winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

[mthieme]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

I've never blocked up any of the many trailers I've had - no problems.
They rust out long before the springs have a chance to sag!

Matter of fact, listen to this one...
I have a camp ground 100 miles away on the Potomac. I drag up one of my hydroplanes so I can play on the river. After a few hours of fun on the river, I pull her out. I use two 1" ratchet straps fore and aft to secure her. I do the front first. When I get to the back - it doesn't tighten up. I'm cranking and cranking thinking, man this thing should be tighter than a drum by now. Well, it finally hits me that something just isn't right. I walk around the trailer and discover the rear cross beam is has more rust than steel and is now shaped like the bottom of my SeaRay. It was a precarious ride home but I took the back roads. I tore out the bad stuff and welded in a fence post. Upon further inspection ,the springs were a solid mass of rust - you couldn't tell where the springs stopped and started. Everyone will be happy to know that this trailer has been replaced. (It was my only legal one!)

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

Three trailers here, a boat trailer, camper, and motorcycle trailer. I'm never have and doubt if I ever will block them up and/or pull the wheels. The most I ever do is park them on a board to keep them from sinking in the grass. My junk is old, too, and the springs are still fine....one is a '74, one a '76, and the newest a '85.

 

[INJUN]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

In my 20 or so years of trailered boats, The most I do is to rest the tires on wood planks. Never had a problem.

I heard that you shouldn't put tire dressing (armorall, etc.) on the tries unless you will do it all the time, as it promotes cracking if left alone. I've never done this, I'm just passing on what I've heard.

It's getting to be the saddest time of the year.

 

[chrisg]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

In my 20 or so years of trailered boats, The most I do is to rest the tires on wood planks. Never had a problem.

I heard that you shouldn't put tire dressing (armorall, etc.) on the tries unless you will do it all the time, as it promotes cracking if left alone. I've never done this, I'm just passing on what I've heard.

It's getting to be the saddest time of the year.

Hey, you made me think of another issue - cover the tires ( when left outside) I see some people do that, is it worth it?

 

[triumphrick]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

[/URL] [/img]QUOTE]

Oh my God....what the heck is all that white stuff. And what is that big lump under it to the right????

 

[triumphrick]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

Upon further inspection ,the springs were a solid mass of rust - you couldn't tell where the springs stopped and started. Everyone will be happy to know that this trailer has been replaced. (It was my only legal one!)

If you would like to prevent that...

This has worked for me for the past 33 years, passed on by a neighbor in the trailer business.

Next time you drain the oil from the car, truck, etc. literally pour it out over the springs. Yeah, its messy, but place some flattened cardboard boxes under one spring at a time to catch the overflow. I don't do this in the driveway. May want to use an old towel to work it in, but spring steel will soak that stuff up. Redo it after five years or so. Yes, it will catch a little sand and dirt, but washes off pretty easily, especially at launch. It has never affected the springs or hangers in any adverse way.

 

[witenite0560]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

Hey! The old oil on the springs is a good idea!! Actually, probably helps to get a little oil in between the leaves.
As to covering your tires. Yes, it will definitely help. Tires worst enemy is UV light. It's the main thing that makes them age.

 

[Mark42]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

The first two winters I stored my MFG, I blocked up the trailer so the tires were in the air. This was difficult to do, and I was afraid of having the trailer fall while jacking it up. So after that, I just let it sit on the grass. If it has taken a set from snow and ice buildup, I have not noticed it. And one advantage of sitting on the grass is the tire sinks into the ground an inch or two during the fall wet weather preventing a flat spot on the tires. At least that's what I tell myself...

 

[chrisg]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

It's a under cover 'boat-sical'

This was ment for the posting asking what the white lump in the pic was!

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: winterizing - lift trailer off wheels?

Rear lump was indeed a boat-sicle.
The lump in front of the boat was an Oldsmobile 88-sicle.

M.