Boat Trailer Repair: Who's Responsible For Fixing Yours?

Boat trailers are often overlooked when it comes to repairs and maintenance, despite being critical to boat ownership. To prevent breakdowns and ensure smooth sailing (or driving) on your next trip, it's important to find a reliable boat trailer repair service. These services can range from standard maintenance to complex repairs, and some even offer mobile and roadside assistance. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or prefer professional help, keeping your boat trailer in good condition is essential to avoid emergencies and enjoy hassle-free recreational time.

Repair shops

Boat trailers are critical to boat ownership, yet they're often overlooked for repairs and maintenance. To prevent a breakdown and keep your trailer in good condition, it's advisable to work with a reliable boat trailer repair shop.

When choosing a repair shop, it's essential to consider their expertise and range of services. For example, some shops offer mobile boat trailer repair services, addressing issues like wiring and electrical systems, axles, suspension, wheel bearings, and brake repair. Others provide preventive maintenance services, ensuring your trailer's longevity.

Additionally, some repair shops offer parts and accessories, ensuring they are a one-stop solution for all your trailer needs. Their expert technicians use modern tools and advanced repair techniques to deliver accurate and affordable work.

By partnering with a reliable repair shop, you can keep your boat trailer in peak operating condition, ensuring a smooth and safe boating experience.

Mobile repair services

Services Offered by Mobile Repair Companies

Mobile boat trailer repair companies typically offer a range of services to keep your trailer in optimal condition. These services include:

• Wiring and electrical system repairs: Mobile technicians can fix issues with lighting, connections, and electrical components.
• Axle, tongue, and suspension work: They can address problems with the trailer's axles, tongue, and suspension, ensuring proper alignment and stability.
• Wheel bearing and tire replacement: Mobile services can replace worn-out or damaged wheel bearings and tires, keeping your trailer rolling smoothly.
• Brake repair and replacement: Ensuring your trailer's brakes are in good working order is crucial for safety. Mobile repair services can repair or replace faulty brake systems.
• Bunk repairs: Technicians can repair or replace bunks, including recarpeting, to provide a sturdy and scratch-free surface for your boat.
• Preventive maintenance: Regular maintenance can help prevent unexpected breakdowns. Mobile services can perform tasks like lubricating components, repacking bearings, changing brake fluid, and replacing bulbs.

Benefits of Mobile Repair Services

• Convenience: They come to your location, saving you time and hassle.
• Expertise: Reputable mobile repair companies employ skilled technicians who have experience with various trailer issues and can provide reliable solutions.
• Comprehensive services: Mobile repair companies often offer a wide range of services, from standard maintenance to complex repairs, ensuring that your trailer is well-maintained.
• Emergency assistance: Some mobile repair services offer 24/7 emergency roadside assistance. So, if you encounter a problem while on the road, they can provide prompt and professional help to get you back on track.

Choosing a Mobile Repair Company

When selecting a mobile repair company for your boat trailer, consider their reputation, customer reviews, and the range of services they offer. Look for companies with experienced technicians, transparent pricing, and a commitment to quality. Additionally, choose a company that understands the specific needs of boat trailers, as they require maintenance and repairs beyond what standard hauling trailers need due to their frequent immersion in water.

Trailer parts

Boat trailers require regular maintenance and repair to ensure they remain in good working condition. While some boat owners may choose to perform maintenance and repairs themselves, there are also professional services available that can provide expert assistance.

Deerfield Trailer, for instance, offers a comprehensive range of trailer repair services, including mobile and roadside options. They also provide a selection of high-quality used trailer parts for those who prefer to undertake their own repairs.

Big Tex Trailer World is another option, with over 60 locations across the United States. They offer a wide range of services, including repairs, maintenance, and parts sales. Their experienced technicians are equipped to handle any make or model of boat trailer, ensuring peace of mind for boat owners.

Whether you choose to utilise professional services or undertake your own maintenance, there are several key trailer parts that require regular attention to keep your boat trailer in optimal condition:

• Lights: Trailer lights are essential for safe trailering. LED lights are a popular choice due to their longevity and brightness. It is important to regularly check for flickering or damaged lights and replace them as needed.
• Axles: The axles of a boat trailer endure significant abuse from corrosion, overloading, and shock. It is recommended to have them inspected by a professional every couple of seasons to ensure they remain in good condition.
• Brakes: Trailer brakes require proper maintenance to avoid problems on the road. Common issues include low or no fluid, corroded coupler actuators, damaged brake lines, and worn brake shoes or pads. Regular checks and maintenance can help prevent these issues.
• Winch: The winch, strap, and hook can fail, especially if neglected or misused. To maintain the winch, it is important to keep the strap straight, lubricate the hook's safety latch, and keep the gears, shafts, and fasteners well-lubricated.
• Bunks: Wooden bunks may need replacement over time. When replacing, it is important to measure the bunks and purchase the appropriate replacement wood, carpet, mounting bolts, nuts, and washers.
• Rollers: Deformed or rusty rollers can be easily replaced. It is important to measure carefully, especially the shafts, to ensure the correct fit. Poly rollers are a more durable option compared to black rubber rollers.

