Annual trailer maintenance

[ragingrhino]

Its nearly boating season up here in the Northeast. Congrats we made it!!

I bought my first boat last July and got it out on the Chesapeake 8 times before the end of the season. I did my full winterization and it was stored/parked at my house over the winter. I made sure the snow was cleaned off, though we didnt get much, and then two weekends ago I de-winterized it and now its ready for the water.

My question is what kind of trailer maintenance does everyone suggest? I checked my electronics and also made sure the winch is in working order but what about tires, brakes, bumps, etc? I tow everywhere and the closest body of water is about an hour away for me to get the boat off the trailer so what can i do with it on the trailer?

Appreciate all the help.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Its nearly boating season up here in the Northeast. Congrats we made it!!

I bought my first boat last July and got it out on the Chesapeake 8 times before the end of the season. I did my full winterization and it was stored/parked at my house over the winter. I made sure the snow was cleaned off, though we didnt get much, and then two weekends ago I de-winterized it and now its ready for the water.

My question is what kind of trailer maintenance does everyone suggest? I checked my electronics and also made sure the winch is in working order but what about tires, brakes, bumps, etc? I tow everywhere and the closest body of water is about an hour away for me to get the boat off the trailer so what can i do with it on the trailer?

Appreciate all the help.

First question, have you been keeping up the greasing on the bearing buddies?
Have you greased the center spring pivot?

Next thing would be to check the brake fluid and use the manual bleed pump to make sure your brakes build pressure. Since the trailer is new I’d suggest bleeding the brakes thoroughly to make sure there is no air in the system.

Are you boating in salt or fresh water?

 

[anmut]

Grease bearings.
Grease trailer spring bushing.
Spray everything with Yamalube.
Check surge brake "tank."
Rotate tires.
Check brake pad wear.

 

[ragingrhino]

First question, have you been keeping up the greasing on the bearing buddies?
Have you greased the center spring pivot?

Next thing would be to check the brake fluid and use the manual bleed pump to make sure your brakes build pressure. Since the trailer is new I’d suggest bleeding the brakes thoroughly to make sure there is no air in the system.

Are you boating in salt or fresh water?

I havent greased anything because boat and trailer were bought new last July.
Boating in fresh water so salt build up isnt an issue.

 

[ragingrhino]

Grease bearings.
Grease trailer spring bushing.
Spray everything with Yamalube.
Check surge brake "tank."
Rotate tires.
Check brake pad wear.

Thank you

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I havent greased anything because boat and trailer were bought new last July.
Boating in fresh water so salt build up isnt an issue.

The bearing buddies need regular checks, especially when new as all the air pockets haven’t been purged out of the hubs. BB’s keep a constant 3psi of grease pressure inside the hub so water cannot get in. I’m going to bet that all of the pistons are bottomed out, check them first by pushing on the side of the piston around its circumference and if it doesn’t wobble add enough marine grease with a grease gun to bring the pistons out 1/2”. Take the grease gun with you on your next trip and check the BB’s again when you arrive at your boating location and check the BB’s again, if they are bottomed out, add grease until the pistons wobble. Launch your boat and go have fun. When you come back in, check them again, if needed add more grease. This process takes a while until all the air is purged out. Then unless there is a leak you’ll just be checking them.

Same with the spring center pivot, this needs regular greasing to keep it from rusting. Add grease with a grease gun until it spooges out on both sides of the pivot. Wipe off excess. You’ll need to add grease on a regular basis until you determine a schedule for how often they need greasing.

 

[anmut]

If the trailer is brand new, I would (and many others would as well) highly recommend upgrading to Goodyear Endurance radial tires vs. keeping the china bombs that Shorelander installs.