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How to properly maintain your trailer
Many boat owners are equipped with a boat trailer to be able to move around. In order to ensure your safety during the trips you make, it is important to be vigilant about the condition of your trailer and to maintain it well.
Here are some tips to guide you:
First of all, it is important, after each use, to rinse your trailer with fresh water. Salt is indeed corrosive, and in the long run could deteriorate the braking system, the electrical system, and simply the aesthetic aspect of your trailer. Don't hesitate to drive for a few moments to make sure that all the remaining water that could be a source of corrosion is drained off. All our trailers are also available with the "rinse kit" option.
Concerning the storage of your trailer, here are our recommendations:
- Place the trailer in a dry, weatherproof location. Avoid contact with soil, sand, cement, etc., which can damage the galvanization of the trailer.
- Raise the wheels of the trailer off the ground, use a jack, for example, to place supports under the chassis to prevent tire deformation.
- Lower the handbrake lever so that the cables are slack.
- Protect the electrical connectors from water ingress.
- If possible, store your trailer upright, preventing water from stagnate.
Parts that we recommend to check regularly :
- Wheel hubs: To do this, lift the trailer with a jack and then turn the wheels of the trailer. If the wheel turns freely without any friction, sound or vibration, then the hubs are in good condition. If this is not the case, the bearings must be changed. You can easily make an online appointment with a professional in your area on our Goliath-Service website.
- The brakes: Pull the brake handle gradually to the vertical position and pull the trailer forward to check the balance. Then bend over to see if the brake cables are not inflated or rusted.
- Linings: to check them, the drums must be dismantled. We recommend that you call in a professional if you are not equipped, or not sure to do the right handling.
If you have removed the drums, you can scrub the linings with coarse sandpaper, even if it scratches them, to remove all traces of dirt. Then degrease the drums with acetone.
- Tires: It is important to check the tire pressure at each use, if necessary the inflation pressures are indicated on the trailer. The sidewall of the tires should also be checked for damage.
- The rollers: Regularly check that they rotate without difficulty, if the axle is rusted it can damage the rollers, it is therefore necessary once in a while to put a bit of rust dissolver.
- Lights: In order to be clearly seen on the road, it is important to check that there is no condensation in the lights and that they are not corroded.
Parts that need to be greased regularly :
- The hitch, an essential part of keeping your trailer safely attached to your vehicle;
- The winch, allowing you to lower the boat into the water and raise it up without difficulty;
- The jockey wheel screw, with which you can move the trailer without carrying the load;
- Bolts, mainly those that allow the trailer to "break" when launching.
These maintenance tips will help keep your trailer in good condition, but are not a substitute for regular technical inspection by your dealer.
We offer several maintenance options, in partnership with our network of professionals, on our Goliath-Service website. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information!
