Even the Best Boat Trailers Will Have Problems If Neglected

Few boat owners or anglers with fishing boats think about their boat trailers until something goes wrong. But this out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude unfortunately leads to problems that a little planning and attention could have helped prevent.

Mike Pellerin, director of BoatUS Angler, which offers both on-the-water and on-the-road assistance to its members, says that even the best boat trailers, without regular maintenance, may develop problems due to the stresses caused by rough roads and owner neglect.

In 2007, the BoatUS 24-hour dispatch centers reported the top five reasons for boat trailer service calls and their frequency of occurrence:

• Flat tires (44%)
• Bearing problems (20%)
• Axle problems (14%)
• Suspension problems (9%)
• Tongue problems (5%)

Does this mean today’s boat trailers aren’t well made?

“Boat trailers are better than ever,” said Pellerin. “However, because they are constructed so well, boat owners tend to overlook things such as checking tires for wear and forgetting to grease wheel bearings. Driving over the unavoidable rough patches and potholes contributes to early trailer or tire failure.”

Many national roadside assistance clubs do a great job helping stranded motorists. But when it comes to boat trailer breakdowns, boaters need to know that their “auto” club may not be their best option because boat trailer assistance often isn’t included. When that happens, boats get left stranded on the side of the highway while their owners seek help.

Both BoatUS, through its Trailer Assist program, and Sea Tow, through its Trailer Care program, offer national roadside assistance designed to meet the specific needs of trailer boaters.