Hard Learned Lesson - Regular Trailer Maintenance !!!

Post by **Erie-Eyes** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:17 pm

Hi Everyone,
I just returned from my annual trip to Amherstburg to fish for Walleyes on the lower Detroit River/Lake Erie with my brothers and my friend Joe from Ottawa who came with me as he also has family in Windsor. While fishing was good, but not as exceptional as past two years, I learned a VERY IMPORTANT LESSON, that I think will benefit many from this board. DO NOT FORGET TO HAVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON BOAT TRAILER WHEELS, BRAKES AND BEARINGS.
This is what happen to us on our trip - we left Ottawa on June 28th at 7.00 pm as I like to go through Toronto in the middle of the night to avoid traffic. The start of the trip went as scheduled, with the boat and trailer flowing smoothly along. We stopped at the Shell station on 401 at Trenton/Brighton for a pit stop and a coffee, and to gas up. After picking up our coffee we returned to my Jeep to head to the gas pumps. A sharp turn was necessary, and as we slowly moved, a sharp sound of protest was heard from the rear, but everything seem OK until I pulled up to gas pumps and checked my rear view mirror - HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM I EXCLAIMED TO MY FRIEND JOE - the trailer wheel on my side was not lined up like it should have been. We then got the jack out and jacked up the trailer only to have the wheel COMPLETELY FALL OFF. The thought of this happening on 401 while doing 100 KM P/H still has me shaking.
We made several telephone calls, but could not find anyone who could help us at that time of night. We were eventually referred to a CAA towing firm, but whlie Joe and I were both members, the trailer was not covered as we did not have their RV service ( this is now being to be corrected). Nevertheless, the CAA fellow with the flatbed towing truck as very helpful, and advised he had a similar problem with a Bass boat the previous week. Luckily he was able to sufficiently fasten the wheel to the trailer, so that he could pull it up on his flat bed truck, and it just fit - both wheels were actually overhanging the edge of the truck bed. He then took us to a RV dealer he highly recommended, between Brighton and Trenton, unloaded the boat and directed us to the nearest Motel.
The next morning the RV dealer assurred us that he would be able to correct my problem, and both wheels were totally rebuilt with new brakes, bearing etc. and the work was completed by 11.30 am and we were on our way. The RV dealer was a top notch mechanic as well as a boater himself, and advised that all trailers should have their wheels pulled off, brakes/bearings inspected/repacked EVERY TWO YEARS.
I know mine will now follow this schedule - HOW ABOUT YOURS ???[/url]

Post by **mdej** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:29 pm

Hard way to start the trip.

Good thing you found a mechanic to take care of it all for you quickly.

Post by **1lastcast** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:06 pm

I too have learned that lesson the hard way!:oops:

At least the good fishing made up for the lost time.

Post by **eye-tracker** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:27 pm

Hey erie-eyes,
Glad to hear you are back in business. I put about 10000 km on my boat trailer every season, so I get the maintenance done on the breaks and bearings every season when I get the boat winterized.

Defiantly something every one should add to their regular boat maintenance schedule.

-s

Post by **Erie-Eyes** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:10 pm

Good to hear from you Eye-Tracker, and hope you are having a good season. I only put about 1/3 of your mileage on my trailer, and a local R/V dealer that I have since checked with, has also confirmed that with my mileage, every two years should be sufficient.