DIY refurbishment

DIY Boat Trailer Refurbishment

If your boat trailer is past its prime, it may be time for refurbishment. You can attempt to refurbish your boat trailer yourself, but if structural repairs or changes are required that you don't have the skill, confidence, or time to complete, consult an expert.

Assessment

First, assess whether your trailer is a good candidate for refurbishing. If the frame is nearly rusted, it is not a suitable candidate. However, if the frame is solid, you have "good bones" to start with. Other components such as the springs and axle, hubs, fenders, wheels and tires, bunk supports and bunks, wiring, rollers, winch, jack and coupler, and safety chains can be replaced.

Be especially careful in your inspection if your trailer has been exposed to saltwater or acidic hull cleaners in its lifetime. These elements can cause significant rust and weaken the frame. If in doubt, bring it to a trailer shop to have an expert inspect it.

Stripping

Once you have decided to refurbish your trailer, strip all components from it and make a list of what you'll replace. Use your smartphone to take photos of the components and measurements of where things like the axle, winch, bunks, or rollers, and any spare tire may go. This will make it easier to put everything back together.

Putting It Back Together

When reassembling the trailer, consider using treated pine for the bunks and covering them with new carpet, which you can glue with contact cement and staple with stainless steel staples on the underside. Use galvanized steel bolts, washers, and Nylock locking nuts to reattach bunks and other components to prevent rusting and rattling loose.

Wire the trailer with new LED lights and a wiring kit, taking care to use grommets and other insulating material where the wiring insulation might chafe.

Final Checks

Before hitting the road, double-check all your work, ensure all bolts are tight, and bunks or rollers are well secured. If there are any issues, have a professional shop check your trailer. Your trailer will likely be seeing highway duty, so it must be in good condition. Depending on your location, you may need to have your trailer inspected, so check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for regulations in your area.

Maintenance

Boat trailer maintenance is essential to ensure a safe and smooth journey. Here are some detailed maintenance tips to keep your boat trailer in top condition:

Tire Maintenance:

• Check tire pressure regularly, especially before a trip. Inflate tires to the maximum rating or as specified on the capacity sticker, which is often 60 psi or higher.
• Tires lose about 1-2 pounds of pressure each month, so it's crucial to check them after periods of inactivity.
• Replace tires older than six years to prevent ageing-related issues.
• Ensure your tires are of the ST (Special Trailer) type, designed specifically for trailers.
• Always carry a spare tire and the necessary tools to change a flat.

Wheel Bearing Maintenance:

• Protect wheel bearings from water contamination using bearing protectors, such as the popular Bearing Buddy.
• Repack the wheel bearings with fresh grease every three to five seasons, even with bearing protectors in place.

Trailer Brake Maintenance:

• Keep trailer brakes clean, especially after saltwater use. Rinse with freshwater as soon as possible to prevent corrosion.
• Have brake pads or shoes inspected every few seasons.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir in the master cylinder regularly and top it up if necessary. A sudden drop in fluid level may indicate a leak.

Trailer Light Maintenance:

• Check all trailer lights each time you connect the trailer.
• Keep the trailer light connection covered when not in use to prevent corrosion.
• Upgrade to LED lights for improved durability and brightness.
• Ensure proper grounding of the trailer lights by checking the white wire connection to the trailer frame.

Trailer Hitch Maintenance:

• Lubricate the mounting ball, drawbar, hitch retaining pin, and receiver mount to make connecting the trailer easier and reduce wear.
• Inspect the safety chains for any weak or broken links.

Other Maintenance Tips:

• Regularly inspect the trailer frame for rust, sagging, and broken welds. Touch up any rust spots with paint or cold-galvanizing spray.
• Check the winch, strap, and hook for any issues, and keep them well-lubricated.
• Ensure the axles are in good condition and have them checked by a professional every few seasons.
• Carry a trailering tool kit for minor repairs, including a tire puncture kit, fix-a-flat, trailer jack, plywood board, and a four-way lug wrench.

Frequently asked questions