Boat Trailer Maintenance: Keep Your Trailer Road-Ready
A boat trailer isn’t just a piece of equipment - it’s the bridge between your towing vehicle, your boat and the water. The last thing you want is a trailer breakdown ruining a great day out.
Routine maintenance on your trailer is highly recommended. It keeps your trailer in good shape, makes it last longer, and helps you have worry-free trips.
If you have a boat trailer in New Zealand, it's important to take care of it. This includes galvanized steel boat trailers and aluminium boat trailers.
Regular maintenance is key, and it's worth going the extra mile to make sure your trailer lasts a long time.
Here’s what every boat owner should know about keeping their boat trailer road-ready.
Essential Maintenance Tips
Rinse After Every Trip
Even aluminium trailers benefit from a good freshwater rinse. Salt deposits and road grime can cause corrosion over time, so make it a habit to wash your trailer after every outing.
Pay extra attention to moving parts like the axles, hubs, and winch.
Important: If you drive through road works and get lime splashes on your trailer, wash it immediately.
Lime can cause discoloration and damage the anodised finish, leaving permanent marks if not removed quickly.
Check the Axles & Suspension
Traditional steel axles rust from the inside out, often without any warning. That’s why Futura’s aluminium axle tube is a game-changer. It eliminates rust concerns while keeping your trailer lightweight and durable.
Regularly inspect the suspension system for wear and replace any damaged components before they fail.
If you’re looking for boat trailer servicing in Auckland or boat trailer repairs in NZ, ensure your provider uses genuine spare parts.
Inspect the Tyres & Bearings
Your boat trailer’s tyres and wheel bearings work hard, often sitting in storage for long periods before taking on a heavy load.
Check for uneven tread wear, sidewall cracks, or dry rot. Grease your wheel bearings regularly to prevent overheating and avoid the nightmare of a seized bearing on the roadside.
If your tyres show wear or are more than five years old, you should consider replacing them. For those buying used boat trailers in NZ, checking tyre and bearing health is crucial before purchase.
Wheel Bearing Maintenance
Proper boat trailer wheel bearing maintenance is crucial for keeping your trailer rolling smoothly and preventing breakdowns.
The number one reason for WoF failure is improper wheel bearing maintenance, so it’s essential to get it right.
Follow these steps to set your wheel bearings correctly:
- Check the back bearing and seal are in place; the seal must be flush with the hub lip.
- Tighten the hub nut to 80Nm while slowly spinning the hub.
- Back off the hub nut until it is completely loose.
- Tighten the hub nut until it is finger-tight.
- Using multi-grips, turn the hub nut further until the first split pin (cotter pin) holes line up.
- Insert the split pin and bend the legs to secure it.
- Grease the hub until grease appears on the face of the front bearing.
To check if your boat trailer bearings need replacing, jack up the trailer so the wheel is off the ground. Spin the wheel and listen for a rumbling sound in the bearing.
Be careful not to mistake this for the brake pads dragging on the rotor. If you hear a rumble, the bearings are likely worn and should be replaced.
If you need boat trailer parts in New Zealand, ensure you’re sourcing quality bearings for longevity.
Important: Check wheel bearings for heat or excessive play at 10, 25, and 50 miles (15, 50, 100 km). Re-adjust wheel bearings if necessary.
Test the Lights & Brakes
A simple pre-trip check of your boat trailer lights and brakes can save you a world of trouble. Corroded wiring, blown bulbs, or malfunctioning brake systems are common causes of trailer failures.
Keep connectors clean, check for loose wires, and ensure your braking system is functioning correctly before you hit the road.
Compliance with boat trailer regulations in New Zealand is key to avoiding fines and keeping your trips hassle-free.
Key Takeaway: A little maintenance goes a long way. Taking care of your boat trailer keeps it safe and reliable. Don’t wait for a breakdown to give it the attention it needs!
If you want to buy a boat trailer in NZ, need a custom trailer, or want info on financing, Futura Trailers can help.
We design our trailers for easy maintenance. They use high-quality aluminum and smart design to reduce common problems.
Contact us today to learn more about the best boat trailers for sale in NZ!