Most boaters don’t think about their boat trailer until it’s too late. But proper maintenance is key to a smooth and safe boating season. Before hitting the road, checking your trailer is road-ready is essential for safety, reliability and peace of mind. This checklist will help you avoid preventable mishaps and ensure your trip starts and ends smoothly.
Pre-Trip Readiness: The Essential Walk-Around
Conduct a thorough safety check before you leave. Confirm your tow vehicle is in good form by verifying the towing capacity and hitch system. Next, focus on your trailer. Carefully check the following:
- Tire pressure on all tires, matching recommended maximum PSI
- The trailer should be level for optimal handling
- Always torque lug nuts to manufacturer specs to prevent wheel separation
- Visually inspect wheel hubs and bearings for dry or leaking grease—a common failure point
- Prepare your boat by raising and securing outboards/stern drives
- Make sure the boat cover is tightly secured and all loose gear safely inside
- Cross safety chains correctly under the coupler
- Test all lights and signals
- Connect the breakaway cable to a secure anchor point
- Before moving, raise and lock the trailer tongue jack
- Tighten the vertical bow strap, secure safety chain and attach transom tie-downs
- Adjust mirrors for clear visibility and check local laws for equipment requirements
Preventing Common Problems, Before They Start
Beyond pre-trip checks, consistent maintenance of key components prevents most common trailer failures. Here are the most important:
Bearing Health: Small Part, Big Consequences
Wheel bearing failure is the most common issue we hear about. Its job is simple: keep your wheels spinning smoothly. But when ignored, these small components can overheat, seize or cause wheel separation leading to dire consequences on the road.
You should grease your bearings every three months or 1,600 kilometers using a Lithium Complex NLGI#2 grease like Castrol Pyroplex Red or Lucas Marine Grease. Be especially mindful of water intrusion. Submerging hot hubs in cold water can draw moisture inside. To prevent this allow them to cool or grease them immediately after launching to push out any drawn-in water. Remove your hubs to check for rust, pitting or discoloration on bearing surfaces and spindles every 12 months and replace seals and bearings as needed. Always replace the inner hub seal and the cotter pin during any service to prevent future failures.
Frame Maintenance: Stop Corrosion Before It Starts
Almost all trailer frames are galvanized steel or aluminum, each needing specific care. Avoid parking under a tree to prevent debris or sap from dropping on the trailer. For galvanized steel frames, rinse thoroughly after each use, scrub with mild soap and inspect every six months. Touch up surface rust yearly.
For aluminum frames, rinse with fresh water and mild soap, watching for white chalky buildup (aluminum oxide). Clean with natural solutions like lemon juice or vinegar or use aluminum-specific cleaners. Apply aluminum polish and wax to prevent oxidation.
Brake Systems: Your First Line of Safety
Trailer brakes are critical for control. For hydraulic brakes, flush fluid every 24 months (DOT 3 or 4). Lubricate the coupler and actuator regularly and replace worn tow balls. Visually examine the actuator and emergency brake cable for damage and inspect calipers annually. Always shift from reverse to drive before parking to prevent pad adhesion. Clean rotors and, if unused long-term, apply a light galvanizing spray (never on stainless rotors). Check rotor thickness and replace brake pads when they get below two millimetres (3/32 inches) or show uneven wear.
Tire Tips: Keep Your Trailer Rolling Smoothly
Trailer tires carry very heavy loads, are prone to UV damage and often sit unused for months on end. To avoid problems, check them monthly and before each trip and keep inflated to the maximum PSI as listed on the sidewall.
And just like your car, they need to be rotated annually. After remounting, re-torque lug nuts at 50 kilometres. If storing your trailer outdoors, use boards and covers for sun protection, allowing airflow. Some owners elevate their trailers, but this is only necessary if the trailer will sit unused for over 24 months.
Final Thought: Don’t Skip the Details
Trailer safety is about the small stuff. Minor rust, worn seals, bad bearings or underinflated tires might seem insignificant, but they can lead to big problems. Checking these parts saves time, money and prevents catastrophe.
And one more thing: don’t forget a roadside emergency kit that includes flares, reflectors, a fire extinguisher and a properly inflated spare trailer tire.
Whether you’re hauling across town or preparing for a road trip, following these tips ensures every adventure begins safely and ends with more time on the water.