Scan here to see a video
about proper trailer care.*
Trailers need love, too.
Your trailer takes the good times to the water, but it is an often-neglected item when it comes
to maintenance. It’s not difficult to do, and it’s important. Here are a few tips:
• Lug nuts and a jack. Check the torque on your trailer’s lug nuts regularly. Carry the
appropriate tools in your tow vehicle, and make sure you always have the correct jack
should a flat trailer tire occur. It’s easiest to just put the proper tools in your tow vehicle
and leave them there.
• Carry a spare. If your trailer doesn’t have a spare tire, get one and mount it to the frame.
Then, make sure to air it up and check it regularly for the proper pressure. You want it
ready and capable to help if it’s ever needed.
• Bunks and rollers. Anything loose should be tightened, and anything sagging or rotted
should be replaced. Make sure all bunks or rollers maintain proper contact with the bottom
of the boat to prevent development of hooks or rockers in the hull’s surface over time.
• Hubs and wheels. Check trailer wheel bearings for signs of water intrusion. Repair
as necessary. Periodically grease trailer bearings using a high-quality, corrosion-
and water-resistant formula like Yamalube
®
Marine Grease and a Yamalube
Marine Grease Gun.
• Cables and winches. Carefully monitor the condition of your trailer’s winch cable,
particularly if it’s made of metal. Replace the cable if there are any signs of cuts, abrasion
or chaffing to prevent possible injury that could occur if it were to break under load. Make
sure the winch handle is free of bends or cracks and is tightened down properly, too.
Yamalube Yamashield
™
is an excellent choice for lubricating and helping protect winch
cables and assemblies from the damaging effects of corrosion.
• Lights. Help prevent frustrating trailer light issues with simple care and maintenance.
Yamalube Brake & Contact Cleaner will help clean, dry and restore proper taillight
connections. It’s great for dock lights, too.
• Brakes. Whether your trailer’s brakes are electrically operated or surge, proper periodic
attention is required, particularly in saltwater environments. Make sure to rinse your
wheels and brakes thoroughly with fresh, clean water after every dunking. That Yamalube
Brake & Contact Cleaner you were just using on the lights is great for helping keep your
trailer’s brakes clean, too. Imagine that.
You can’t take it with you. Seriously.
Many areas of the country are experiencing the rampant spread of invasive species like zebra
mussels and hydrilla. These “hitchhikers” can easily be transported from waterway to waterway
by unsuspecting boaters through trailering. To help prevent their spread, visually inspect your
trailer every time you pull out of the water and remove any you find. Make this part of your regular
routine after trailering your boat. The waterway you’re headed to next will thank you for it!
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