Boat Trailer Maintenance Tips
— July 23, 2019 | 2 min read
Those fortunate enough to spend time out on the water understand that maintenance is a natural part of boating and boat ownership. After all, anything that is exposed to water and involves mechanical components will require attention at some point in time. Maintaining the boat trailer is equally as important.
We’ve put together several tips on how to keep your boat trailer in good working condition for many years to come.
PROPERLY CLEAN YOUR TRAILER TO PREVENT CORROSION
Trailers that are consistently exposed to water will need to be thoroughly washed after each use to ensure corrosion doesn’t seep in. While this is definitely the case for any boating activity in salt water, it’s still highly recommended for fresh water boat trailers too. Aluminium trailers will be significantly more resistant to rust than steel trailers, however care should be shown to both.
Using soapy water, scrub the main areas of concern which include suspension components, braking systems and rollers/runners. Many of these areas are difficult to access, therefore jacking up the trailer will allow you to get stuck in and thoroughly clean hard to reach places. A rinse off with clean water (high pressure water is even better) then allow to dry before placing into storage or under cover.
CHECK THE TYRES
Tyres are the connection that your trailer has to the road, and are arguably the most important part to ensure your boat’s safety while on the road.
It is always best to ensure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, too high and you will be lacking grip at high speeds and too low and there will be too much strain placed on the sidewalls – both scenarios will cause you premature tyre wear and the potential to lose control of your boat.
Make sure you keep an eye on how much tread is left on your trailer’s tyres. Just like your car, your trailer will lose grip once the tread wears down. Every tyre has a “tread wear indicator” which is usually a groove that sits in between the tread pattern. Once your tread is at the same height as the indicator, it is time to change the tyres!
Believe it or not, but tyres also have a use-by date. Old tyres are often overlooked but are just as dangerous as completely worn tyres, and can cause blow-outs or a loss of traction. Old tyres will start to show signs of age and stress such as cracking and going firm/hard, but age can also be determined by the age numbers on the sidewall of the tyre.
One other important tyre related factor is to check on your trailer include any signs of scrubbing against the guard, as consistent scrubbing of tyre to metal will result in a blow-out.
WHEEL BEARINGS
Wheel bearings are crucial to a freely moving trailer and can make a huge difference to fuel economy if they start to seize. Signs of seized wheel bearings include grease forming around the outside of the wheel hub and the sound of squeaks and grinding noises. Wheels will also stop spinning freely - this can easily be tested by trying to push the trailer by hand.
The best way to check for wheel bearing issues is to jack the trailer up off the ground and thoroughly inspect the wheels, check that the wheels spin freely and that the hubs are clean. If needed or in doubt, replace the bearings and apply fresh bearing grease.
LIGHTS AND WIRING
The electrical components of your trailer are crucial for other road users to know your driving intentions whilst towing. Not only is this a safety concern for the motorists around you, but it is also a legal requirement to have fully functioning lighting and wiring on your trailer and it could land you a hefty fine if you’re not careful.
It’s best that you give the lighting and wiring system of your trailer regular tests – best practice is to check the lights each time you connect the trailer to your vehicle. Ensure you test brake lights, indicators, reverse lights and any side running lights you may have installed.
If you are experiencing concerns with the lights intermittently flickering on and off, or the wrong lights are displaying on your trailer as compared to the car, it might be best to check your Trailer Connector. Any lighting inconsistencies are usually to do with the connector, and sometimes a simple clean of the connection is all is needed. If you continue to have trouble, installing a new Trailer Connector will eliminate any concerns, especially when upgrading to the latest Narva technology.
Trailer lighting has also come a long way in recent times. If your trailer still has halogen globes (the traditional ‘light bulb’), it may be worth considering an upgrade to L.E.D lighting which are much brighter, more durable and have a far greater lifespan. When you decide to upgrade, ensure you select lighting that is designed for marine use to ensure no problems when water is involved when casting off or loading up your boat at the boat ramp. Narva’s Model 36 and Model 37 will do the trick, with Narva’s Model 37 being engineered for use on boat trailers with regular submersion and meeting IP68 standards.
SUSPENSION COMPONENTS
Most boat trailers will be fitted with leaf spring suspension, and while it is indeed still the most cost effective and suitable option for the job, it does come with its own set of maintenance requirements. Check for corrosion and cracking on the components and replace if necessary.
As mentioned in point 1, proper cleaning will go a long way to extending the life of these components. A hard ride or over-bouncing on bumpy roads are typical signs for giving the suspension in your trailer some love.