Effects of rust on Trailers and maintenance
Many people stow away their boat over winter, however proper care and inspection is essential to ensure springtime doesn't become an expensive repair exercise.
In this article, I will like to give some hints that will help you save a lot of cost if you follow it right.
These hints will be categorized according to different Trailer accessories.
1. The frame
These days most boat trailers seem to be made of galvanized box section steel. Every time the boat is launched saltwater fills this box section. As the trailer dries in the car park the salt remains. This is where it does its nasty work by getting into little pinholes in the galvanizing. Over a period of time, rust and corrosion will eat your trailer from within unless washed thoroughly (without fail) every time you launch the boat in saltwater. Therefore to take good care of the trailer parts you need to look for some products that will help effectively combat the corrosion.
2. Rollers
Modern trailers with multi rollers sometimes known as wobble rollers pretty much look after themselves and need very little maintenance. Every now and then after launching the boat spend five minutes checking all the rollers for cracks or wear before you run back to the boat. Roller replacement is an easy process: Just pull out the split pin, slip off the washer and old roller then replace with the new one and pop back the washer and split pin - job done. Occasionally it might pay to spray some lube.
3. Hand winch, and
The winch is a reasonably basic machine and really only needs grease on the cogs and oil on the moving shafts a couple of times over the season (including winter). Pull out all the winch rope and check to see if it needs replacing. Grease both internal sides of the rope drum while the rope is unwound as a lot of saltwater comes in on the rope, which then lies against the drum causing it to rot. If you’re worried about winch handle theft I recommend drilling a small hole at the end of the handle shaft, which can fit a small removable lock pin.
4. Jockey wheel
The jockey wheel is similar to the winch; make sure the main shaft and the mechanism it pivots on is always greased. Oil the handle knob and check the tire for cracks where the shaft goes through (apply some grease to the shaft as well).
Make sure to keep tires inflated. Next time your gassing up the boat take an extra ten minutes to check the trailer tires and jockey wheel for pressure.
5. Tow coupling
Tow couplings are pretty important so make sure all is in proper working order here; again grease and oil all moving parts but before you do have a quick lookup inside the coupling for any wear that might stop the coupling locking down on the tow ball.
Also, check the bolts and welding that hold the coupling to the trailer frame and the safety chain with its D-shackle. Have a good look at the safety chain that holds the boat to the winch frame.
TOW-MAX is offering a wide range of quality trailer parts and accessories that can add value to your Trailers.
Want to know more about our product and service?
Please feel free to let me know.
Regards,
Sales Manager
Email: [email protected]