few small sections of wire with the appropriate connectors, etc.

 

[nimmor]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

That is a pretty good list. I would add one thing, and the same can go for your vehicle. Check the spare tire. I don't know how many people have had a flat and come to realize that their spare was flat also.

 

[djvan]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

Remove the lug nuts every other year or so. That way you won't have a flat on the road and find that they are so rusted on you can't remove them. If you have lug nuts without open ends they don't corrode so much. I always use never seize on anything that I intend to take apart again, including lug nuts or lug bolts. <br /> By the way some campers and older trailers have left hand threaded nuts (or bolts) on the left side. <br /><br />DougV>

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

I don't know if it's advisable, but I also make sure the ball and coupler have some grease on them which goes along with DJ's #5. <br /><br />Along with the spare, you might want to make sure you have some way of jacking up the trailer in case a tire needs to be changed. And make sure you have a lug wrench to fit the trailer lugs. They may be different size than your tow vehicle.

 

[DJ]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

All good additions.

 

[jtexas]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

Originally posted by BoatBuoy:<br /> <br />Along with the spare, you might want to make sure you have some way of jacking up the trailer in case a tire needs to be changed. And make sure you have a lug wrench to fit the trailer lugs. They may be different size than your tow vehicle.

YES! If you get a new vehicle, check the lug wrench for size. Happened to me, luckily at the storage yard and not on the road. Also make sure you have what you need to make the new jack work - for example I need to make sure I've got a 6-inch block to put under it for it to lift the trailer.<br /><br />BTW, my boat stays at a boat yard, so I might not see it for a few weeks at a time. I put cinder blocks under the trailer frame on each side (with a couple inches of clearance) so in case a tire starts losing pressure it won't end up sitting on the rim. It's happened a couple times and saved me from ruining tires.

 

[nimmor]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

The blocks reminded me of something. In the winter when your boat sits for a long period of time it is a good ideal to put the trailer up on blocks to keep the tires from getting a flat spot.

 

[ED21]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

Don't forget to make sure the lights are working properly. It's not uncommon for connections & sockets to corrode.

 

[wajajaja]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

for about 10 bucks you can have trailer breakdown insurance from boatus or about 18 bucks triple aaa, will endorse you membership for any type of trailered vehical to be treated the same as a the tow vehical. i m sure all motor clubs have some nominal trailer rider.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

Winch Strap, Rope, or Cable whatever you use you should check that too.<br /><br />I recently had an experience that woke me up! My 22' Cuddy was just about winched up to the stop and snap! The winch strap threads broke where they were sewed and the boat was instantly relaunched. Thankfully the strap was only a foot away from the winch. Had that had happened sooner I probably would have taken the strap across my head.<br /><br />Check the connections.<br /><br />Bob

 

[rpddoc]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

Joey De, there is nothing like breaking down on the side of the hwy out in BFE because of bad bearings. A 4 way lug wrench, trailor jack, spare hub kit and a wrench or socket to take the hub nut off is some awesome stuff to have. Since most of us have (hopefully) a decent spare tire, the above items are just smart things to carry. You won't have to call for a flatbed wrecker to bring that broke down joyful ride home. Even though we all repack bearings every year, it never fails that at some point in time, if you trailor enough, something will happen. Besides, if it doesn't happen to you, it might be someone else you know that brought their boat also.<br /><br />TakeEm

 

[achris]

Re: What should be maintained on a trailer?

One of my favorite fishing/diving places is 300 miles away. I do the trip about 3 or 4 times a year. The list of spares I carry includes most of the above AND spare lug nuts. I've had some stolen in the past. Maintenance should also include have a good look at all the welds and stress points on the trailer frame. I found a stress crack at the base of the winch post on mine. Weld up job fixed that nice and quickly.<br /><br />Chris............