For those of us who tow our boat, do you inspect it ?

[Bt Doctur]

Found a rusted out center drop axle and wasnt really concerned last year because I was going to replace it this spring. Due to weather and what not I finally launched my boat and brought the trailer home to do the work. I was aware of the center but not this. Luck was with me I guess because it could have gotten ugly on the road.
So make sure you check between the springs and hub for a rusted away axle not just where it drains.
Have a Safe Season

 

[mike_i]

Good thing you caught it.

 

[rolmops]

That could have caused some serious damage on the road. Imagine that one wheel deciding to go off by itself.
Yes, I do inspect the trailer yearly for nasty stuff like that.
In NY every trailer has to be inspected yearly, but I doubt that this sort of thing would have been picked up on. The inspector usually checks if the lights work, and if there, the brakes are checked. And of course the chains. Beyond that, not much, for the $10 it costs, you don't really get a proper inspection., just the bare minimum.

 

[Lou C]

I do inspect mine several times a year, anything questionable gets replaced.

 

[airshot]

What to many horror stories around my area due to the boating popularity of being in the "Walleye Capital" ...You would be shocked at what you see at the launch ramp after the boats are off the trailers ! Gives a person a real kick in the pants to check their own trailers.

 

[Lou C]

It’s just crazy because your whole investment in boating is riding on it!

 

[Grub54891]

Had a guy come to the shop a couple years ago, He had just towed his boat 150 miles on vacation, and he saw the cross member was rusted through. Just bought the boat a week before. Every crossmember was ready to give up the ghost! We couldn't weld anything in as there was not enough meat left anywhere on the side rails. He was lucky to have made it here. All we could do is tell him he has to find a good trailer and sent him some ideas where he could get a new one, but every trailer mfg was around 100 miles away. Don't know what ever happened but he left. Surprising thing was the trailer looked fairly new and solid, nice and shiny. Rusted from the inside out.

 

[Lou C]

even if I were in fresh water I would never ever have a painted trailer
just as bad as old cars
Galvanized is my preference, even here, they are just about a lifetime trailer...
Mine's a 1994 Load Rite, the original frame is in great shape, I scoped it with my endoscope camera....

 

[Captain Caveman]

My boat is trailered everywhere that it goes. After dropping the boat into the lake and parking my truck/trailer, I usually do a quick visual inspection of the trailer. I will often spin the rollers, move anything that is supposed to pivot, etc. I've spotted bolts getting ready to come loose.

 

[aspeck]

I boat fresh water and trailer everywhere I go. The bearings are inspected a couple times a year, but that didn't stop one from disintegrating last year. The trailer itself is a galvanized trailer, but it gets a walk around every time out ... looking at wires/lights, bolts, rollers, etc. It doesn't take long to do a quick visual check and make sure you don't loose your boat on the way to the water ...

 

[airshot]

Had a guy come to the shop a couple years ago, He had just towed his boat 150 miles on vacation, and he saw the cross member was rusted through. Just bought the boat a week before. Every crossmember was ready to give up the ghost! We couldn't weld anything in as there was not enough meat left anywhere on the side rails. He was lucky to have made it here. All we could do is tell him he has to find a good trailer and sent him some ideas where he could get a new one, but every trailer mfg was around 100 miles away. Don't know what ever happened but he left. Surprising thing was the trailer looked fairly new and solid, nice and shiny. Rusted from the inside out.

Many trailer frames have no drain holes in the frame....they need to have some if the welded frame seems to have most of it enclosed. Especially boxed frames, mine is mostly U shaped frame so not an issue.

 

[cyclops222]

Holes drilled in boxed or tube frames will rust. As new holes are drilled thru the metal coverings.
All holes must be drilled out. Before it is dipped into hot plating tank.