BRAKES
If your boat trailer has brakes, typically they’re of the surge type. A whole column can be written on maintaining and repairing surge brakes. We’ll get to that in another issue. A quick check over includes:
- Check fluid level in the coupler master cylinder reservoir and top off if necessary. Be sure to use the correct type of fluid for your system (check with your dealer).
- Ensure there’s no water in the reservoir (if so, the system must be drained, cleaned and refilled with fresh fluid).
- Check the brake lines and fittings for excess rust, rust-through or kinks, cuts and breaks.
- Tow a short distance and stop forcibly, ensuring that the surge brakes are doing their job.
- Check the safety breakaway cable and make sure it’s not kinked, frayed or broken—and connect it to the hitch when towing!
FRAME, SUSPENSION, WHEELS AND TIRES
While you’re checking the brakes, the tires and wheels should be given the once-over. Check for correct tire pressure, and give the tires a visual check for sidewall cracking or abnormal tread wear. Look underneath at the axle, suspension and mounting hardware as you check for cracks, rust and loose fasteners. Make sure the fenders aren’t so close to the tires that they’ll cut into them. Check the lug nuts for proper tightness. Take a look at the wheel bearings to make sure they have enough grease. Grease them or change the grease if necessary. Finally, lie on a creeper and roll around under the trailer as you visually inspect the frame for cracks, rust or broken frame members.
GET LOADED AND GONE
With the vehicle, tires and tools loaded, check the trailer’s ride attitude. Is it level, or tilted to one side? Make sure your load is distributed evenly both side-to-side and fore-to-aft.
Lastly, make sure your load is secured with adequate tie downs and that all the tie downs are in good condition with no frayed webbing or loose ratcheting mechanisms. While a complete checkup like this can delay your departure for a half-hour, you’ll be surprised at how much more confident you are while trailering—and that can translate to a more-rested attitude out on the water. That’s what it’s all about, right? After all, what’s worse—getting there a half-hour later due to a thorough pre-trip check, or a day or more later due to a malfunction that could have been corrected before the trip?
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