Trailer stowage

[PhilMcC]

I've just parked my trailer at my local (inland) marina and, not having had one before, wondered if there were any precautions I should take to keep trailer maintenance costs down. Or is it normal just to leave them exposed to the elements?

Phil

 

[me2]

if the trailer was put in the sea before parking make sure the brakes are not on this will stop the cables rusting and locking the wheels when the brake handle is lowered and you try to move the trailer.

 

[fireball]

Chock up on blocks
Remove the wheels and lock away seperately

We put a placcy bag over the hitch - but this is usually over winter where the retained moisture is far less than the amount falling down around it ...

And LOCK IT UP .... LOCK IT UP ....

I have a spare placcy bag now - some scrote nicked my trailer .... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[mainmarine]

I would remove the hubs and check the bearings and brake shoes, make sure there is no corrosion, also lubricate the cables, hitch etc, before you lock it up and remove the wheels. You can get metal plates called winter wheels [made for caravans] and fit these to keep the trailer off the ground

 

[William_H]

My experience is that trailers are a high maintenance item.

Beware especially of box section structure where water can get in but you can't get in to see or treat rust. My trailer had a box section draw bar which fractured about 2 years from new. (it is now 25 yo but has had major rebuilds)

The treatment for box section is to get lots of old engine oil and pour into the box sections. It will make a terrible mess as it runns out but will deter the rust. You may have to drill holes in the top to put the oil in. Tap a thread in and fit a small bolt to seal.
For open metal sections, springs etc paint lots of old engine oil around with a paint brush.
You will need to be very confident with dismantling brakes and bearings do it often and slap lots of oil and grease around.
The bad news is if you look under the trailer structure you may be very dismayed. I always am. Rust as far as the eye can see.

Motor spares shops around here sell a light bar for lights. A plank with all the lights and number plate and long cable which you remove and keep seperate at home out of the weather. (And of course out of the sea) when launching. It doesn't however include side clearance lights. Hang it on the transom when towing the boat and on the trailer when towing empty.

good luck olewill

 

[landlockedpirate]

Be careful about removing the wheels, some insurance companies insist you have a wheel clamp. Taking the wheels off does'nt count and your insurance could be invalid.

 

[fireball]

Ah - the reason I suggested removing the wheels is down to UV protection as well ...

 

[mainmarine]

yes, the best way to preserve tyres is keep them in a cool dark place,

 

[fireball]

I thought that was mushrooms?

 

[mainmarine]

Easy mistake to make, mushrooms have a marginally better taste

 

[Lakesailor]

Tyres are better if you don't cover them in sh*t as well!

Good point though. I must go and remove my wheels shortly.

 

[VicS]

I have found that tyres do not like standing for long periods on the ground. So better if you can jack the trailer up unless you can stand it on a hard surface and preferably spin them occasionally I have also found that cheap brands do not last all that long even in a cool dark place. Buy good brand names, cheapies are a false economy.

I have also found that water(rain) seems to get into the bearings when standing idle, presumably because the wheels are not protected by bodywork as they are on a car. A few years ago I replaced the bearings in my trailer (at unbelievable expense) but the next time I looked at it two or three years later they were totally bu**ered without having been used at all.

Normally strip clean and re-grease bearings without delay if they have been in the sea. In some countries I believe dunking a road trailer in the sea is illegal!

Waxoyl is good for protecting brake cables etc and bolts and clamps any any other moving bits.

Regarding the lighting board [ QUOTE ]
Hang it on the transom when towing the boat

[/ QUOTE ] Technically that is not permitted in the Uk. It has to be on the trailer, if necessary on a draw out mounting so that the load does not overhang it by more than the permitted amount. (mine hangs on the transom!)

It would be wise to check all the regulations that now apply to towing a trailer.

 

[Lakesailor]

I think you're probably right there. However yesterday we were following a farmer with a trailer we noticed that the trailer board number didn't match the Landrover's and one brake light didn't work. A little further along we came up behind a van towing a trailer with the correct number, but daubed on a bit of cardboard with an ink marker. Again only one brake light worked.
I reckon if you've got a proper trailer board with the correct number plate and your lights all work you're probably better than most towers on the road.
I'd be suprised if a cop stopped you just because the trailer board was fixed to the wrong thing. (there again........)

 

[gjgm]

I m with another post.. these things are extremely high maintenance. Never found trying to take care of it was any better than totally ignoring it. Still had to replace just about everything each year.

 

[fireball]

[ QUOTE ]
Technically that is not permitted in the Uk. It has to be on the trailer, if necessary on a draw out mounting so that the load does not overhang it by more than the permitted amount. (mine hangs on the transom!)

[/ QUOTE ]

That's interesting ... cos I ALWAYS hang the lighting board on the transom when towing the dinghy ... it isn't practical to do anything else ...

And what is the difference on where it is attached? Surely as long as you can see it, it has the right numberplate and the lights work it is doing it's job?!
Chunter Chunter ... off to try and find out ....

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
it isn't practical to do anything else ...

[/ QUOTE ] I think you will find that modern boat trailers have a draw out mounting for the lighting board. I actually fix mine on the pushpit rail so it is probably higher than really allowed.
I agree though that if it is clearly visible that ought to be enough. Trouble is if Pod stops you for one thing they'll do you for everything else they can find wrong.

As Lakesailer says it is not uncommon to see number plates not matching the car, written on bits of cardboard, lights not working etc etc.

Don't ever be tempted to exceed the 60mph speed limit in the outside lane of a motorway. A friend did that many years ago with an empty dinghy trailer and it cost him dearly!

 

[fireball]

[ QUOTE ]
I think you will find that modern boat trailers have a draw out mounting for the lighting board

[/ QUOTE ]

Seen this on Rib trailers & bigger - but not on the dinghy trailers ...

 

[Lakesailor]

R M Trailers don't seem to have such devices on the trailers they are selling at the moment. I don't think they would sell trailers which don't meet with the regs.

 

[VicS]

This pic is off the RM trailer website and the lighting board is fixed in the way I describe. I must admit is not very clear though.

http://www.rmtrailers.co.uk/lifting-keel-big-picture.htm

 

[fireball]

yer - but not this one ....