Have boat trailer about 3 years old…am planning a road trip with boat should boat springs be replaced before trip and how do you determine when they need replacing.
Robert
do you have a pic of them? 3yrs is no where near time to replace
21 Contender
Springs should last close to 10 years, even if abused. How often do you replace the springs on your truck? Hubs and bearings are another matter, that’s what I’d be replacing after 3 years.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Exactly, hubs WAY more important. I was in the Keys 2 weeks ago and the 7 mile bridge was SHUT DOWN in both directions. A wheel had completely fallen off of a trailer hauling a Hells Bay boat. The driver dragged the rig off to the side and tow truck had to block traffic.Had to put the trailer up on the flat bed wrecker, cops were on sight…total cluster w traffic backed up as far as I could see. Felt bad for the guy, 30K boat but the $15 hub ruined his and a lot of other people’s day.
Hubs are indeed very critical. I run bearing buddies and top off with grease a couple times per year. I pull the hubs at least every 2-years if not more frequently and inspect and repack as necessary. I always stop and do a quick hand touch on each hub after both short and long hauls to check for heat. In regards to springs, it is very hard to determine just how bad off they are, they typically look worse than they actually are. I don’t think I have ever had any last 10-years even with good rinsing and coating with undercoating at installation. You got to remember unlike truck springs these are being dunked in the salt water then left to dry at the ramp! I have had some springs that are less than 7-years old break in my hand while rebuilding a trailer. If you are headed out for a long trip I would get them checked out if you are not certain, or at the very least carry a spare with all the hardware with you. Stranded on the side of the road is a sinking feeling. Also check with your insurance company before you leave, good possibility you have road insurance through them, would be a good number to have with you before you walk out the door.