Avoiding Roadside Blues

[Lee Borgersen]

                    Seaworthy Tip: Avoiding the Roadside Blues
 
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Nothing can ruin a lovely boating weekend like having it end on the side of the highway with a broken-down trailer. When that does happen, BoatUS's Trailer Assist often gets the call, and they keep track of why those calls come in. The number one problem? Tires. To avoid having your weekend end badly, here are five things to check:

•Tire Pressure. A tire with low psi has reduced load-carrying capacity and will heat up faster because of the excess friction with the road surface. Eventually, the tire will blow out.
 
•Sidewall condition. Dry rot or spider cracks indicate a pending tire failure.

•Matched tires. Never mix radials and bias-ply tires or use different sized tires on your trailer.
 
•Your spares. Don't just check that you have a spare tire and that it is in good shape, also check to see if you have an extra pre-greased hub with bearings. Be sure your lug wrench can fit the lug nuts.

•Tire tread. If there are worn areas, there's a reason and it can be alignment, inflation (too high or too low), or suspension problems.

As for me I have my wheel barrings checked and repacked every 2nd year. One bad experience on the road was enough for me.   I also just replaced my trailer tires on both boat trailers. I had upgraded heavier springs put on one of my trailers after one of the stock springs broke. 
 


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[snow1]

Hey,great post! Good reminder for all of us.