Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

[zam88]

I own an old boat, with a pretty old boat trailer... they are both vintage 1973. (inherited in 2007)

I store my boat within 0.3 miles of the lake launch ramp, thus i've really never trailed the boat more than a mile or so.

I would like to take the boat to a lake about 150 miles away, but I'm concerned about trailering and the trailer in general:

1) I have had the tires replaced on the trailer within the last year, so the rubber is new... what other things should i be assessing to determine whether the trailer is roadworthy for a longer voyage? wheel bearings?
I'm currently working to get the lights on the trailer up and running.

2) The boat + trailer weighs about 4500-4600 lbs. in my estimation with a full tank (50 gal) and some gear... my 6 cylinder trailblazer is rated to tow 5500 lbs.. but am I pushing it to use a 6 cylindar vehicle for a major tow job like that?

thanks for any advice from Boat/trailer owners.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Repack, and or replace wheel bearings, check setup, and inspect for damage anywhere. This would be the very min.

 

[zam88]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Repack, and or replace wheel bearings, check setup, and inspect for damage anywhere. This would be the very min.

If i wanted to do a lot more than the minimum.. what else would i do

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

yes inspect the wheel bearings and seals, repack or and replace if needed, and inspect the lights and hitch coupling, and the winch line or strap and the transom tie downs , and if possable have a spair tire, lug wrench and jack capable of lifting the boat, all things any boater should keep on hand

 

[blacksmith04]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

A spare hub with seals and packed bearings should be added to the list of things to have on hand.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

If i wanted to do a lot more than the minimum.. what else would i do

Ayuh,... Wirebrush it, 'n paint it,..??

Chrome Wheels,..??

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Ayuh,... Wirebrush it, 'n paint it,..??

Chrome Wheels,..??

SPINNERS! lol

 

[roscoe]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Have the brakes checked out for proper operation.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

check over all the welds and make sure there are no crack, bearings, safety chains, brakes and proper functioning hitch. if you want to do more you can grind or sandblast and prime and paint rewire with new lights.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

...make sure the axle is straight and not bent even a little or it will blow out tires left and right.....

 

[zam88]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Have the brakes checked out for proper operation.

The trailer does not have its own brakes, but the ones on my trailblazer are working well

 

[zam88]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

...make sure the axle is straight and not bent even a little or it will blow out tires left and right.....

this seems like good advice, how would i assess that though?

in the 0.3 miles i've trailered it back and forth from over the past several years its done well

 

[zam88]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

A spare hub with seals and packed bearings should be added to the list of things to have on hand.

I have a spare wheel. Tell me more about seals and packed bearings

 

[zopperman]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Some of us have learned the hard way... extra bearings are really important when your wheel starts going side to side and you break down in the right lane.. an extra hub is really great when that wheel comes off and wears down your studs so you can avoid 150 bucks in towing fees.. wish I'd known that!

Make sure everything is greased up. Check the inner and outer seals for wear and tear -- probably best to just replace them.

Jack up the trailer and spin the wheels -- if they are smooth, then the bearings are likely OK. if they rumble and make bad noises, then you might want to replace the bearings.

Packing bearings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRdOb7C9Wvg

Hope that helps. They have a lot of good trailer help videos.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

The trailer does not have its own brakes, but the ones on my trailblazer are working well

Hmmmm, tow vehicle 5000#, towing over 5000# without brakes, not wise.


Well that only puts you in violation in 90% of the states and all of the provinces.

Where are you located?

Crossing any state lines?

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Zam, The only good way to tell if your axle is truly bent is to take it to frame shop in your area. That way, they can assess all the critical parts needed to make a 150 mile trip. Good luck.

 

[BMK GUY]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Your blazer 6 cyl is probably not enough hp to climb a steep hill. But of more concern should be your breaking ability. It's one thing to tow a boat up a hill. But the concern for breaking downhill safety is of more concern. If you have breaks, check the pair, check the lines, and check the master unit. If you have the opportunity, most auto parts will sell a marine grade bearing grease. Also if you don't have Bearing Buddies, I would recommend them.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

You might be overestimting your rig's weight. How big is the boat? Do you have any reason to suspect a bent axle? Uneven tire wear?

You said you don't have breaks, you might NEED them as per what Roscoe said about your state law...

 

[slag]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Hmmmm, tow vehicle 5000#, towing over 5000# without brakes, not wise.


Well that only puts you in violation in 90% of the states and all of the provinces.

Where are you located?

Crossing any state lines?

What? Your math (and reading) stinks.

"The boat + trailer weighs about 4500-4600 lbs"

"my 6 cylinder trailblazer is rated to tow 5500 lbs"

 

[slag]

Re: Old Boat Trailer... need to assess roadworthiness - help

Your blazer 6 cyl is probably not enough hp to climb a steep hill. But of more concern should be your breaking ability. It's one thing to tow a boat up a hill. But the concern for breaking downhill safety is of more concern. If you have breaks, check the pair, check the lines, and check the master unit. If you have the opportunity, most auto parts will sell a marine grade bearing grease. Also if you don't have Bearing Buddies, I would recommend them.

brakes
brakes
brakes

Ditto for Zopperman. It's brakes.