A
lot of people neglect to service their trailer every year and these
trailers end up on the back of a tilt tray tow truck. Here are 10
trailer checks you can do yourself to help keep your trailer on the
road.
1.
Lights – For those of you who still have globed
lights on your trailer make sure you check them to ensure all lights are
working. Although your lights may have been marketed as ‘submersible’, I
believe that if you can remove a lens to replace a globe then it is not
fully submersible. If you have L.E.D. lights, make sure that on each
light more than half of the diodes (round things in the light) light up
on each light.
2.
Tyres – Most trailer owners don’t think to check
the condition of their tyres until it’s too late. Check the tread on
your tyres for wear and the side walls for any cracks. If cracks appear
in the tyre it’s an indication that the tyre is getting on in age and
time to change.
3.
Bearings – The cause of most trailer issues! To
check the bearings jack the tyre off the road, place one hand at the top
of the tyre and one on the bottom of the tyre, move the tyre back and
forth to feel for any play (wobble). If you can feel play in the bearing
then there’s a good chance that the bearings need to be changed. Better
to do it now then be stuck on the side of the road traveling to your
holiday destination.
4.
Rust – Although most boat trailers are galvanised
they are still prone to rust. You will usually find that cross members
are the worst offender for rusting. If you notice some rust on your
trailer, grab a wire brush and start rubbing it back. If you see raw
metal that’s good, grab a can of cold gal (galvanised spray paint) and
give it 2 coats for protection. If you can’t see raw metal then grab a
solid object (like a screw driver) and start poking the rusted area. If
you can poke straight through the rust then it’s time to have the
trailer repaired.
5.
Tow Coupling / Safety Chain – Trailer owners
rarely think to check their coupling and safety chain before they hook
up to their car. The coupling can easily detach from a tow ball if warn
out and not locked on properly. Make sure your coupling fits onto the
tow ball nicely and there is no play (movement) between the two. Ensure
that there is grease in the coupling head and in the spring housing for
those that have an override coupling (used on trailers with brakes).
Check the safety chain for any wear or warping. It is common to see
chains too long and dragging on the ground when towing. This will weaken
the chain.
6.
Winch Strap / Cable –The winch strap or cable can
start to fray over time. Straps can tear, which although annoying, will
only cause you to lose your boat back into the water. Cables can cause
serious injury if the break while winching under load. The cable can
flick back into the direction of the person winching and cause
lacerations or worse still, loss of eye sight. Make sure you extend the
strap or cable to its full reach and inspect for wear and tear.
7.
Brakes – For those of you that have a trailer
with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) over 750kg you must and will have a
braking system on your trailer. If you don’t have brakes on your trailer
and the GTM is over 750kg, get them fitted ASAP (it’s the law in
Australia). Make sure your brakes are adjusted properly and there is
plenty of brake pad left in your calipers. If you have rusted brake
cable or brake line, have them changed before they break. It’s one thing
to have brakes fitted to your trailer; it’s another for them to work.
8.
Mud Guards – A lot of people use the mud guards
on their trailer as a step to get into the boat. Make sure there are no
cracks or sharp edges on the mud guard as these can cause injuries to
feet and legs if the guards give way.
9.
Springs – Suspension on a trailer is vital for
Australian roads. If your trailer doesn’t have the right springs or they
are damaged then it will cause the trailer more harm than good. If you
notice gaps appearing between the leaves of the spring and compressed in
the center, then it’s time to get a new set. Springs are what hold the
axle, bearings, hubs and tyres to a trailer. If they break then it can
cause a lot of damage.
10.
Registration – It is becoming more and more
common now for people to forget to register their trailer. Now that
registration stickers don’t need to be displayed on a trailer, people
are forgetting to take their trailers for registration checks and paying
the registration. Make sure you keep your rego renewals in a visible
spot until it’s due, that way you won’t be the one getting fined for not
having your trailer registered.
Although this is a check list you can do yourself, if you are ever in
doubt about the condition of your trailer it is always advised that you
get your trailer looked at by a specialist. Make sure your trailer is
safe, easy and enjoyable to use and enjoy your leisure time.
For further information contact
Christian Bold at
www.boldtrailers.com.au