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T
here is nothing worse than having a mechanical
issue on your trailer on the way to the lake
(except for maybe a non-starting outboard or outboard alarm when you get there). Fortunately – most
issues can be resolved on the road if you are prepared and
have the right tools and parts for the job.
The best way to avoid calamities while trailering is to do
regular maintenance; whether you do it yourself or have a
local shop do it, making sure your trailering system is in top
shape is imperative.
Depending on the mileage you put on your trailer,
an annual inspection of our bearings, hubs, and brake
components (if you have breaks), is critical.
Second – making sure your tires are properly inflated
and are wearing correctly. Uneven wear could be an early
indicator of underlying issues and improper inflation can
lead to blow outs.
Lastly, I try to make it a routine to take a quick
inspection of the rear seals and back of my wheels while
the boat is off the trailer before I
load the boat. Spotting maintenance
issues before they become problems
can save you a lot of frustration and
money.
What many may not be prepared
for is having the right tools on hand.
For example, most Ranger trailer
wheels require an allen wrench to
even get the cover off to access the
lug nuts or to access the hub to add oil
in an oil filled hub (those are brass and
strip easy, use caution).
RECOMMENDED
My recommendation is to go through your trailer to make sure you have the tools required to make repairs. The following is a basic run down of the tools, parts and items I always travel with.
First and foremost – having a basic set of tools in the truck is a great start. There are a lot of travel sets that will have most of what you need, which would include some adjustable wrenches, box wrenches, socket set, pliers, etc., that are relatively affordable and come in a nice, organized case that easily fits beneath a truck seat.
OVERLOOKED TOOLS
I think one of the overlooked items is a good jack. Many of the scissor jacks in our trucks are small and not really stout or secure. A solid bottle jack or even a smaller floor jack
will make life considerably easier and less frustrating when making a road repair.
Beyond the basic tool set are tools specific to your trailer. As previously mentioned, a set of allen wrenches, but also a socket that will fit your castle nut and allow you to swap out a hub or bearing in that unfortunate event.
I also carry a tire wrench and a cordless impact and impact sockets. I always keep an electrical jumper box in the truck along with a cordless tire inflator. Less often we have electrical issues with a trailer, but a small kit with a wire stripper/crimper, various sized heat shrink connectors, a lighter, etc. are great to have on hand and should be a part of your boat kit anyhow.
EXTRAS
As far as extras to keep on hand, start with fluids and lubricants you may need. If you have oil filled hubs, have oil, if traditional grease filled then have a grease gun. Also keep a small bottle of brake fluid and brake cleaner on hand.
Spring 2024
page 25