Trailer Maintenance items

[boomerFSU]

I feel like my trailer is in need of some maintenance, but I am not sure where to start. The only thing I can think of is to check the axle for damage and grease the barrings/axle? Does any one have a suggestion on what to look for and what to repair before the spring comes around. THanks for your help!

Dave

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

bunks for rot, rollers for damage, rust on trailer frame and brackets. check for loose bolts, wiring or fixture renew if needed. tires for checking and cracking. air in spare tire.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

The most overlooked items on a trailer are tire pressure, tire condition, and wheel bearings. Shooting grease into the bearings via a bearing buddy or other system is no substitute for hub disassembly, cleaning, and bearing inspection. If all is ok, repack them, reassemble and adjust. The other stuff is a matter of taking a few minutes to do a thorough visual inspection and fixing what worn or broken. That includes lights.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

winch strap, inspect and replace if necessary. a winch strap can do a lot of damage if it breaks. seems like 100 years ago, i had one snap, and break the back window of a station wagon.

 

[DJ]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

winch strap, inspect and replace if necessary. a winch strap can do a lot of damage if it breaks. seems like 100 years ago, i had one snap, and break the back window of a station wagon.

YUP! Plus:

1. Wheel bearings. Take them apart and evaluate the condition. If OK, repack and re-install with NEW seals. If not, you get the picture.

2. If the trailer has brakes, bleed the old brake fluid out and replace. Check the adjustment of the shoes (if drum). Most discs self adjust.

3. Lights. Do they all work? If not-WHY? Find out and repair.

4. Spare. Does it hold air?

5. Rollers and bunks? How do they look? If you have rollers, make sure all the retaining pins are in place. A roller going amiss will tear up the bottom of your hull in a hurry.

6. Tires. Look for weather checking and uneven wear. Pressure?

7. Winch. Strap and or cable/rope. If it's old REPLACE IT. Lube the gears with a lithium waterproof grease.

8. Fasteners. Make sure all bolts are tight and are not corroded. If they are, replace them-cheap insurance.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

When checking lights, do a brake light check first with the running lights off, then with them on. Poor grounds cause problems with the latter. Also check coupler for tightness and proper fit on your tow ball. Check the hitch, reciever and drawbar of your tow vehicle too.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

John that is why i run a continuous dedicated ground wire.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

John that is why i run a continuous dedicated ground wire.

Me too, especially with operating in a salt water environment.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

There was only one time that I bought a boat/trailer without inspecting the bearings, due to the late hour, and sure enough, had them catch fire halfway home. There is nothing like seeing that in your rearview mirrors! They welded themselves to the driveshaft, so had to change the whole driveshaft in the ditch in the mud. It was not fun, so now I take bearing lubrication/inspection very seriously.

 

[Frontrow]

Re: Trailer Maintenance items

There was only one time that I bought a boat/trailer without inspecting the bearings, due to the late hour, and sure enough, had them catch fire halfway home. There is nothing like seeing that in your rearview mirrors! They welded themselves to the driveshaft, so had to change the whole driveshaft in the ditch in the mud. It was not fun, so now I take bearing lubrication/inspection very seriously.

Newbie asking here...so my thanks in advance for the education.

I think I've got bearing buddies....sealed bearings with grease nipple accessible...I just bought the boat/trailer in late May and have towed it only about 300 miles total so far. I've got a vacation coming up and will be towing it 250 miles each way and a few times around the lake areas to different launches.

How often do the bearings need to be lubricated?

What type of grease?

How often should the bearings be repacked? Once a year, twice?

All bolts, winch, tire pressure (new tires), lights look and work well. (No brakes.)