As every boatie knows, the adventure begins well before you hit the water. One of the most important aspects of any boating experience is ensuring your boat trailer is in peak condition. Whether you’re heading out for a quick fishing trip or a longer holiday on the water, your trailer needs to be reliable, safe, and ready to transport your vessel. At Australian Boating Supplies, we offer a variety of products that help maintain and repair your trailer, ensuring that your boating trips are stress-free.

Why Trailer Maintenance Matters

Trailer maintenance isn’t just about keeping your trailer looking good—it’s about ensuring your safety and the safety of everyone on the road. A well-maintained trailer makes towing easier, reduces the risk of breakdowns, and ensures your boat arrives safely at its destination. Here are some tips on how to check and maintain your trailer before hitting the road.

1. Trailer Light Board: Ensure Clear Visibility

One of the most important things to check before towing your boat is your trailer’s light board. Functional lights ensure that other drivers can see you, making it safer for everyone on the road. Faulty lights can lead to traffic accidents or fines.

• Inspect your light board regularly for any burnt-out bulbs, cracks, or loose connections. Even a small issue like a broken light can lead to a fine or, worse, an accident.
• Test all lights (taillights, brake lights, indicators, and reverse lights) by connecting the trailer to your tow vehicle and activating each light.
• Clean your light board regularly to remove dirt, grime, or saltwater buildup, which could affect visibility or cause short circuits.
• If your lights are dim or flickering, check the wiring for signs of corrosion or wear. Replacing corroded or damaged wiring will save you from potential electrical failure.
• At Australian Boating Supplies, we stock high-quality trailer light boards designed for durability in both fresh and saltwater environments, ensuring maximum visibility day or night.

2. Lubricants: Protect Your Trailer from Wear and Tear

Lubrication is crucial for the longevity of your trailer. Bearings, hinges, and other moving parts need the right lubricants to prevent rust, wear, and tear, especially if your trailer is exposed to water and salt air.

• Regularly lubricate the wheel bearings to reduce friction and prevent overheating, which can cause damage. Use a grease gun to apply fresh grease into the bearing grease seals.
• Lubricate the moving parts such as the winch, trailer coupler, and jockey wheel. This helps prevent rust and ensures smooth operation when you need them most.
• Use the right lubricants—make sure to use lubricants specifically designed for trailers, as they’re made to withstand saltwater and harsh conditions.
• Inspect the lubrication regularly, especially after every long trip. If you’re storing your trailer for the off-season, apply a fresh coat of lubricant to keep all moving parts from seizing.
• We offer a range of lubricants designed for trailers, helping protect critical components from wear and tear, ensuring smoother operation and longer-lasting performance.

3. Trailer Plugs: Don’t Let Your Wiring Get in the Way

A trailer plug is an essential connection between your trailer’s electrical system and the tow vehicle. If your trailer plug is damaged or not connected correctly, you risk losing power to your lights, brakes, and other electrical components.

• Check for corrosion on the contacts and terminals. If you see any rust or corrosion, clean it off with a wire brush or replace the plug if the corrosion is severe.
• Ensure a secure connection—before each trip, double-check that the trailer plug is properly connected to the vehicle and secured in place.
• Keep the trailer plug clean—use a silicone spray or electrical contact cleaner to prevent moisture and dirt buildup that can cause electrical issues.
• Check the wiring for any frayed or exposed wires. If you find any, replace the damaged wiring immediately to prevent a potential electrical failure.
• We carry a wide range of trailer plugs compatible with various trailer types, ensuring you have the right fit for your towing needs.

4. Bearing Kits & Bearing Protection: Keep Your Trailer Rolling Smoothly

The bearings on your trailer wheels are essential for smooth towing. If they’re damaged, your trailer could overheat, which leads to damage or failure. Bearing maintenance is a key step in trailer care.

• Regularly inspect your bearings for any signs of wear, like abnormal noises or excessive heat. If you notice either, it’s time to replace the bearings.
• Replace your bearings every 12-18 months if you frequently use your trailer, or sooner if you notice any wear. Overloading or heavy saltwater exposure can shorten the lifespan of your bearings.
• Apply bearing protection grease to prevent contaminants like water or dirt from entering the bearing, which can cause premature failure.
• Check the bearing seals for any signs of damage. If the seals are compromised, replace them to keep the bearings protected from dirt and water.
• At Australian Boating Supplies, we offer bearing kits and bearing protection solutions to ensure your trailer runs smoothly, even after extensive use in harsh conditions.

