Trailer maintenance - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

nightfighter · 03-02-2009, 08:55 AM

Anyone know of a 'How to' website for upgrading a boat trailer's systems? My trailer came used with the boat, and I have put a total of maybe twenty miles on it, all launching and hauling. It is a double axle, with brakes on one axle, I believe... It will need to be gotten ready to tow boat to Padanarum area in early June. My thoughts are to go through brake system, tires, and lights.

Scout · 03-02-2009, 10:11 AM

http://www.geocities.com/palmbeachbo...tructions.html

Try this link.

Slipknot · 03-02-2009, 10:17 AM

bearings are the most important thing, don't forget them.

fish4striper · 03-02-2009, 12:18 PM

I replaced my drum with disc last year, pretty easy, only kicker is you need to change the actuator.

http://classicparker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=853
http://classicparker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=855

heres some other info:

http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html

missing link · 03-02-2009, 05:29 PM

I bet my brakes look bad also after 5 yrs all I do is grease the bearings , this year I'm going to replace bearings and get rid of brakes , I'll put new pads on the truck . I only trailer the boat 5 miles each way and flush and use salt a way after every use . I'm wondering if you can just do one axle with disc brakes with a tandem axel trailer will it make a diff ?
ml
ps: the links to the brake repair were wicked pissa I'll be going back to them many times.

Van · 03-02-2009, 07:49 PM

http://www.easternmarine.com/

I've purchased from them.

Slipknot · 03-02-2009, 07:56 PM

I like your signature Van

fish4striper · 03-03-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missing link

I bet my brakes look bad also after 5 yrs all I do is grease the bearings , this year I'm going to replace bearings and get rid of brakes , I'll put new pads on the truck . I only trailer the boat 5 miles each way and flush and use salt a way after every use . I'm wondering if you can just do one axle with disc brakes with a tandem axel trailer will it make a diff ?
ml
ps: the links to the brake repair were wicked pissa I'll be going back to them many times.

Link,
You can do just one axle. I have tandem with only one axle with brakes.

missing link · 03-03-2009, 01:24 PM

thanks, which axle front or rear if it makes any difference?
ML

fish4striper · 03-03-2009, 03:06 PM

Mine came with them on the front axle. I don't know if it makes a difference.

macojoe · 03-06-2009, 01:17 AM

Always the front, like in a car, thats were the most weight is. My trailer brakes rotted years ago, and have never been replaced, and I have no intention of doing so.
Just make sure the truck is good, Tow a little slower, and try to start braking sooner.

keeperreaper · 03-06-2009, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macojoe

Always the front, like in a car, thats were vthe most weight is. My trailer brakes rotted years ago and have never replaced them and have no intention on doing so now.
Just bake sure the truck is good Tow a little slower and try to start braking sooner.

The same thing happened to my brakes years ago. Now I do exactly what you said, change pads on the truck and drive a little slower.

Travis · 03-06-2009, 09:12 AM

I converted the drum brakes to disc brakes last year and it is a huge improvement, plus they last longer and easier to maintain.

smac · 03-07-2009, 09:13 AM

If the bearings are original I would replaced them. Its very easy. If you don't replace them, take em out clean the heck out of them and repack with good grease. Check you tires for bulges, dry rot, cracking, PSI. Of course check you trailer lights.

Check the trailer tongue and jack. TOngue should clamp the trailer ball nice and snug. there is an adjustment nut under the tongue

Something to mention, if you planning on trailering back and forth, an internal flushing system straight to the drums is the way to go.

MTC · 03-11-2009, 08:12 PM

I have a ton of parts at my shop from a trailer store I purchased. Pm me and I will give you the address.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

ivanputski · 03-11-2009, 08:59 PM

BEARINGS BEARINGS BEARINGS!!!!!!!!!

CaptMike · 03-12-2009, 07:18 AM

Yeah you can get away with almost anything but bearings and tires. If you lose a tire at least you can change but burn up a bearing and that's serious

ProfessorM · 03-12-2009, 08:51 AM

Bearings every other year for me now and sometimes every year if I trailer ,more than usual. After I fried one on a scorching late July day with a boat load of fish going to market with no ice and no sleep for 36 hours. Nothing more fun than packing a bearing and changing races with a screw driver and hammer on the side of the road. That is after I thumbed into Hyannis to buy the bearings, races, and grease. I now carry a complete hub set up with everything ready to go and an extra set of bearings, grease packed . Cheap insurance.