DIRTY WORK

Let’s face it. Pulling maintenance on a boat or trailer is never any fun.

It’s dirty work that comes with the territory of ownership. It can sometimes get expensive when maintenance checks point to something in need of repair.

Trust me. It’s always better to discover things like a faulty trailer tire, leaky seal or weak water pump sooner than it is later. Stuff that breaks unexpectedly when you are rolling down the road or tooling across the water — far from home or shore — can put you in a serious bind.

Here are a some boat and trailer maintenance tips with a few towing tips thrown in. Following them won’t guarantee smooth sailing, but it could prevent break downs and other mishaps that can leave you stranded, or worse.

Tire Condition

Periodically check tires for excessive tread wear, lumps or dry rot. One of the most common signs of dry rot are cracks in the rubber. It shows up on the sidewall and between the treads.

Dry rotted tires should be replaced, even if the tread is still tall. Faulty tires are prone to blow out, especially when heat builds up rolling down the highway at high speeds. Hot weather compounds the problem.

It’s also a good idea to know the manufacture date of the tires. The date is listed on the sidewall, usually in four consecutive numbers. The first two numbers indicate the week the tires were made; the second numbers indicate the year. A 2122 code means the tire was made the 21st week of 2022.

It’s a good idea to replace old tires, even if the tread still appears to be good. The rubber breaks down with age. Running on tires beyond 5-6 years old is operating on borrowed time. Blowouts at high speeds can cause accidents or result in costly damage to fenders and paint.

Pressure Checks

Fuel Checks

Periodically check the air pressure on the trailer tires as well as the tow vehicle to ensure the tires are inflated properly. The recommended pressure (PSI) is listed on the sidewall.

Tires that are low on air pressure won’t roll as easily. This means the motor of the tow vehicle will have to work harder to pull the trailer down the road, resulting reduced fuel mileage.

Tires short on air also create more friction. Friction equates to heat, which can lead to premature tire wear and/or hazardous blowouts.

Gasoline isn’t what it used to be. Modern fuels break down and go bad faster than you might think.

Old gasoline should be siphoned from the tank and properly discarded. Refill the tank with fresh gas. Adding a quality fuel conditioner will prolong its life.

Tongue Weight

A boat that rides too far forward in the trailer cradle can cause the trailer to be front heavy. This puts too much weight on the tongue and increases the amount of weight on the bumper of the tow vehicle.

The opposite occurs when the boat rides too far back on a trailer. This can cause the trailer to sway, particularly at high speeds.

Ideally, the amount of weight that is distributed on the tongue of the trailer should be about 5-10 percent of the total tow package, including the boat, motor, gear and trailer.

A Level Ride

The trailer should ride fairly level when hooked to the bumper. The best way to accomplish the stance with a tall truck is with a drop hitch.

The drop hitch is designed with an offset arm to lower the point were the trailer connects to the ball. The hitches are available in a variety of drop ranges. Some, like the B&W Tow and Stow, can be adjusted up or down. Always make the hitch is locked to the ball with safety pin in place.

Cooling System

Outboard engines cool by pulling water through an intake and spitting it out through a small pee hole. The pee hole located just below the the cowling cover, usually near the rear corner of the engine.

A properly operating engine should displace a strong stream of water from the pee hole while running. If the stream is weak or non-existent, kill the engine and inspect for blockage. Mud daubers and other insects can clog output passage with dirt and other debris.

If the passage is not blocked, it could be a sign of a failing water pump impeller or a clogged water intake. Determine the cause and fix it before operating the engine.

You can check operation at home by connecting a motor flusher and water hose to the intake, then starting the engine. Never test an outboard engine without water circulating through it.

Don’t Overload It

Never attempt to tow a boat and trailer package that exceeds the towing capacity of the tow vehicle. The tow vehicle won’t be able to brake properly. Plus, it will result in significant drops in fuel economy.

Check Fuel/Vacuum Lines

Rubber fuel and vacuum lines on an outboard engine can develop cracks or pin holes with age. This can result in fuel leaks or shoddy performance. Periodically check all hoses and connections for cracks or leaks. Hoses should be supple, not brittle. A faulty fuel primer bulb can cause performance issues.

Bearing Checks

Checking and maintaining wheel bearings is messy job, but it’s worth it. Wheel bearings are the guts that allow your tires to turn freely on the spindle.

It’s a good idea to grease bearings periodically to promote longer life and trouble- free operation.

Performing regular maintenance want guarantee against trouble, but it can go a long ways towards helping to prevent a frustrating breakdown from spoiling your fun.

Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.