Maintenance for Aluminum Boat Trailers

by | Sep 10, 2015 | Boat

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Having the right boat trailer is necessary for the transport, retrieval, and launch of a boat. Many boat owners choose to purchase Aluminum Boat Trailers due to its numerous advantages. An aluminum trailer won’t rust like other types of trailers such as a steel boat trailer. It is easier to maintain than other boat trailers and offers a significant weight saving potential of being at least 27% lighter than other boat trailers. A boat owner can retain these benefits by using these tips for maintenance.

An aluminum boat trailer should be maintained frequently during boating season. Before using a boat trailer, a boat owner should check certain to ensure that the components are in working order. Some of these components include the wiring, lights, coupler action, safety cables, winch cable, and lug nut torque. A boat trailer with disc brakes will not need maintenance for these brakes. However, drum brakes on a boat trailer should be checked about every few months. To do this, a boat owner will need to rotate a single wheel in a forward direction. The adjuster will need to be tightened by hand until the wheel stops. The adjuster tension should then be released until contact friction with the brake drum results in minimal sound.

An aluminum boat trailer should be washed down after every use. This can be done by using a garden hose to spray the entire boat trailer. After every few uses, a boat owner should use an appropriate cleaning solution to wash the boat trailer. It’s a good idea to use a towel to dry the boat so water does not accumulate for very long on the surface of the boat trailer. Once dry, an aluminum boat trailer should be stored in a well-ventilated area that lets moisture escape. Doing this will help prevent electrolysis from occurring.

By implementing these suggestions, a boat owner can prolong the useful life of his boat trailer. It will also make traveling on roadways safer and more convenient. For more information on Aluminum Boat Trailers, a boat owner can talk to a professional like the ones at Tuff Trailer. These professionals can answer questions about boat trailers to help customers get full use of their trailers.