Choose a trailer carefully: Take good care of it, and it will take care of you
Column by Rick Farren
DEMOCRAT WRITER
Rick Farren
There's only one feeling worse than sitting on the side of the road with a broken down boat trailer while watching everybody go by on their way to the coast-and that's sitting by the side of the road 10 hours later watching everybody going back home.
Like many boat owners I can recount a long list of flat tires, broken axles, burned-out bearings and jury-rigged lights. But I guess that can be expected with any metal object you dunk in the saltwater on a regular basis.
However, if you're in the market for a new trailer (I'm on my eighth trailer for four boats), there are a few things you might consider to reduce the roadside time.
The first big choice is to go with aluminum or galvanized steel. Aluminum, which was once considered the pricey option, is more affordable now, but only because the alternative has become more expensive.
"Aluminum is still slightly more expensive," said Marc Grove, president of Wefings Marine in Eastpoint. "But the metal markets have changed. There's more galvanized metal being shipped overseas and less available here, so the cost of galvanized trailers has gone up."
"Aluminum trailers also tow lighter and are more corrosion resistant," Grove said. "They look better, and generally have a longer life than galvanized trailers."
Next, choose a trailer that is heavy enough for your boat, but not too heavy.
"The ratings need to match the intended purpose," said Grove, who recommends choosing a trailer that can handle about 20 to 25 percent more than the weight of your boat - but no more. A trailer that's rated too heavy will ride harder, bounce too much and could damage your boat.
To reduce wheel-bearing problems, which arguably cause the most downtime, you'll want Posi-Lube hubs or something similar that are fitted with grease fittings, which allow added hub grease to flow through and around the bearings.
"They should be filled until the grease barely oozes out," said Grove, adding you should top off your bearings every couple of months and always before a long trip.
"There's also a new oil-filled bearing on the market that's becoming more popular," said Grove, "which has a clear cap so you can actually see the oil level."
Grove also suggests carrying a spare tire and a complete hub kit. It's a lot easier to replace the entire hub than the bearings in a roadside repair.
If you need a trailer with brakes, disc brakes have become more popular. They have fewer moving parts to seize up and are easier to maintain and wash.
Once you've bought that new trailer, there's a few things you can do to increase its life span. For example, on all but the smallest rigs it's a good idea to lubricate the tongue jack from time to time. Most types have a grease fitting or a cap you can pop off so the insides can be greased.
Keeping the lights working is always a challenge.
"The best thing to do is put the lights up on the drive-on guides so they don't go under water," Grove said.
Or barring that solution, keep them sprayed with WD-40 or other type of corrosion-block product. A new, but fairly expensive option is to change to LED lights, which don't get hot, don't take a lot of electricity and are completely sealed.
Even many aluminum trailers have a few steel and galvanized parts like the axle, hubs, U-bolts and leaf springs, all of which can be treated by spraying on a waxy-type of heavy-duty corrosion inhibitor like CorrosionX. (It's a good idea to only spray the areas you don't normally touch, it can be messy.)
Some boat owners have gone so far as to coat their leaf springs with flexible rubber paint that's made for use on the roofs of motor homes. Ordering a trailer with torsion axles eliminates the need for leaf springs and avoids the problem all together.
Grove also recommends inspecting the coupling mechanism for rust and keeping it covered with a corrosion block. If you happen to jackknife a trailer backing up, you should check to make sure the part of the coupler which fits under the towing ball hasn't been bent.
And when hooking up, always cross your safety chains, so if the hitch comes loose the chains will prevent the trailer tongue from dropping to the ground and will pull against each other, which will help keep the trailer straight until you can stop.
"You don't want to see your trailer passing you on the highway," Grove said.
No rifles on Lake Jackson
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued an executive order prohibiting hunters from using rifles for hunting on the Lake Jackson lake bed. Hunters may use shotguns and other lawful equipment. The order takes effect at 12:01a.m. on Nov. 25 and expires at 12:01a.m. on Feb.17. More information about hunting seasons and regulations is available at MyFWC.com/hunting.
