There is a common misconception about a boat trailer that they are a part of the watercraft, when it couldn’t be any further from the truth. That said, boat trailers do play a huge part in the overall experience, whether it is boating or towing. You’d be surprised to see the large number of boat owners who don’t maintain or inspect their boat trailers. This often results in multiple issues when they get their boat ready for the water.
Fortunately, avoiding issues like these is relatively straightforward with some fundamental maintenance tips. Mentioned below are some helpful tips that will help you prepare your boat for spring and summers:
- Inspect your tires for wear and tear along with the PSI levels
- Check the trailer brakes for dirt and debris and clean them thoroughly
- Consider using wheel bearing protectors to prevent the accumulation of dirt
- Examine the trailer lights to ensure they aren’t dim or flickering
- Acquire the services of a professional auto repair service to check your boat trailer’s brake pads
Three things that should be on Your Boat Trailer Maintenance Checklist
While there are plenty of things you should check and inspect in your boat trailer, the three components mentioned below should be on top of your checklist.
Wheel Bearings
If your boat trailer has faulty bearings, there is a good chance that you will face trouble sooner rather than later. Old bearings, in particular, can gather rust along with the wear and tear resulting from years of use. While most boat trailers have bearing protectors, some do not. If your boat trailer doesn’t have a protector for its wheel bearings, consider getting them right away to make sure your trailer remains well-balanced.
The Lights on the trailer
Check your boat trailer’s lights for corrosion, flickering, wear and tear etc. Sometimes, spotting problems with the trailer lights can be quite difficult, which is why you should consider getting a professional auto repair service to analyze them.
Check Brakes
Boat trailers, especially most of the modern ones have brakes. Cleaning the brakes is critical to make sure you can take your boat to the water without any inconveniences. Not heeding this advice could lead to corrosion and significantly deteriorate your boat’s looks and overall performance. You should also consider checking your trailer’s brake pads for damage. As you would expect, using trailers on a regular basis can worsen its quality, resulting in poor performance.
Fortunately, a professional repair service knows what it takes to address these issues. What’s more, these pros will also check your boat trailer’s brake fluids and other essential fluids, making sure it is ready for long trips during the spring season.