Boat trailers can develop problems while sitting unused. Tyres age, brakes can seize, bearings are repeatedly exposed to water and straps deteriorate. A quick inspection before towing can catch these problems before they become much harder to deal with.
Check the trailer particularly carefully after winter storage, before a long journey or if it has recently been launched in salt water.
Check the coupling and trailer frame
Start at the towing vehicle. Make sure the coupling is correctly seated and locked, the safety catch is engaged and the jockey wheel is raised and secured.
On a braked trailer, check the breakaway cable is correctly attached and is not frayed, kinked or dragging. Unbraked trailers should have the appropriate secondary coupling securely fitted.
Walk around the chassis and look for significant corrosion, cracked welds, loose fixings, bent sections or damage around the drawbar, axle and suspension mounting points.
If the trailer is sitting unevenly, find out why. A soft tyre, suspension problem or binding brake could be responsible.
Inspect the tyres, wheels and bearings
Trailer tyres often deteriorate through age before their tread wears out. Check for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear and signs of rubbing, then check the pressure when the tyres are cold. Include the spare if you carry one.
Wheel nuts should be secure and tightened to the trailer manufacturer’s specification.
Bearings also deserve attention because the hubs may be repeatedly immersed during launching. Where it is safe to check, a wheel that feels rough when rotated or has noticeable play needs further investigation.
After towing and before launching, an unusually hot hub compared with the others can indicate a bearing or brake problem. If anything seems wrong, have it checked before continuing.
Allow the wheel hubs to cool before launching, as immersing hot hubs in cold water can draw water past the bearing seals and cause premature bearing damage.
Check brakes, lights and electrics
On a braked trailer, inspect the visible braking components for corrosion, damage or anything that appears seized. Check that the handbrake and overrun mechanism operate correctly.
Test the sidelights, brake lights, indicators, hazards and number plate illumination where fitted. Check the plug, socket and electrical cable for visible damage at the same time.
If you remove a lighting board before launching, remember to refit and test it before towing home.
Check how the boat is secured
Inspect the bunks, rollers and keel supports for damage, excessive wear and loose fixings. The boat should sit correctly on the trailer without placing an unusual load on one support.
Check the winch and pull out enough of the strap or wire to inspect it properly. Fraying, cuts, damaged stitching, corrosion or broken wire strands should not be ignored.
For road travel, make sure the bow connection, safety chain or secondary restraint and transom straps are correctly fitted. Do not rely on the winch strap alone to secure the boat.
Loose equipment aboard should also be secured before travelling.
Check the towing weight
Remember that the boat’s published weight may not represent what you are actually towing.
Fuel, water, batteries, engines, anchors, equipment and the trailer itself all contribute to the total load. Stay within the permitted limits of the trailer, towbar and towing vehicle.
Load distribution matters too. Too little nose weight can affect stability, while excessive nose weight can overload the towbar or towing vehicle.
Check again before using the slipway
When you arrive, stop somewhere safe away from the ramp and give the trailer another walk-round. Check the tyres, restraints and winch connection and look for anything that may have moved during the journey.
Prepare the boat before occupying the ramp. Fit the drain plug, prepare lines and fenders and secure loose equipment. Once you move onto the ramp, its condition, gradient, wind and tidal stream can all affect launching a powerboat safely.
Check the trailer after recovery
Once the boat is back on the trailer, move to a safe, level area before preparing for the road.
Make sure the boat is sitting correctly, attach the road restraints and safety connection, refit any lighting board and test the lights.
If the trailer has been immersed in salt water, rinse it with fresh water where appropriate, particularly around the brakes, hubs, springs and fasteners. Avoid directing a high-pressure jet at bearing seals.
Regular rinsing does not replace servicing. Bearings, brakes, coupling components, rollers and straps still need checking and maintaining according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommendations and how the trailer is used.
Make trailer checks part of the routine
The trailer is only one part of preparing for a day on the water. Once the boat is launched, the weather, tide, route, fuel and equipment all need attention as part of your pre-departure checks.
A consistent trailer routine is straightforward: check it before towing, prepare the boat away from the ramp and check everything again before the journey home.
FAQs about boat trailer safety
How often should a boat trailer be professionally serviced?
The appropriate service interval depends on the trailer, how frequently it is used and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Trailers regularly immersed in water or used for longer journeys may require closer attention than one used occasionally. Do not wait for an obvious fault before arranging maintenance.
Should you carry wheel chocks for a boat trailer?
Wheel chocks can be useful when a trailer needs to remain stationary on suitable ground, particularly during preparation or storage. They should be appropriate for the trailer and used as an additional precaution rather than as a substitute for the trailer’s normal braking or securing arrangements.
Can a boat be stored on its trailer for long periods?
Many boats are stored on trailers, but the boat needs to be supported correctly and the trailer should remain on suitable ground. Long-term storage is also a good opportunity to monitor tyre condition, corrosion and components that may deteriorate even when the trailer is not moving.
What should you do if a boat trailer starts to feel unstable while towing?
A change in stability should be taken seriously. Avoid sudden steering or braking inputs, reduce speed safely and stop somewhere suitable to inspect the trailer, load and towing setup before continuing. Do not carry on simply because the trailer appears normal from the driver’s seat.
Should you carry spare trailer parts on longer journeys?
Carrying a suitable spare wheel and basic equipment appropriate to the trailer can be useful, provided you know how to use them safely. The most useful spares will depend on the trailer and journey, and roadside work should only be attempted where it can be carried out safely.