5. Jockey Wheels: Make Manoeuvring Your Trailer Easier

Jockey wheels help with the manoeuvrability of your trailer when you’re not hitched to a tow vehicle. They also support your trailer when it's stationary. Over time, they can wear down or get damaged, making it harder to move your trailer.

• Inspect the jockey wheel for wear. Look for signs of damage such as rust, cracks, or bent parts. If the wheel feels difficult to rotate, it might be time for a replacement.
• Grease the jockey wheel’s moving parts to prevent it from seizing up or becoming stiff over time. This will make manoeuvring your trailer much easier.
• Check the height adjustment to ensure the jockey wheel functions properly. If it’s too loose or too tight, adjust it to allow for smooth movement.
• If you need to replace your jockey wheel, choose one with a higher weight rating if you plan on loading heavier boats in the future.
• We carry a variety of jockey wheels designed for easy handling and manoeuvring, ensuring that your trailer is simple to move around when unhitching.

6. Winches: Secure Your Boat with Confidence

A winch is a key component for loading and unloading your boat. Over time, winches can get rusty or damaged from constant use in harsh conditions, including saltwater exposure.

• Inspect the winch’s rope or strap for signs of wear, such as fraying or splitting. A worn strap can easily snap under the weight of your boat, so make sure to replace it immediately.
• Lubricate the winch mechanism regularly to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation. Apply grease to the gears and moving parts to prevent corrosion.
• Check the winch’s mounting bolts to ensure they are tight and secure. Loose bolts could cause the winch to malfunction when it’s needed most.
• Test the winch before each trip by using it to load and unload your boat. If it feels stiff or jerky, it may need to be serviced or replaced.
• We provide durable winches that are corrosion-resistant and designed to secure your boat safely during transport.

7. Safety Chain: Essential for Trailer Security

A safety chain is an important backup for securing your trailer to the tow vehicle. If the trailer becomes disconnected from the hitch, the safety chain ensures it doesn’t break free and cause an accident.

• Inspect the chains for wear, rust, or fraying. If you notice any damage, replace the safety chain to maintain its strength.
• Check the length of your chains. Ensure they are long enough to allow the trailer to manoeuvre but not so long that they drag on the ground.
• Ensure the safety chains are securely attached to both the trailer and the tow vehicle. Double-check the attachment points before each trip to avoid any accidental disconnections.
• Cross the chains underneath the hitch to create a cradle in case the trailer becomes detached, which will help prevent the tongue of the trailer from hitting the ground.
• We offer safety chains that meet Australian safety standards, ensuring your trailer is secure during transport.

8. Padlocks: Keep Your Trailer Safe When Not in Use

When your trailer is parked or left unattended, it’s essential to keep it secure from theft. A sturdy padlock on your trailer’s hitch or wheels can give you peace of mind while you’re away.

• Use high-quality padlocks made from hardened steel or with corrosion-resistant coatings to prevent cutting or rusting.
• Lock the trailer’s hitch when not in use, especially if you plan on leaving it unattended for long periods. Some people even use locks for individual wheels to prevent theft.
• Store your padlocks in a dry, safe place to prevent moisture buildup that could cause them to rust. Regularly inspect the locks for any signs of wear.
• Choose a lock that fits securely—ensure the lock fits snugly around the hitch or wheel to prevent thieves from easily removing it.
• At Australian Boating Supplies, we stock strong, weather-resistant padlocks designed to withstand outdoor conditions, keeping your trailer and boat safe from theft.

Trailer Maintenance Products Glossary

Click on the product below to find it on our website:

• Trailer Light Board: A device that houses the trailer's lights to ensure visibility on the road.
• Lubricants: Substances used to reduce friction and protect moving parts on your trailer from wear and rust.
• Trailer Plugs: Electrical connectors that link the trailer’s system to the tow vehicle’s electrical system.
• Bearing Kits & Bearing Protection: Components designed to replace or protect wheel bearings, ensuring smooth operation.
• Jockey Wheels: A movable wheel mounted on the trailer to help with manoeuvring and stabilizing the trailer when stationary.
• Winches: Mechanical devices used to secure or pull a boat onto a trailer.
• Safety Chain: A backup safety feature that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle in case of hitch failure.
• Padlocks: Security locks used to prevent unauthorized access to your trailer when not in use.