Part of owning a boat or any watercraft is using a trailer. With a boat trailer, you can take your vessel anywhere and ride in any water with no hassles. Boaters prefer a dual axle trailer for a safe and smooth ride of all the boat trailers.
A dual axle, double axle, or tandem axle boat trailer can handle heavier loads. Compared to single-axles, dual axle trailers are more stable, especially when it’s unhitched. Boaters with sailboats, powerboats, and personal watercraft use double axle trailers.
7 Ways to Maintain a Double Axle Trailer
Just like any vehicle, your double axle trailer needs regular and expert maintenance. It should be in top condition to tow your vessel anytime and keep it for dry storage. Here are the best ways to maintain a double axle trailer all year round.
Check Tires and Tire Pressure
Your trailer tires must be in perfect condition to effectively and safely tow your boat. It would be best if you also had well-maintained tires to keep you safe and secure on the road. Any issues with your trailer tires can leave you helpless and stranded on the highway. So, checking your tires should be a priority.
- Check tire pressure by following the maximum tire inflation rating on the trailer capacity sticker. Usually, it’s 60 psi or higher.
- Trailer tires will lose a pound or more in tire pressure every month. Thus, check trailer tires if they have been in your driveway for a long time.
- Always carry a spare. Place the spare in a mount, and don’t forget to check and maintain tire pressure on the spare as well.
- Check tires for wear and also for tire age. Uneven wearing could mean there is a bent axle or a misaligned axle.
- Trailer tires older than six years must be replaced before a ride. This is according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
- Learn how to read the DOT code on the tire’s sidewall. The last four digits state the month and year these were manufactured. Therefore a code 3720 means that the tire was manufactured in the 37th week of 2020.
- It would help if you used only ST tires or Special Trailer tires. These tires are only for trailer use because they have stronger and more durable cords and hard sidewalls than Light Truck tires.
Insist on Wheel Bearing Protectors
You must also check your trailer wheel bearings, as this is one of the common reasons for trailer failure. Rusted bearings can malfunction and lead to serious trouble on the road.
- Wheel bearing protectors hold the grease in the hub and keep water from moving into the hub and the bearing compartment.
- Check the amount of grease on the bearing system. Refer to your trailer manual on how to top off grease.
- Don’t just rely on bearing protectors; regularly inspect the bearings and add grease to avoid wear and tear.
Keep The Brakes in Perfect Condition
Most dual axle trailers come with brakes. Most states require all trailers to have brakes, and thus, regular brake system maintenance is necessary.
- Hose down the trailer after retrieving your vessel from the water. Use fresh, clean water to rinse the wheels, lug nuts, and wheel studs.
- Inspect and change the brake pads as necessary.
- Inspect the brake lines for corrosion.
- Take a look at the brake fluid container from the master cylinder at least twice per season. If the fluid in the container has suddenly become very low, suspect a leak in the trailer braking system.
Use Lubricant on the Trailer Coupler
The trailer coupler is the part that connects the trailer to your towing vehicle. Part of the coupler is the surge brake actuator which needs seasonal lubrication. This ensures that the coupler assembly works seamlessly. Before you add lubricant to the component, check your boat trailer owner’s manual.
Check Trailer Lights and Keep Covered When Not in Use
Trailer lights must be checked before you hook them to your towing vehicle. All your trailer lights must function perfectly so you’ll be safe on the road.
- When not in use, cover the light connection to avoid corrosion. Even minimal rusting can damage the metal connectors and pins. This can lead to trailer lights malfunctioning.
- If you’re using the trailer for boats sailing in saltwater, keep the light connection covered when not in use.
- Use a small amount of dielectric grease to keep corrosion out. Also, a plastic cap covering the connector is essential to avoid rust.
- Ground your trailer lights; secure the white wire to the frame using a screw. The contact surface must be clean and rust-free to work. If there’s rust, use sandpaper to remove corrosion before grounding the lights.
If you have a new trailer, it will be equipped with LED trailer lights. For this kind, you won’t have to worry about changing them. For older trailers, old incandescent bulbs may be replaced. The light sockets of an old trailer can be subject to corrosion. Use a small amount of dielectric grease to keep rust out as you replace the bulb.
Use Only Durable, Good Quality Trailer Accessories
Boat trailers come with accessories to make loading, unloading, and transporting your boat easier. Here are the accessories you need.
Boat Rollers
If you have a heavy boat like a sailboat, you need rollers to make loading and unloading your vessel easier. Rely only on quality polyurethane rollers for easy and seamless loading and unloading.
Trailer Brackets and Fenders
Trailers can haul almost all kinds of boats and personal watercraft. To ensure that your vessel is safe and secure on the trailer, you need bunk brackets. Prefer galvanized brackets over basic steel brackets as these won’t rust.
Meanwhile, trailer fenders keep dust, dirt, and mud away from your boat. Fenders are made from different materials. You can choose from plastic fenders, metal, or aluminum fenders.
Dollies and Jacks
Boat trailer dollies and jacks may be electric or manually operated. Dollies help you precisely position the trailer so you can tow it with ease. Dollies are available in varying capacities. There are jet ski dollies, PWC dollies, and many more.
Bunk Carpets
Prevent friction between the hull and trailer bunk with bunk carpets. Carpets will prevent damage to the hull and avoid costly repairs.
Locks and Alarm Systems
Locks will keep your boat moving off the trailer. There are hitch locks, trailer tongue locks, wheel locks, and regular trailer locks available.
Boat Tie-Downs
A good set of boat tie-downs will make towing easier. Tie-downs come in different styles, sizes, and prices.
Winches
Boat trailer winches will ensure smooth and easy loading of your boat to the trailer. Winches are primarily for flatbed trailers and will secure your boat throughout the ride.
Have Your Boat Trailer Checked
Haven’t used your boat trailer for a long time? You can’t be sure if it’s still steady enough to hold your boat! It’s also difficult to check for corrosion of the different trailer components. It’s always better to have a professional boat trailer service to help you out.
A professional service company can help you with
- Trailer tire maintenance and replacement
- Trailer brake system maintenance and replacement
- Trailer lighting inspection and maintenance
Final Words
Dual axle trailers are steadier and more efficient than single-axle trailers. This trailer needs regular care and maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape. Meanwhile, trailers that have been in storage for a long time must be checked by a reliable, professional trailer service company. A well-maintained trailer is a safe trailer for you and all vehicles and pedestrians on the road.